A Japanese high school has formally integrated an augmented reality (AR) sporting game into its academic program as a means to motivate students to engage more actively in physical activities.
Shizuoka Nishi High School, located in Shizuoka City, Japan, is elevating Physical Education by introducing a novel approach to keeping children fit – an augmented reality game titled ‘Hado.’
The name ‘Hado’ essentially translates as ‘burst of power,’ and it’s a term that avid gamers may recognize from titles such as Street Fighter, often invoked when characters unleash the iconic move, Hadouken!
In the game Hado, there are two teams, each consisting of three members, who engage in an exciting blend of virtual reality and physical play. The competition lasts for 80-second rounds. During the game, players aim to strike their opponents with energy attacks, which is why it’s called ‘Hado.’
Japanese high schools make AR game ‘Hado’ official sport
For playing Hado, students need to don Virtual Reality (VR) headsets and armbands, similar to those employed in Nintendo’s Ring Fit game. The main objective is to eliminate enemies by draining their “life energy,” each player starting with four of these. To gain a point, all four life energies must be completely depleted.
In this game, players can protect themselves by skillfully avoiding incoming assaults or calling upon a protective barrier. The gameplay is richer than one might initially expect; players are given a restricted number of points that they can allocate among four different abilities, thereby customizing their own unique “build”.
Players have the ability to adjust the swiftness and magnitude of their fireballs, store energy to unleash multiple explosions, boost their ‘ki’ power for defensive shielding, or enhance both the number and strength of their protective barriers. The strategy a team chooses will determine whether they specialize in offense or defense, enabling them to coordinate effectively and emerge victorious.
Meleap Inc. developed Hado. According to its CEO, Hiroshi Fukuda, he’s long dreamt of firing energy blasts like anime and video game characters – and, in essence, he can do that now.
The game is gaining popularity in Japan, being played in approximately 100 Japanese schools and over 300 institutions worldwide. Not just children, but adults are also showing interest in it. Remarkably, the ‘Hado World Cup’ took place in Shanghai, China on May 24, 2025, with a total of 18 countries participating.
In contrast, the involvement of children in sports within Japanese educational institutions has reached a record low, while in-country spending on video games has soared significantly. The merging of gaming and physical exercise could potentially boost Hado’s popularity among youngsters, encouraging them to play the sport and lead more active lives.
Read More
2025-06-13 21:18