Ani-Mayhem (1996) Board Game

Ani-Mayhem is a collectible card game that was released in in 1996. It was designed by Jon Healy, Keith Pinster, and Josh Ritter, and features artwork by Pioneer. The game allows players to build decks of cards representing characters from various anime and manga series and battle against each other in a strategic card game.

Game Components of Ani-Mayhem

Card Sets: Three main sets – Set 0 (feat. *Bubblegum Crisis*, *El-Hazard*, *Ranma ½*, *Tenchi Muyo!*), Set 1 (feat. *Armitage III*, *Dominion: Tank Police*, *Oh My Goddess*, *Phantom Quest Corp.*, *Project A-ko*), and Set 2 (feat. *Dragon Ball Z*).

Location Cards: Represent various places where players can find items and encounter disasters.

Item Cards: Treasures that players aim to collect.

Disaster Cards: Enemies and hazards that move around the playing field.

Character Cards: Anime protagonists used by players.

How To Setup Ani-Mayhem

To set up Ani-Mayhem, players create a playing field using location cards. Each player assembles a team of character cards and places them on the field. The field also includes item cards and disaster cards, which are arranged according to the game’s rules. Players then prepare for their journey across dimensions, scavenging for goods and battling against disasters.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Collectible Card Game (CCG).

Designers: Jon Healy, Keith Pinster, and Josh Ritter.

Publishers: Upper Deck Company, produced by Pioneer Animation (now Geneon).

Number of Players: 1-4.

Playing Time: 45 minutes.

Age Range: 12 and up.

Objective: Players aim to travel across the playing field, collect item cards, and battle against disaster cards. The game can be played against the disasters rather than directly against other players.

Player Experience

Ani-Mayhem offers a unique and ambitious gameplay experience, allowing players to interact with characters from various anime series and movies. However, the game was criticized for its cumbersome and confusing rules, which were often revised with new sets. The game’s design allowed for solo play, a feature that was innovative at the time.

Pros

Multi-Property Approach: Features characters from multiple anime series.

Solo Play: Can be played with one player.

Original Mechanics: Used a “board” of cards for movement and interaction.

High-Quality Card Stock: Critically praised for the quality of the cards.

Cons

Complex Rules: Rulebook was considered uninformative and incomplete initially.

Balance Issues: The *Dragon Ball Z* expansion introduced cards that were significantly more powerful, causing game imbalance.

Cumbersome Design: Gameplay was often confusing and clunky.

Personal Thoughts on Ani-Mayhem

Ani-Mayhem is a game that will appeal to nostalgic collectors and fans of early anime series. Despite its flaws, it was an ambitious attempt to combine multiple anime properties into a single game. It’s best suited for those who are interested in the history of collectible card games and anime culture, rather than for players seeking a streamlined and balanced gaming experience. The game’s unique mechanics and solo play feature make it a fascinating piece of gaming history.

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