Finally got my pre-ordered copy today, along with the new adventure.  I must say I like what I've seen so far.  The new schools looks pretty cool, I'm enjoying the Centipede clan and the adversities consist of elemental deficiencies that look like they would be fun in play.  At first glance this may be one of my favorite books so far.  Need to dig in more over the weekend.

Still nothing on my pre-order

Personally, while I find the the setting and lore and artwork great, I think the rules are incredibly convoluted and hard to follow, compounded by the raft of conditions, mechanics, and specialty dice.  Opportunities, etc., just take a lot of time to figure out with respect to how they work with the other parts of the game.  Another example are damage and deadliness for weapons.  Then you add in strife and it gets more complicated.  Like someone else said, it seems like they wanted to go more narrative, but decided to keep some tactical elements to appeal to the crowd for earlier editions.  And the result is problematic on both levels, though that might not be the case if I played with experienced players for a few sessions.  Just can't find anyone local, especially now with the FLGS not doing games.
I used to think the Modiphius Conan game was too convoluted and hard to grasp, as it also has levels of success, conditions, momentum, doom, etc., but it still seems more intuitive than this game.  I appreciate that they are trying to make it a unique experience, but things could be written much more clearly.  And I had played a bit of 1st edition about 20 years ago.  I do think it really helps if you get in with a group that already knows the system and how it plays.  That's a big reason I joined a PBP here with folks who actually understand the rules.  Hopefully we'll start back up soon.  I like the game enough that I've bought everything in the line thus far, despite my issues with grasping it all.  So yeah, a clearer core book would be cool.
Finally, it's funny how so many "Narrative" games bury themselves in dice rolling mechanics when 90% of that stuff could just be role-played. 
Just the observations from an outsider with big plans in development, but no real experience yet:)
 

Personally, while I find the the setting and lore and artwork great, I think the rules are incredibly convoluted and hard to follow, compounded by the raft of conditions, mechanics, and specialty dice.  Opportunities, etc., just take a lot of time to figure out with respect to how they work with the other parts of the game.  Another example are damage and deadliness for weapons.  Then you add in strife and it gets more complicated.  Like someone else said, it seems like they wanted to go more narrative, but decided to keep some tactical elements to appeal to the crowd for earlier editions.  And the result is problematic on both levels, though that might not be the case if I played with experienced players for a few sessions.  Just can't find anyone local, especially now with the FLGS not doing games.
I used to think the Modiphius Conan game was too convoluted and hard to grasp, as it also has levels of success, conditions, momentum, doom, etc., but it still seems more intuitive than this game.  I appreciate that they are trying to make it a unique experience, but things could be written much more clearly.  And I had played a bit of 1st edition about 20 years ago.  I do think it really helps if you get in with a group that already knows the system and how it plays.  That's a big reason I joined a PBP here with folks who actually understand the rules.  Hopefully we'll start back up soon.  I like the game enough that I've bought everything in the line thus far, despite my issues with grasping it all.  So yeah, a clearer core book would be cool.
Finally, it's funny how so many "Narrative" games bury themselves in dice rolling mechanics when 90% of that stuff could just be role-played. 
Just the observations from an outsider with big plans in development, but no real experience yet:)
 

Personally, while I find the the setting and lore and artwork great, I think the rules are incredibly convoluted and hard to follow, compounded by the raft of conditions, mechanics, and specialty dice.  Opportunities, etc., just take a lot of time to figure out with respect to how they work with the other parts of the game.  Another example are damage and deadliness for weapons.  Then you add in strife and it gets more complicated.  Like someone else said, it seems like they wanted to go more narrative, but decided to keep some tactical elements to appeal to the crowd for earlier editions.  And the result is problematic on both levels, though that might not be the case if I played with experienced players for a few sessions.  Just can't find anyone local, especially now with the FLGS not doing games.
I used to think the Modiphius Conan game was too convoluted and hard to grasp, as it also has levels of success, conditions, momentum, doom, etc., but it still seems more intuitive than this game.  I appreciate that they are trying to make it a unique experience, but things could be written much more clearly.  And I had played a bit of 1st edition about 20 years ago.  I do think it really helps if you get in with a group that already knows the system and how it plays.  That's a big reason I joined a PBP here with folks who actually understand the rules.  Hopefully we'll start back up soon.  I like the game enough that I've bought everything in the line thus far, despite my issues with grasping it all.  So yeah, a clearer core book would be cool.
Finally, it's funny how so many "Narrative" games bury themselves in dice rolling mechanics when 90% of that stuff could just be role-played. 
Just the observations from an outsider with big plans in development, but no real experience yet:)
 

