Before the match, Mario explained the origins of his team’s version of the Gladiator Beast deck, not an unexpected mirror match in the finals.

“Hugo Adame basically came up with the idea and we just made a couple of changes. Big thanks to him!” Mario tells us that Hugo was the one that came up with Anti-Spell Fragrance in Gladiator Beasts.

“Since he couldn’t come he had me play it,” he explained. We asked him how it felt playing here in the islands, and his reply echoed the sentiments of his teammate Ryan Hayakawa.

“Hawaii’s great,” said Mario, “but distracting when it comes to actually having to play.”

Alex’s deck was built along with friends Kawelo Malama and Brandon Waihee. He told me that some local players are starting a team, too: Team Pagoda.

Game 1

Alex won the die roll, and chose to play first. The shuffle-shuffle-cut-cut dance followed, and they were off!

Alex had a spell-heavy hand, and started off with Reinforcement of the Army. Elemental Hero Stratos came out and put Elemental Hero Prisma into Alex’s hand. Alex set a card to his back row, and passed the run.

Mario had Gladiator Beast Bestiari, and Test Tiger to follow. Bestiari turned into Gladiator Beast Murmillo, destroying Alex’s Stratos. Mario then attacked, bringing Alex to 7200. Mario then changed his Murmillo into Gladiator Beast Bestiari, destroying Alex’s set spell, a Heavy Storm. Mario set his own back row card and passed the turn.

Alex activated Cold Wave, and then played his Prisma, sending his own Bestiari to his graveyard. Test Tiger followed this, changing into Darius with a Bestiari in tow. Fusion summoning Gladiator Beast Gyzarus, he targeted Mario’s cards, which were both destroyed (Mario’s set trap was a Dust Tornado). He then attacked, putting Mario at 5600.

Alex then changed out Gyzarus for two Gladiator Beast Laquari, then passed the turn.

Mario had his own Bestiari and Test Tiger turn into Darius, who brought back Bestiari. His Gyzarus came out, destroying both of Alex’s Laquari, and he attacked Alex down to 4800. Mario’s Gyzarus turned into a pair of Laquaris as well. He passed the turn.

Alex had Enemy Controller, Smashing Ground, Crush Card Virus, and Elemental Hero Prisma. He summoned Prisma, sending Bestiari to his graveyard, and then used Smashing Ground to destroy one Laquari. He used Enemy Controller to take control of Mario’s other Laquari, then attacked. After battle, he switched out Mario’s Gladiator Beast for his Darius, returning Bestiari from his graveyard to play. He then Fused them into Gyzarus again, destroying no cards, as Mario had none in play. He set one back row card and passed the turn.

Mario had his own Cold Wave to start his turn. He then summoned Neo-Spacian Grand Mole, and attacked Gyzarus, bouncing both. Gyzarus went back to the Fusion deck.

Alex set one card to each row, and passed.

Mario summoned Stratos, getting Prisma, then attacked Alex’s set monster, a Gladiator Beast Secutor, destroying it.

Alex had nothing on his turn, and it was back to Mario.

Mario summoned his own Prisma, sending Bestiari to his graveyard, and then attacked with both, bringing Alex to 1300 life points. He set one back row card, and then passed.

Alex drew, considered his cards for a moment, and conceded.

“What was your face down, when I Cold Waved?” Mario had to ask.

“Crush Card,” Alex replied.

Mario only nodded. “That’s what I thought.”

Game 2

Alex chose to play first, and anxiously almost set a monster before realizing he needed to draw for the turn. He drew, then set one card to each row and passed.

Mario played Heavy Storm, destroying Alex’s Book of Moon, then played Bestiari and set three cards to his back row. He attacked with his Bestiari into Alex’s set monster, a D.D. Warrior, and both were removed from play. He then ended his turn.

Alex summoned Gladiator Beast Murmillo, but Mario activated Torrential Tribute, destroying it. Alex set a card to his back row and passed.

Mario summoned Bestiari, and Alex responded with Bottomless Trap Hole, but Mario chained Solemn Judgment, going to 4000 and protecting his Gladiator Beast. He attacked then, taking Alex to 6500. Bestiari became Laquari at the end of the battle phase.

Alex had only monsters in his hand here (three Test Tiger cards) and chose to pass the turn.

Mario attacked Alex directly again, dropping his opponent to 4400. He set another card to his back row and passed.

Alex drew another monster, used his Dust Tornado to destroy Mario’s set card (a Phoenix Wing Wind Blast), then summoned Darius, which Mario removed from play with his own Bottomless Trap Hole.

Mario attacked again, putting Alex at 2300. Alex drew a Cold Wave and played it, prompting some thought from Mario. It went through, and Alex set Test Tiger.

Mario, smelling the kill, flipped his set monster, Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter, to destroy Alex’s face-down Test Tiger and attacked for the game, match, and title!

Mario Matheu is the Shonen Jump Hawaii Champion!

The players were friendly after the match and spent some time talking about what they used in their side decks and how the plays from the match turned out. Veteran Mario seemed glad to pass on some ideas to the less experienced yet highly skilled Alex.

On the other table, Ryan Hayakawa and Daniel Moses played for 3rd place and the third Doomcaliber Knight. Daniel, playing quickly, was unable to respond adequately to his opponent. In the end, Ryan prevailed over Daniel in two games.