Monday, January 23, 2012

The Red Cyclone of Ko-Hatsu

In this post I've got a short interview with Gunze from the Tougeki program plus some of his tourney placings from the last couple years. State of the blog: please check back next week! Art by Keroman.

Looking back at the qualifier, how did it go?

Even though we got through with three OCVs, I could keenly feel the difference in team strength between 2on2s and 3on3s.

Any rival teams you're looking out for?

I'm personally watching Team Byakkotai [Taira, Sashishi, yaya] since they've got three cool masters. I see Gotoh as my rival. In studliness.*

Tell us a bit about your teammates.

Of course, my faith in the SBO '08 champs is absolute. With Otochun who can break through any situation and the mature tachimawari** of ARG you couldn't hope for better synergy. A guy like me was lucky to wind up with them. Whether or not I can show the appropriate strength to back up those two is the biggest question.

Any specific things to look out for?

In a single elimination tourney the mental game is relatively important. But with teams, particularly 3on or more, tactics based on counter picks become extremely important. Watching the matches with an eye for characters' strengths and weaknesses is fascinating.

Anything you'd like to say to the spectators?

In the past the early round games happen simultaneously, so there may be a lot of matches that can't be viewed from the stands. Still, those early rounds have many exciting games. Remember the excitement of the event and when the DVD comes out (it will, right?) see our way of life for yourself!

* "Gotoh is a stud," is an old 2ch ST player thread refrain.
** cf.

I made a list like this a couple years ago for Seki.

UPDATE 2/16/12: added some 2009 results


Gunze Zangief 2009-2011
6/6/09Ko-HatsuThird (w/ Teppei)
7/12Ko-HatsuFirst
7/30Ko-HatsuFirst (w/ Seki)
8/16Ko-HatsuFirst
8/23X-Mania 10First (w/ Seki, Otochun)
9/13Ko-HatsuFirst (w/ Kusumondo)
11/1Ko-HatsuSecond (w/ Seki)
2/21Thunder Beast CupFirst (w/ Otochun, Seki)
1/31/10Ko-HatsuFirst (w/ Kuro)
2/21Ko-HatsuSecond
3/22Sega AvionSecond
10/31Ko-HatsuFirst
11/14A-choSecond (w/ Kusumondo)
12/26Ko-HatsuSecond
4/24/11A-choSecond (w/ Yomiaido)
7/31Ko-HatsuSecond (w/ Teppei)
9/17SBOSecond (w/ Otochun, ARG)
9/18X-Mania 12 DashSecond (w/ Komoda, Kusumondo)
12/18Ko-HatsuSecond