Hiroshi Fujino is a new Japanese mechanical puzzle designer working in the packing-puzzle tradition. He came into my world first as a customer - buying puzzles from the store, sitting with them, and solving some of the harder ones. Then one day I received a set of puzzle ideas from him. Both me and Puzzle Guy were immediately impressed.
I was very happy to help Hiro-san bring his first puzzles into the world. The Ochinai series - available here as Ochinai Soma and Ochinai Tromino - is his debut release, and we're already working on what comes next.
Why I love Hiroshi's work
Fujino's best trait is that he takes concepts I already love and finds new angles inside them. The Ochinai series is a brilliant, simple twist on Osanori Yamamoto's Not Fall concept combined with a second puzzle type - all while preserving the minimalist approach we try to build into every puzzle in the store.
His work sits comfortably in the same lineage as Osanori Yamamoto, Frederic Boucher, and Dr. Volker Latussek - the modern packing puzzle designers who already shape the store. Fujino is inspired by all three, and it shows in the tight geometry and elegant constraints of his designs.
The Ochinai series - where to start
Both puzzles share the same core idea. "Ochinai" means "won't fall out" in Japanese, and each puzzle has a notched hole cut into the box. The challenge isn't just packing the pieces - it's packing them so that when the box is flipped with the hole facing down, nothing falls out. Osanori-style minimalism, Fujino's twist.
Ochinai Tromino is the gentler entry point - 9 tromino pieces, 30-60 minute solve time, Medium difficulty. Two boxes included in the set. Start here if you're new to packing puzzles or want to test the Ochinai concept before committing to the harder puzzle.
Ochinai Soma is the step up - 7 Soma pieces, 1-4 hour solve, Hard difficulty. Also ships as a 2-in-1 set. If you already enjoy Osanori or Latussek, Ochinai Soma is where the Fujino concept really shows what it can do.
FAQ
Who is Hiroshi Fujino?
Hiroshi Fujino is a Japanese mechanical puzzle designer whose debut release is available at Greg Puzzles. Inspired by Osanori Yamamoto, Frederic Boucher, and Dr. Volker Latussek, his work sits firmly in the modern packing-puzzle tradition - minimal pieces, tight geometry, elegant constraints.
What is the Ochinai series?
Ochinai means "won't fall out" in Japanese. Each puzzle in the series has a notched hole cut into the box. The goal is to pack all pieces so that when the box is flipped with the hole facing down, nothing falls out. It's a twist on Osanori Yamamoto's Not Fall concept, combined with a second familiar puzzle type - Soma or tromino - depending on which one you pick.
Which Fujino puzzle should I start with?
Ochinai Tromino if you're new to packing puzzles or Fujino's work - Medium difficulty, 30-60 min solve, and each set includes two boxes. Ochinai Soma if you already enjoy Osanori or Latussek and want a harder challenge - 7-piece Soma variant with a 1-4 hour solve.
Will there be more Fujino puzzles?
Yes. Shortly after the first release we started working with Hiroshi on his next set. Feedback from solvers and reviewers is already shaping what comes next - so if you pick up an Ochinai puzzle, your notes will genuinely help decide what Fujino designs for the store in the future.
If you enjoy Hiroshi Fujino's work, also explore puzzles by Osanori Yamamoto, Frederic Boucher, and Dr. Volker Latussek - the designers whose modern packing puzzles inspired his approach.
