# Smash Up: Big in Japan

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2017
- **BGG Rating**: 7.5
- **BGG Rank**: #2981
- **Players**: 2 (Best with: 2+)
- **Duration**: 30-45 min
- **Weight**: 2.38 / 5
- **Designers**: Paul Peterson
- **Artists**: Alberto Tavira, Francisco Rico Torres, Jonny Hinkle (II)
- **Publishers**: Alderac Entertainment Group, Hobby World, IELLO, Pegasus Spiele
- **Categories**: Card Game, Fantasy, Humor
- **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, Hand Management, Take That, Variable Phase Order

## Verdict
If you love the craziness of Smash Up and have a soft spot for Japanese pop culture, this expansion is a full plate of fun and references!New thematic factionsGuaranteed humorMore strategic combinationsPop culture referencesRequires base gameDirect interaction (can be aggressive)RECOMMENDED

## Description
Get ready for a cute and chaotic invasion! Smash Up: Big in Japan is an expansion that dives headfirst into Japanese pop culture, bringing four brand-new factions to your Smash Up base game. If you've always dreamed of seeing magical girls battling giant monsters, or adorable collectible critters teaming up with colorful fighters, this is your chance to make it happen on the board!

In this expansion, you'll find factions that are a fun and cheeky homage to Japanese icons: we have the 'Magical Girls' (think enchanted power heroines), the 'Kaiju' (yes, like that giant monster who loves to smash cities), the 'Mega Troopers' (reminiscent of those colorful hero squads), and the 'Itty Critters' (adorable little creatures you'll want to collect, but who also cause a lot of trouble!).

As with all Smash Up games, the magic happens when you combine two of these factions to create a unique and super-powerful deck. Each faction brings its own mechanics and strategies, and the interaction between them is what makes the game so dynamic and unpredictable. You'll use hand management to plan your attacks, vie for majority on bases to score points, and, of course, use 'Take That' cards to disrupt your friends. The variable phase order ensures each round is a new surprise, and fun is guaranteed with the series' characteristic humor. It's the perfect dose of kawaii and chaos for your games!

## FAQ
### Is Smash Up: Big in Japan a standalone game or an expansion?
It's an expansion! You need the Smash Up base game to use the factions and bases included in this box. It adds more options and fun to your main game.

### How many players can participate with this expansion?
Like the Smash Up base game, this expansion supports 2 to 4 players. The new factions simply increase the variety of possible combinations.

### What is the average game duration with this expansion?
A game of Smash Up, even with the expansion, usually lasts between 30 to 45 minutes. It's a quick and dynamic game, perfect for multiple rounds.

### What is the complexity level of Smash Up: Big in Japan?
The expansion maintains the complexity level of the base game, which is considered light to medium (BGG weight of 2.375/5). It's easy to learn but offers strategic depth in faction combinations.

### Are the expansion components of good quality?
Yes, AEG generally maintains a good quality standard. The cards are durable and the art is vibrant, following Smash Up's characteristic style. Oh, and don't worry, the Titans became dividers, nothing is missing!

### Who is this expansion best suited for?
It's perfect for Smash Up fans looking for more variety and who love Japanese pop culture, with its references to anime, manga, and giant monsters. If you enjoy games with a lot of humor and direct interaction, you'll love it!

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