Onitama
Two-player chess-lite — each player holds two move cards, swapped every turn with a shared fifth card.
🌤indoor
What is Onitama?
Onitama is a martial-arts themed two-player abstract game published in 2014. Each side commands a Master and four Students on a 5×5 board. Each player holds two move cards, plus one shared fifth card off to the side. When you use a card you swap it for the fifth — meaning your opponent will get your card next. Win by capturing the enemy Master or moving your own to the opposing shrine.
Quick facts
Category
Board Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Estimated origin
2014, Shimpei Sato (Arcane Wonders)
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
Sources & provenance
Last verified 2026-08-24.verified