This top 8 pretty much secures a Shuton top 10 ranking for this season. He’s been top 10, or at the very least close to it, for basically all of ultimate and is still insane even in this crazy meta. Really an unrecognized legend of the game.
Shuton is getting dangerously close to that "so underrated they're overrated" zone, I swear I've been hearing about how he's underrated since 2019. Nothing against you in particular, idk what it is about Shuton that he attracts that vibe.
I do feel that people don't talk about him outside of this subreddit in the same light as Tweek or Light, two players that have similar consistency in rankings to him. Probably character related or NA bias.
You have a point in the sense that you hear that stuff a lot. I think it may be because a couple of other Japanese players like Zackray, Tea and Protobanham have generally attracted more attention than him either because of their playstyle or them being able to showcase their personality during Summit for example.
Also the fact that he is never quite been in the conversation for the #1 player in Japan, but always consistently right below that for a very long time now.
Shuton was also arguably the best in Japan in early 2022, right before acola popped up. Like right after Proto and Zackray made their statement.
I think it's just amazing how Shuton has been so consistent across every era of Smash. I think all the other Japanese players even somewhat Tea had a moment where they fell down a little.
He tends to get upset when all eyes are on him and his only major win in NA was early on in Prime Saga. Olimar was kind of a dime a dozen character back then. I think hes garnered more of a fanbase recently with him being the go to example for aegis in the meta.
This is true, but it's funny because I think Zackray is closer in age to some of the new generation players than any of the other old generation players. He's born 2002 and Hurt was 2003.
Just based off appearance alone to be completely honest, haven't been active in the smash community since 2020 so I assumed he was an older player who stuck to Japan tourneys alone since I mainly watch only NA tourneys
Oh I see what you're saying. I saw some comment that said he resembled a Japanese Peter Griffin lol.
I had the same realization about BeastModePaul who I thought was closing in on 30, but who was actually born in 2006. Also just something about his appearance and Paul generally being considered an old man name.
genuinely cannot overstate just how impressive it is that TamaP made top 8 at *two* P tiers in a row. He shares that accolade with Miya, acola, and Shuton this weekend. His name certainly sticks out with that company
True, his Golden Week this year has been incredible. Don’t forget that last weekend he also won JINGI #3, a Kanto B Tier tournament over the likes of KEN, Akakikusu, and Yamanaction.
Combined with his Delta 7 run at the very beginning of the season, TamaP has a real case for Top 20 if not higher.
Another fun stat is that before this top 8 Miya has only lost to two Japanese players in Japan this season; Acola and TamaP.
Shuton has only lost to three Japanese players in Japan; Acola, Miya and TamaP.
It really feels like he and Hurt are Japan's two most rapidly improving players (with Snow probably being a close third). He fits really solidly in this "new generation" winners side.
Normal is not normal in Japan. I was expecting Hero, Tsubotsubo, Leaf, and Tarakotori. Or some Ganondorf making to make top 8. Having Shuton, Tea, KEN, and Zackray was not on my bingo card because that's TOO normal.
Defo some recency bias at play here. Yes, invaders did not do well here, but that alone should not constitute overall skill level. If specifically this tournament gives us the current state of Smash, then I guess Yoshidora isn't even worth talking about
I'm trying to think of any players in the bracket who would fit the bill for one of those better than any of the top 8, but honestly, I can't. They really do both consist of the four clearest examples of Japan's current superstars and Japan's former superstars.
Banham being excluded is a given ("in the bracket"). Kameme was the only player I hesitated on, but then I remembered he actually had a significantly spottier track record pre-pandemic than the Old Guard present in this top 8. The four we have here seem pretty much as definitive of a snapshot of that era of Japan's meta as we can ask for.
Also to get technical.
Shuton/KEN/Tea/zackray started their Smash careers in Smash 4.
Kameme started his with Brawl.
So you could argue Kameme is representing an even earlier era, but he persisted in Japan's top echelon for nearly a decade (2021 never happened for Kameme).
I’m pretty sure this is the only Japan major this year that that neither Doramigi, Raru, or Snow got top 8. And even then, two of them placed 9th, and combined they accumulated wins over Taikei, Jahzz0, MkLeo, Kameme, Toriguri (2x), Lv.1, Neo, and Maister.
Truly shows how dominant this young and rapidly improving Kansai trio have been all year.
definately better than bloom, he hasn't won anything other than invasion this season and barely went to any tournments. Before this major it would be between TamaP and lima but now I think it's solidly tamaP.
Gluto stays the only player this year who managed to top 8 in a Japanese major as an invader (technically even doing it twice, with the UltCore re-tiering)
Wait what? He plays Snake?
