{"slug":"tenra-bansho-zero","title":"Tenra Bansho Zero","url":"https://www.ttrpg-games.com/item/tenra-bansho-zero","agentUrl":"https://www.ttrpg-games.com/api/games/tenra-bansho-zero.json","summary":{"blurb":"Junichi Inoue's Japanese TTRPG of \"Hyper Asian\" fantasy, translated into English by Andy Kitkowski in 2013. Samurai, ninja, cyborgs, insect symbiotes and soul-powered mecha clash on the war-torn planet Tenra in stories staged like kabuki plays. Players reward each other with Aiki for great scenes, turn it into Kiai for huge d6 pools, and manage Karma so their heroes don't fall past 108.","atAGlance":"Japanese kabuki-style science-fantasy TTRPG • d6 pool, roll under skill, no dice cap • Aiki/Kiai drama economy with a Karma limit of 108 • Samurai, ninja, cyborgs, mecha • Built for one long session or a short arc • $12 PDF, about 700 pages","whyItFits":"Choose Tenra Bansho Zero when your group wants an over-the-top anime melodrama that wraps up in one long session or a short arc, and players are happy to reward each other's big moments. Its Aiki, Kiai and Karma economy makes passion the source of power and makes every power spike cost something in the story. It suits experienced players and a GM who can keep a simple plot flexible. Groups that want a long weekly campaign, light rules or balanced tactical combat should look elsewhere."},"constraints":{"playerRange":null,"sessionRange":null,"setupMinutes":null,"characterCreationMinutes":null,"prepLevel":"Medium","priceModel":"Paid"},"fit":{"beginnerFriendly":false,"newGmFriendly":2,"oneShotFriendly":true,"campaignFriendly":false,"soloFriendly":false,"improvBurden":"High","structureLevel":"Balanced","contentIntensity":"Medium"},"scores":[{"key":"complexity","label":"Complexity","value":3},{"key":"new_gm","label":"New GM Fit","value":2},{"key":"roleplay","label":"Roleplay Focus","value":5},{"key":"combat","label":"Combat Focus","value":4},{"key":"tactical","label":"Tactical Depth","value":2},{"key":"campaign","label":"Campaign Depth","value":2}],"availability":{"quickstartAvailable":false,"pdfAvailable":true,"physicalBookAvailable":true,"vttReady":false},"recommendations":{"bestFor":["Groups that want an anime or samurai-drama story finished in one long session or a short arc","Players who enjoy rewarding each other for great scenes and acting out big emotional moments","Convention or irregular tables that can't commit to a weekly campaign"],"avoidIf":["You want a long weekly campaign with steady character advancement","Your group dislikes bookkeeping such as Karma, Fates and token conversion","You need a short, quick-to-learn rulebook or balanced tactical combat"]},"facets":{"genres":["Anime and JRPG-Inspired","Science Fantasy"],"systems":[],"mechanics":["Character Customization","Narrative-Driven"],"themes":["Cinematic"],"decisionTags":["One-Shot Friendly","Rules Medium"]},"links":{"websiteUrl":"https://tenra-rpg.com/","reviewsUrl":"https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/111713/tenra-bansho-zero-heaven-and-earth-edition?affiliate_id=1659151"}}