Japanese SSF2T Player Report - Part 2

Blanka Players

Komoda, Aniken and Kusumondo

Komoda
Japanese: コモダ、こもブラ
Color: grey
Sub-character: Guile, Ryu
Region: Kansai (UFO, Mikado)
2006 Wins/Losses: 34 / 21 (62%)
W/L vs. top players: 14 / 21 (40%)

X-Mania (2000) 3on3: 2nd
X-Mania V (2004) SSF2T 3on3: 1st
X-Mania VI (2005) SSF2T 3on3: 2nd
X-Mania VIII (2007) 3on3: 2nd

Mattsun: Hey pops, congratulations on your win!
Komoda: I did my best.
M: I was hoping to get a quick comment...
K: Before me, even the tiger becomes a kitten. Or should I say that you are all mice?
M: Umm...
K: [more BS, thanks teammate, etc.] link

Over the years, some players have managed to transcend the abilities of their chosen character: Muteki Guile, Daigo Ryu (a few years ago, at least), Mayakon T.Hawk, etc. None of these players, however, has broken through the "wall" to the extent that Komoda has. There are plenty of fine Blanka players out there but none of them are in the same league -- it's almost like they're using a different character.

Nakamu
Nakamu's BBS
Japanese: ナカム〜
Color: gold/blue
Sub-character: Chun-Li
Region: Hokkaido (Game41)
2006 Wins/Losses: 7 / 7 (50%)
W/L vs. top players: 1 / 2

While Komoda has cut back on the Blanka trickery a little, Nakamu uses it every chance he gets. His fierce ball into the corner cross-up antics are particularly hot.

Zangief Players

Pony
Japanese: ポニー、ポニー村
Color: red
Sub-character: T.Hawk
Region: Kanto
2006 Wins/Losses: 9 / 8 (53%)
W/L vs. top players: 6 / 6 (50%)

TRY Tower 5on5 (2005): 3rd

Pony-Gunze is another good East-West rivalry. Pony has a bit of an edge with his brutal steamroller style. Let's go to the tape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr0hGYTMzwU

...'nuff said.

Gunze
Japanese: グンゼ、エロニモ
Color: red
Sub-character: Ken
Region: Kansai (Leebros)
2006 Wins/Losses: 13 / 10 (57%)
W/L vs. top players: 3 / 8 (27%)

Watching Gunze in action, one begins to doubt Zangief's place towards the bottom of the rankings. He has a mind-blowing ability to catch whiffed attacks with walk-in SPDs.

Gunze, BTW, is the name of a Japanese company that makes hosiery, among other things.

Guile Players

Muteki
2005 Taikou Results Page
Japanese: ムテキ、むてガイル
Color: white
Sub-character: Chun-Li, DJ
Region: Kanto (Jaspa, Mikado)
2006 Wins/Losses: 50 / 11 (82%)
W/L vs. top players: 26 / 7 (79%)

Super Battle Opera 3on3: 3rd (tie)
X-Mania IV (2003) Singles: 2nd
X-Mania VI (2005) HSF 3on3: 3rd
X-Mania VI (2005) SSF2T 3on3: 1st
Club Sega 5on5 (2006): 1st
Club Sega HSF 5on5 (2007): 1st
Hyper Mania 4 HSF 3on3: 1st
Club Sega 5on5 (2008): 1st
Super Battle Opera '08 2on2: 2nd

If Kurahashi plays the textbook Guile game, then Muteki is the "anti-Guile." He follows in after the jab sonic booms and forces his opponents to make mistakes. He capitalizes on knock-downs with safe jump-in okiseme. When he gets his opponents in the corner, they're often finished before they even knew what happened.

Muteki also likes to use exotic combos: jump in then neutral fierce or short into Double Somersault is a speciality of his.

