Thought Punks

Tag: Studio Ghibli

  • RPG Idea: Hard Road Ahead

    RPG Idea: Hard Road Ahead

    This entry is part 3 of 3 in the series Free Games

    Something I may never complete. Inspired to share this from my slush pile by my post about Ghibli-inspired games. Putting this out there for anyone else to finish, if they want. Fully open license, public domain. Use as you will.

    Hard Road Ahead

    Mysterious forest road at night with a solitary silhouette, creating a haunting atmosphere.

    A two-player micro-RPG inspired by the darker elements of Studio Ghibli.

    Overview

    One player takes the role of The Young Person, someone desperately striving to save a loved one who will die without their help. The other plays The World That Is, a callous, indifferent force that cares only for the endless cycles of life, death, and the laws of the universe. Together, you will tell a story of hardship, fleeting hope, and the cruel beauty of persistence.

    What You Need

    • 6-sided dice (d6), at least three.
    • Paper and pen for tracking progress.
    • A quiet space to reflect and tell your story.

    Setup

    1. The Young Person names their loved one and describes why they must save them. Define the relationship and what makes this bond vital.
    2. The World That Is describes the setting: is it a crumbling city, a storm-lashed forest, or a war-torn countryside? Frame the narrative tone.
    3. Both players collaboratively decide on the loved one’s three essential needs:
      • Medicine to treat or prevent sickness. What treatment do they need?
      • Food to stave off starvation. What kind of allergies and other food issues must you avoid?
      • Clothes to protect against deprivation. What is needed for the season, weather, and terrain?
    4. Draw two trackers:
      • Young Person’s Needs: Hunger, Exposure, and Exhaustion, each starting at 0.
      • Loved One’s Needs: Sickness, Starvation, and Deprivation, each starting at 0.

    How to Play

    The story unfolds across at least five quests that The Young Person must pass to gather the resources their loved one needs. Each quest is an encounter, framed by The World That Is, which presents as (roll a d6):

    • 1-2, A Social Trap: An overprotective guardian, a deceptive merchant, or others with conflicting goals.
    • 3-4, A Task: Delivering messages, retrieving a lost item, or fulfilling a troubling request.
    • 5-6, Internal Struggles: Phantoms or hallucinations of doubt and despair.

    For each quest, the conditions available in the quest may offer a chance to reduce negative conditions for the player and there are two possible outcomes:

    • Pass: The Young Person earns a vital item (Medicine, Food, or Clothes) and/or a step of relief for their own Needs.
    • Fail: The World That Is offers a deus ex machina escape at a steep cost: an increase of 1 in either Sickness, Starvation, or Deprivation for the loved one, as well as usually an increase of one of the young person’s Needs.

    Mechanics

    Set of white dice with black pips on a reflective black surface, showing various numbers.

    1. Encounter Timers: Each encounter is resolved in three rolls or less, symbolizing the limited time available. The timer reflects urgency, a collapsing bridge, approaching danger, or window of opportunity closing.
    2. Rolling for Progress: The Young Person rolls 1d6 per action. Actions must align with their described approach to the challenge. They may choose to accept 1 negative track for +2 dice. Once per encounter, you may also pick one of your loved one’s Needs and roll twice as many extra dice as the track is at. But if you take a cost (partial success or failure), it adds +1 to one of their other Needs tracks in addition to the young person’s. However, if you succeed, reduce the loved one’s Need used by 1. Possible results:
      • 6: Overwhelming success.
      • 4-5: Partial progress; the player may advance but at a cost, such as 1 Hunger, Exposure, or Exhaustion.
      • 1-3: Failure; no progress and +1 to one of the young person’s Need tracks.
    3. Tracking Needs: Needs can be alleviated to some degree by the encounters, such as eating at a strange festival to reduce Hunger or taking shelter with that witch for a while to reduce Exposure. When any of The Young Person’s Needs (Hunger, Exposure, or Exhaustion) reaches 5, they collapse, lost to the indifferent world. The game ends with tragedy, as they are discovered dying by their (probably also soon to perish) loved one.
    4. Loved One’s Condition: Failures during encounters add to the loved one’s Sickness, Starvation, or Deprivation. They cannot be alleviated under they are reached by the Young Person. However much Medicine, Food, and Clothing they have reduces Sickness, Starvation, and Deprivation that much. If the game ends with any higher than 1, or 1 in all, their future is ambiguous. 1 or 0 in all, except for all 1s, they go on to be well. When any of these reach 3, the loved one succumbs before The Young Person can reach them. The story ends in sorrow.
    5. Winning the Game: If The Young Person successfully passes at least five quests and delivers at least 1 Medicine, Food, or Clothes, they reach their loved one in time, saving them (at least for now) from death. Note the loved one’s condition to judge their epilogue. And the journey’s toll remains, leaving scars and questions about what was lost to succeed.