I agree. Duels now are supposed to be used whenever you have a martial conflict involving two characters. Not only the formal duels where someone issued a challenge and they had to go through all the paperwork for approval.
Zatoichi meeting the rōnin at night by the side of the road? Duel.
Two samurai meeting on opposite sides of a bridge too narrow for both? Duel. Granted in the story they both decide to depart. That's actually one other complaint I have with the duel system that it is impossible for a character to asses his opponent DURING the duel.
Any Kurosawa standoffs? Duel.
My problem with Predict is that you know your opponent took a Predict action, so you just need to go Void and attack "for free". You won't incur in extra Strife and if you were lucky with explosive dice and opportunities you can deal a critical hit with no risk of becoming Compromised yourself.
The only moment Predict is worth it is if you know your opponent is close to becoming Compromised and decides to go Water so they can keep striking and take a Calming Breath (because that's the most optimal choice for them at this point), but then again, you could just have chosen to attack again instead and let them become Compromised the next round.
Center, on the other hand, is only worth it if you want to show off against a weaker opponent.
Another problem I have is with the one roll duel mechanics. They don't give us any examples on the GM should adjudicate for the narrative of what the player wants to do with the duel. Which, for experience GMs, won't be a problem, but for new ones, definitely will. Which, I guess, goes back to the inherent problems of L5R, that it seems you need someone already experienced with the lore and system to bring in new players.

Here are some of the ideas/adventure hooks I've come up with so far for this paranormal campaign concept.  The investigators will be sent on missions by a Seppun Astrologer:
Ships keep running ashore near a lighthouse at a place called Ro Ryuto, "Old Dragonhead."  There was a shrine keeper nearby, but now it's unclear if he is still maintaining the lighthouse Someone is murdering members of the barefoot brethren and stealing their messages The party is summoned to the Barracks of the Damned to get information from kuni warden and his charges Lady Mazoku has finally appeared again and the party is dispatched to the Council of Twilight on a fact finding mission Taint seems to following the progressions of a certain traveling bunraku troupe

Here are some of the ideas/adventure hooks I've come up with so far for this paranormal campaign concept.  The investigators will be sent on missions by a Seppun Astrologer:
Ships keep running ashore near a lighthouse at a place called Ro Ryuto, "Old Dragonhead."  There was a shrine keeper nearby, but now it's unclear if he is still maintaining the lighthouse Someone is murdering members of the barefoot brethren and stealing their messages The party is summoned to the Barracks of the Damned to get information from kuni warden and his charges Lady Mazoku has finally appeared again and the party is dispatched to the Council of Twilight on a fact finding mission Taint seems to following the progressions of a certain traveling bunraku troupe

Here are some of the ideas/adventure hooks I've come up with so far for this paranormal campaign concept.  The investigators will be sent on missions by a Seppun Astrologer:
Ships keep running ashore near a lighthouse at a place called Ro Ryuto, "Old Dragonhead."  There was a shrine keeper nearby, but now it's unclear if he is still maintaining the lighthouse Someone is murdering members of the barefoot brethren and stealing their messages The party is summoned to the Barracks of the Damned to get information from kuni warden and his charges Lady Mazoku has finally appeared again and the party is dispatched to the Council of Twilight on a fact finding mission Taint seems to following the progressions of a certain traveling bunraku troupe

As a humble monk, I should not know such things of course.  But might they all be married?

