English Rules for Hannin ha/wa Odoru 3rd Edition
Written by Wilson Mitchell who lives and works in Tokyo as a software engineer. He loves solving new problems, language learning, board games, and travel.
I love this game and noticed there was no English version of the 3rd edition that I could find. I often play this game at various board game events that I host and not everyone can speak/read Japanese, so I created this page to make it easier to play together!
The game begins by passing out 4 cards to each player (these are chosen based on the chart at the bottom, just use all the cards if there are 8 of you). The player with the crime reporter card plays it first and tells everyone the crime they saw. Then players take turns clockwise, playing 1 card per turn. The game ends when either the criminal card is played or the criminal is found by the detective or dog card.
犯人
Criminal
Play this card to win the game. If asked, you must answer truthfully that you are the criminal unless you are also holding an alibi card.
~ ~ ~You may only play this card when it is the last card in your hand.
第一発見者
Crime Reporter
When you have this card, you start the game by playing it first and describing the crime you witnessed.
探偵
Detective
Play this card to accuse someone of being the criminal. You point to that play and ask them if they are the criminal. They must answer truthfully unless you also hold an alibi card. If they admit they are the criminal, the players who did not play the accomplice card and are not holding the criminal card win!
~ ~ ~You may only play this card from the 2nd round (when you have 3 or less cards).
アリバイ
Alibi
When you play this card, nothing happens.
~ ~ ~If you are holding this card in addition to the criminal card, you lie when asked by the detective if you are the criminal.
たくらみ
Accomplice
Play this card to permanently join the criminal's team. If the criminal wins, you win. If the criminal loses, you lose.
~ ~ ~Keep the card in front of you instead of in the play pile.
うわさ
Rumor
When you play this card, everyone takes 1 card randomly from the person on their right at the same time.
情報操作
Propaganda
When you play this card, everyone picks 1 card from their hand and gives it to the person on their left at the same time.
取り引き
Exchange
When you play this card, choose another player, then each of you choose 1 card and exchange it with each other.
目撃者
Witness
When you play this card, pick one person to look at their hand secretly.
少年
Boy Detective
Play this card to know who the criminal is by saying the following and keeping your own eyes open:
- Everyone close your eyes
- Person who has the criminal card, open your eyes
- Close your eyes
- Everyone, open your eyes
~ ~ ~Even if the criminal has an alibi card, they must open their eyes.
いぬ
Dog
When you play this card, you first pick a person and then pick a card out of their hand and show it to everyone. If the card is the criminal card, you alone win! If not, everyone now knows one card in that player's hand.
一般人
Bystander
When you play this card, nothing happens.
| # of players | # of Criminal cards | # of Crime Reporter cards | # of Detective cards | # of Alibi cards | # of Accomplice cards | # of other random cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 players | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 players | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| 5 players | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| 6 players | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 |
| 7 players | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 19 |
| 8 players | All | All | All | All | All | All |