In the rural Japan town of Kawara, young kids are collecting trading cards “where the stars aren’t fantasy creatures, anime heroes or even famous baseball players, but ojisan (middle-aged or older men).” There are 47 different cards featuring men like Mr. Honda (74), a former fire brigade chief, Soba Master Mr. Takeshita (81), who runs a local soba noodle-making class, and All-Rounder Mr. Fujii (68), a former prison officer turned community volunteer. The game’s creator said, “We wanted to strengthen the connection between the children and the older generations in the community.” The plan worked. “Kids have started attending local events and volunteering for community activities — just for a chance to meet the ojisan from their cards.” The kids also helped turn it into a game where the “objective isn’t to defeat the opponent’s card but to outplay it based on the characters’ skills and abilities.”
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