First things first—what's in the glass? We cracked open a bottle of Junmai Ginjo Super-Premium Sake, aka TYKU Black from the TY KU Sake Brewery. Brewed in Japan and bottled in Ewing, NJ (fancy, right?), this bad boy clocks in at 15.5% ABV with a 60% polish ratio—meaning they've shaved down the rice to unlock those silky flavors. We're talking rich texture, hints of natural sweetness, peach, and vanilla on the nose. Over 200 flavor components and higher amino acids make it a killer white wine stand-in.
Pairing-wise? Oh man, it's perfect for full-flavored seafood, marinated proteins, or oven-roasted dishes. We imagined it with some grilled salmon or teriyaki chicken while plotting our next move. Pro tip: If you're feeling adventurous, grab a bottle here on their site and let it breathe a bit. By the end of the episode, that final sip? Still smooth as ever—no harsh changes, just pure elegance. Cheers to that!
The Game: Kiri-ai: The Duel – Clash of the Card-Programming Titans
Now, onto the star of the show: Kiri-ai: The Duel, a super-quick two-player brawler from designer Kamibayashi (with art by Unreliable Wizard) and publisher Mugen Gaming (US distribution via Lucky Duck Games, the folks behind Flamecraft). "Kiri-ai" is a badass compound word—"kiri" for "cut" or "sword," and "ai" for "meeting" or "clash." Basically, it's the poetic way to say "let's throw down."
This one's all about programmed movement and rock-paper-scissors tension. You've got a hand of cards for moves, attacks, and special strikes on a simple battlefield. Each round, you both secretly play two cards face down (the one closest to the battlefield goes first), then reveal and resolve 'em one by one. Advance, retreat, strike high or low—land two damaging hits on your opponent's samurai, and boom, victory. BGG rates it a solid 7.1 with a light 1.42/5 complexity, so it's accessible but sneaky strategic.
Quick Rules Rundown (No Spoilers, Promise)
Components: 16 cards total (2 samurai, 10 actions, 4 specials), plus a battlefield card (standard or advanced side).
Setup: Pick your color (Red or Blue Samurai), slap down the battlefield, deal 5 action cards each, snag a random special attack, and ditch the extra. Start in Heaven stance, three spaces apart.
Play: Program your two cards, reveal 'em. Movement first, then attacks. No passing your foe—if you try, you cozy up in the same space. Specials like Kesa or Counterattack add that "oh snap" factor—one use only, then they're gone.
Endgame: Return your first card to hand, bench the second for the next round. Rinse, repeat. Two damage? You win.
We even chatted about the Don-ten no Kiri-ai expansion variant—flip the battlefield, divvy up all three specials, pick your starting spots and stances. Bonus: Corner your opponent in their back space without dying? Instant win. Check the full deets on Mugen Gaming's site for the nitty-gritty.
For two players? It's chef's kiss intimate—like a chess match with swords. Pure duel energy, no downtime, and that simultaneous reveal had us yelling "What?!" more than once. Fun factor? Let's just say it sparked some laughs (and maybe a little trash talk). Couch-banishing potential? Low—it's quick and fair, unless you're really competitive.
Head over to BoardGameGeek to geek out on ratings and expansions.
Last Call: Eyes on the Horizon
Before we pour one out, our Kickstarter radar pinged on Capybaras vs Pelicans by Disco What—a wild, absurd showdown that's got us hyped. Capybaras chilling in hot springs? Pelicans dive-bombing? Sign. Us. Up. Back it here on Kickstarter and tell us what you think!
That's a wrap, friends—another round of games, drinks, and zero regrets. Hit us up at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, drop a voicemail at (707) 572-5282, or slide into our DMs on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Love the show? Share it with your game-night squad!
See you next time on Meeples & Wine. Buh-bye! 🍶🎲