missshinobee

Osaka and KSB 2019

Added 2019-05-25 05:08:10 +0000 UTC

Ah, this was long overdue.

During Golden Week, I went to Osaka. I went mainly for KSB, but also to go sightseeing. I always heard Osaka was a lot more laid back, so I decided to stay for the week.

Apparently during Golden Week, the Dotonbori area is really crowded. But honestly, I didn't the crowds were that bad. Tokyo is generally crowded in comparison and I honestly feel like Tokyo in general is more of a hellhole for crowds.

The photo above is from a cosplay event that was going on the same weekend as KSB. It was filled with cosplayers, but it isn't a hellhole like Harajuku or certain touristy spots of Tokyo. It was bearable for me. Anywayyyyy...let's move on to the event, KSB!

KSB had a mini artist alley, featuring a lot of fighting game-centric artists (some even entered in the event!). It was nice to see, and definitely a throwback to smaller tournaments back in the US. It was super nostalgic to an extent.

I kinda like the idea of this stick cover, but at the same time, it doesn't come in bigger sizes! Please make it in VLX size!

I mainly went on Friday and Saturday, and holy shit, the event was packed! The venue is apparently a nightclub, but it's a lot smaller compared to the ballroom of a major tournament such as Evo, Combo Breaker, CEO, etc. At the same time...the vibes were nostalgic. It reminded me of the days when tournaments were still not mainstream and in its growing phase, where people were always huddled up and watching on the monitors.

The event was pretty organized. It seemed like a lot of community members were involved with running the event, so even though I was just a simple spectator, I was comfortable. It didn't seem chaotic like another certain event I shall not name.

Oh....so about the nightclub venue, the twist of KSB for attendees is that you need to buy a drink ticket every single time you want to go in and out of the venue! It's 3000JPY to enter the venue PER DAY, and you can't go in and out unlimited times like tournaments in the United States.

Luckily, I was apparently given a press pass. I literally just walked in, and the workers apparently didn't think I knew it was a fighting game event. Then, the tournament organizer, Kyamei, came in, and said "Happy Birthday" as he gave me what I initially thought was a spectator pass.

Sooooooo, I was exempt for those drink fees. Hehe.

Anyway, time for the additional photo dump. Enjoy~

Athena and Rachel cosplayers! Initially, I wanted to cosplay at KSB, but felt shy. But after seeing the cosplayers at the event, I want to cosplay again for sure!

Top 3 for Guilty Gear Xrd singles. Congratulations, Omito-san, you got a dope bag!

Also, keep in mind that money prizes aren't common in Japanese tournaments! It's usually bragging rights, a physical prize like an expensive item, or recently...a spot to qualify at a major tournament!