“Wait, the hololive members wandered into the world of Hanafuda?” Yes—that kind of outrageous premise actually works perfectly as a game in Holo’s Hanafuda. Released for the Nintendo Switch, this title fuses the traditional Japanese card game Hanafuda with the charm of the hit VTuber group “hololive,” creating a unique adventure. The members you normally see on YouTube are depicted on the cards, moving freely, speaking, and challenging each other in Hanafuda matches—this worldbuilding is so fresh it made me laugh. At the same time, the attention to detail in their expressions and dialogue is so well done that it draws in even those who aren’t already fans.

If you’re thinking, “Hanafuda sounds hard......”—hold on a second. This game includes not only the standard rules like Koi-Koi, Oicho-Kabu, and Hana-Awase, but also a completely original rule set called “Holo-Awase.” And this “Holo-Awase” is no ordinary Hanafuda. You can collect hololive members depicted on the cards to trigger “Holo Combos,” and use each character’s unique “Talent Skills” to play in a way that feels almost like a card battle. It’s packed with hooks that draw in even complete beginners, since you’ll need strategy as well as luck. You might even find yourself surprised at the unexpected abilities of familiar members, thinking, “Wait, she can do that!?”

Hanafuda is traditionally best enjoyed against other people. But with Holo’s Hanafuda, there’s no need to worry even if you’re playing solo. Offline, you can sharpen your skills against the CPU, and online, you can face off against players from around the world in real time. You can test your skills alongside your favorite member or exchange cards with hololive fans nationwide—this kind of luxury is now just a quick session away on your home console. There’s also random matching, so you can enjoy the excitement of “Who will I face today?” This is the kind of game that quietly becomes part of your daily routine.

And then there’s the game’s hidden—but important—charm: the “Homemade Bento” mode. Why is there a bento in a Hanafuda game? You might be tempted to ask, but once you try it, you’ll see it’s surprisingly elaborate and fun. Using coins earned from Hanafuda matches, you gather ingredients to create your own original bento in a mini-game with unexpectedly high quality. You can even exchange your bento with other players online, adding a communication element. Make one filled with your oshi’s favorite foods, or go all out for visual appeal—it’s up to you. I really love this kind of playful touch.

Holo’s Hanafuda fuses tradition and modernity, analog and virtual, in a perfectly balanced way. It’s a must-try not only for hololive fans but also for anyone who enjoys Japanese-style games. Why not spend some special time with the hololive members, showing off your own unique card skills?