Japan's largest esports entertainment event, "RAGE," held the RAGE SUPER MATCH Powered by Rakuten Optimism at Tokyo Big Sight on Saturday, August 3, and Sunday, August 4, 2024.
This time, we will bring you the highlights of Day 1, which featured Street Fighter 6, along with plenty of on-site photos!
3rd Place Match: Team SHAKA vs Team Shinji
- Arurandeisu(@arurandeisu)
- SHAKA(@avashaka)
- Futon-chan(@indegnasen210)
- Koku-ni(@kokujind)
- Mago(@magotto3)
SHAKA: Now that I've made it this far, I'm thinking about just sticking to M. Bison. I'll do my best to land the combos I practiced!
(Translated from Japanese)
- Shishiro Botan(@shishirobotan)
- Shinji(@Shinjisan_XD)
- Obo(@obormentv)
- Takagi(@Takagi_kzr)
- Naruo(@moujaatumare)
Shinji: I totally wrecked SHAKA in the qualifiers... SHAKA, are you really sure about sticking with M. Bison...? You had another character, didn't you? Bring them out.
(Translated from Japanese)
A huge number of spectators gathered at the Tokyo Big Sight venue.
The cheering for their favorites was intense.
Koku-ni praying for Arurandeisu's victory.
The VTubers participated online, but their panels were cheered on at the venue!
The second pairing was SHAKA's M. Bison vs. Shinji's Zangief.
Shinji won the first game, but then something strange happened...
釈迦マリーザで流れが変わる...！？#RAGE_SUPER_MATCH #スト6 pic.twitter.com/NcvwzSLbEt
— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) August 3, 2024
SHAKA chose Marisa!
The battle dragged on to a full set and final round, but SHAKA's Marisa achieved a comeback victory with strikes that felt historic.
現地の盛り上がりをお届け‼️#RAGE_SUPER_MATCH #スト6 pic.twitter.com/v6QdQkoQ3r
— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) August 3, 2024
The next match was between Futon-chan and Obo.
Futon-chan's perfect parries were sharp, but the match ended with Obo's The Final Bout!
The veteran Koku-ni faced the young hope Takagi.
Takagi dominated and won by landing command grabs, perfectly executing Team Shinji's strategy!
The final match was Mago vs. Naruo, with the team score tied at 2-2.
In the end, Naruo's Gabu-nomi Jamie won with a command grab!
He perfectly showcased the team's strategy.
The players returned for the next round's VTuber showdown.
Arurandeisu won, bringing the team points to an even score once again!
In the second pairing, Shinji won!
He got revenge on SHAKA's Marisa.
In the next match, Futon-chan vs. Obo, Futon-chan won, bringing both teams to match point!
While Takagi won overwhelmingly in the previous round, Koku-ni now showed the tenacity of a veteran in a desperate situation.
The second-to-last match—which went to match point, a full set, and a final round—was won by Koku-ni!
The veteran, who has been active on the front lines of the fighting game community since before Takagi was born, showed his tenacity.
3位決定戦はチームSHAKAの勝利🥉#RAGE_SUPER_MATCH #スト6 pic.twitter.com/6VbSsDCnFX
— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) August 3, 2024
Shinji: That was seriously the best. Although we lost in the end, I think we were able to excite the crowd. I managed to draw out Marisa from SHAKA, and even though I lost the first game, I was happy to get my revenge. It was really fun. Thank you, everyone!
(Translated from Japanese)
SHAKA: Marisa is great, after all (lol). I lost the second game, so ultimately, the team won it for me. I think I caused some trouble, but I'm glad I chose this team. The matches were close and fun, and I don't think either team has any regrets. Thank you for your support!
(Translated from Japanese)
Koku-ni was soaked in the excitement of the venue.
The Venue Also Had Merchandise Sales and Versus Booths!
Merchandise sales and versus booths were also set up at the Tokyo Big Sight offline venue.
"Street Fighter 6 Type Arcade"
A trial campaign offering free play at eligible stores was also held starting Sunday, August 4, 2024!
Turtle Beach and Victrix Booths
Turtle Beach and Victrix, brands that offer controllers and headsets, were also exhibiting!
Devices and other items were available for purchase at venue-exclusive prices, and in addition...
The familiar service of laser-engraving your favorite image onto a device was also available!
Pixio Booth
Pixio, a gaming monitor brand from the US, also had a booth!
Pixio offers many gaming monitors that are suitable for bright rooms.
Fumo Shop Booth
The online store "Fumo Shop," which sells a large number of esports-specific gaming devices, made an offline appearance!
Attendees could actually pick up and check the feel of gaming mice, mousepads, and keyboards.
Official Merchandise Sales
RAGE official merchandise themed around the titles of the "RAGE SUPER MATCH Powered by Rakuten Optimism"—"Street Fighter 6" and "Overwatch 2"—was also sold!
By the time we reported, most of the products were already sold out!
There was also a space to fill out support boards!
This was great because it created the kind of excitement only an offline event can offer.
