'Let's Catch the Lion' Japanese Animal Chess (Dobutsu Shogi)

[@higgledypiggledycubledy8899]

Thanks for this video, love your channel. I put together a rudimentary version with bits of paper just to try it out, me and my kid both love the game. Surprising how non-trivial it is!

[@michaelmacaraig2841]

It's a quick game to play with a small board and just four pieces a side. You immediately get into action with your opponent. I played the mobile app version and found it addictive to play. I know the conventional shogi game so I easily understood the rules. The game reminds me of sumo, which is quick but action-packed. They also have the goro goro doubotsu shogi, which introduces dogs and cats, that move as gold and silver generals respectively. In goro goro doubotsu shogi, they don't have elephants and giraffes.

[@Forrestbreathertribe]

This looks AWEsome. The colours are nice, the images are fun and it seems like it would be a great alternative for those who don't easily grasp chess or who feel too overwhelmed by it.

[@Aclas143]

I learned this game the hard way in the VR game "Last labyrinth" on the Oculus Quest... Trust me, this game haunts me since then.

[@AncientChess]

Wow, what a place to meet the Lion King!

[@Darkclow3r]

First it seemed to simple to be enjoyable, but as the video progressed, the rules got more interesting and complicated. And I would actually like to try that game.

[@xavier3961]

Simple but amazing!!

[@AncientChess]

Great! It's an amazingly sophisticated game, for such a simple board and layout. Thanks for the comment! :)

[@lhollman284]

Did I hear you say that we can get this game from you? MIght I persuade you to donate a few to our NYC public school?

[@mcatuara1]

Do you still have these games for sale?..please let me know.

[@AncientChess]

I know. Kids love this game and adults find it totally addictive.

[@luisdotespinal]

But opposing pieces have the same color, how can we tell which player is which? I love the concept, btw.

[@AncientChess]

Really good question. When they face you, they are your pieces; when they face the other way, they are the opponents'. I like to put a little mark or sticker on the front edge of the piece, so it is more immediately obvious whose piece it is.

[@kirbyfan107]

This looks like a really cute game; and a really fun way to learn Shogi (Heck, I might need to play this to understand Shogi.) But, one thing that I couldn't stop thinking about is how both sides look the same (I also noticed this about Shogi.) Doesn't it ever get confusing that your pieces and your opponent's pieces look exactly the same?

[@AncientChess]

In shogi, it's pretty clear -- your pieces are pointing at them, and their pieces are pointing at you. With the animal game, kids sometimes get confused when they're starting out -- you have to remember you pieces are 'facing' you while the opponent's pieces are 'upside-down' ... But I think it's easy to get used to. It occurs to me that coloring the front edge of the pieces would make the difference more obvious. Thanks for pointing that out

[@kirbyfan107]

+AncientChess Oh, okay. I guess that makes sense that your opponent's pieces would be seen as upside-down. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@AncientChess]

Thanks, I agree. An amazingly intricate game though it is so simple! You can get them at my website (8th thing down, in the center column). I have just a few on the shelf, and just ordered more from Japan. Rick AncientChess com

[@davidhiko]

That game is awesome my girlfriend would love it. I need one!!!

[@aaronjacobamadorsalazar1934]

The hen moves like a Gold General

[@YuiraKun]

Well promoted pawns move like gold generals

[@DimonKILL]

Chicken is regular pawn, and hen is promoted pawn, which is Gold.

[@origamicrane685]

Again, great video.

[@AncientChess]

Thanks Ben!

[@DimonKILL]

So this game is Shogi, but 3x4, changed pieces, lesser pieces and 3+?

[@kalevathewolf2008]

a lot like shogi! I have shogi, Chinese checkers, jungle chess the app, and chess and checkers! (and way more that aren't related)

[@AncientChess]

+Beverly Westburg -- Thanks for the good comment! Yeah, they're all really interesting games :)

[@kalevathewolf2008]

+AncientChess sub to me plz ancient chess! ;3

[@brijbali]

davidhiko is right i want one also

[@teamjsapotboiler6793]

quite simple!!

[@gameon2553]

Is this a patented game?

[@kazuoyamashita1052]

5:11 Your lion can't move to the square.

[@AncientChess]

Sorry, I was suspending the reality of the game for a moment there and jumping to new position. But thanks for the careful review! Please do feel invited to comment on any of my videos any time!

[@RoyalKnightVIII]

Even the king of the animals can't jump wherever he wants!

[@Sphemus]

@@RoyalKnightVIII Ye, it's a legal move in this game. The Lion can move into check. Let's just say that when that Lion moved to that square, their Lion got scared for a bit, & then they cornered themselves by those other animals getting dropped into the board.

[@AncientChess]

EBAY MEMBER GREENI -- You have to contact me HERE! I cannot share information freely on eBay -- if I do, they give me bad marks and torpedo my seller rating. I have no way of contacting you outside eBay at this point.

[@pwnismaximus]

(: Thanks for that!

[@DimonKILL]

Lion - King Giraffe - Rook Elephant - Bishop Chick - Pawn