In one of the most massive outpourings of international attendants to date, Japan joins Mexico, Latin America, Canada, and Australia and Genesis 3. Japan is sending some incredible talent to compete and they are expected to dominate within the Smash 64 and Smash 4 arenas. Let's meet some of these Japanese threats!
Smash 64
Wario Having placed 1st at the last two Smash 64 nationals in Japan (outplacing SuPeRbOoMfAn at one) Wario is considered the best Pikachu in Japan although from his name may make that confusing. Thanks to the Genesis 3 Compendium he's coming to America for the first time and is a name everyone is looking out for in brackets.
Wangera A name not as much recognized but just as dangerous, Wangera is the best Jigglypuff from Japan and is coming to American soil for the first time to compete. Even some in the 64 community may not recognize the name so don't be surprised if Wangera is connected to a few upsets.
Smash 4
Thanks to the efforts of fine friends and colleagues @Jucchan, @juddy96, and Djent (who wrote the bios below) here are the big names to look out for at Genesis 3 for Smash 4.
Ranai has become one of the best players in the world using a character considered by many to fall outside of the top tiers. He has won numerous Japanese events in both Kanto and Kansai, including the Umebura Tokaigi Qualifiers (done without dropping a game) and KVO x TSB 2015 (which won him a flight to Genesis). He is the #3 seed going into pools, so anyone who can defeat him will inherit an excellent bracket. Ranai will also be competing in crew battles, and judging by his exception performance during Umebura F.A.T. crews, other regions should be very afraid.
Abadango is perhaps the most well-known Japanese player to the US scene. He has placed top 8 at every American tournament he has attended so far, and is looking to beat his personal best of 4th place at EVO. While he was previously known for characters such as Pac-Man, Wario, and even Rosalina, he has recently rededicated himself to Meta Knight and seen an improvement in performance. He also has a pocket Mewtwo for rough matchups, which we may or may not see. Abadango will also be making an appearance in crew battles, where a character like Meta Knight can easily snatch back a lead with devastating combos.
Komorikiri is the world's best Sonic main. He first attained international notoriety by finishing 2nd at Umebura F.A.T., losing only to Nairo. Since then, he has secured several other top 4 placings at large tournaments. He has also picked up Cloud and is considered one of the strongest emerging threats with the character. He projects to play Tweek to make it into top 32 winners side of the final bracket. Perhaps we'll see a Cloud ditto? Or perhaps he'll save Cloud for crew battles, where he is also expected to compete? Whichever character he uses, there isn't a player in the world who can claim an easy victory over Komorikiri.
9B is a legendary Brawl player who initially struggled to find his stride in Smash 4. He finally settled on maining Ryu a few months ago and has shown amazing peak abilities since. However, he often finishes just outside of the top 4 at large, well-attended tournaments, and has a number of losses to players not considered to be on his level. Will he suffer an early upset, or will we once again see peak-level 9B going deep into bracket? Or perhaps he will prove to be the hero of the crew battle? A top-level Ryu is a frightening thing for which many players are underprepared.
Rain was formerly considered Japan's best player, but the past 6 months have seen him faltering significantly. He has struggled to keep up with the likes of Ranai, Komorikiri, and Earth, all of whom continue to improve at an impressive rate. However, recent events suggest a change in the balance of power. Rain managed to finish 4th at the Sumabato Tokaigi Qualifiers, just missing a championship slot. And then this past weekend, he won the 80-man Umebura Genesis Cup while displaying a ruthless Cloud in Grand Finals! Things are once again looking up for Rain, who has also been selected as the final member of Japan's crew.
Earth is a long-time Pit player from the days of Brawl. He frequently cracks top 8 at the regional and national level, but up until recently, actual victory had eluded him. But then at Pre KVO 2016, he managed to defeat Ranai in two nail-bitingly close sets, proving that his well-rounded main has everything it takes to compete with the top tiers. In addition to Pit, Earth has also displayed proficiency with Fox, and even briefly opted for Dark Pit at the Sumabato Tokaigi Qualifiers. Earth will be teaming with 9B for doubles, forming an usual Pit+Ryu team, and is also a substitute on Japan's roster for WiiU crew battles.
