Big Eyes Small Mouth RPG

The first edition of the game came out in 1997 and was written by designer Mark C. MacKinnon and published through Guardians of Order. I knew the game would be different when I saw all the rules contained in a 100 page booklet . It was a massive departure from the 200-300 page tomes usually carted around by tabeltop gamers.

Between the first and second edition, Game designer David Pulver wrote several supplements to expand on the original rule set. Eventually, these supplemental rules were incorporated into the Second edition of the game. The second edition released in 2001 was the most developed in terms of setting and rules mechanics.

By the time the much anticipated Third edition came in 2006, Guardians of Order ran into business difficulties. The company was forced to sell the brand to White Wolf. Their independent game division, Arthaus, now distributes what remains of the 3rd edition.

Sadly, support for the game continues to dwindle. It is through the effort of fans that BESM continues on.

Siamese Blade Dance poster by pandapad
Large format printing by Zazzle

This game has a lot of good points. i'll outline some of the readily noticable ones:

The game describes a basic character with three characteristics or Stats: Body, Mind and Soul. These are simplifications for physical, mental and spiritual prowess. Body can deal with lifting heavy objects, running fast or swimming hard. Mind can mean wit or logical thinking. Soul can mean sheer luck, spirituality or willpower.

This generalization makes it easier to resolve actions. However, some people may not like the oversimplification.

Japanese manga and anime encompass numerous genres. Fortunately, BESM is universal enough to use in most of these genres. With the base book you can create low powered "close to life" settings with average people or you can go over the top with 100 foot tall mecha and aliens. By deciding how many points you will get for making characters, you can determine the power level of the game. The more points you use the more superpowered the settings.

Sometimes, all it takes is a change in labels to get the right setting. The ability Own a Big Mech would become Own a Sailing Ship in a pirate inspired game, or Own a Race Car in a racing game.

At times the cost for powers and skills will change. Super Strength will cost more in a combat game but not in a teenage romance setting. The skill: drive will probably cost more in a racing game than say skill: cooking. Similarly skill: drive will likely cost less in a game about duelling chefs.

Blue Sea of White Waves poster by pandapad
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A player gets a certain number of points to buy special abilities and skills for their characters. Much like superhero games, you get a menu of powers to choose from. Also, as previously mentioned, the costs change with the setting.

Unlike class-based systems it is easier to mix and match abilities to create the character you want to play.

Sometimes you don't need to roll dice to resolve actions. If a Stat is rated high enough then the character can do the action. For trickier situations you need to roll the two dice and get a number below your relevant Stat + Skill rating. Combat works in a similar fashion. You have a derived Stat called the CV [combat value]. It is the average of your Body, Mind and Soul. Roll under your CV+ combat skill to succeed in an attack.

Green Tea Under the Jade Sky poster by pandapad
Large format printing by Zazzle

All the participants [Players and Game Master] should talk to each other about what they want in a game. You can't just say "let's play BESM" in the way you can with DnD. There are no default classes or even a default setting. If the participants don't decide on the parameters of the game world then there will be vastly different expectations. That's a recipe for disappointment. When participants communicate well, then the game runs more smoothly and the experience becomes more immersive.

You also need to trust your fellow participants. Because the rules are so generic, they will not be very helpful when the players have a difference in interpretations. In those cases it may be best to follow the first commandment of BESM: The Game Master is in charge.

Back in the 1950's and 1960's the Soviet Union built some powerful mainframe computers called Bolshaya Elektronno-Schetnaya Mashina or BESM. Needless to say this lens is not about that!

This is Lens #1

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