The second NASEF Japan All Japan High School eSports Championship concluded on December 15, 2024, celebrating its prestigious title with remarkable talent and competition. The championship’s Street Fighter 6 division saw the eSports High School Academy Shibuya e-Stadium's team known as "Ashumaru's Legend" claim the coveted title, standing out among 131 participating teams.
Taking place online, the national finals not only brought together teams from different prefectures but also showcased the growing interest and dedication among high students to eSports as both sport and academic pursuit. "I’m thrilled to have won since it was my goal to win this tournament. I was grateful to play, thinking there would be extension rounds after securing victories with the first and middle members," remarked Ashumaru, the lead player of the winning team, as he expressed his joy after the victory.
Following Ashumaru's Legend, N High School's "Celerona" secured the second place, marking their own impressive performance. The battle for the third spot resulted in two teams; Kagoshima Prefectural Kajiki Industrial High School's "Zaoh_e_Spiders" and Ashikawa National College of Technology's "Ashikawa Kosen e-sports lab", each sharing the third place acknowledgment. This tournament was pivotal since it showcased Street Fighter 6 as the inaugural title adopted for competition, with enthusiasm and skill driving each round.
Not only did the event highlight fierce competitions, but it also called attention to exceptional sportsmanship within the community. Hachi_Luke from Ashikawa Kosen's eSports lab earned the Fair Play Award. "Despite feelings of frustration after losing the lead battle, Hachi_Luke showed admirable respect for his opponents’ skills and expressed gratitude toward his team’s growth," stated NASEF Japan representatives when honoring Hachi_Luke, solidifying his good sportsmanship.
The excitement doesn't stop here, as the NASEF Japan championship continues with more competitions lined up. Upcoming events include online finals for the Fortnite and Apex Legends divisions scheduled for December 21 and 22. Following this, offline finals for League of Legends and VALORANT will be held on December 28 and 29 at the renowned Prince Hotel Shinagawa, offering opportunities for fans to come and witness the intense matches live. Throughout this season, the emphasis remains on educational growth, as NASEF Japan strives to engage high school students through eSports.
NASEF Japan, led by Chairman Akihiro Matsubara, aims to leverage eSports as educational tools for STEAM initiatives, nurturing the next generation of digital and global talent. Established as part of the network for the International Educational eSports Federation, NASEF Japan at the forefront of promoting eSports education, has previously conducted events such as the eSports International Education Summit and the NASEF Japan Major Tournament, earning recognition across the educational community.
This approach not only signifies the commitment to innovation among Japan's youth but also reinforces the value of cooperation, teamwork, and respect, setting the stage for future developments and opportunities within the eSports domain. With such events growing, it’s exciting to see how they will continue to pave the way for aspiring players and enthusiasts alike.
