In the ever-expanding universe of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), finding a setting that feels both fresh and nostalgic is rare. Enter Obojima: a whimsical, hand-drawn world that feels like it was ripped straight from a Hayao Miyazaki film. Since its explosive debut on Kickstarter, the demand for the Obojima PDF has skyrocketed.
Whether you are a Dungeon Master looking to inject wonder into your next session or a collector of indie TTRPG gems, this guide covers everything you need to know about the Obojima PDF—from its unique mechanics to where to find it legally.
You can purchase the official PDFs directly from the creators at Obojima.com:
Obojima 5.5e (2024 Rules) PDF: The latest digital version updated for the newest D&D rule set, featuring a new layout and extra art.
Obojima 5e (2014 Rules) PDF: The original version compatible with standard 5th Edition mechanics.
Obojima: A Great Offering Mini-Adventure: A complementary PDF one-shot for level 3 characters. Digital Previews and Samples
If you want to sample the content before buying, there are verified previews available on Scribd:
Magic Items Preview: Shows items like the Cube of Cubes and Flying Broomstick.
Spellcasting Guide Preview: Provides a glimpse at the new spells and scaling.
Character Sheet & Cantrips: A stylized character sheet tailored for the setting. Gameplay Tools
Potion Recipes: For help with the setting's unique potion brewing, you can use the Obojima Potion Almanac or the ingredient spreadsheet found on Reddit.
D&D Beyond: The setting is also officially supported on D&D Beyond for digital character building. Obojima Great Offering Mini-Adventure for Obojima PDF
Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass is a leisure fantasy campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (2014 rules), published by 1985 Games. It is heavily inspired by the whimsical aesthetics of Studio Ghibli and the exploration of The Legend of Zelda. 📄 PDF Availability & Official Sources
The official PDF is available for purchase and instant download through the Obojima Official Website.
D&D Beyond Integration: The setting has been integrated into the D&D Beyond Marketplace, allowing users to access creatures like the Acorn Crab and other partner content within the digital toolset.
Physical Editions: Hardcover copies can also be found at major retailers like Amazon. 🏝️ Setting & Lore
Island Geography: A massive island roughly 300 miles across, ringed by a shallow reef known as The Shallows.
Core Themes: Emphasizes wonder, innocence, and mystery over pure combat, making it highly suitable for family-friendly play or "cozy" campaigns.
The Corruption: A central plot element involves an ominous Corruption spreading across the island that players must help uncover and stop.
Etymology: The name likely stems from "oboe-jima," meaning "Island of Remembrance". ⚔️ New Mechanics & Content obojima pdf
The PDF includes over 250 pages of new content to supplement standard 5E rules: Products - Obojima
Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass is a whimsical "leisure fantasy" campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5E), heavily inspired by the aesthetics of Studio Ghibli and retro video games like The Legend of Zelda
Below is an overview of the core features and resources available in the Obojima PDF to help you decide if it fits your gaming needs. Key Content in the PDF
The sourcebook is about 250 pages and includes mechanics that shift focus from combat to exploration and roleplay. Potion Brewing System
: It has over 130 ingredients and 180 potions, with Whimsical, Combat, and Utility types. Player Options 11 New Subclasses : Includes the Belly Brewer Barbarian College of Masks Bard Origami-wielding Wizards New Species : Playable ancestries like the frog-like and the mysterious 50 New Spells
: Magic that ranges from creating vegetable weapons to magical train stops. World & Lore
: The setting features "First Age" 1980s-style technology (like vending machines and VHS tapes) alongside spirits and magic. Monsters & NPCs
: 60 new creatures and spirits, many of which can be interacted with through non-combative means like negotiation. Setting Tone: "Leisure Fantasy" Obojima focuses on: Exploration : Prioritizing the journey and atmospheric discovery. Social Interaction
: Solving conflicts through understanding NPC motivations and puzzles. Whimsy & Corruption
: The world is threatened by a spreading "Corruption" that twists the land and its spirits.
Third Party Book Review: Obojiima, a Ghibli-inspired setting book
Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass is a whimsical, "leisure fantasy" campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5E and 5.5E). Inspired by the aesthetics of Studio Ghibli and The Legend of Zelda, it focuses on wonder, spirits, and roleplay over traditional combat-heavy dungeon crawling. Core Versions of the PDF
The digital guide is primarily available in two versions to match the evolution of D&D rules:
Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass 5.5e PDF: Updated for the 2024 D&D rule set. This version features a new layout, over 30 new art pieces, and a "Monster Disposition Mechanic" that offers DMs more non-combat options. It is available for instant download on Shop.app.
