オセロ

オセロ is the Japanese trademarked name for the board game known internationally as Reversi. It was popularized in Japan in the 1970s and remains one of the most widely recognized board games.

Common expressions

• オセロで遊(あそ)ぶ: to play Othello
• オセロが強(つよ)い: to be good at Othello
• オセロの駒(こま)/石(いし): Othello pieces/discs
• 角(かど)を取(と)る: to take a corner (key strategy)
• ひっくり返(かえ)す: to flip (discs)

Usage

オセロ is a trademark owned by MegaHouse in Japan. The generic term is リバーシ (Reversi), though オセロ is far more commonly used in everyday speech.

Cultural note

The name comes from Shakespeare's "Othello" — the contrast between 黒(くろ) (black) and 白(しろ) (white) discs mirrors the play's themes. The game is popular as a family activity and commonly found in game collections alongside 将棋(しょうぎ) and 囲碁(いご).