We conducted an exclusive interview with Kaji (@drastic_oval), who won the Vampire Savior main tournament at the fighting game festival EVO Japan 2026 held at Tokyo Big Sight from Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3, 2026!
Exclusive Interview With Vampire Savior Champion Kaji!
― What year did you start playing Vampire Savior?
Kaji: I have been playing since its initial release in 1997, so it has been 29 years (laughs).
― This was your return after an eight-year hiatus, correct?
Kaji: When I came back, the surrounding players had gotten incredibly strong.
At first, I could not win at all and felt my own rustiness, but as I kept playing, I was inspired by everyone around me and became able to play high-level matches, so it was incredibly fun leading up to the tournament.
Saiga NAK― What did you think when Vampire Savior was announced as a main title?
Kaji: I was truly shocked.
I thought that an opportunity like this would only happen once in a lifetime, and I am really glad I took the plunge and decided to enter.
― The venue and the stream were both incredibly lively, and the cheering was amazing.
Kaji: I could not really hear the cheers because I was desperate (laughs).
Originally, the primary reason I entered EVO Japan was that I wanted various people to learn about how fun Savior is, so if even a little bit of that was conveyed, I am truly happy.
Saiga NAK― Lastly, please share the appeal of Vampire Savior and your enthusiasm for EVO Las Vegas once more.
Kaji: I think the appeal of Savior is that if you push what you believe is the strongest style to its absolute limit, any character can become the strongest.
The view from the stage this time was the absolute best, so I want to do my best to see the same view at EVO in America.
Thank you very much!
