Item: SHI•RO: Midori
Rating: 89
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

89/100

SHI•RO: Midori is a breathtaking sequel that manages to be even more serene and challenging than its predecessor. The aesthetic, inspired by traditional Japanese lacquerware, is a visual feast; the way the light reflects off the 'lacquer' surface when you tilt your device is a masterstroke of mobile-first design. It feels less like a game and more like interacting with a beautiful, handcrafted artifact.

The puzzles themselves are remarkably clever. The core mechanic of 'placing emptiness' between maple trees to invite the Kami-sama is poetic and requires a different kind of spatial reasoning than traditional block-pushers. The addition of Japanese words to learn from animal messengers adds a lovely educational layer that feels integrated rather than forced. It’s a meditative experience that rewards patience and observation, backed by a soundscape of cracking twigs and distant drums that is best experienced with headphones.

Reviewed on: Mon Feb 02 2026

Dinsun Review

Dinsun here. I don't usually go for these 'Zen' experiences, but I gave Shiro Midori a shot. It's aesthetically pleasing—very clean, very Japanese-minimalist. The puzzles start off satisfying, but they don't evolve much in the latter half. It feels like a high-quality browser game rather than a premium app. It's good for a commute, but don't expect it to stay on your phone for long. It lacks that 'one more level' hook that the greats of the genre have.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Minimalist and clean visual design
Relaxing atmosphere
No intrusive ads

Lack of mechanical variety
Short playtime
No real replay value

Technical Report

Performance: Runs perfectly. Minimal battery drain.

Accessibility:

Colorblind-friendly colors

Audience Fit

Buy if: You want a 2-hour distraction that looks nice on an OLED screen.

Skip if: You want deep, challenging puzzles that force you to think outside the box.

Similar Games:

Lyne
Kami 2
Mini Metro

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40, Cynical Puzzle Enjoyer
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 3 hours
Status: Finished all levels

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

1492094351

$1.99 9+★4.8 4 reviews

Author : the brothers grimm

Pubish Date : Invalid Date

Last Update Date : Invalid Date

Support Languages : English

Genres :

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MIDORI, sequel to the award-winning puzzle game SHI•RO, tells the wondrous story of priest Yoshida. Together, you leave home and bring back hope to the people of Kyoto.
Travel through dark forests to invite the ancient gods, the Kami-sama, to Yoshida’s shrine. Solve challenging, handmade puzzles by placing emptiness in between maple trees to the Kami-sama.
Animal messengers of the gods will cross your way and offer their help. Learn Japanese words from them and whisper with the wind.
----------
START A NEW JOURNEY
MIDORI is a completely new game set in the same universe as SHI•RO: A new story, new puzzle mechanics and a beautiful forest inspired by the craft of Japanese lacquerware.
PUZZLE BY PUZZLE
Each puzzle has its own twist and poses a new challenge. To keep you on your toes, the puzzles gain in complexity over time. And if you ever get stuck, you can get a helpful hint to continue your journey.
FINE DETAILS AND A SPARKLING DESIGN
The design of MIDORI is inspired by Japanese lacquerware. You play on a green lacquer box with fine details such as rocks, maple trees and spirits. Tilt your device to enjoy how reflective metal colors bring forth ancient stories.
A CALMING SOUNDSCAPE
The ambience of MIDORI breathes the forest: Wooden sticks, cracking twigs and swirling seeds play in concert with Japanese drums.
Requires iOS 10.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
MIDORI, sequel to the award-winning puzzle game SHI•RO, tells the wondrous story of priest Yoshida. Together, you leave home and bring back hope to the people of Kyoto.
Travel through dark forests to invite the ancient gods, the Kami-sama, to Yoshida’s shrine. Solve challenging, handmade puzzles by placing emptiness in between maple trees to the Kami-sama.
Animal messengers of the gods will cross your way and offer their help. Learn Japanese words from them and whisper with the wind.
----------
START A NEW JOURNEY
MIDORI is a completely new game set in the same universe as SHI•RO: A new story, new puzzle mechanics and a beautiful forest inspired by the craft of Japanese lacquerware.
PUZZLE BY PUZZLE
Each puzzle has its own twist and poses a new challenge. To keep you on your toes, the puzzles gain in complexity over time. And if you ever get stuck, you can get a helpful hint to continue your journey.
FINE DETAILS AND A SPARKLING DESIGN
The design of MIDORI is inspired by Japanese lacquerware. You play on a green lacquer box with fine details such as rocks, maple trees and spirits. Tilt your device to enjoy how reflective metal colors bring forth ancient stories.
A CALMING SOUNDSCAPE
The ambience of MIDORI breathes the forest: Wooden sticks, cracking twigs and swirling seeds play in concert with Japanese drums.

Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5 with 4 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 9+

MIDORI is a completely new puzzle journey set in the world of SHI•RO. Follow Priest Yoshida as he travels through dark forests to invite the ancient Kami-sama to his shrine. Solve challenging, handmade puzzles by strategically placing elements among maple trees. The game’s design is inspired by Japanese lacquerware, featuring fine details that react to your device’s movement. Encounter animal messengers, learn Japanese vocabulary, and immerse yourself in a calming forest soundscape of Japanese drums and swirling seeds.