The Evolution Championship Series (colloquially "Evo") wrapped up its first trip to Japan last weekend. It was full of incredible moments highlighting the best of competitive fighting games, including a mind-blowing moment during the BlazBlue: Central Fiction tournament that saw one entrant completely reverse his fortunes in an extremely dire circumstance.
Last night's Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 action at the inaugural Evo Japan was incredible, but it was the lead-up to the final match that really stuck with me. The commentators gave a surprisingly moving speech about the passion and dedication of the fighting game faithful, the culture of the community, and putting soul into every coin.
It might have been intimidating for Mikado Shodai to get into the top 64 of Evo Japan's Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 tournament and find himself facing Omito. It was definitely an emotional moment for Mikado to beat him.
Japan's Colossus not only uses Dinosaur in King of Fighters 14, he wears a dinosaur mask while playing. Just like he did yesterday at Evo Japan.
Street Fighter 5: Arcade Edition players recently discovered a serious bug that makes one of the game's most powerful characters almost unstoppable, which could have serious consequences with the inaugural Evo Japan on the horizon.
Despite a long history spanning back to 1996, the Evolution Championship Series has never held an event outside the United States. That's all going to change come January 2018, as the organisation plans to host the inaugural Evo Japan in Tokyo, with a few notable changes that set it apart from the main tournament series.