As a humble monk, I should not know such things of course.  But might they all be married?

So here's a bit more on my character:
Jinyo is a Togashi Monk of the Tattooed Order.  His father was a Togashi Chronicler who claimed to have missions designated by the kami Togashi himself.  He was fascinated by the mysteries surrounding Fu Leng and his origins.  He was also convinced that the evils of Jigoku and the Shadowlands represented a corruption of the Five Elements so they could be most effectively countered by concentrated elemental power.  He traveled throughout the nascent empire searching for sources of this power and compiled copious notes.  But one night, disaster struck.  His home was burned down.  Both of Jinyo's parents were killed and most of his father's notes were lost, whether in the flames or stolen is not clear.  But the youth somehow emerged from the flames unscathed.  He was then taken into the Togashi Order, given the name Jinyo, which means "Embers" or "survival."
The young man proved an apt and spirited pupil, but he was headstrong and prone to violence and mood swings.  He was both fascinated by the power he could channel via training in the martial arts and meditation and scornful of rules he saw as pointless.  He was also committed to battling the forces of Fu Leng, which he believed had killed his parents.  Seeking to continue his father's work, he joined the war as soon as he left the High House of Light, battling the forces of the Shadowlands without fear.  He distinguished himself in these battles fighting alongside the other clans and decorated his bo staff with the teeth and claws of slain enemies.  He also discovered a curious red piece of jade in a ruined shrine.  It was shaped like a dragon's claw and seemed to radiate power.  Later, in a battle with an oni, Jinyo was knocked prone.  As the oni and its goblin allies moved in for the kill, a fire kami manifested, apparently from the jade dragon claw, to smite the monsters and save the young monk.  He still wears the item on a simple string around his neck.
Jinyo made many friendships during the war, particularly with Crab samurai, whom he respects for their steadfast opposition to the forces of darkness.  He also respects their bluntness.  For Jinyo is not your typical monk.  He is brash, blunt, and straightforward.  His motto is "Wine and meat are nothing so long as the kami are in your heart."  Unfortunately, however, his fiery nature also comes with moments of despair and melancholy and he seeks to lose himself in sake.  His second most prized possession, after the dragon claw, is a sake set gifted to him by a Crab during the war. [This could be Kamataichi].  In battle he calms himself by laughing uproariously in the face of his foes.  A master of the bo staff and ambidextrous, he often seeks to overawe opponents by sheer force of his presence and skill, twirling the staff as he demonstrates forms before battle.  And once engaged, he has no mercy.  Jinyo will always "sweep the leg."
He continues to try to unravel the mystery of his parent's deaths and the nature of Shadowlands evil.  He has great respect for the Crab.  He finds the Crane to be too effete; the Phoenix too esoteric, though he respects their knowledge of magic, and the Lion too wrapped up in hidebound bushido traditions.  He does not entirely trust the Scorpion, but respects their results.  He is a keen student of history & philosophy, including the teachings of Shinsei.  He will often spout koans while drunk. 

