For today's genre, we're diving back into the depths of Nikoli Omopa. Sanctuary (サンクチュアリ) first debuted in Nikoli issue 63. The editors of the Omopa Compendium describe the type as "extremely heavy", and by Nikoli standards, I'd probably agree. However, each of the moving parts comes together to create an interesting mix between Fillomino and Santoitchi.
Historically, Sanctuary has been presented as a number placement genre. However, I've modified the rules slightly to emphasize its region division components, which I think are more natural to work with.
Rules: Shade some cells on the board and divide the remaining cells into regions. Each region contains exactly one given number equal to its area. Regions with the same area may not be adjacent. Shaded cells may not touch orthogonally, and no 2x2 square may be entirely unshaded.
(Example by カルコゲン on PuzzleSquareJP.)
Two puzzles today. The first was designed to be smooth, albeit with some subtle parts. The lone odd number in the grid may seem out of place, but an "all evens" theme was not intended, and I like the solve path of this version anyway.
As for the second one... I don't really have much to say about it. See for yourself what I've whipped up here.
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