Recon Report: Bolt Action Third Edition Armies of Imperial Japan

January 27, 2026 | Kreighton Long | Announcements, Bolt Action, Miniature Games, Models and Painting, Warlord Games
Image courtesy of Warlord Games and Osprey Publishing

 By Kreighton Long

The most recent addition to Warlord Games‘ Bolt Action Third Edition is enroute in the form of Armies of Imperial Japan.  This latest edition comes in at just under 100 pages and is full to the brim with exciting and unique units, Osprey illustrations, and photographs of miniatures in action.

The book begins with a brief history of Japan’s involvement in World War Two.  If you’re expecting to find a thorough history of this topic in a supplemental rulebook for a toy soldier game you will be unsurprisingly disappointed but it does succeed in setting the stage and connecting the rest of the book to an oversimplified summary of the war.

The Army Special Rules of Death Before Dishonor and Banzai fit nicely with an infantry dominated Japanese force.  Players will be naturally tempted to make full use of these rules when building and playing their Japanese lists.  Lack of Radios gives the option to avoid paying the ten points for Command Vehicle but at the cost of reducing the command radius of said vehicle from 12″ to 6″.

Image courtesy of Warlord Games and Osprey Publishing

The Japanese are presented with four options to make their force more distinct: SNLF, Paratroopers, Veteran Jungle Fighters, and Home Defense.

Upgrading units to SNLF will provide cheaper but more restricted platoon and company commanders and Veteran SNLF units may purchase the Iron Discipline rule for one point per model.  As someone who routinely plays against a British player who uses this rule I can attest that removing two pins on a successful order test is very cool indeed.

Image courtesy of Warlord Games and Osprey Publishing

Paratroopers may upgrade units to have Tough Fighters for one point per model and may then purchase SMGs for three points per weapon.  In addition, bicycles may be purchased for one point per model.

Image courtesy of Warlord Games and Osprey Publishing

For players looking for more greenery you can upgrade units to be Veteran Jungle Fighters.  These units benefit from Behind Enemy Lines, Ambush Tactics, and Fieldcraft for three points per model.  These upgrades will be invaluable on those pesky jungle tables you sometimes see at tournaments.

Image courtesy of Warlord Games and Osprey Publishing

Home Defense was written to represent units deployed in the final stages of the war and even the fortunately avoided invasion of the Japanese home islands.  The random results on the Unpredictable chart will sow chaos on the battlefield as units failing order tests take additional pins when going Down, go Down, or even Run towards enemy units perhaps initiating unplanning close combats.

Image courtesy of Warlord Games and Osprey Publishing

Japanese armies will have access to unique weapons and modifications not available to other armies.  These include swords, “knee mortars”, battle flags, signaling bugles, and demolition charges.  Japanese forces will truly be unique in playstyle and options and I for one look forward to seeing what people come up with.

Sadly I need to avoid diving into the units presented in this book so as to not steal one of our other writer’s thunder.  Stay tuned for that one!  Moving on…

Image courtesy of Warlord Games and Osprey Publishing

Players will find sample armies included towards the back of the book.  These lists offer starting points and inspiration for people designing their own forces.  Sample armies range from early to late-war and from 750 to 1,250 points.

Following the sample armies are the force selection guides broken down by early, mid, and late war.  I especially appreciate this inclusion in the new round of army books as it helps players determine what equipment and units are appropriate for different phases of the war.  I choose to believe that players developing thematic armies can use these lists to help streamline their research to build armies that make sense for the period of the war they are hoping to represent.

Image courtesy of Warlord Games and Osprey Publishing

The book as a whole flows well and looks beautiful.  I counted a total of 25 Osprey illustrations liberally sprinkled throughout the book providing excellent references for how to build and paint your next Japanese army.  In addition to the illustrations, there is an abundance of wonderfully staged and photographed miniatures providing even more references and inspiration.

I am hopeful about seeing more Japanese armies at events following the release of this book and am enthusiastic about the variety of army builds this book will facilitate.  I’m hoping to start my own Japanese force later this year and have it ready for the local tournament circuit next year.

Happy gaming!