
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,218
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Let's Catch the Lion!
- 2 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2008

2013
Rules assistance for Nanahoshi
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Nanahoshi is a board game released in 2013 for 2 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up. It was designed by Madoka Kitao and Hiroki Kaneko and its main mechanics are Grid Movement.
Nanahoshi is a two-player, non-perfect information abstract game. Twelve ladybugs are put face-down on the board, and players take turns either revealing one of the ladybugs (turning it in any direction), turning one of their ladybugs 90 degrees, or moving one step forward. A ladybug moving onto a ladybug of the other color captures it. Different ladybugs are worth different points and have different moving capabilities. The first player to catch 7 points worth of ladybugs wins the game.
Nanahoshi supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Nanahoshi is 10 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Nanahoshi for ages 6 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Nanahoshi has a complexity rating of 1.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Nanahoshi belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Grid Movement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Nanahoshi are: Madoka Kitao and Hiroki Kaneko. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Nanahoshi as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.