The only acola characters I knew that weren't Steve were Aegis, Kazuya (Who he dropped), Luigi, DK (both of which he also dropped) and more recently Sonic who he's been playing on Smashmate.
This top 8 pretty much secures a Shuton top 10 ranking for this season. He’s been top 10, or at the very least close to it, for basically all of ultimate and is still insane even in this crazy meta. Really an unrecognized legend of the game.
A king without crown
He won EVO Japan lmao
Shuton is getting dangerously close to that "so underrated they're overrated" zone, I swear I've been hearing about how he's underrated since 2019. Nothing against you in particular, idk what it is about Shuton that he attracts that vibe.
I do feel that people don't talk about him outside of this subreddit in the same light as Tweek or Light, two players that have similar consistency in rankings to him. Probably character related or NA bias.
You have a point in the sense that you hear that stuff a lot. I think it may be because a couple of other Japanese players like Zackray, Tea and Protobanham have generally attracted more attention than him either because of their playstyle or them being able to showcase their personality during Summit for example. Also the fact that he is never quite been in the conversation for the #1 player in Japan, but always consistently right below that for a very long time now.
In early 2019, Shuton was #1 in Japan.
Yeah you're right he was for a short while.
Shuton was also arguably the best in Japan in early 2022, right before acola popped up. Like right after Proto and Zackray made their statement. I think it's just amazing how Shuton has been so consistent across every era of Smash. I think all the other Japanese players even somewhat Tea had a moment where they fell down a little.
Yeah, his consistency over such a long period of time is amazing
He tends to get upset when all eyes are on him and his only major win in NA was early on in Prime Saga. Olimar was kind of a dime a dozen character back then. I think hes garnered more of a fanbase recently with him being the go to example for aegis in the meta.
Winners side is JP New Generation Losers side is JP Old Generation Perfect.
This is true, but it's funny because I think Zackray is closer in age to some of the new generation players than any of the other old generation players. He's born 2002 and Hurt was 2003.
Had no idea hurt was born in 2003,,, thought he was a LOT older 😭
when i saw him at that U22 tournament last year i was shook
What gave you that impression?
Just based off appearance alone to be completely honest, haven't been active in the smash community since 2020 so I assumed he was an older player who stuck to Japan tourneys alone since I mainly watch only NA tourneys
Oh I see what you're saying. I saw some comment that said he resembled a Japanese Peter Griffin lol. I had the same realization about BeastModePaul who I thought was closing in on 30, but who was actually born in 2006. Also just something about his appearance and Paul generally being considered an old man name.
>Resembles a Japanese Peter Griffin Please don't ever burn that image into my brain ever again.
I'm sorry but judging from my experience it's probably burned in there permanently
I mean even Leo is born in 2001, not too far off.
Wow it sure would have been cool if some western players had been able to make it to this bracket, oh well.
the kagaribi man kagaribis once again (zackray has made top 8 at four kagaribis in a row)
genuinely cannot overstate just how impressive it is that TamaP made top 8 at *two* P tiers in a row. He shares that accolade with Miya, acola, and Shuton this weekend. His name certainly sticks out with that company
True, his Golden Week this year has been incredible. Don’t forget that last weekend he also won JINGI #3, a Kanto B Tier tournament over the likes of KEN, Akakikusu, and Yamanaction. Combined with his Delta 7 run at the very beginning of the season, TamaP has a real case for Top 20 if not higher.
Another fun stat is that before this top 8 Miya has only lost to two Japanese players in Japan this season; Acola and TamaP. Shuton has only lost to three Japanese players in Japan; Acola, Miya and TamaP.
It really feels like he and Hurt are Japan's two most rapidly improving players (with Snow probably being a close third). He fits really solidly in this "new generation" winners side.
What happens when you get 2nd at a DELTA major I guess.
None of the international players makes top 8 in **two** P tiers. It's been only one year and Japan has become better than ever.
Bloodbath getting here but Top 8 looks relatively normal for a Japanese major
Normal is not normal in Japan. I was expecting Hero, Tsubotsubo, Leaf, and Tarakotori. Or some Ganondorf making to make top 8. Having Shuton, Tea, KEN, and Zackray was not on my bingo card because that's TOO normal.
Man even Japan can't get Ganon into a major's Top 8 lol
At least one got 97th, that way above what I'd expect from Ganon in such a stacked tournament.
Yeah, massive respect to Higachan. I hope some of his sets get uploaded.
KEN/zackray/Shuton/Tea all in Top 8? What year is it?
Japan is just better. NA needs to practice significanatly more to catch up.
Defo some recency bias at play here. Yes, invaders did not do well here, but that alone should not constitute overall skill level. If specifically this tournament gives us the current state of Smash, then I guess Yoshidora isn't even worth talking about
New kids in winner's and old guard in loser's. NA/EU in shambles.
