A TTJRPG by Top Notch International.
Put your dice away for this one (I know. I know…) Gates of Krystalia uses an entirely playing card based system that flows perfectly. Simulating various manga/anime has never been so easy.
Before I forget, my DriveThruRPG Affiliate link to Gates of Krystalia Core Rules is here.
Let me start with this:
The team at Top Notch International has been an absolute joy to work with.
Professional, kind, generous. They provided complimentary copies of both Gates of Krystalia and their expansion Last Deux, and their enthusiasm for their own world is infectious. It’s nice to see creators who are both talented and genuinely lovely humans, and that alone sets the tone for everything in this book. Thank you, Alberto!
That having been said, I really enjoy Gates of Krystalia. The artwork is unbelievably good. I find it somewhat interesting that guys from Italy seem to be doing table talk Japanese roleplaying games as well if not better than actual Japanese designers. GoK and Fabula Ultima both emulate the niche very accurately. I’m betting Twilight Sword, also by an Italian company, will do well too. But I digress.
The system is pretty straightforward and easy to use.
Right off the top, GoK explains that you have undergone the Isekai experience, which is to say you the human have been transported to a mythical anime land. Thenarix, the goddess of Infinite Wisdom explains that you may take on the role of Hero (Player) or Deux (Game Master) and you will be guided through the rules and lore of this new world by Nami Kuroda. Right away I’m getting serious Hitomi vibes from Appleseed.
One of the quotes from the early part of the book that resonated with me was,
“Remember: friendship is your secret weapon and imagination your superpower.” –Nami Kuroda
I think Nami is pretty cool as guides go and she does a good job of leading new Heroes and Deux through the whole “What is a roleplaying game?” spiel. There’s also a QR code for the music which is a new and usual touch added to the game. Then it the game segues right into how to play the game. This book is laid out very intuitively with both new heroes all the way through veteran Deux in mind.
Every now and then, a TTRPG drops into my life that hits me in a place I didn’t know needed hitting. Gates of Krystalia from Top Notch International is one of those games. This book radiates heart, creativity, and sheer artistic ambition from cover to cover. And honestly? I’m still a little stunned by how much soul these designers packed into 258 pages
Races With Style (and SO Much Anime DNA)
The character race options in this game are nothing short of delightful. Classic anime tropes, yes—but never lazy ones. They’re fully realized, flavorful, and dripping with identity. A few among my favorites are:
- Kemonomimi – Fox people with that perfect blend of adorable and mystical.
- Dark Elves – Elegant, dangerous, edgy in all the right ways. (This game has the “regular” Elves, too.)
- Oni – Mythic, powerful, and visually spectacular.
- Orcs – And let me say it louder: their Orcs look absolutely amazing.
Not gonna lie, I’m stealing the Kemonomimi for Dragonbane and eventually Twilight Sword because they look so freakin cool and I have players that will drool over them. Changing the name to “Fox Kin” for easier reference and spelling. I’m honestly not sure why they didn’t go with something a little shorter over what they chose, but that’s maybe my only real criticism so far. I love this race.
No specific cat people yet unless you count the Kemonomimi, yet. It’s an anime game without cat girls so far. but the fan service is still amazing all around. The phone wallpapers are proof.
Oni are normally bad guys, so I can only relate it to Dungeons & Dragons’ Tieflings. Maybe? I’m not sure what they were going for with this, but I find it a refreshing character option. You can also play as a straight-up Demon, but the appearance is not as grim as it sounds. I should also mention the somewhat angelic Astralis who are celestial beings.
Again I feel compelled to mention the art for all of the races is amazing! Great anime feel and really brings a sense of immersion home to the game. I’d be happy to play just about anything in this game.
Classes That Actually Feel Fresh
This is where the game really surprised me.
We’ve all seen RPG classes recycled a thousand times, but Gates of Krystalia throws some fascinating curveballs:
- Tamer – Full Pokémon vibes, creature companionship done right.
- Ninja – Slick, lethal, stylish. I mean, it’s a ninja, right?
- Engineer – Because who doesn’t want a little tech flair in their fantasy?
- Shaman – Rich spiritual flavor, rooted in the lore.
- Berserker – Big, bold, and brutally fun. Very Berserk feeling.
