This short video works on multiple levels. On the surface, it’s about a popular puzzle called KenKen, which you should definitely check out if you haven’t tried it.

On another level, it’s the poignant story of the inventor, Tetsuya Miyamoto, a Japanese math teacher, who developed KenKen as alternative way to teach basic math skills and logical reasoning. He has a unique perspective on life and why it’s important to keep living, even when it might feel like all hope is lost.


Bonus: here’s a video from Will Shortz, explaining how to do KenKen puzzles. This is the video that got me started on these beautiful puzzles.