Obojima 5E (2014) PDF: The original version designed for the standard 5th Edition rules. You can find this on the official Obojima website. What the Guide Includes
The PDF serves as a comprehensive campaign setting, typically spanning over 100 pages of lore and mechanics. Key features include: Character Options:
Ancestries: Play as the frog-like Nakudama, the mysterious Dara, or unique Obojima Elves.
Factions: Join groups like witch covens, youth scouts, or academic adventurers.
New Skills: Includes Mechanics (fixing/breaking things) and Salvaging (finding ingredients/parts). World Building: Step 2: Define the Scope and Purpose of the Guide
Setting: An island roughly 300 miles wide, filled with spirits, first-age technology, and lush wilderness.
Atmosphere: Often described as "Studio Ghibli meets lo-fi beats," emphasizing mystery and simple joys.
Notable Locations: Iconic spots like Hakumon’s Ramen Shop, which serves spirits and humans alike at sunset. Gameplay Mechanics:
Potion Brewing: A detailed system for scavenging rare ingredients to create one-of-a-kind effects.
Magic Items: 48 new items ranging from musical keytars to bicycles that leave flame trails.
Narrative Combat: Encourages "alternative win conditions" and treats combat as a narrative tool rather than just a tactical grind. Mini-Adventures
Beyond the main campaign guide, there are specific adventure modules available in PDF format:
Creating a PDF Guide on Obojima
Step 1: Research and Gather Information
Step 2: Define the Scope and Purpose of the Guide
Step 3: Create an Outline
Step 4: Write and Edit the Content
Step 5: Add Visuals and Graphics
Step 6: Design the Layout and Formatting
Step 7: Convert to PDF
Step 8: Review and Revise
Tools and Software
Tips and Best Practices
Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass is a whimsical campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (compatible with both 2014 and 2024 rules). It draws heavy inspiration from the aesthetics of Studio Ghibli and games like The Legend of Zelda. Core PDF Content Step 3: Create an Outline
Whimsical Setting: Explores the island of Obojima, focusing on "leisure fantasy" themes like magic in the mundane, spirits, and the mystery of a spreading Corruption.
Potion Brewing System: A major mechanical addition featuring over 180 new potions and 135 ingredients, designed to be easily integrated into any 5E campaign.
New Player Options: Includes unique species, subclasses, spells, and feats tailored to the setting's playful atmosphere.
Art and Tone: Praised for its "wonderful setup" and "beautiful art" that captures a cozy, 80s-nostalgia-infused vibe. Community Review Highlights
Combat vs. Roleplay: While not combat-centered, the world remains dangerous due to "bestial threats" and monstrous raiders, providing a balance for those who enjoy proactive conflict.
Family Friendly: Reviewers note it is an excellent choice for parties with children, emphasizing collaborative problem solving over pure combat. User Feedback:
Pros: Players find the physical card decks (Spells/Potions) incredibly helpful and the artwork consistently high quality.
Cons: Some early physical versions of the Potion Deck contained misprints where utility potions were labeled as combat potions. Availability & Pricing Products - Obojima
Brew Potions Like a Real Witch - A brand new, one of a kind, potion brewing system that can be seamlessly added into other 5th ed.
One of the standout features available in the PDF is the Tallow system. Instead of standard gold-loot, players collect "Essence" and monster tallow to create items. The Obojima PDF includes dozens of recipes for:
Perfect for groups wanting a Studio Ghibli meets Zelda vibe. If you enjoy Wanderhome or Ryuu Tama, grab it. If you need a full campaign book, supplement with your own plot hooks.
Would you like a comparison with similar PDFs (e.g., Humblewood, Adventure in Nahual) or help troubleshooting the file itself?
Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass is a 250+ page D&D 5E campaign setting inspired by Studio Ghibli, featuring a "leisure fantasy" style that emphasizes exploration, a 130+ ingredient potion-brewing system, and 11 new subclasses
. While praised for its art and world-building, user reviews note the 113MB PDF lacks a hyperlinked table of contents and a printer-friendly version
. For more user discussions on the digital version, see the threads on
Third Party Book Review: Obojiima, a Ghibli-inspired setting book
The CogAT Screening Form is an abbreviated version of the full Cognitive Abilities Test. While the full CogAT takes three separate sessions (Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal), the Screening Form combines these into one session using Picture Analogies, Number Puzzles, and Figure Matrices.
"Obojima" is simply the Riverside Publishing code/form identifier for specific test booklets (often Level 5/6 or other specific grades) within the Form 7 series.