The curtains have closed on Evo Japan 2025, which ran from May 9–11 at Tokyo Big Sight, delivering one of the most exciting fighting game tournaments in recent memory. With a record-breaking venue size, intense competition, and major game announcements, this year’s event set a new benchmark for the fighting game community in Asia and beyond.
This year’s event marked the largest Evo Japan yet, with expanded halls at Tokyo Big Sight hosting thousands of fans, players, and exhibitors. The action-packed weekend drew talent from around the world and crowned new champions across some of the genre’s most iconic titles.
Tokyo’s Ariake district once again served as the perfect home for Evo Japan, with its modern infrastructure and vibrant culture creating a thrilling atmosphere both inside and outside the venue.
Source: https://www.evojapan.gg/en/
Key Highlights from Evo Japan 2025
- Evo Japan 2025 took place May 9–11 at Tokyo Big Sight’s East Halls 2–3, setting attendance records for the event.
- Champions were crowned in top games like Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear -Strive-, and more.
- Major game announcements and new character reveals took center stage during publisher showcases.
- Controversies around hardware stability on PS5 sparked debate among players and fans.
Tournament Results
Street Fighter 6: Dominican powerhouse MenaRD defended his title in a thrilling grand finals match against Ryukichi, securing a ¥1.75 million prize, a limited-edition fightstick, and a spot in Capcom Cup 12.
Tekken 8: Korean legend Knee dominated the bracket using Bryan Fury, outclassing fellow Korean Mulgold in the finals with surgical precision and unmatched reads.
Guilty Gear -Strive-: Japan’s Daru_I-No brought the crowd to life with a stylish and aggressive run that earned him the title. His mastery of I-No was on full display in a meta-defining performance.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves: Evo Japan 2025 marked the first major tournament appearance for this new SNK entry, with Xiaohai claiming victory and sending a message to the rest of the world ahead of the game’s full release.
The King of Fighters XV: Taiwanese veteran ET proved unstoppable once again, showcasing deep matchup knowledge and consistency across multiple team configurations.
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising: Kausagi wowed the crowd with clean execution and smart reads, taking the title with strong Ferry play.
Game Announcements and Reveals
Major fighting game developers used Evo Japan 2025 as a platform to excite fans with updates and reveals:
- Virtua Fighter: Sega teased the future of the franchise with a “Virtua Fighter Direct” presentation, sparking fresh speculation about Virtua Fighter 6.
- Tekken 8: Bandai Namco confirmed the return of Fahkumram as part of Season 2’s Character Pass, releasing this summer.
- Guilty Gear -Strive-: Arc System Works revealed the upcoming DLC character Unika.
- Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising: New gameplay footage of Galleon debuted, with a confirmed release date for the next update.
Controversy and Community Feedback
While the event was largely a success, it wasn’t without controversy. Victor “Punk” Woodley voiced strong criticism over PlayStation 5 input issues that reportedly affected gameplay responsiveness during Fatal Fury matches. He hinted at possibly boycotting future events unless platform stability improves.
The incident reignited discussions in the community about standardizing hardware at competitive events to ensure fairness and consistency.
Fan Experience and Venue Impressions
The larger venue space allowed for smoother flow of traffic, more comfortable viewing areas, and a greater number of vendor and exhibitor booths. Casual play stations were buzzing all weekend, with fans trying out new builds, controllers, and accessories.
Evening mixers and side events provided additional entertainment and networking opportunities. Cosplay was also a highlight, with dozens of fans dressed as their favorite characters from Street Fighter, Tekken, and SNK games.
Conclusion
Evo Japan 2025 exceeded expectations, offering thrilling competition, community celebration, and plenty of forward momentum for the fighting game genre. From legendary matchups to first-ever tournament debuts, the event reminded the world why Evo remains the beating heart of competitive fighting games.
With eyes now turning to the summer and Evo Las Vegas 2025, fans are already speculating about new rivalries, DLC fighters, and which legends will rise next. One thing’s for sure—Evo Japan 2025 set a high bar that future tournaments will be chasing for years to come.
