- BGG rank
- BGG #8,773
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Sauros
- 2–5 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2026
- BGG rank
- BGG #17,652
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Tanuki
2024
Rules assistance for Tanuki
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–6 players
- 20 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.3/5
Rules assistant for Tanuki
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Tanuki is a board game released in 2024 for 3–6 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Cole Smith and its main mechanics are Take That.
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About the game
The legendary tanukis, also known as the Japanese raccoon dog, are reputed to be mischievous and jolly masters of disguise within Japanese folklore. Show your determination and reign supreme in this fierce and adorable card game. Welcome to the vibrant world of Tanuki, where Gardeners, Geishas, Ninjas and tons of cute furry creatures clash in a race to cultivate the most productive bamboo garden. Will you try and get revenge or stay focused on your own garden? If you are looking for cute designs, fierce battles and strategic decision-making, then Tanuki is the game for you. Do you have what it takes to win in this no holds barred take that game? It's time to unleash your inner furry warrior! Tanuki is a fast-paced card game where players compete to grow the most productive bamboo garden. During their turn, players play Action or Character cards, apply the cards’ effects and harvest bamboo from their gardens. Each Character card in the garden has its own unique abilities. The game finishes once the harvest season has come to an end. The player with the most bamboo wins. Strategic decision-making and interaction between players are key elements of this game.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Yaofish Games
- Synapses Games
- White Goblin Games
- Planeta Igor
- Elznir Games
Questions and answers
Tanuki supports 3–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Tanuki is 20 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 Tanuki for ages 8 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.
Tanuki has a complexity rating of 1.3 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.
Tanuki belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Take That. 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 Tanuki are: Cole Smith. 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 Tanuki 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.