So here's a bit more on my character:
Jinyo is a Togashi Monk of the Tattooed Order.  His father was a Togashi Chronicler who claimed to have missions designated by the kami Togashi himself.  He was fascinated by the mysteries surrounding Fu Leng and his origins.  He was also convinced that the evils of Jigoku and the Shadowlands represented a corruption of the Five Elements so they could be most effectively countered by concentrated elemental power.  He traveled throughout the nascent empire searching for sources of this power and compiled copious notes.  But one night, disaster struck.  His home was burned down.  Both of Jinyo's parents were killed and most of his father's notes were lost, whether in the flames or stolen is not clear.  But the youth somehow emerged from the flames unscathed.  He was then taken into the Togashi Order, given the name Jinyo, which means "Embers" or "survival."
The young man proved an apt and spirited pupil, but he was headstrong and prone to violence and mood swings.  He was both fascinated by the power he could channel via training in the martial arts and meditation and scornful of rules he saw as pointless.  He was also committed to battling the forces of Fu Leng, which he believed had killed his parents.  Seeking to continue his father's work, he joined the war as soon as he left the High House of Light, battling the forces of the Shadowlands without fear.  He distinguished himself in these battles fighting alongside the other clans and decorated his bo staff with the teeth and claws of slain enemies.  He also discovered a curious red piece of jade in a ruined shrine.  It was shaped like a dragon's claw and seemed to radiate power.  Later, in a battle with an oni, Jinyo was knocked prone.  As the oni and its goblin allies moved in for the kill, a fire kami manifested, apparently from the jade dragon claw, to smite the monsters and save the young monk.  He still wears the item on a simple string around his neck.
Jinyo made many friendships during the war, particularly with Crab samurai, whom he respects for their steadfast opposition to the forces of darkness.  He also respects their bluntness.  For Jinyo is not your typical monk.  He is brash, blunt, and straightforward.  His motto is "Wine and meat are nothing so long as the kami are in your heart."  Unfortunately, however, his fiery nature also comes with moments of despair and melancholy and he seeks to lose himself in sake.  His second most prized possession, after the dragon claw, is a sake set gifted to him by a Crab during the war. [This could be Kamataichi].  In battle he calms himself by laughing uproariously in the face of his foes.  A master of the bo staff and ambidextrous, he often seeks to overawe opponents by sheer force of his presence and skill, twirling the staff as he demonstrates forms before battle.  And once engaged, he has no mercy.  Jinyo will always "sweep the leg."
He continues to try to unravel the mystery of his parent's deaths and the nature of Shadowlands evil.  He has great respect for the Crab.  He finds the Crane to be too effete; the Phoenix too esoteric, though he respects their knowledge of magic, and the Lion too wrapped up in hidebound bushido traditions.  He does not entirely trust the Scorpion, but respects their results.  He is a keen student of history & philosophy, including the teachings of Shinsei.  He will often spout koans while drunk. 

I like what I've seen of it.  Will spend more time later as I'm going through the main rule books and modules now and jotting down campaign ideas in my custom L5R notebook.  I even pre-ordered the two forthcoming products today. 

While most of my current preparation is for our PBP game, I am also still sketching ideas out for my ghost busting/paranormal game.  So I plan on rolling up a Mirumoto Daoist Blade, Kuni Purifier, and Toritaka Phantom Hunter as the core PCs, a heroic trio, so to speak, for you fans of classic Hong Kong cinema.  Their handler/lord will be a Seppun Astrologer, the Rokugan equivalent of Skinner, for you X-Files fans, albeit much more of a true believer in the supernatural threats facing the empire.

While most of my current preparation is for our PBP game, I am also still sketching ideas out for my ghost busting/paranormal game.  So I plan on rolling up a Mirumoto Daoist Blade, Kuni Purifier, and Toritaka Phantom Hunter as the core PCs, a heroic trio, so to speak, for you fans of classic Hong Kong cinema.  Their handler/lord will be a Seppun Astrologer, the Rokugan equivalent of Skinner, for you X-Files fans, albeit much more of a true believer in the supernatural threats facing the empire.

While most of my current preparation is for our PBP game, I am also still sketching ideas out for my ghost busting/paranormal game.  So I plan on rolling up a Mirumoto Daoist Blade, Kuni Purifier, and Toritaka Phantom Hunter as the core PCs, a heroic trio, so to speak, for you fans of classic Hong Kong cinema.  Their handler/lord will be a Seppun Astrologer, the Rokugan equivalent of Skinner, for you X-Files fans, albeit much more of a true believer in the supernatural threats facing the empire.

