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What makes this Samurai Sudoku different?
A Samurai Sudoku is not five separate puzzles. Four corner grids overlap the center grid, and every shared digit must satisfy the row, column, and box rules of both grids that use it.
Rules in one sentence: place digits 1-9 so every row, column, and 3x3 box inside each of the five 9x9 grids contains each digit once; the four shared boxes belong to two grids at the same time.
Choose a difficulty
The levels use fixed clue counts and a saved whole-board singles trace. They are operational categories for this pack, not a claim that clue count alone predicts every person's experience.
185 givens
The whole board completes under the naked- and hidden-single grader.
155 givens
Still singles-solvable, but it requires repeated hidden-single checks and more transfers through overlaps.
131 givens
The singles-only grader reaches a fixed point, while the complete solver still proves exactly one answer.
What is inside the printable pack
Every activity receives a full page so the 21-cell-wide shape stays large enough for pencil marks.
Samurai 1
185 givens · 2/5 component grids need overlap information · answer page 7
Samurai 2
185 givens · 2/5 component grids need overlap information · answer page 8
Samurai 3
155 givens · 4/5 component grids need overlap information · answer page 9
Samurai 4
155 givens · 2/5 component grids need overlap information · answer page 10
Samurai 5
131 givens · 4/5 component grids need overlap information · answer page 11
Samurai 6
131 givens · 5/5 component grids need overlap information · answer page 12
Preview one real puzzle from each level
These are the actual Easy, Medium, and Challenging boards included in the downloads. Pale gold marks the four boxes shared with the center grid.
Easy185 givens
Samurai 1
2 component grid(s) have multiple solutions when isolated; the complete five-grid puzzle has exactly one.
Medium155 givens
Samurai 3
4 component grid(s) have multiple solutions when isolated; the complete five-grid puzzle has exactly one.
Challenging131 givens
Samurai 5
4 component grid(s) have multiple solutions when isolated; the complete five-grid puzzle has exactly one.
How each answer was verified
One connected solution
A full constraint search counts answers across all 369 cells and stops publication unless the count is exactly one.
Every grid unit checked
All rows, columns, and 3x3 boxes in all five component grids must contain digits 1-9 exactly once.
Overlap dependence measured
Each component grid is also tested alone. Multiple-solution components document where the shared boxes provide necessary information.
How to solve a five-grid Samurai
1. Mark the overlaps
Notice the four pale boxes. A digit written there immediately affects two grids.
2. Scan the center and corners
Do not insist on finishing one grid. Move to the connected grid whenever a row or box stalls.
3. Carry deductions back
Recheck each shared box after every useful placement; one digit can unlock a row on the other side.
Separate from classic printable Sudoku
PZ19 remains the mixed pack of independent classic 9x9 puzzles. PZ38 owns five-grid, 21x21-layout, overlapping, multi-grid, and Gattai-5 printable intent. No component clue grid matches a PZ19 puzzle.
How to print
Choose Letter for 8.5x11-inch paper or A4 for 210x297-mm paper, then print at 100% or actual size. Use pages 1-6 for activities and pages 7-12 for answers.
Each Samurai occupies one page. Thick lines mark 3x3 boxes, thin lines mark cells, and pale gold identifies overlaps.
Use permission
You may print copies for personal use, one classroom, a library activity, or a community group. Please do not resell the files, remove the edition notice, upload the PDFs elsewhere, or bundle them into another product.
Samurai Sudoku questions
How many grids are in Samurai Sudoku?
Five 9x9 grids: four corner grids and one center grid. Each corner shares one 3x3 box with the center.
How many distinct cells does Samurai Sudoku have?
The five grids contain 405 positions before overlap. Four shared 3x3 boxes remove 36 duplicate positions, leaving 369 distinct cells.
Do these printable puzzles include answers?
Yes. Puzzles are on pages 1 through 6 and full answers are on pages 7 through 12.
Is Samurai Sudoku the same as five separate Sudokus?
No. The four shared boxes must satisfy two grids at once, and these puzzles are globally verified as one connected constraint problem.
Why does the complete board have 369 cells?
Five grids contain 405 positions. Four 3x3 overlap boxes are counted twice in that total, so subtracting 36 duplicated positions leaves 369 distinct cells.
Can I print these for a classroom?
Yes. The use permission allows copies for one classroom, library activity, or community group.
Use a shared cell in Samurai puzzle 1
This example uses the original Easy puzzle. The two views of an overlapping cell are the same cell, not two independent places where a digit can differ.
Hint 1: locate the overlap
In the top-left 9×9 board, find row 7, column 8. That same cell is row 1, column 2 of the center board. Both coordinates point to the top-left shared 3×3 box.
Hint 2: check both boards
Combine the digits already present in the cell’s rows, columns, and shared box in both boards. In puzzle 1, digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 are excluded; only 7 remains.
Hint 3: write once, then use twice
Write 7 in the shared cell. It now constrains row 7 and column 8 of the top-left board, as well as row 1 and column 2 of the center board. Continue checking both boards whenever you fill an overlap.