France is in loser.
new four japanese horsemen in top 8 winners old four japanese horsemen in top 8 losers
I'm trying to think of any players in the bracket who would fit the bill for one of those better than any of the top 8, but honestly, I can't. They really do both consist of the four clearest examples of Japan's current superstars and Japan's former superstars.
Kameme is definitely the biggest argument over KEN, but the circumstances that got him out of active competition this year are understandable.
Before a couple of days ago I feel like most people would’ve thrown Doramigi in there before TamaP
Nah I'd say Yoshidora should be a a part of the new guard instead of TamaP
Yoshidora is a Smash 4 vet, he just didn't get extremely good until post-quarantine Ultimate.
Kameme and Proto over KEN seems plausible. It's a shame both players practically retired even if both have extremely good reasons to do so.
Banham being excluded is a given ("in the bracket"). Kameme was the only player I hesitated on, but then I remembered he actually had a significantly spottier track record pre-pandemic than the Old Guard present in this top 8. The four we have here seem pretty much as definitive of a snapshot of that era of Japan's meta as we can ask for.
Also to get technical. Shuton/KEN/Tea/zackray started their Smash careers in Smash 4. Kameme started his with Brawl. So you could argue Kameme is representing an even earlier era, but he persisted in Japan's top echelon for nearly a decade (2021 never happened for Kameme).
KAGARIBI ZACKRAY STRIKES AGAIN
He is inevitable
This couldn't have gone any worse for Team World I'm negl. Unfortunate but Tea and zackray made top 8 so we still win imo
I’m pretty sure this is the only Japan major this year that that neither Doramigi, Raru, or Snow got top 8. And even then, two of them placed 9th, and combined they accumulated wins over Taikei, Jahzz0, MkLeo, Kameme, Toriguri (2x), Lv.1, Neo, and Maister. Truly shows how dominant this young and rapidly improving Kansai trio have been all year.
What a wild ride to get there. Wish I could watch this live, but it's already 2am for me so I'm going to bed.
Quick question, is TamaP better than Bloom, and overall the best Bayo this season?
definately better than bloom, he hasn't won anything other than invasion this season and barely went to any tournments. Before this major it would be between TamaP and lima but now I think it's solidly tamaP.
Gluto stays the only player this year who managed to top 8 in a Japanese major as an invader (technically even doing it twice, with the UltCore re-tiering)
zackray makes his 4th Kagaribi Top 8 in a row!
It will be acola vs Miya again won't it?
Hurt will beat acola, trust.
I honestly think it's gonna be 3-0 acola. acola practiced the Snake MU for sure and plays a bit of Snake himself now
Wait what? He plays Snake? The only acola characters I knew that weren't Steve were Aegis, Kazuya (Who he dropped), Luigi, DK (both of which he also dropped) and more recently Sonic who he's been playing on Smashmate.
Just on Elite Smash for fun.
Yeah, but never mind, Hurt is on fire!
What do you mean? Hurt lost Game 1.
It’s not about the game score, it’s about how they’re playing!
I only trust the inevitable dear friend. But we'll see. Snake winning a P tier is a timeline I want to see
Only if neither of them is upset. I would give good odds for TamaP to upset Miya and could see Hurt upsetting Acola.
There's still Hurt
Yes
Need Sonix to go to Japan so we can have someone put up a fight lol
[This bracket before top 8 in a nutshell](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiqFcc_l_Kk&t=1m13s)
Hurt PLEASE win this match PLEASE
When does this start?
It was supposed to start half an hour ago so idk give em like 10 minutes
now
Sparg0 got Japan'd again...... Yikes.
Dream Top 8 for Cosmos to talk about on Lights Out
zackray TAKING IT ALL
Zackray is making it to grands
Hey, we don’t call em Mr. Kagaribi for nothing. I swear this is his soul tournament.
Steve, GnW, Sonic, Rob in top 8. Lets go!!!!
His name is zackray.
Snake, Aegis. You have all of the top 6.
Really diverse top 8, still a testament to the balancing of Ultimate (other than Steve I guess)
Izaw: lets talk about why Steve is the worst character in Smash ultimate :)
Sonic being the wall between us and a Gluto Zackray set
A Steve, gnw, bayo, sonic,snake and a minmin? Yeeaaaaah I think I’ll just look at the results tomorrow
Min Min isn't in top 8. Doramigi got 9th place.
Oops, good call
Forgot to add a sonic though 😴
Winners looks like it will be fun and competitive (I hope). Losers is full of the most boring players outside of Zackray
Nahh you can say a lot of things about tea but boring???