I went to the fighting game festival EVO JAPAN 2023

EVO JAPAN is back in Japan!!
The COVID-2 pandemic occurred after the second event was held in 2019.
The fighting game festival is finally back in 2023.

So this time, I would like to bring you a report on EVO JAPAN 2023.

EVO JAPAN 2023 will be held at Big Sight

EVO JAPAN 2023 (hereinafter referred to as EVOJ) was held at Tokyo Big Sight for three days from March 31st to April 2nd, 2023.

During these three days, multiple fighting game tournaments will be held, including main and subtitle titles.
Many players from all over Japan gathered at the venue for this day.
It was a three-day event where we could feel the passion of the fighting game community.

Although it varies depending on the title, there is a two-day qualifying tournament followed by a final tournament on the last day, so players who keep winning will be put to the test in a long tournament, testing their mental and physical strength.

Various fighting game-related exhibits

During EVOJ, there were many events that even people who were not participating in the tournament could enjoy.
A space where various arcade controllers from various companies are on display.


A demo station for the new fighting game.


A gift for all participants! Survey campaign.

There were also various other merchandise corners.

Bring your own arcade cabinet and play against each other

This year's main tournament was held on PS4, but when it comes to fighting games, the arcade cabinet is the best!
There was also a booth with a large number of arcade cabinets set up, as if to say,


Some of the participants even brought their nostalgic Super Famicom consoles to the tournament.
It reminded me of playing games like this at a friend's house when I was in elementary school, and it made me feel a little warm inside.

Fierce battles unfold in the main tournament

Tournaments will be held in each pool and at each table.
The tournament will be a double elimination format.
Even though I knew I would lose once, it was still an incredibly tense experience.


Some matches were broadcast all over the world, and many people were thrilled by the way the players fought.
Of course, the event was also shown on monitors in the venue.

I would love to see it on the monitor in the venue at least once.

2023 will be a rush of new fighting games

In 2023, various new fighting games will be released, including Street Fighter 6.
I think next year's EVOJ will also feature a tournament for new titles, so in a sense this year's EVOJ was a culmination of the current mainstream.

We don't know yet what the situation will be like next year, but participation in the tournament is free, so why not start practicing with the new game now and try your hand at next year's EVOJ?
Of course, there are high hopes for the original EVO (in the US) to be held, so if you're interested, why not consider going overseas?