Ojisan magic: The trading card game that’s reviving a town
How do you highlight peoples' unique abilities - and connect a community at the same time? A small town in Japan may have the answer - and it's delightful.
In Kawara, the local community created "Ojisan Trading Cards" featuring their local middle-aged men and their special skills - and it's become a sensation that's breathing new life into their town.
The game is beautifully simple: each card features a local man with "hit points" and "magic points" based on their real-life skills. Players battle with these cards - the retired robotics expert might face off against the former train driver or the local soba chef - with the player holding the most cards at the end declared the winner.
Why I'm completely smitten with this idea:
- It's brilliantly simple yet profound - turning ordinary people into local celebrities, making the invisible visible
- The delight of children collecting cards of everyday heroes, then using their special skills in friendly battles
- Cross-generational connections: kids now recognize and chat with adults they previously wouldn't have noticed
- When children said "make this a game!"... the adults listened
- How something analog and distinctly un-digital is proving more engaging than countless high-tech attempts at community building
- The ripple effect as neighboring towns create their own versions and visitors come from as far as Europe to experience the phenomenon
The one thing that would make this even more wonderful? Including women in future editions to showcase the full spectrum of community wisdom.
Format innovation and smart design can make such a huge impact: unlocking hidden talents, bridging generational divides, and transforming how we see each other. Sometimes the simplest games are the most powerful tools for connection.
And a prompt to ponder:
If you were to design your own version of Ojisan Trading Cards for your organization or scene, which three people would you feature first, and what would their special abilities be?
I know who I'd pick...