P.A.N.I.C. Studios presents:
Zen and the Art of Mayhem
The Anime Style Roleplaying Game
From the publishers website:
Zen and the Art of Mayhem is designed to be a toolkit role playing system. The core rules are presented as a simple base, fast and easy to use, which can be added to, allowing for different genre and settings to be created easily.
Character Creation system are fairly detailed allowing for construction of many different and detailed character types. Rules are presented for both a point buy and random generation. The core rules are designed for easy of use, and kept fairly simple for fast play.
Characters are built on 9 Stats, 3 Physical, 3 Mental, and 3 Presence
* Physical: Strength, Speed, Coordination
* Mental: Intelligence, Comprehension, Abstract Reason
* Presence: Appearance, Size, Cool
All stats are ranked on a scale of 1-15; 1-2 Below Average, 3-4 Average, 5-6 Above Average, 6-7 exceptional, 8-9 outstanding, 10-12 unmatched, 13-15 unequaled. Stats can't be purchased over 10, to get any higher the character will need a talent.
The game is set up to be generic: able to be used in whatever genre the players and gamemaster wish. So the skills list provided is broken down into sub-genres, not all skills fit all games.
The rules for equipment are fairly small and straight forward themselves. But the core rules includes a considerable list of items, or props as they are called, for many different genres from Fantasy, Modern Day, to Sci-Fi. Including clothing and armor, weapons, tools, personal effects, furniture and household items (including the kitchen sink), and vehicles for wagons to cars, to aircraft, to spaceships. Also included is a Tech Level system for ranking equipment and advancements for many different types of settings.
Combat is handled in a cinematic method, where the description of the characters action will add bonuses to what they are attempting (within reason).