Plenty of cosplay and merchandise available outside of EVO Japan 2024

EVO Japan 2024 was held at Ariake GYM-EX for three days from April 27th to 29th, 2024.
As it was a fighting game festival, many fighting game players gathered from all over the world.

In this article, we will provide a report on the events and merchandise at each company's booth, which can be enjoyed by people other than players as well.

↓Click here for articles about the venue and tournaments

Fighting game festival EVO Japan 2024 will be held in Ariake

Various booths will be exhibited at EVO Japan 2024

At EVO Japan 2024, various companies and manufacturers exhibited at booths.
Official merchandise was also on sale, but the queue was forming in a matter of seconds, and the maximum waiting time was about two hours...

Considering the number of booths and items exhibited up until last year, it felt like it had swelled to about 10 times that number.
Food trucks, a staple of such large events, also participated.
Fighting gamers seem to like it
Meat! Rich flavor! High in calories!!
There was a wide selection of food that embodied this.

By the way, I had the steak bowl with wasabi sauce, and it tasted so good it gave me energy.

Stroll through the merchandise area

First, let's look at the merchandise section.
At these types of big events, if there is a merchandise item you want, you may not be able to get it unless you go right after it opens.
Even the collaboration arcade stick, which cost over 6 yen, sold out in an instant, so you never know what's going to happen next.

・Sanwa Electronics
Arcade controller related parts were on sale at the Sanwa Electronics booth.
Everything was priced at the venue price, so it was a good deal to buy in bulk for things like buttons that you need to buy in bulk.


・PUNK WORKSHOP
PUNK WORKSHOP is an arcade controller manufacturer that has been gaining popularity recently.
EVO-spec leverless controllers were on sale, and prototype lever controllers were available for trial play.


・MAD CATZ
The booth of MAD CATZ, who also provided arcade controllers for Akihabara Base Camp.
I was surprised at how cheap the items sold as sets with T-shirts were.


・Invincible time
Muteki Jikan sells apparel items and collaborative apparel.
The great thing about Muteki Jikan's items is that they can be used for everyday use.


・GRAPH
A brand that sells a variety of collaborative items.
The Street Fighter items make a very strong impression.
*Due to its popularity, it was almost sold out.
I guess the highlights are the special buttons and earphones?

There were also cosplayers (companions) at the venue.

There are many different ways to enjoy the event.
Everyone was dressed up in their own cosplay and enjoying the event.
One of the best parts about fighting games is the appearance of attractive characters.

・Mei (GGST)
I had the opportunity to take a photo with the dolphin arcade controller, which I saw on social media and was quite impressed with.

・Xiaoyu (Tekken 8)
We took the photos at Haradano Bar.

I also got the Justin Pose.

・Lili (Tekken 8)
This was also taken at Harada Bar.
Lili in this work is more elegant and seems quite noble.

・Eliza (Tekken 7)
Eliza was relaxing at the bar counter while Harada was taking photos.
Is this a prelude to Eliza appearing in Episode 8?

・Jin Kazama (Tekken 7)
Are they really the same person?
His body is so muscular.
This is just like a game...
The costume is the Tekken 7 version.

・Fighting Game-chan
Photo taken at Muteki Jikan's booth.
Someone trying to throw a hadouken while walking.

・Sakura (Street Fighter V)
Sakura in Street Fighter V style.
I work at Soup Curry Kamui in Akihabara!
It's exciting to meet someone you know at the venue.

・Victrix
An original character by arcade controller manufacturer Victrix.
It has a beautiful purple base, which is Victrix's image color.

・Athena Asamiya (KOF14)
I took this photo while participating in a tournament.
Unfortunately, he lost this time, but he still had a serious look on his face.

・Bridget (GGST)
Photo taken at the cosplay contest stage.
The guy was really Bridget.
The best Bridget cosplay is done by a man, so it's Bridget...

You can also meet other famous people from the fighting game world at this event.

Tekken producer Harada
Producers are really fun to talk to!

・Nemo from Saishunkan SOL Kumamoto
He is my favorite.

Of course we'll take some photos together!

・REJECT Mr. Haitani
There's less exposure as a player.
But I saw him sitting on the 3rd cabinet!

An event that can be enjoyed even by non-players

EVO Japan is known as a fighting game festival, but it's also an event that can be enjoyed even if you don't play games.
It's fun just to look around the merchandise and booths, but it's also good to go and see the stage events.
Considering the excitement this year, we can expect next year's event to be just as impressive.
So why not make your fighting game debut now?