    Example Encounter

    The World That Is: “You step briefly inside a well-maintained old cottage and suddenly an old woman blocks your way. Her house is warm, filled with food, and she offers you shelter. But she insists you stay and never leave. Her smile is kind, but her grip on your arm is iron the moment you step anywhere near the doors or windows.”

    The Young Person: “At first I may have no choice, so I will rest a while and eat a bit to put her at ease.”

    The World That Is: “The old woman seems happy that you accept so easily. She presents course after course of food, then covers you with a blanket as you rest afterward in a deep comfortable chair, reducing both your Hunger and Exhaustion by 1.”

    The Young Person: “When she settles down herself, that is my chance. I will try to distract her by singing a lullaby to make her sleepy.”

    Successful Quest

    The young person rolls a 4, a partial success with a cost. The old woman’s eyes droop, but she shakes her head and her gaze remains fixed on them. They also take 1 Exhaustion as they sing a lullaby but resist the urge to sleep. Continuing to sing, they make a second roll. The old woman finally nods off, lulled to sleep by the soft melody. The Young Person gathers food and escapes, having some time while the woman sleeps so both reducing their Hunger by 1 and earning 1 Food for their loved one.

    Failed Quest

    The young person rolls a 2, a failure. The song is off-tune as the old woman eyes them suspiciously and remains perfectly alert as she sips her tea. The awkward tension is draining and adds +1 to Exhaustion.

    The Young Person: “I see this isn’t working. I’m going to try making increasingly bothersome requests to see if I can get her away long enough to slip out.”

    The young person groans as they roll a 3, another failure. They ask for different blankets, pillows, obscure snacks, and the whole lot of it but she never has to leave the room to accommodate the young person. The whole process is so tiring and adds another +1 to Exhaustion. Their Exhaustion is creeping very high and they decide to not risk any further action.

    The Young Person: “If I can, I’m going to accept that there is no escape for now and rest to recover a bit before the other shoe drops.”

    The World That Is: “You may remove one of those Exhaustions you gained. As you fitfully nap, you are rudely awakened being pushed out of the chair. The old woman is screaming at you about some request you made while half-asleep. As far as you can tell it was for some kind of cookie or snack, but she is taking it as a deadly insult. You are thrown out of the house in the middle of a storm, gaining 1 Exposure. Reflecting the plenty that you’re leaving behind, your loved one’s Starvation goes up by 1.”

    Themes of Reflection

    After each quest, The Young Person pauses for a moment of introspection. The player must describe what keeps them going despite the rising toll and stress, while The World That Is narrates how the environment reacts: indifferent stars, whispering winds, or the cold indifference of a collapsing society.

    Conclusion

    Hard Road Ahead is not about triumph or comfort but persistence against the odds. It captures the heartache, fleeting beauty, and relentless hardships that echo the darker undertones of Studio Ghibli’s masterpieces, while also mixing in non-traditional conflicts and whimsical encounters to reflect the other side of the inspiration. Will you make it in time, or will the world’s callousness win?

    Have you hacked this into a more complete game? Are you incorporating some of these ideas into your own game? Or have you even tried giving this raw/mini version a try? Please, shout at me on Bluesky about it. 

