In search of an answer to the question “Why do so many shogi players love Pokémon?” Japanese outlet Futaman recently interviewed pro shogi player and self-proclaimed “die-hard Pokémon fan” Manao Kagawa. Shogi, known in the West as “Japanese chess,” is a traditional strategy board game in which the objective is to checkmate your opponent’s king. Compared to Western chess, the rules are considered more complex by some, and a major difference is that captured pieces can be dropped back onto the board by the capturer.
While competitive Pokémon has earned its fair share of comparisons to chess, it seems shogi players also see similarities that make it an appealing game for them. Kagawa, who is a two-time winner of the prestigious Osho title, says it’s the strategic back-and-forth that makes Pokémon so compelling, as it requires you to “constantly outthink your opponent in a one-on-one setting.”
The similarities between Pokémon and shogi can, according to Kagawa, be summed up in reading your opponent. “You have your own objectives in mind, but you also have to figure out what your opponent is thinking. That kind of tactical back-and-forth is something both games have in common. When people hear “reading your opponent” in this context, they usually assume it means thinking several moves ahead. But sometimes it’s more like solving a mate-in-x problem in shogi (jp: tsume shogi), where you decide on a winning strategy and then work your way backwards. Not all games allow that kind of reverse-thinking approach, but Pokémon does. That’s one reason it reminds me of shogi, and it’s part of what makes it so fascinating.”
Kagawa says she’s noticed that a lot of shogi players in professional circles love Pokémon, and their roots in shogi manifest in how they play. “Shogi players often prefer strategies that involve feeling out the opponent, rather than just going all in aggressively. So whenever I see a shogi pro taking their time in a Pokémon battle, I can’t help but wonder, Just how many turns ahead are they thinking? (laughs)”
Interestingly, despite being a Pokémon fan since childhood, Kagawa didn’t realize the depth and strategic potential of Pokémon battles until she started watching other skilled players duel it out on tournament streams. “The strategies these hardcore fans come up with are amazing, it’s like watching professionals.” For anyone curious, her favorite titles are Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal.