Free Versus Matches
There was also a corner where you could play against cosplayers, including:
- Chun-Li: Ayane Nishii (@atata_dayo)
- Manon: Saki Amaha (@amh_cos)
- Juri: Chachamaru (@cyama28)
- Cammy: Romu (@Tngchkecchap)
- Lily: Ukaru Mochizuki (@ukaru1207)
Championship Final: Team Donpisha vs Team Yoshinama
- Amaki Pururu(@0PuRuRu)
- Donpisha(@DONPISHA22)
- Ariken(@guraburuslot777)
- Ceros(@trollceros)
- Kazunoko(@kazunoko0215)
Donpisha: The fact that we made it this far is thanks to our members, and I believe it's the result of our team practice. I want to rush through with this momentum. We will win the championship! Please cheer us on until the end!!
(Translated from Japanese)
- Ren Kisaragi(@ren_kisaragi__)
- Yoshinama(@yosi980)
- Zerost(@Zerost_s)
- Taiji(@taijich0324)
- Haitani(@hai090)
Yoshinama: I still have a restraint on, and this (hat) has weights in it. I'm going to take it off when the time comes. We saw a great match in the 3rd place match, but honestly, I think going to match point, full set, and final round made things run a little late. We're going to end this 5-0! Let's go!
(Translated from Japanese)
First up was Amaki Pururu vs. Ren Kisaragi.
After a full set, Ren Kisaragi's JP snagged the first point.
The next match was the leader showdown: Donpisha vs. Yoshinama.
優勝決定戦「チームドンピシャ」vs「チームよしなま」が進行中‼️#RAGE_SUPER_MATCH pic.twitter.com/bsyWWh6HnD
— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) August 3, 2024
Yoshinama's Luke, who showed calm adaptability, took two consecutive sets!
He threw off his hat as if to signal the time had come.
The next match was between Ariken and Zerost.
Ariken's Dhalsim won, stopping Team Yoshinama's two-game winning streak and making the score 1-2!
Ceros, like Zerost, is a former professional esports player from "League of Legends," but his fighting game skill is also top-level.
In the Ceros vs. Taiji matchup, which felt like there was some kind of destiny involved, Taiji won with what could be called a perfect performance!
A fierce battle unfolded afterward, leading to a team score of 4-4 in a final round, full set!
フルセットフルラウンドの激闘を見せた優勝決定戦‼️
チームよしなまの皆さんおめでとうございます🎉
チームドンピシャの皆さんも感動をありがとう😭#RAGE_SUPER_MATCH #スト6 pic.twitter.com/oy6JWFmLdJ— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) August 3, 2024
Ceros showed a tenacious offense, but in the end, the victory went to Taiji's A.K.I.!
Team Yoshinama splendidly claimed the championship!
Ceros: Ah... it's frustrating! Everything was perfectly set up to go to a full set, and I really thought I had to win, but I was defeated. I remembered the previous tournament, and since this was a team battle, I felt like I was carrying more than last time... I wanted to win.
(Translated from Japanese)
Yoshinama: I feel like fighting games are the best! Of course, I'm grateful to the members, and thank you so much to everyone who cheered us on. At first, I hadn't touched Street Fighter 6 and had the attitude of, "Fighting games have a high barrier to entry, so I'm not going to play them," but with viewers strongly pushing me, I figured I'd try it (lol). Today truly became the day where I was happiest I played a fighting game. Shaving my head was worth it! Thank you!
(Translated from Japanese)
The 3rd place team was awarded 300,000 Rakuten Points, the runner-up team received 500,000 Rakuten Points, and the champion team was given 1,000,000 Rakuten Points and a recommended device set from Fumo Shop!
Congratulations!
A Grand Finale!
SHAKA: I'm just happy that everyone enjoyed it and that I was able to play on this team today. Thank you so much!
(Translated from Japanese)
Donpisha: I lost all my matches in the end, but I think it was great because both the 3rd place match and the championship final were incredibly exciting. I believe it's all thanks to everyone who cheered us on! Please continue to support us! Thank Mago!
(Translated from Japanese)
Yoshinama: I certainly had a lot of fun over these three days, and I really enjoyed it thanks to everyone at the venue! Fighting games are the best!
(Translated from Japanese)
Shinji: We are streamers, not professional gamers, so we can't play perfect matches, but I think we were able to have matches with a lot of narrative. It was a serious competition, but I'm highly satisfied that we were all able to create a good show. If there's another event like this, please invite me, as I would love to participate. Thank you, everyone. Thank you for today!
(Translated from Japanese)
...And with that, Day 1 of the "RAGE SUPER MATCH Powered by Rakuten Optimism" concluded.
It was a great success, with positive comments and social media reactions!
Above all, the excitement at the offline venue was tremendous, so we hope they hold it again next time! Thank you!
You can check out footage of the event from the archived videos on the YouTube channel "esports_RAGE".
▼Photo by Reina
X: https://x.com/REINA1999913
URL: https://lit.link/reina1999913