And then there’s the Mage, which might have the widest access to magic I’ve seen in a TTRPG in a long while. Seriously, why would anyone play a basic “generic knight” when you have this many spell options? You can play a simple human fighter, and the system supports it… but the game practically begs you to explore its more unusual options. And honestly? Why not indulge?
I’ve only covered a few of the classes here. There are also Priest, Healer, Assassin, and Knight, Despite some seeming overlap, the classes all stand out on their own merits. Plus, what would an anime game be without Ninjas?
I’m not exaggerating when I say this: Gates of Krystalia features some of the best art I’ve ever seen in a tabletop game. I haven’t been this impressed with a manga/anime game in years. Full stop.
Every page is a visual feast. Characters leaping off the paper. Landscapes drenched in drama. Monsters that look like they were ripped out of a high-budget anime film. This book doesn’t just show a world—it moves you. The art evokes emotion, and in a game like this, that’s everything.
I almost wish this were tied to an actual anime series. Imagine watching Lumina animated. Imagine the opening theme. The battles. The transformations. This world deserves that treatment.
I also want to mention this book goes out of its way to help the Heroes and Deux stay organized with QR codes for more resources and a glossary that is packed with useful terms.
Helpful note: Combat rounds are referred to as Scenes in GoK.
Their Kickstarter card deck? Totally worth the extra bucks. However, you can consult the book for card values if you don’t have it.
Lumina: A World Worth Getting Lost In
Let’s talk lore, because the worldbuilding here is both lush and inviting. Lumina, the central world of Gates of Krystalia, is this bright fusion of magic, mystery, and anime-style heroism. It has that transportive, radiant feel where everything feels bigger, brighter, more dramatic—exactly what an Isekai setting should be.
From mysterious gates to legendary creatures to ancient powers shaping the land, Lumina feels alive. And it’s clear the authors care deeply about making a world that inspires play, not just fills space.
Build a cute little bastion for your character to live in? Okay, but why not build the entire kingdom for yourself while you’re at it. You can join a guild, craft stuff, sure. That’s all fine and dandy OR you could build a freaking kingdom!
There is a Kickstarter for Lumina coming in early 2026 according to Top Notch.
A Zero-Dice System That Actually Works (Even for Dice Goblins Like Me)
Let’s be completely honest: I love dice. I hoard math rocks like a dragon hoards gold. I’m not giving them up for anything.
Except… I’m making an exception today.
Gates of Krystalia uses zero dice. Instead, standard playing cards power every part of the system—from actions to abilities to combat tempo. Face cards and aces matter. Suits matter. The deck isn’t a gimmick, it’s a mechanical heartbeat.
And the VE system? Beautiful. Rhythm-based, dramatic, and shockingly intuitive once you get into it. The cards really go to work for you in a variety of ways. All of them fascinating from a game design perspective.
In fact… I’m already eyeing a couple of these ideas to steal for Dragonbane. Not replacing dice, never that, but borrowing the structure and pacing. There’s some elegant game design magic going on under the hood here.
Did I mention the Deux can design an entire adventure using the cards? It’s one of those really nice added touches to the game that make it work for group as well as solo play. Just wanted to mention that.
A System That Competes With Fabula Ultima and Holds Its Ground
Let’s say it plainly: This book competes directly with Fabula Ultima. And it holds its own.
Both are love letters to JRPGs. Both understand the genre. Both have gorgeous art.
But Gates of Krystalia brings a different energy, more Isekai, more emotional punch, more visual immediacy. The card-driven system gives it a mechanical identity that genuinely feels unique in a crowded TTRPG landscape.
I love Fabula Ultima. I love this too. And that’s saying something.
Looking Ahead
Knowing these creators now, seeing their passion, and feeling the quality of this book… I’m absolutely looking forward to reviewing Last Deux, their expansion. If it’s anything like this, we’re in for a treat. We’re also going to be looking at the upcoming Lumina expansion in the days to come.
This company? Cool people making cool things. And that’s exactly the kind of energy I want more of in the TTRPG space.
Final Thoughts
Gates of Krystalia is vibrant, emotional, beautifully illustrated, wonderfully designed, and mechanically refreshing. It captures the spirit of anime-style roleplaying without losing sight of what makes tabletop gaming special: shared storytelling, character-driven drama, and big feelings around a gaming table.
Thank you for being here with me today. I appreciate you. Keep it real, but please strive for positivity, too. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy in your life.
Jeff's Game Box 