description Dobutsu Shogi Overview
A small board and animal-themed pieces make Dobutsu Shogi, also sold as Let's Catch the Lion, an approachable introduction to Japanese shogi. Developed by Madoka Kitao and Maiko Fujita, it first appeared in 2008. Each player starts with a lion, giraffe, elephant and chick on a board just three squares wide and four squares long. Movement symbols on the pieces help beginners understand their options without learning traditional shogi characters.
Captured pieces can return to play on the captor's side, preserving the drop mechanic that gives shogi much of its tactical character. A chick can promote, while victory involves capturing the opposing lion or safely advancing a lion to the far edge. The compact format suits children and new strategy-game players, but the possibility of drops rewards careful planning. It provides practice in spatial reasoning without requiring a full-size shogi set.
help Dobutsu Shogi FAQ
How do you play Dobutsu Shogi (Let's Catch the Lion)?
Dobutsu Shogi is a simplified version of Japanese chess played on a small 3x4 board using wooden animal figures. The objective is to catch the opponent's lion, similar to capturing the king in traditional chess, while moving pieces like giraffes and elephants based on their specific rules.
What are the rules for dropping captured pieces in Dobutsu Shogi?
Like in traditional shogi, when you capture an opponent's piece, you hold it in your hand and can 'drop' it back onto the board as your own piece on a future turn. However, you cannot drop a piece onto a square if it would have no legal moves, nor can you drop a chick onto the last row where it would be unable to move.
Can you win instantly in Dobutsu Shogi?
Yes, you can win instantly by moving your lion onto the opponent's baseline (the first row), provided it is completely safe from capture on the opponent's next turn. Alternatively, you win the game by directly capturing the opponent's lion.
What ages is Dobutsu Shogi suitable for?
The game was specifically created by professional shogi player Madoka Kitao to teach young children the basic concepts of shogi, making it suitable for kids ages 4 and up. Despite being an educational tool, its deep tactical choices make it highly enjoyable for adult strategy gamers as well.
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