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Tabletop RPG publisher 1985 Games has returned to their popular Obojima universe with a brand new Kickstarter inspired by the worlds of Studio Ghibli and retro video games. Entitled Obojima: Tales From Yatamon, the project brings to life a range of new and previously published content for the D&D 5e rules, plus throws a brand new board game into the mix.
The Kickstarter is already close to hitting the $1 million USD mark, with plenty of time still left to go. Below, we get spirited away and dig into all the details.
What Is Obojima?
Obojima is a campaign setting created by 1985 Games for the Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition rule set. It’s described by the creators as a “leisure fantasy” setting inspired the animated films of Studio Ghibli and retro video games such The Legend of Zelda. The world of Obojima itself is similar to modern day rural Japan, with sprawling villages and pristine natural beauty. It’s also a land where friendly ghosts haunt convenience stores, animals spirits ride the subway and magical potions can be purchased from vending machines. Unlike other D&D 5e settings, Obojima is more about wonder, coziness and community rather than combat (although there are monsters, demons and dangers that lurk in the shadows).
The setting first appeared in Obojima: Tales From the Tall Grass, a D&D 5e compatible campaign sourcebook whose 2023 Kickstarter generated over $2.6 million USD in funding, with the material eventually being released to the general public in 2024 (with the book available in both hardcover and PDF formats).
Notably, Obojima: Tales From the Tall Grass is also one of the few third-party products to appear on Wizards of the Coast’s D&D Beyond platform, bringing over the original source material as well as new subclasses, spells, magic items, NPCs, monsters and maps.
What is “Oboijima: Tales From Yatamon” about?
Obojima: Tales From Yatamon is a new sourcebook that centers around the bustling city of Yatamon, Obojima’s largest and most mysterious metropolis. The new 130+ page supplement uses the D&D 2024 rules set and includes:
- 20+ new monsters unique to the city and its outskirts, from the elusive Melon Bird to the urban-dwelling Graffiti Golem.
- New subclasses, backgrounds, feat and spells, including the Witch Coven Warlock and the Vehicle Expert feat, letting players explore the city in K-trucks and enchanted Vespas.
- The Raised by Cats background, granting players adoption by one of Yatamon’s magical feline households.
- A Great Slime Hunt, one of Yatamon’s signature festivals, which can be run as a one-shot or as part of a campaign.
What is “Yanari: The Witch’s Market” board game about?
The Kickstarter campaign also includes the option to back Yanari: The Witch’s Market, a standalone board game set within thew world of Obijima. It’s designed for 2–4 players and playable in 30–50 minutes, with players taking on the role of witches who have to brew potions for customers amid the chaos of a magical bazaar. According to 1985 Games, it’s also relatively easy to learn, requiring about 10 minutes to pick up the basics.
Notably, the Witch’s Market is also included as a detailed location in the in Obijima: Tales From Yatamon sourcebook, so there is some crossover between the two products.
What is the “Obijma: Tales From The Tall Grass 2024 Edition”?
The Kickstarter campaign also revisits the book that started it all, Obojima: Tales From The Tall Grass, which has now been updated for the 2024 edition of D&D (notably the previous version used the 2014 5e rules). This new release includes everything from the original edition, plus:
- A complete layout redesign by artists including PanelPerDay (aka Scott Higginbotham), with over 100 new design elements.
- 30+ new illustrations, along with new lore and updated subclasses.
- New Enemy Dispositions rules, giving creatures more emotional depth and in-depth behaviors.
What are the Kickstarter pledge levels?
- $40 USD: A copy of Yanari: The Witch’s Market board game.
- $50 USD: The hardcover and PDF version of Obijama: Tales From Yatamon
- $70 USD: A deluxe version of the board game.
- $110 USD: Tales From Yatamon and Tales From The Tall Grass in hardcover and PDF.
- $240 USD: Includes digital and PDF versions of the two books, plus dice, flat minis, stickers, pins, postcards and DM screens.
- $310 USD: Includes the deluxe version of the board game, plus everything from the previous price tier.
- $370 USD: All books, the deluxe board game and all accessories.
Notably, the campaign includes a number of stretch goals and shipping of the physical products is estimated for October 2026.
Why back “Obojima: Tales from Yatamon” on Kickstarter?
- Ghibli-inspired worldbuilding: The world of Obojima is incredibly unique, especially when it comes to D&D 5e, offering a cozy fantasy setting grounded in nature, spirits and storytelling.
- New mechanics: For existing Obijima fans, the Tales from Yatamon sourcebook offers new locations, NPCs, monsters, magic items and character options.
- Impressive art: The original Obijima: Tales from the Tall Grass had absolutely stunning art, and this follow-up looks to continue that tradition, with all new illustrations from a range of creators.
- Dual experience: It’s pretty rare to see both a D&D campaign setting and a stand-alone board game in a single Kickstarter, but there’s a ton of potential with both of them for new and returning fans.
Final Thoughts
With Tales From Yatamon and Yanari: The Witch’s Market, 1985 Games continues to expand Obojima and cement its place as one of the D&D 5e most unique campaign settings. If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli or the original Tales from the Tall Grass, chances are this upcoming project will definitely appeal.
You can back Obojima: Tales From Yatamon and Yanari: The Witch’s Market now on Kickstarter.