Ally, Dabuz, Mr.R, ESAM and more to go to Japan for Tokaigi 2017

Image by [B]Kuba[/B]​

This February 11-12, Japan's international multi-game tournament, Tokaigi 2017, will be taking place. This event will be hosted in conjunction with streaming service Niconico and feature elite Super Smash Bros. for Wii U players from Japan and abroad. With a number of qualifier spots already full, the event was already looking stacked enough. But to make matters more interesting, renowned TO and Japan correspondent Alex "MVG|Vayseth" Varga has announced that he and a number of American players will travel to Chiba, Japan for a chance at the crown!

The four players guaranteed a spot in the final bracket are Elliot "Ally" Carroza-Oyarce, Samuel "Dabuz" Buzby, Ramin "Mr.R" Delshad and Eric "ESAM" Lew. All but ESAM have visited Japan for premier tournaments before, and all four finished in the top 16 at Genesis 4 to boot. In addition, Nairoby "Nairo" Quezada will be accompanying them. While he is not guaranteed a spot in the final bracket, he will attempt to qualify at one of the last two qualifier events held this weekend (Umebura) and next (Tokaigi Day 1). Finally, fellow Smash streamer and enthusiast pereden will be attending with Vayseth and the gang as well.

Vayseth also took the time to provide additional information about the tournament in an ongoing AMA on Reddit. Below you can see a breakdown of the invited players and how they qualified, as well as slots which are still to be determined:

Qualified Players

Spot | Player | Method | Character(s)
1 | Yuta " LG.Abadango " Kawamura | Hirosuma Qualifier (1st place) |
2 | Kare~ | TSC Qualifier (1st place) |
3 | ikep | Sumabato Qualifier (1st place) |
4 | DNG Kameme | Sumabato Qualifier (2nd place) |
5 | Shuton | Sumabato Qualifier (3rd place) |
6 | Ranai | Karisuma Qualifier (1st place) |
7 | Hiro | Shulla-bra Qualifier (1st place) |
8 | Eliott " C9 Ally " Carroza-Oyarce | Invitation |
9 | Samuel " RNG Dabuz " Buzby | Invitation |
10 | Ramin " Elevate Mr.R " Delshad | Invitation |
11 | Eric " PG ESAM " Lew | Invitation |
12 | TBD (02/04/17) | Umebura Qualifier (1st place) |
13 | TBD (02/04/17) | Umebura Qualifier (2nd place) |
14 | TBD (02/04/17) | Umebura Qualifier (3rd place) |
15 | TBD (02/11/17) | Last Chance Qualifier (1st place) |
16 | TBD (02/11/17) | Last Chance Qualifier (2nd place) |

You'll be able to view Tokaigi 2017 on Niconico here. Until then, stay tuned to Smashboards for an upcoming event preview including a recap of all qualifiers to date.

 

3 of my favorite players going to a huge tournament in Japan? Hope they all place well.

 

It's great to see Mr. R being invited to a major like this alongside American players. This may be his only opportunity to play them in tournament because of Trump's executive order.