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    Related posts:

    1. In Defense of Optional Rules
    2. Free Duo Game: The Immortal’s Affairs
    3. Rebuttals to Criticisms of Rules-Heavy TTRPGs
    4. Immersion and Authoring in TTRPGs
    5. Let’s Talk About “Ghibli-inspired” TTRPGs
  • Let’s Talk About “Ghibli-inspired” TTRPGs

    Let’s Talk About “Ghibli-inspired” TTRPGs

    Capturing the True Essence of Studio Ghibli in TTRPGs

    Also check out the free micro-RPG I was inspired to share from my slush pile by this post.

    Charming street scene with Totoro statue in Dalat, Vietnam capturing local ambiance.

    Studio Ghibli is a household name synonymous with enchanting, dreamlike worlds, often celebrated for their whimsical charm and the tender portrayal of everyday life. It’s no surprise that many tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) have taken inspiration from these masterworks, crafting cozy, pastoral experiences centered around companionship, exploration, and self-discovery. These games are often positioned as respites from the grim, high-stakes nature of other RPG genres, drawing players into warm and relaxing worlds.

    Yet, this trend overlooks something essential: Studio Ghibli’s stories, while often deeply comforting, are never purely “sweet” or “cozy.” Beneath the surface lies a tapestry of darker, more challenging themes that infuse these films with unparalleled emotional weight. Alienation, starvation, deprivation, capitalist exploitation, environmental collapse, and oppressive hierarchies are as much a part of Ghibli’s DNA as scenes of serene nature or moments of quiet joy. To fully honor the spirit of Studio Ghibli, TTRPGs must embrace these complexities, weaving them into their mechanics, narratives, and worldbuilding.

    The Missing Depth in Many Ghibli-Inspired TTRPGs

    When examining Ghibli-inspired TTRPGs, most lean heavily into the studio’s gentler aspects: the love of nature, the celebration of community, and the beauty in small, mundane acts. While these elements are undoubtedly central to Ghibli’s ethos, they are not the full story. Films like Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and Grave of the Fireflies delve into weighty, often unsettling realities. To stop at the idyllic moments is to reduce Ghibli’s vision to mere aesthetic.

    These “cozy-only” games often:

    • Overemphasize Pastoral Tranquility: Many focus on exploration and relationships in peaceful settings but fail to introduce the conflicts that would make those moments of respite truly meaningful.
    • Ignore Oppression and Conflict: Ghibli protagonists often confront systems of control, whether Lady Eboshi’s industrial exploitation, the militarism of Nausicaä, or the greed of the bathhouse spirits in Spirited Away. Few games dare to include similarly weighty challenges.
    • Neglect Themes of Scarcity: Hunger, displacement, and environmental collapse are recurring motifs in Ghibli’s works, underscoring the fragility of survival and the need for human ingenuity and solidarity.

    What Should Ghibli-Inspired TTRPGs Include?

    A homeless man sits in distress against a concrete wall, symbolizing poverty and isolation.

    In my opinion (emphasis), to craft a game that truly captures the essence of Studio Ghibli, designers must balance beauty with hardship, sweetness with sorrow. Below are core themes and ideas that should be considered:

    1. Systems of Oppression and Exploitation

    From the militaristic societies of Nausicaä to the capitalist underpinnings of the bathhouse in Spirited Away, Ghibli films are often deeply critical of oppressive systems. These systems don’t just serve as a backdrop, they shape the very lives of the characters. Ghibli’s protagonists don’t simply fight against evil, they question the foundations of the world they live in.

    A Ghibli-inspired TTRPG should allow characters to challenge these systems, whether through direct resistance or by subtly manipulating the structures around them. Mechanics like faction dynamics and risk-assessment, as seen in systems like Blades in the Dark, can offer players the ability to weigh the cost of rebellion versus accommodation. This creates a tense atmosphere where every decision counts, and the balance between personal survival and moral integrity becomes ever more fragile.

    2. Themes of Deprivation

    Scarcity and survival are core to many Ghibli stories. Films like Grave of the Fireflies highlight the devastating effects of war on innocence, while My Neighbor Totoro showcases the economic struggles of rural life. These narratives don’t shy away from showing how deprivation shapes characters’ lives and decisions.