Related post: Muteki interview

Kurahashi
Japanese: クラハシ、倉橋
Color: dark blue
Sub-character: Ryu, Boxer
Region: Kanto
2006 Wins/Losses: 14 / 12 (54%)
W/L vs. top players: 3 / 12 (20%)

Neyagawa ABC Championship (2000): 3rd
X-Mania (2000) 3on3: 3rd
X-Mania 2001 3on3: 3rd
X-Mania III (2002) 3on3: 3rd
Super Battle Opera 3on3: 1st
X-Mania IV (2003) 3on3: 2nd
Club Sega 5on5 (2006): 2nd
Super Battle Opera '07 HSF 2on2: 1st

Kurahashi relies mostly on the tried and true Guile tactics, but he uses them better than anyone else. His rapid-fire sonic boom ability is outstanding.

Kurahashi's match with John Choi is legendary on both sides of the Pacific.

Shiki
Shiki's Blog
Japanese: 志木, 志木ガイル
Color: purple or tan
Sub-character: Boxer, DJ, Dhalsim, Dictator
Region: Kanto (Shiki King, Mikado)
2006 Wins/Loses: 5 / 4
W/L vs. top players: 2 / 3

Super Battle Opera '08 2on2: 2nd

One of the best all-around players during the 90s, Shiki's interest in ST has waned a bit, but when he's "on" he still has one of the finest Guiles in the game. Case in point: at the Neo Star Cup he eliminated former champ ARG with three consecutive wins Guile vs. Claw/Claw/Ryu.
FWIW, Shiki's blog has a lot of great information about the history of the SF2 scene in Japan.

Related post: Shiki/Tama interview

Suzuki
Japanese: すずき
Color: tan
Sub-character: Ryu
Region: Kansai
2006 Wins/Loses: 4 / 5
W/L vs. top players: 0 / 3

Dhalsim Players

Hakase
AKA: The Doctor
Japanese: 博士
Color: green shorts/light blue face paint
Sub-character: Boxer, Claw
Region: Kanto (More)
2006 Wins/Losses: 33 / 9 (79%)
W/L vs. top players: 18 / 8 (69%)

X-Mania VI (2005) HSF 3on3: 2nd
X-Mania VI (2005) SSF2T 3on3: 1st
Neo Star Cup: 2nd (Dhalsim, Dhalsim, Fei-Long)
Mikado Ranbat FINAL: 2nd
Super Battle Opera '07 HSF 2on2: 3rd (tie)
X-Mania VIII (2007): 3rd
Club Sega 5on5 (2008): 2nd
Super Battle Opera '08 2on2: 3rd (tie)

KKY, Gian and Taira

Gian
Japanese: ジャイアン、KEN-O, ジャイダル
Color: dark grey/green
Sub-character: Ryu
Region: Kanto (Namiki, More, Mikado)
2006 Wins/Losses: 27 / 16 (63%)
W/L vs. top players: 17 / 13 (57%)

X-Mania III (2002) 3on3: 3rd
TRY Tower 5on5 (2005): 1st
X-Mania VI (2005) HSF 3on3: 1st
X-Mania VI (2005) SSF2T 3on3: 3rd
Evolution 2005 SSF2T: 1st
X-Mania VII (2006) HSF 3on3: 1st
Mikado Ranbat FINAL: 1st
X-Mania VIII (2007): 1st
Club Sega 5on5 (2008): 2nd

With a variety of anti-air attacks that correspond to each character he faces, his comprehensive air defense is something to be feared.
Seven hues of interceptor attacks.
A multicolored anti-air assault.
Gian Dhalsim is like a rainbow spanning the sky of the battle.

Gian also plays a key role in the SF2 community, sponsoring numerous tournaments, etc.

KKY
Japanese: KKY
Color: jab
Sub-character: Blanka
Region: Kanto
2006 Wins/Losses: 23 / 11 (68%)
W/L vs. top players: 4 / 8 (33%)

X-Mania III (2002) Singles: 1st
Super Battle Opera 3on3: 2nd
TRY Tower 5on5 (2005): 1st
X-Mania VI (2005) HSF 3on3: 1st
Club Sega 5on5 (2008): 2nd