Well here's what I'm thinking.  My character's father was a Togashi Chronicler.  He started investigating blood magic, Fu Leng, etc., and his discoveries led to his home being torched.  His son was the only (miraculous) survivor so he was taken in by the nascent Tattooed Monk order and given the religious name of Jinyo, meaning "Embers" or "Survival."  This provoked his desire to master the elements, particularly fire, and join the war.  That will form the backdrop to where he found his nemuranai, which I'll explain when I give you the full character info.

Happy to report that I snagged my hardcover today at my FLGS! 

Happy to report that I snagged my hardcover today at my FLGS! 

I had heard rumours that there might be another book after Celestial Realms as well, before Edge takes over.

No idea about my weapon yet, though since I'm leaning towards a tattooed monk, my fists will be deadly weapons as they say.  I do have a pretty interesting idea for my nemuranai, though.  I will be home with access to my books by Monday so I'll finally be able to do some research and get into our 23 questions...and counting.:)

I'm in, provided we have a bit of lead time to roll up PCs.  I'm away from home until June 10 so I don't have all my books.

Talked to the guy who runs our local game store today and he confirmed it's a distribution issue due to the pandemic.  He told me not to overpay, as he should have it in stock in a couple weeks.  I already have it on a wishlist on 3 different sites so hopefully it will show up soon.

As I've mentioned before, in my day job I'm a professor of Asian history, specifically military history ca. 1550-1800.  My main focus is China, but I teach pretty much everything.  So over the years I've read lots of stuff and a few Japanese-related works stick out as being of potential interest to L5R players.  I have used all these books in my classes over the years.
The Book of Yokai by Michael Dylan Foster: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Yokai-Mysterious-Creatures-Japanese/dp/0520271025/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=book+of+yokai&qid=1590889833&s=books&sr=1-1
Japandemonium Illustrated by Toriyama Seiken: https://www.amazon.com/Japandemonium-Illustrated-Encyclopedias-Toriyama-Sekien/dp/0486800350/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BXZL6IH5VJ5L&dchild=1&keywords=japandemonium+illustrated+the+yokai+encyclopedias+of+toriyama+sekien&qid=1590890127&s=books&sprefix=Japande%2Cstripbooks%2C200&sr=1-1
The First Samurai by Karl Friday: https://www.amazon.com/First-Samurai-Legend-Warrior-Masakado/dp/047176082X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=karl+friday+the+first+samurai&qid=1590890193&s=books&sr=1-1
Samurai, Warfare, and the State by Karl Friday: https://www.amazon.com/Samurai-Warfare-State-Medieval-History/dp/0415329639/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=karl+friday+samurai%2C+warfare%2C+and+the+state&qid=1590890246&s=books&sr=1-1
The Pocket Samurai by William Scott Wilson, trans., [Includes Book of Five Rings]: https://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Samurai-Shambhala-Classics/dp/1611802164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Pocket+Samurai&qid=1590890357&s=books&sr=1-1
The Diary of Lady Murasaki by Murasaki Shikibu [Author of Tale of Genji but this is much shorter & still gives great ideas for courtly intrigue and behavior]:https://www.amazon.com/Diary-Lady-Murasaki-Penguin-Classics/dp/014043576X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2A4XQ983MAL47&dchild=1&keywords=diary+of+lady+murasaki&qid=1590890432&s=books&sprefix=Diary+of+Lady+Mura%2Cstripbooks%2C275&sr=1-1
The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon: https://www.amazon.com/Pillow-Book-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140448063/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38OXO9MBP7S1T&dchild=1&keywords=pillow+book+of+sei+shonagon&qid=1590890539&s=books&sprefix=pillow+book+%2Cstripbooks%2C377&sr=1-1
And finally, my own book, which is about Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea from 1592-1598: A Dragon's Head & A Serpent's Tail: Ming China and the First Great East Asian War, 1592-1598 by Kenneth Swope: https://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Head-Serpents-Tail-Commanders-ebook/dp/B007QTZPM6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a+dragon's+head+and+a+serpent's+tail&qid=1590890676&s=books&sr=1-1