How to Play Hitori

THE PLAYBOOK · TCJSJT

How to play Hitori

Use a short break to learn the rhythm of Hitori. Shade repeated numbers while keeping black cells separated and all white cells connected. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions. Check the rule that explains your first action. Look at what changes after your first action.

Play twelve 5×5 puzzles. Any shaded starting cells remain fixed.

Try a deliberate move

After a move, check what changed. Decide which rule explains the new state before acting again. Make the next step deliberately.

Your goal

Shade repeated numbers while keeping black cells separated and all white cells connected. An attractive position is not enough unless the goal is met. Take a moment to understand the current position.

Step by step

1. Click a cell to shade, mark or clear it.
2. No unshaded number may repeat in a row or column.
3. Black cells cannot share an edge.
4. Check puzzle verifies duplicates and connectivity.

Controls

Click or tap squares or graph edges. Number boards include a digit pad. Undo reverses the previous change; Check puzzle validates the solution. A careful first action helps you become familiar with the layout. Use the visible help when you are unsure of the next input.

A useful example

Two identical unshaded numbers in one row cannot both remain. Your next round may have a different position, so inspect it before acting. Read the matching step again.

Watch out for this

Removing every duplicate can disconnect white cells. Read the feedback to see why an action did not have the expected result. Choose one rule to keep in mind for this round. Apply it consistently rather than guessing what another version might allow.

Common questions