Japan-Born Disaster Medical Board Game 'uncri!!' Selected as Finalist for Games for Change Awards 2026

For the media

July 3, 2026 Spica Design

The Japan-born disaster medical board game 'uncri!! (Ankura!!)' has been selected as a finalist for the Games for Change Awards 2026. In a globally recognized award dedicated to games that drive social change, a serious Japanese board game focused on disaster medicine has become the first Japanese entry ever to be named a finalist in the board game category.

Spica Design (headquartered in Asaka City, Saitama Prefecture; representative: Shuoh Oshita) has been involved in the production of the serious board game 'uncri!! (Ankura!!)', which has now been selected as a finalist in the 'Best Board or Tabletop Game for Impact' category at the international game award 'Games for Change Awards 2026'.

The Games for Change Awards is a global recognition program that honors games and interactive works creating social impact in areas such as education, healthcare, environmental awareness, and behavioral change. The 'Best Board or Tabletop Game for Impact' category specifically celebrates tabletop and board games that deliver social or educational value through immersive, game-based experiences.

'uncri!!' is a cooperative serious board game centered on disaster medicine and decision-making under crisis conditions. Players must continuously make decisions while responding to rapidly emerging situations under constraints of limited information, time, and resources. The game is designed to provide experiential learning on teamwork, prioritization, and the importance of information sharing during disasters.

The submission of this title to the G4C Awards was motivated by the aspiration to see a Japanese-made game become both a finalist and, ultimately, a winner in the board game category of this prestigious international award.

The 'Best Board or Tabletop Game for Impact' category evaluates board and tabletop games that generate social impact. To date, no Japanese-made game had ever been selected as a finalist in this category. The selection of 'uncri!!' marks the first time a Japanese game has achieved this milestone.

The recognition of a Japan-born serious board game on the global stage of socially impactful games is a significant moment for domestic game designers and creators of educational and training games. This achievement will serve as an opportunity to promote the potential of Japanese serious board games both domestically and internationally.

● A rally event is planned

◆ Representative Comment

Shuoh Oshita, representative of Spica Design, commented on the selection:

'We are deeply honored that 'uncri!!' has been selected as a finalist for the Games for Change Awards 2026.

We have aimed to transform the serious themes of disaster medicine and crisis response into an experience that can be explored, discussed, and learned through the unique medium of board games. That a serious board game born in Japan has received international recognition is a tremendous encouragement to us.

With this selection as a catalyst, we hope to further expand the possibilities of serious board games in Japan and deliver them to diverse fields such as education, training, and community disaster preparedness.'

◆ About 'uncri!! (Ankura!!)'

'Ankura!!' was developed by Spica Design with Birdsview Co., Ltd. as publisher, under the supervision of experts including:

Satoshi Wakai, DMAT Office, Crisis Management Operations Division, National Institute of Health Crisis Management

The game is a serious board game focused on disaster medicine and decision-making under crisis conditions. Players must organize information and make decisions collaboratively as a team amid constantly changing situations.

It enables experiential learning of communication, prioritization, situational awareness, and consensus-building—skills essential during disasters. Developed based on professional knowledge from medical, emergency, and disaster response fields, the game aims not merely to convey knowledge, but to create learning experiences close to real-world crisis response by encouraging players to discuss, hesitate, choose, and share outcomes together.

◆ 'Ankura!!' Details and Sales Page

https://www.birdsview.jp/ankura/

◆ About Games for Change Festival 2026

The Games for Change Festival 2026 will be held in New York, USA, on July 21–22, 2026. 'uncri!!' will be featured on-site as a finalist in the 'Best Board or Tabletop Game for Impact' category of the Games for Change Awards 2026.

● GAMES FOR CHANGE HP

● GAMES FOR CHANGE FESTIVAL

● GAMES FOR CHANGE Awards

◆ About Spica Design

Spica Design is a sole proprietorship based in Asaka City, Saitama Prefecture, specializing in graphic design, web development, board game creation, and training game development. The company creates games that foster experience and dialogue across diverse fields such as corporate training, education, healthcare and welfare, disaster preparedness, and community activities.

Company Overview

Trade Name: Spica Design Representative: Shuoh Oshita Location: Asaka City, Saitama Prefecture Business Activities: Graphic design, web production, board game development, training game development, print design Website: https://www.spica-design.net/

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◆ Inquiries

Spica Design Representative: Shuoh Oshita Email: spica-design@mbr.nifty.com Web: https://www.spica-design.net/