Alright, as mentioned in a previous thread, I want to create an anime-themed OSR retro-clone loosely based off of OD&D, but with an anime feel and anime-styled artwork.

The base outline is that the initial core game will still be medieval fantasy along the lines of the early Final Fantasy games and shows such as The Slayers (which I really need to start watching), and each supplement will add material for a new genre or sub-genre of anime.

The outline I have in my head is as follows....

Anime & Adventuring: The core game, essentially OD&D-style fantasy with an anime twist, starts off with the material from the Men & Magic, Monsters & Treasures, and The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures and then includes all the OD&D supplement material in an appendix of the book, as well as some new classes that still fit the medieval fantasy mold, like the Samurai and Ninja.

Supplement I-Modern Adventures: Adds rules for modern settings, including some of the classes from the Anime D20 SRD like the Magical Girl, Hot Rod, Gun Bunny, Pet Monster Trainer, Super Sentai Team Member, Student, and Tech Genius. Has guidelines for different genres of anime such as Shonen, Shojo, and Seinen as well as sub-genres like martial arts adventure, harem comedies, horror, and the like.

Supplement II-Futuristic Adventures: Adds rules for Cyberpunk, Mecha, and Far Future settings, as well as two new classes, the Mecha Pilot and the Space Paladin (think along the lines of a Jedi. I know it's not anime, but I figured it could still fit the future vibe I am going for)

Supplement III-Old-Time Adventures: Adds rules and guidelines for Steampunk, Victorian, Wild West, Edwardian, and Dieselpunk characters and campaigns.

Anyway, that's what I have so far in what I want to create and eventually publish.

Now, as for the system, unlike the original incarnations of OD&D, I intend to have the modern innovation of ascending Armor Class. The dice system will mainly rely on D6's for hit dice and weapon damage, but for conflict resolution and saving throws, will resort to a D20. I kind of want to keep things simple in the initial phases.

Again, forgive me if this sounds vague but it's all I have developed so far. This is sort of a design and development thread so I can expand upon this and maybe even complete it. Hopefully if all goes well, I can publish it too.

You might want to look at the various versions of the Forcelia setting.  It's Japanese D&D-esque fantasy setting  originally written to be systemless and used with D&D, T&T and Runequest as well as having its own system now called the 2D6 system which I know nothing about except that you roll 2D6.
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_World_RPG
Record of Lodoss War was essentially a retelling of the author's D&D campaign set in the world he had created.  

It's an interesting take on a D&D world.  You could also check out the English verison of Tenra Bansho Zero to see a take on tabletop fantasy produced for a Japanese audience.  They are really quite different from American or European RPG.  I'm not sure I actually get how it is supposed to work at all.  It's only $14 though and a really interesting take on a fantasy RPG.

another game that might be worth looking at is tokyo nova
if you go with classes as that game handles classes in a modern setting rather well from what iv seen

Quote from: Doc Sammy;868615Alright, as mentioned in a previous thread, I want to create an anime-themed OSR retro-clone loosely based off of OD&D, but with an anime feel and anime-styled artwork.

How would you describe an anime feel?

Quote from: Lynn;879468How would you describe an anime feel?

I'd go with "just a touch gonzo, when not being serious". To me, anime means that while the game can be gritty (character death, drama, etc), it also contains the mechanisms to do over-the-top things, such as wield a 20 foot sword, defeat dozens of opponents, or successfully fight a 120' mecha while on foot using a sword.

YMMV - and probably will.     :cheerleader:

If your PCs Charisman is 12 or higher, you must constantly speak in an annoyingly high-pitched voice.

If your PCs Charisma is 16 or higher, you must constantly speak in a high-pitched voice that makes everyone else want to grate their ears off with an iron file and you must bend the pitch of your vowels in a way that makes even actual Japanese people wince with pain.

If your PCs Strength is 9 or higher, your one-handed weapons must be at least 12 feet long and weight 400 kgs.

If your PCs Dexterity is 12 or higher, all your attacks consist of a single animation frame in front of a streaking background.

If you're PCs Intelligence and Wisdom scores are 9 or higher, you must never approach any semblance of rational thought or believable character development, respectively.


No, I'm not a fan, why do you ask?

Quote from: Tod13;879568I'd go with "just a touch gonzo, when not being serious". To me, anime means that while the game can be gritty (character death, drama, etc), it also contains the mechanisms to do over-the-top things, such as wield a 20 foot sword, defeat dozens of opponents, or successfully fight a 120' mecha while on foot using a sword.

That's exactly why I asked - anime has its own set of conventions which layer on top of whatever the genre is, including 'framing' of scenes which would otherwise disrupt game flow.

Sounds kinda like you might be after this
and another link

Quote from: Ronin;879668Sounds kinda like you might be after this
and another link

I've been following Break! for a while. Unfortunately, "soon" on the website really means "when it is ready" without a real date. It's a two man shop, doing an incredible job, but things are slower than rabid pre-fans probably prefer. :cool:

ETA: great quotation direct from Grey Wiz "Rather than a sprint to the finish line it's been more of ramble in a vague direction."

Quote from: Ronin;879668Sounds kinda like you might be after this
and another link

that looks pretty cool if i do say so my self