Motonari Fujii, also known as the Smash Bros. player @MTNRFG attending the College of Engineering Science at Yokohama National University, announced on his YouTube and X accounts that he will advance to his junior year.
Fujii Yodan entered Yokohama National University after four years of studying for entrance exams and repeated his sophomore year four times, earning him the nickname Hachikan Ryuoh (Eight Crowns, the Repeater King) for his combined eight-year delay.
Since he would have faced expulsion if he repeated the grade, depending on his fall semester results announced on March 4, many people were concerned about his future.
Opening Grades Together with Fans on a YouTube Live Stream
Fujii Yodan conducted a grade-opening broadcast via a YouTube live stream.
There, he announced that he had overcome the risk of expulsion and advanced to his junior year, sharing the joy with his listeners.
In the live stream, perhaps due to being overwhelmed with emotion, he made nonsensical comments as if he had wanted to be expelled, such as "I ended up advancing...," "I'm not very happy about advancing," and "I ended up earning 16 credits..."
From the listeners, supportive chat messages such as "Let's submit a withdrawal notice" were also sent.
He expressed his gratitude to his professors and mentioned that he would bring shochu as a thank-you gift. Additionally, many Super Chats (donations) were sent by many people.
He had planned to discuss with his father, a doctor, about staying in the Tokyo area for one year if he were expelled, but he successfully advanced, and a 30-year-old college junior was born.
When he returns to his parents' home in Kagoshima, he will be able to perform a Smiling Homecoming, so we hope he will live-stream that as well.
Fujii Yodan as a Smash Bros. Player
Fujii Yodan also has a face as a Smash Bros. player (his used character is Jigglypuff) and is active as a current college student Smash Bros. player, participating in Ebi-sma, a tournament limited to university and vocational school students, and Smash Circle League, a university-versus-university event tournament.
Fujii Yodan's Smash Bros. play can be checked on the Fujii Yodan Highlights Channel.
He was truly a model Smash Bros. player, even interrupting his studies to play Smash Bros. during study sessions (the causal relationship with repeating grades is unknown).
The editorial department had expected a future where he would excel as a pro gamer even if he were expelled, but we wish him a junior year where he can balance Smash Bros. and academics.
Fujii Yodan's Stage of Activity Expands
Recently, his areas of activity have become diverse, including appearing in a music video for the idol group Gakureki no Boryoku.
He is turning a background that people generally tend to perceive negatively—four entrance exams and four years repeating grades—into a positive and is receiving offers from various fields.
As a figure of hope for those who have spent many years in cram school or repeating grades, his future activities, which will surely live up to the title of Hachikan Ryuoh (Eight Crowns, the Repeater King), are a must-watch for the esports and gaming industries.
【ご報告】
6年間続いた大学2年生の最後の成績発表が行われ、大学3年生に進級することが決まりました。除籍が怖すぎてここ数日病んでばかりでしたが、なんとか首の皮一枚繋がりました。見守って下さったフォロワーの皆様や教授の方々に深く感謝申し上げます。大学2年生、対戦ありがとうございました。
— 藤井四段 (@MTNRFG) March 4, 2024
