When we first announced our upcoming game set in the Emerald Empire, it carried the name Tessen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo. Partway through development, it was brought to our attention that another game was already published under a very similar name. Rather than seeing this as a setback, it gave our team a welcome opportunity to pause and look at the game as it had become. To consider what it truly represents, and how best to reflect and honor that in its name.
Today, we’re excited to reintroduce it as Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo.
Where the name originated from, and why the change matters
From the outset, we wanted a name rooted in the Japanese influences that shape the Legend of the Five Rings™universe, and the symbolism of the war fan felt inseparable from both the gameplay and its historical inspiration.
As we explored this idea more, we began to see a subtle, but thematically important nuance between the different types of fans used and honored within samurai culture. Discovering that distinction helped sharpen our game’s identity and has allowed us to bring a more thematically rich experience to our players.
A tessen is a Japanese war fan, typically heavy and robust, with iron spokes designed to withstand use as a weapon. While both tessen and gunsen could be carried on the battlefield, the tessen was more commonly employed as a concealed or close-range weapon due to its sturdier construction lending itself better to combat. It’s a powerful and evocative image for sure, but we realized it didn’t quite capture the role players inhabit in our game.
Gunsen, on the other hand, were Japanese folding fans; very similar visually but more often used as tools of communication by samurai commanders to signal troops, convey orders, and coordinate movements across the battlefield. Their lighter design favored communication, particularly as the tessen already fulfilled the role of a combat fan. That distinction matters because the gunsen sit at the very heart of how our game plays; not as a weapon in hand, but as a symbol of command, intent, and leadership.
A thematic shift reflected on the battlefield
In Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo, you are not a lone warrior cutting a path through the battlefield; you are the leader, and your gunsen symbolize everything. They track your progress, complete your objectives, and signal your intent across the battlefield. As you reveal them, your plans become clearer to your rivals; and if you reveal seven, you claim victory instantly. Every decision is about timing, positioning, and command; and this subtle name change reflects a considered and thematic shift, better capturing the spirit of our game.
The wait is almost over, the battlelines are drawn
We’re looking forward to sharing more about Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo in the coming months. Make sure to follow us on social media for the latest news and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date.
Maybe you’re new to the Legends of the Five Rings universe? Visit the Legends of the Five Rings website to learn more about the rich lore of Rokugan and the Great Clans.
The battle for Toshi Ranbo begins Fall 2026. See you on the battlefield.
Your friends at the table,
