-CAPCOM CUP12 & SFL World Championship 2025 On-Site Viewing Journal-
In elementary school, I encountered Street Fighter II (commonly known as SF2) and became completely immersed in fighting games (commonly known as "fighting games") from head to toe, often clutching my meager allowance and frequently visiting the arcade during my elementary and middle school days. Fast forward over 20 years to March 2026.
The author is once again deeply engrossed in fighting games with the same passion as back then.
The name of that game is Street Fighter VI (commonly known as SF6).
Previously, I had only played up to Street Fighter III, and I had never touched IV or V for even a second.
However, since Street Fighter V was released around the time when eSports was gradually gaining traction, I had started to watch tournament videos occasionally from around 2016, and I even watched Tokido being featured on "Jounetsu Tairiku" in real-time.
Yet, I had not regained the enthusiasm to play fighting games myself.
So, what led me to purchase an arcade stick and start playing SF6 again?
This traces back to CAPCOM CUP 11, which took place just a year ago.
Player Sho, using the new character and boss JP from SF6, achieved a remarkable victory with precise and overwhelming strength, taking home a grand prize of $1 million.
I was captivated by Sho's JP. I was enchanted.
However, at that time, I thought there was no way I could use JP as skillfully, and I lacked the courage and spirit to start playing fighting games again.
But after CAPCOM CUP 11, I clearly began to intentionally watch more SF6 videos and frequently tuned into player streams.
Among them, I started watching YouTube channels of players close to my generation, such as Daigo Umehara, Tokido, Mago, Fuudo, Momochi, and Itabashi Zangief, particularly often.
Especially, Tokido's channel provided Vlogs during overseas trips, showcasing local food and tourist spots, entertaining me beyond just the gaming aspect.
During June's battle adjustments, Tokido began using JP due to the nerf of Ken, which he had been using as his main character.
At that moment, my heart was stirred. I thought it might be a good opportunity to start playing SF6.
However, I still hadn't reached the point of actually playing.
Then, about six months later, in December.
SF6 was on a whopping 50% off sale on Steam.
I took this as a divine message telling me to play, and finally got my hands on SF6.
Of course, I would use JP as my character.
For those unfamiliar with SF6, a key feature of the game is the Modern Mode, which allows players to execute special moves and combos without needing to input complex commands.
This has significantly increased the player base, as many who previously shied away from fighting games due to the difficulty of command inputs have started playing SF6.
As a result, the game's biggest appeal is the online matches, where players can be matched with someone of the same rank in under a minute.
SF6 is categorized into ranks as shown in the diagram below: MASTER, DIAMOND, PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE, IRON, and ROOKIE, with ROOKIE to GOLD generally considered the beginner ranks, PLATINUM and DIAMOND as intermediate, and MASTER as the advanced rank.
MASTER comprises about 15% of all players, and many players starting SF6 aim to reach MASTER first.
Despite having a 20-year gap from fighting games, I aimed for promotion to MASTER within three months, dedicating two hours each night from around 11 PM to 1 AM since mid-December, sacrificing sleep, and finally reached MASTER on March 2.
As a former fighting game player, I, of course, played in Classic Mode, which requires command inputs.
I cleared my self-imposed goal of three months, and although my fighting game skills had rusted over time, they surprised me with how well they held up.
However, this is not the end.
In fact, it is said that the real challenge in SF6 begins after reaching MASTER, as there are further ranks within MASTER: HIGH MASTER, GRAND MASTER, and ULTIMATE MASTER, and above them exists the legendary LEGEND rank, which only 0.17% of all players can achieve, creating a truly challenging environment.
Who are these LEGEND players that only 0.17% can become?
Yes, they are professional gamers.
Of course, there are also exceptionally skilled amateur players who can achieve LEGEND status, but the majority are professional gamers.
And the tournament where the world's top 48 pro gamers of Street Fighter 6 gathered was the CAPCOM CUP 12, held at Ryogoku Kokugikan from March 11 to 15.
The author, who is deeply immersed in Street Fighter 6, attended the event on the first and third days for the first time.
To put it simply, it was truly an amazing two days.
Even though I was just watching the intense matches of professional players on the giant monitor set up in Ryogoku Kokugikan from morning till night, it was incredibly fun.
During the event, I happened to stop by the official merchandise booth and encountered player BIG BIRD, took a photo, and then coincidentally saw player NOTPEDRO near my seat, took another photo, and it was a blast to run into players wandering around everywhere, which is something you can only experience on-site.
Above: Player BIG BIRD, Below: Player NOTPEDRO
【Photo by Nekomachi Peko】
And the crucial match results saw player Sahara, in his first year as a pro at just 21 years old, win CAPCOM CUP 12 and take home a prize of $1 million (approximately 159 million yen at the current exchange rate!!), fulfilling his fighting game dream.
The SFL World Championship 2025, which determines the world's best team, saw Japan's representative REJECT triumph over the American representative BANDITS and the European representative NINJAS IN PYJAMAS, shining as the best in the world.
Needless to say, the author, who was cheering for REJECT and Tokido on-site, was overjoyed.
And I strongly vowed to attend the event again next year.
Finally, I would like to conclude with some wonderful photos of player REJECT taken on-site.
First image: The REJECT players entering the arena
Second image: The REJECT players before the match starts
Third image: Tokido and Big Bird congratulating each other after the match
【Photography by Neko-machi Peko】
As a side note, I was inspired by the players and will be participating in an online Street Fighter 6 tournament for those over 40 on April 25.
Of course, my only goal is to win.
I will continue to train hard alongside JP.
"I'm going to meet someone stronger than me."
Neko-machi Peko
〈Game scenario writer. Director & scriptwriter for the thigh rhythm game "Momo Tto Crash" story mode. Currently the head of the SKOOTA KPOP team, which has a series called Monthly KPOP Chit-Chat (currently on hiatus), while also being a former serious fighting game player and now a serious Street Fighter 6 player. Started playing Street Fighter 6 in December 2025, reached Master rank in two and a half months using past fighting game memories, but as of March 2026, I am eternally wandering between MR 1400 and 1500 as a JP user.〉