    In a RPG of this type, players should feel the weight of limited resources like food, medicine, or even emotional energy. Mechanics like resource tracking or forced choices between basic needs can add a layer of tension, reminding players that survival isn’t just about what’s in their inventory, but about the choices they make under pressure. This brings Ghibli’s themes of scarcity to life, allowing the mechanics to reflect the emotional struggle of living with limited options.

    3. Environmental Collapse

    Environmentalism is a cornerstone of Ghibli’s storytelling, particularly in films like Princess Mononoke and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. These works show the devastating impact of human greed and industrialization on nature.

    In a tabletop roleplaying game inspired by Ghibli, the world itself should feel alive, changing in response to the players’ actions. Whether players are healing the land or inadvertently destroying it, the environmental consequences of their decisions should be felt across the game. Systems like A Quiet Year or Apocalypse World provide great frameworks for tracking environmental health and how it directly influences the narrative. This creates a living, breathing world where players must constantly reckon with the long-term effects of their choices, adding a layer of gravity to every action they take.

    4. Complex Antagonists

    Ghibli films are famous for their complex antagonists. Whether it’s Lady Eboshi in Princess Mononoke or Yubaba in Spirited Away, the characters who stand against our heroes are rarely evil for the sake of it! They have motivations, goals, and internal conflicts that make them more than just villains.

    In this type of TTRPG, characters should encounter adversaries who aren’t easily categorized as good or evil. Instead, the game could encourage players to engage with these characters on a deeper level, possibly even negotiating or empathizing with them. Systems like Fate Core, which allow for dynamic NPC motivations and outcomes, are well-suited to explore these complex relationships. This creates room for difficult choices, where the line between enemy and ally is constantly shifting, making each encounter more meaningful.

    5. Moments of Quiet Humanity

    Even in the darkest moments, Ghibli films always offer spaces for quiet reflection, joy, and connection. Whether it’s sharing a simple meal or bonding over a shared moment of peace, these scenes offer respite from the chaos around them.

    In a tabletop RPG drawing inspiration from Studio Ghibli, it’s crucial to create space for these moments. Players should be rewarded for engaging in non-goal-oriented roleplay, moments of rest, personal growth, and camaraderie. A “quiet reflection” mechanic, where characters pause to share thoughts or reflect on their journey, could provide much-needed emotional depth, akin to the “Firelight” mechanic in Ryuutama.

    These moments should feel earned, giving players a breather from the harshness of the game while reinforcing the human connections at the heart of the story. It is important to remember that just as “hot” only has a meaning in relation to “cold”, these quiet respites gain their context and meaning from the harsher moments and themes in the world.

    Conclusion

    To truly honor Studio Ghibli’s legacy, TTRPGs must move beyond simple pastoral escapism. They must embrace the tension between the harsh and the beautiful, the oppressive and the redemptive. Only then can they capture the full magic of Ghibli’s stories, offering players not just a comforting escape, but an emotionally rich and thematically resonant experience.

    The world of Studio Ghibli is multifaceted, and to capture its essence in a tabletop game, designers must be willing to explore the darker, more complex parts of the human experience. By integrating themes like oppression, deprivation, environmental collapse, and the complexity of antagonists, while still leaving room for moments of joy, these games can mirror the depth of Studio Ghibli’s expansive universe and offer players a truly unique storytelling experience.

    As far as what I would do, I mostly leave this gargantuan task to designers much better suited to it than me. I know my limits! 😛 But, there is a skeleton of a game from my slush pile inspired by the darker themes in Ghibli movies. Check it out!

    This will surely inspire some strong opinions (and there’s so much I didn’t cover in a single blog post), so you’re welcome to come shout them at me on Bluesky.

    Share this with friends:

    Related posts:

    1. Rebuttals to Criticisms of Rules-Heavy TTRPGs
    2. Rebutting the Criticisms of Rules-Light Systems
    3. Handling Mysteries in Tabletop Roleplaying Games (Part 2)
    4. Handling Mysteries in Tabletop Roleplaying Games (Part 3)
    5. In Defense of Optional Rules

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