Dungeons & Dragons is set to release an exciting new adventure, but there’s a possibility you might not get the chance to experience it firsthand. Alongside its essential rulebooks, DnD frequently introduces a diverse array of campaigns for players to explore. These range from basic, low-level introductory adventures featured in your Dungeon Master’s Guide to thrilling high-level dragon confrontations found in various supplements, ensuring there’s something engaging for every type of player.

Recently, DnD unveiled another campaign, which is anticipated to be available for gameplay soon. However, based on the limited information currently available about its release, you might never have the opportunity to play it yourself.

Discover the Thrilling World of D&D’s Japanese Adventure

Key Insights Into Oni’s Right Hand Campaign

Dungeons & Dragons‘ upcoming campaign, titled Oni’s Right Hand, draws significant inspiration from Japanese culture, as suggested by its title and thematic imagery. This adventure is set in Phandalin and allows players to embody one of five pre-generated characters, whose lives become chaotic when a cursed artifact known as the Oni’s Claw makes its way onto the marketplace. This unique premise promises to engage players in a rich narrative influenced by traditional Japanese folklore and mythology.

The artwork for Oni’s Right Hand, created by Duel Masters illustrator Toshiaki Takayama, is visually stunning and remarkably distinct from previous productions within the RPG genre. However, if you reside outside of Japan and do not speak Japanese, Oni’s Right Hand may not be accessible to you.

Currently, the release of Oni’s Right Hand is exclusively planned for Japan, aimed at enhancing the RPG’s popularity in the region. To support this initiative, Wizards of the Coast intends to host a series of Learn-to-Play events across Japan, providing opportunities for local players to engage with this new adventure.

Advocating for D&D to Localize Oni’s Right Hand for Global Players

Every Player Should Experience This Distinctive Campaign

While there is still a chance for Oni’s Right Hand to be released outside Japan, a brand manager at Hasbro Japan, Himmy T, recently indicated in a LinkedIn comment that “We are exploring options for global availability.” However, as it stands, there are currently no definitive plans to distribute the new campaign to audiences in the rest of the world.

There may be valid reasoning behind this decision: Wizards of the Coast might be exercising caution to steer clear of potential controversy surrounding cultural appropriation or misrepresentation within such a distinctly Asian-themed setting. Given the recent debates regarding DnD‘s adjustments to in-game races slated for 2024, this prudence is entirely understandable.

Nevertheless, Oni’s Right Hand possesses a unique advantage in that it is crafted by a talented team of Japanese writers, artists, and designers, ensuring it emerges from a genuine understanding of Japanese culture rather than an outsider’s superficial knowledge. With a careful and respectful localization process, Oni’s Right Hand could thrive and resonate with audiences worldwide.

In general, a campaign that authentically reflects Japanese cultural elements could be tremendously beneficial for Western DnD players. There remains a strong possibility that Oni’s Right Hand could achieve a global release in the future, and I sincerely hope it does—this would mark a significant milestone as the first Dungeons & Dragons campaign of its kind.

Source: Himmy T/LinkedIn