Menko (めんこ, 面子) is a Japanese card game played by two or more players. It is also the name of the type of cards used to play this game. Each player uses Menko cards made from thick paper or cardboard, with one or both side printed with images from anime, manga, etc. A player's card is placed on the hardwood or concrete floor and the other player throws down his card, trying to flip the other player's card with a gust of wind or by striking his card against the other card. If he succeeds, he takes both cards. The player who takes all the cards, or the one with the most cards at the game's end, wins the game. // A scene from Cowboy Bebop (1998) Anime (アニメ) is a style of cartoon animation originating in Japan, with distinctive character and background stylings that visually set it apart from other forms of animation. ... For other uses, see Manga (disambiguation). ...

Menko has been popular from the Edo period. Its quick and simple rules has made it popular among children of all age groups. Because technique is just as important as power in this game, smaller kids have a fair chance of winning. The Edo period (Japanese: 江戸時代, Edo-jidai), also called Tokugawa period, is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1867. ...

The pictures on these cards reflect the popular culture of their time, and Menko cards from the past reflect important information about their era. In the Edo and early Meiji period, images like ninja and samurai were popular. Before World War II, the most popular images were of the military, like fighter planes and battleships. After the war, characters from anime and manga were popular. In the late 1980s to early 1990s, Menko cards were decorated with holographs and sparkles. The Meiji period (Japanese: 明治時代, Meiji-jidai) denotes the 45-year reign of the Meiji Emperor, running from 8 September 1868 (in the Gregorian calendar, 23 October 1868) to 30 July 1912. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. ... Combatants Allies: • Poland, • UK & Commonwealth, • France, • Soviet Union, • United States, • China, ...and others Axis: • Germany, • Italy, • Japan, ...and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total: 50 million Full list Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total: 12 million Full list World War II, also... // A scene from Cowboy Bebop (1998) Anime (アニメ) is a style of cartoon animation originating in Japan, with distinctive character and background stylings that visually set it apart from other forms of animation. ... For other uses, see Manga (disambiguation). ...

MENKO is also an English slang word that is used to describe people, situations or things that have no useful application. For example, 'He is Menko' or 'That game of football was menko'. Its origins can be traced back to the Internet and mainly the messageboard of British band Embrace

Optional Rules

• Players may glue two or more cards together to make them thicker and heavier. This makes turning them over more difficult.
• The player whose card is under an opponent's card may choose to flip his or her card from that position to try to flip the opponent's card.
• Players may divide into groups and play.
• Cards made from plastic or other materials may be used.

See also

• Pogs