This is one final match that no one saw coming. Demise OTK will now take on Diamond Dude Turbo for the title of Shonen Jump Anaheim Champion! Texas native Chris Bowling has had it rough today, starting off against veteran Keanson Ye and just now barely defeating Theerasak Poonsombat for a spot in the finals. Michael Songloke is one match away from winning his first title at the first SJC he’s ever attended, and he’s coming off of a win in the mirror match against Brian Hanley’s Demise OTK deck. This match could swing either way on the turn of a card, so predictions are essentially pointless here.

Michael won the opening roll and opted to go first. He started off with Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands to get Demise, King of Armageddon. Michael passed with no further play while Chris discarded Destiny Hero — Malicious to Destiny Draw and drew two cards. Chris brought out his second Malicious and traded him out for Elemental Hero Stratos with Monster Gate! Stratos brought Destiny Hero — Diamond Dude to Chris’ hand, and Michael played another Destiny Draw, discarding his third Malicious. Chris then decided that he didn’t like his hand, and he shuffled all five cards back into the deck with Magical Mallet.

Chris drew his new hand and activated Monster Gate to trade out Stratos for Jinzo! It was like he had channeled the spirit of the absent Marc Glass. Aside from the Gate, Chris wasn’t a fan of his new hand, and he activated Card Destruction to try again. He had yet to normal summon, and he activated Reinforcement of the Army to fetch Destiny Hero — Diamond Dude and summoned him. Diamond Dude’s effect missed, and the Dude picked up a Divine Sword — Phoenix Blade before the battle phase. Both monsters attacked, and Michael was down to 5300. Play was back to Michael, who summoned Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands to fetch another copy of Demise and then set a card and passed. Chris flopped Lightning Vortex with Diamond Dude’s effect next turn, and he followed it up with attacks from both monsters to drop Michael to 2600. He finished up with Swords of Revealing Light and passed back to Michael. Michael summoned Sonic Bird to fetch out Advanced Ritual Art, and he activated it, sending a pair of Insect Knights to the graveyard to summon the King. Michael paid himself down to 600 life points to clear the field and then considered his options. He needed to win right now, otherwise all Chris would need is a monster to win. Metamorphosis turned Demise into Cyber Twin Dragon, and Chris took 5600. Michael finished with a set spell or trap and passed to Chris who used his free Vortex and set a spell or trap.

Michael summoned Senju of the Thousand Hands to fetch his third Demise before attacking directly to put Chris at 1000. He set a spell or trap and passed back to Chris, who removed a pair of Malicious to bring back his Phoenix Blade. Magical Stone Excavation came down next, and Chris dropped the entirety of his hand to try and bring back Snatch Steal. He brought back the equip spell and activated it on Senju, stealing the monster but attacking into Mirror Force! Michael drew and flipped Trunade, calling for game, but Chris chained Threatening Roar! Chris would have one last turn to draw a miracle. Michael set a spell or trap before passing. Nothing came up for Chris on his turn and that was game.

Michael wins a twisting, turning game 1 to take the lead in the match. Both players accessed their side decks between games and before long we were ready to start game 2.

“I really hope you draw terrible. I really do.” remarked Chris before they began. Chris separated each and every card of Michael’s deck on to the table before piling them all back together one at a time. “I hope I get the OTK hand,” said Michael. Head Judge Dan Scheidegger and I agreed that with all the shuffling Chris was doing, Michael was sure to win within one of his own turns. The representative of Team Outphase began the match with Card Trooper, activating its effect and losing Destiny Draw, Confiscation, and Cursed Seal of the Forbidden Spell to the graveyard. He set a spell or trap and passed over to Michael who summoned Senju of the Thousand Hands to fetch Demise, King of Armageddon. He then activated Advanced Ritual Art and sent Insect Knight and Neo Bug to the graveyard in order to summon Demise. Demise cleared the field, and Doom Dozer came down next. Michael didn’t have Megamorph, but he did have Ring of Destruction! Michael attacked with both monsters and blew up his own Doom Dozer in Chris’ draw phase to win the game in just one of his own turns! Michael Songloke takes the match with Demise OTK, 2-0, to become SJC Anaheim Champion!