Evo Japan 2024 concluded on April 29 after an exhilarating three-day event that brought together some of the best players from around the world. The tournament featured intense competition across multiple popular fighting games, including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear Strive, Granblue Fantasy Versus, The King of Fighters 15, and more. The event also showcased thrilling new game reveals and updates.

Hosted by PlayStation, Evo Japan 2024 wasn't just about the latest games; it also revisited classics with tournaments for titles like Street Fighter 3 Third Strike, and held side events for games such as Darkstalkers, Virtua Fighter 3tb, Persona 4: Arena Ultimax, and Skullgirls.

Notable Game Reveals at Evo Japan 2024

Street Fighter 6

Akuma made his dramatic entrance into Street Fighter 6, appearing with white hair and his signature Satsui No Hado power. A recent gameplay trailer showed off his classic fighting style enhanced by the new Drive System, indicating that Akuma might be one of the most formidable characters yet. He is set to join the game's roster on May 22, complete with his classic costume.

Fatal Fury City of the Wolves

The event also highlighted Fatal Fury's upcoming title, "City of the Wolves," where attendees could try out the game and see a new gameplay trailer featuring the karate master Marco Rodrigues. The game is scheduled for a 2025 release.

Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact

Evo Japan provided a first look at "Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact", a fast-paced 2D fighter developed by Eighting. The game drew inspiration from series like Marvel vs Capcom 3, offering a dynamic and visually exciting gameplay style.

Guilty Gear Strive - Season 3

Arc System Works unveiled a gameplay trailer for Slayer, the newest addition to the Season 3 roster of Guilty Gear Strive. The vampire character is known for his distinctive style and is expected to join the game in May.

Competition Highlights and Winners

The event's competitions were fiercely contested, with the following standout performances:

Street Fighter 6​

The players who made it to the top 6 are:

• Bandits|MenaRD (Luke)
• FAV|Ryukichi (Ken)
• Lexx (Guile)
• VSPO|Vxbao (JP)
• Ibushigin|Kakeru (JP)
• VARREL|Moke (Chun-Li)

Tekken 8

The players who made it to the top 6 are:

• DRX|Infested (Nina)
• DRX|LowHigh (Dragunov)
• THY|Chikurin (Lili)
• DRX|Chanel (Alisa)
• Double (Law)
• Mangja (Law)

The King of Fighters 15

The players who made it to the top 6 are:

• XG|E.T. (Clark, Geese, Isla | Geese, Heidern, Isla)
• Poxiao|Xiao Hai (Geese, Benimaru, Isla)
• SANWA|M’ (Geese, Benimaru, Isla)
• MadKOF (Geese, Heidern, Goenitz | Clark, Heidern, Goenitz)
• AMTRS|Score (Heidern, Orochi Yashiro, Chizuru | Andy, Chizuru, Heidern)
• Pineapple (Shun’ei, Ángel, Goenitz | Geese, Shun’ei, Goenitz | Others)
• SANWA|Laggia (Yashiro, Ryo, Sylvie)
• SP|Mok (Shun’ei, Isla, Kukri)

Guilty Gear Strive

​The players who made it to the top 6 are:

• JOZ|Mocchi (Sol)
• FLY|TempestNYC (Leo)
• Migumigudokkoisho (Jack-O)
• EGO|Sanakan (Happy Chaos)
• Gobou (Asuka, A.B.A.)
• Ibushigin|Tyurara (Sin, Ky, Bridget)

Evo Japan 2024 not only provided thrilling competitions but also significant game reveals that have stirred excitement among the fighting game community. With Sony's acquisition enhancing the event's production values, the anticipation is already building for the international Evo 2024 set for July in Las Vegas, promising even more intense competition and exciting game announcements.

EVO Japan 2024, presented by ROHTO, stands out as one of the largest fighting game festivals in Japan, drawing a global audience of enthusiasts to its doors. The festival saw a robust turnout with 8,966 participants entering the main tournament, signaling its significant appeal.

The festival kicked off with a three-day event from April 27 to April 29, 2024, where top fighting game players converged to showcase their skills. While the previous year's event was hosted at Tokyo Big Sight, this year's venue shifted to Ariake GYM-EX. The newly renovated exhibition hall, previously used for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, provided a spacious setting for the attendees, thanks to the introduction of a paid ticket system that ensured the event was sold out well in advance.

At the entrance, attendees were welcomed by an impressive display at the Rohto booth, featuring a super-sized Rohto Z. 

The booth offered exclusive merchandise, including a sticker illustrated by Tokido and a plush toy of Rohto Z. A collaboration with Yogibo presented a relaxation space where attendees could unwind on sofas while enjoying a view of the main stage on a large screen.

The official merchandising booth drew long lines of attendees eager to purchase limited-edition items, including T-shirts and collaborative merchandise with "HIGHSCORE GIRL," a popular manga and anime series themed around fighting games. The high demand led to many items selling out by midday.

Outside, an array of kitchen cars offered a variety of food options, from steak bowls to crepes, ensuring attendees were well-fed and ready to enjoy the event. Ariake GYM-EX also featured a spacious terrace on its second floor, providing a comfortable dining and resting area. Throughout the venue, vending machines stocked with Japan Energy Corporation's "Samurai Energy" drink and various alcoholic beverages at drink counters added to the festive atmosphere.

Overall, EVO Japan 2024 not only impressed with its expansive venue but also with the seamless management and organization, which contributed to a memorable experience for all participants. The management staff's efforts were greatly appreciated, paralleling the dedication and hard work of the players themselves.

EVO Japan 2024, the premier fighting game competition in Asia endorsed by EVO, is set to take place this upcoming weekend. Competitors from Asia and around the globe will converge at Ariake GYM-EX in Tokyo, Japan, to showcase their skills.

Here's what to expect:

EVO Japan 2024 Dates & Timings (GMT+8)

Schedule Overview:

Day 1 (April 27):

• 9 AM: The event kicks off with tournaments in Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear Strive, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, and Under Night In-Birth II .
• 6 PM: The finals for Under Night In-Birth II.

Day 2 (April 28):

• 9 AM: Matches resume in Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, alongside Street Fighter 3: Third Strike.
• 9:30 AM: King of Fighters XV Finals.
• 1 PM: Street Fighter 3: Third Strike Finals.
• 4 PM: Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising Finals.

Day 3 (April 29):

• 11 AM: Guilty Gear Strive Finals.
• 2 PM: Tekken 8 Finals.
• 5 PM: Street Fighter 6 Finals.

Featured Games Lineup:

• Street Fighter 6
• Tekken 8
• Guilty Gear Strive
• Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
• Street Fighter 3: Third Strike
• King of Fighters XV
• Under Night In-Birth II

This schedule ensures a packed weekend of top-tier competitive gameplay, attracting the best talent from across the region and beyond.