5:49 — End of the Final Round
That’s it! We’ll have Top 16 soon, along with decklists. Thanks for tuning in with us today! Here's a glimpse of the people who made it all possible: the judges!
5:20 — In Closing – More Fish
Jerome requested “moar fish” so I’m pleased to bring you . . . more fish. It’s very hard to get pictures of some of these little guys, because they keep hiding in the rocks.
And one random plant.
4:40 PM — A Scenic InterludeThe tournament is running smoothly, so let’s take a moment to admire some Hawaiian scenery. Note I’m more or less limited to what’s outside the venue. Except for the first picture.
Here’s a look at the marina — this is right in front of my hotel and I took these pictures yesterday.
Wouldn’t be Hawaii without a variety of palms and tropical flowers . . .
Let’s throw in some palms and high-rise buildings just to shake things up a bit.
If the event keeps moving this quickly there should be time to take a wider variety of pictures this evening.
4:15 — Kenji Continues to Advance
Well, he’s at table 7 from the looks of things. Go Kenji go!!
4:00 PM — Chris Bowling Usurps Table 1
Well, he’s moved up from last round and is currently at the top table. There are only 2 rounds left in today’s event, so a Day 2 finish looks promising.
3:30 PM — Everything’s Better With A Bento
Hallelujah! I just got a bento box for lunch. And by that I mean it was presented to me; I didn’t have to go and get it myself. In honorable bento style it’s got a little bit of everything . . . let’s take a look here.
Rice, that’s a given, little bit of vegetable garnish. Some chicken thigh, probably teriyaki, and a croquette, my guess is potato. Ground beef patty with some gravy (possibly curry) and some delicious looking cucumber pickles. Half a hard boiled egg and a bit of seaweed salad. Happy day!
It was wholly unexpected and joyfully received. Mahalo!
3:15PM — Why Yes, As A Matter Of Fact, I Am
Players keep stopping by to ask me if I’m enjoying the event, having a good time in Hawaii, or otherwise happy to be here. Yup! Resounding yes on all fronts; this has been a great event so far and I’m absolutely delighted to be in Hawaii. I only wish I could stay longer.
3:00 PM — Who’s Number One?
Hey, it’s Nolan Takahashi, one of the top-ranked players in the state, sitting pretty at Table 1. Will Day 2 be “locals only?”
2:45 PM — Kenji Emerson
Even though Yu-Gi-Oh! is marketed as a game for the 14 and under set, if you happen to fall into that age category you often find people don’t take you very seriously at a big event. Underestimate Kenji at your own risk — he was ranked 22nd as of round 3 and he left round 5 at x-1. He provided a very good explanation of the workings of Divine Wrath during a rulings dispute at his table and that’s what brought him to my attention.
Kenji is nine years old, and has been playing Yu-Gi-Oh! for about three years now. He usually plays at Da Planet, and locals in Hilo — this was the largest event he had ever attended. He is here at the Shonen Jump event along with is father and brother who are also playing. “We’re all tied,” he explained, when asked who had the best record. “I beat Albert Lee, though, so I might be ahead.”
Kenji’s deck of choice is full of counters — “It’s made to counter a lot of things” and Gadgets, and he definitely seems to know what he’s doing with it. There are only 3 rounds left in the day — if he keeps up his strong performance, who knows? He could be the youngest player ever to make Day 2.
Regardless of where he finishes, though, he’s been having a great time here today.
2:30 PM — In It to Win It
Well, we’ve just started round 5. In just about any other Jump, there would have been a substantial amount of defecting to the side events by now, but so far only a couple of players have dropped. Granted, we’ve got a smaller event than usual, but people are staying in the main event regardless of their record. There’s a nice side event area set up, but so far not a lot of takers.
Only 3 more rounds to go; we’ll be done before the sun sets! Sounds good to me.
1:40 Aloha Charsky
Alex is here as the Upper Deck representative, and he’s been welcomed accordingly. Looking good!
1:20 Let’s Check Out That Player’s Lounge!
I wonder what they’re doing over there . . . seems like a good addition to the event. Let’s go take a look.
Well, there are a lot of players over here; they seem to be enjoying the facilities.
The dealers are over here, so there’s stuff to buy, and some tables and chairs to sit down and trade or casually duel. And, hey, look over there! Video games to play!
Unwinding after an intense round with a little Guitar Hero, who could ask for more?
12:45 Time For A Break
Well, I need to go outside and warm up and find something to eat. I think I’ll take a look at that fish pond while I eat!
This pond is actually full of saltwater fish. Because I am nice, I’m going to let you look at the fish with me. C’mon, everyone, let’s look at the fish! If you want, you can run and get a snack first so we’re all eating and looking at the fish.
There’s a puffer fish too but I couldn’t get a good picture of it.
My, that was soothing, wasn’t it?
11:40 Time For a Stroll Through The Aisles
Let’s take a look at who’s playing here today! Plenty of local players have turned out in support of the first ever SJC held in the state, but it looks like a few players made the trip from the mainland, mostly from the California area. Offhand I can see Chris Bowling, Ryan Hayakawa, and Corey Defeo. Jake McNeely is running around someplace as well.
11:20 Hurray For Lei
I just got an absolutely gorgeous lei to wear, from Heidi who is scorekeeping. I think this should be standard at all events; let’s hang flowers all over everyone! The lei looks like orchids and rosebuds. Frank Debrito, who is head judging, also got a lei. His is made of leaves, those hard black seeds, and cowry shells. I think mine is prettier though.
11:10 The Ants Crawl In, The Ants Crawl Out
!!!! My computer is infested with tiny ants — a dozen teeny ants or so just came running out from my keyboard. It was the oddest thing I’ve seen in a long time. Sadly I had to squish many of them, but I didn’t want them going back in there or getting all over me.
. . .
Now I’m all itchy, just thinking about it.
. . .
You’re itchy, too, right now, aren’t you.
Sorry about that.
10:40 Round 1 — Duel!
154 players, and they’re ready to go. Round 1 of eight is officially under way, and it looks like it’s shaping up to be a pretty good day. The judges are on the ball, the players are intent on their matches, and there is stuff to do over in the player’s lounge when you’ve finished your match.
10:20 Who Wants To Win A Wii?
Everyone who pre-registered! The PTO, Michael Otsuji, ran a promotion to give away a Wii to one lucky registrant. Not a bad way to start off the day, winning a Wii before round 1 has even started, don’t you think?
9:00 AM — While We Wait for Registration to Finish, Let’s Learn About Saimin
Personally, I like saimin; I had it when I went to Hawaii a few years ago and I get it at the Hawaiian BBQ place near me. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s a noodle soup with trimmings very similar to ramen, like egg, seaweed and fish cake. Often it comes with a piece of Spam. You can get it as a McDonald’s menu item here.
Mmmmmm, saimin! I think the one at McDonald’s is a little bland, though, so you want to add some seasonings.
8:20 AM — Diversions
While you’re waiting, you can enjoy the local sights — even at the Blaisdell center. Why not go watch the fish for a while? Who doesn’t like to look at fish??
We’ll have to try and take pictures of the fish later; there are some beautiful fish in there.
8:00 AM — Hey, Those Look Like Yu-Gi-Oh! Players to Me
The sun’s up, it’s so nice outside . . . I can’t think of a better place to wait in line for an event to start. If you can even call this a line; it’s more like a get-together. Registration will open soon, everyone!
7:00 AM — Let’s Do This
Looks like the Head Judge is ready to go.