Nietono floundered for a bit while repeatedly switching mains. It is perhaps for this reason that his EVO performance (where he drowned in pools) was so underwhelming. But in recent months Nietono has rededicated himself as a Diddy Kong main, and his new degree of focus has done wonders for him. It is once again common to see Nietono finishing in the top 8 at large tournaments, though he has yet to claim any victories as Diddy. He did, however, win doubles with Rain at the Umebura Genesis Cup as part of a double Cloud team. He is also a potential substitute should Japan need to switch up its roster for the crew battles. In other words, like post-1.0.4 Diddy, Nietono is truly a jack of all trades.
Umeki is one of the best
Salena . Peach-MK is a very unusual combination, but Umeki+Salena make the pairing work exceptionally well. While Salena often doesn't perform quite as well in singles as Umeki does, he has managed to finish in the top 8 at previous Umebura events. He can by no means be underestimated, though with the rest of the world focusing on Abadango, someone may sleep on him only to die off of the top of the screen at 40%.
Ryuji was previously unknown to all but the most dedicated followers of the Japanese scene. He has been steadily improving his placements over the past few months, but his progress is difficult to track thanks to his penchant for entering under various aliases. Most recently at Umebura GC, he tore through an exceptionally difficult bracket consisting of Salena, Choco, Eim, and Umeki before finally losing to two of Japan's top players in Rain and Kirihara. It seems that America is sleeping on this dark
FILIP is one of the strongest players from the island provinces of Kyushu. In addition to attending the local Shulla-Bra series, he frequently travels long distances to compete in numerous mainland events. And now he is travelling an even further distance and looking to make waves at Genesis. Few people exhibit such dedication in seeking the toughest competition possible. Like the moveset of his chosen main, FILIP's dedication evokes comparisons to the orginal World Warrior.
Nasubi is Japan's premier Wario player and frequently high-seeded player. He has top 8 finishes at Sumabato and Karisuma events, and frequently finishes within the top 32 of even the most competitive tournaments. For that reason, he is someone to watch at Genesis. He is lying just below international radar and is currently seeded in DKwill's pool. Can Will call upon his Wario experience via Tweek, or is this the makings for an early upset?
Shimitake is one of Japan's most consistent Pikachu players. He has recently been spending time with the Florida scene, ESAM's old stomping ground, in preparation for Genesis. Despite the fact that all the locals know the ins-and-outs of his character, Shimitake still managed to finish 9th at two very large events this past week. Do not be surprised if this rat's time in the lab leads to some unexpected results this weekend.
Dol is one of the few Japanese players brave enough to play Jigglypuff. It's a tough road for Purin enthusiasts, but Dol has been pudding in the work. While he often goes 0-2 in bracket, he came very close to a top 16 finish at Umebura GC. So sleep on him at your own peril, for he may end up going to sleep on you.
Rom has been gunning for top players as of late. While previously overlooked, he manage to finish 2nd seed in a difficult pool this past weekend and went 2-2 in bracket. His patient playstyle ensures that he's the one calling the shots. Will he have the patience to overcome his monstrously difficult Genesis pool, which includes Dabuz and others? Or will he bomb out of his first international tournament?
Lucia has decent finishes at Sumabato and Hirosuma events. Though he has yet to beat anyone within the top echelon, he does have some high-level wins and managed to give 9B quite the scare. He is currently in Xzax's pool, where he will be looking to prove that MK can still hang with Fox in Smash 4.
In addition, Rin , El , Kei , Haruki , Dainosuke , and Ayuha (renowned commentator, translator, and now Twitch employee) will also be in attendance this weekend. Be sure to keep tabs on these players too! With a talent pool as wide as Japan's, you never know what might happen.
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Hopefully this has readers excited to see what Japan has to offer at Genesis 3. Don't forget the best from Mexico, Latin America, Canada, and Australia are attending as well so be sure to read up on them as well. Excited for Genesis 3? Hardly able to wait through the final day? Sound off in the comments and stay tuned to Smashboards for more Genesis 3 coverage.
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