Akajikou
Profile and Career
Akajikou(あかじこう, 1995-2023) was a top female player who twice won SEGA's official ``Puyo Puyo Ladies Cup''. After her unfortunate death from illness, she was officially recognized as an "Honorary Professional" due to her achievements and contributions during her lifetime.
She has experience playing AC Puyo Puyo TSU, and her play style mainly uses right-turning chains, which is rare among players these days. She originally used a unique process of chain including back-to-back L-shape , which is called ``Akajikou-style'' (after her own name). From around 2020, following in the footsteps of her master Youkan(ようかん), her flexible mid-game chain-building has become a feature, and she was good at actively attacking the opponent with 2-double or other short chains. His specialty was gripping. In addition to GTR, she used a variety of chains such as fron style, the same color L shape, new GTR, and slug-turning.
In May 2019, she participated in the official pro/am mixed tournament "Puyo Puyo Cup SEASON 2 May Tournament" and advanced to the final tournament for the first time after passing the preliminary round. However, she lost in her first match to top professional player delta.
In November 2019, she once again advanced to the final tournament at the "Puyo Puyo Cup SEASON 2 November Tournament". And she made it to the quarterfinals in the final tournament. If she won one more match, she would have made it to the top four and qualified as a professional, but although she put up two match points first, she lost to Kazuki after a full set. Unfortunately, she fell one step short of becoming a professional. However, her ability has been recognized by many players and viewers, and she has become one of the most anticipated female players to become a professional player.
She then became a disciple of Yokan from around 2020, breaking away from her traditional "Akajikou style" and working to master the chain that increased her flexibility.
In November 2019, she once again advanced to the final tournament at the "Puyo Puyo Cup SEASON 2 November Tournament". And she made it to the quarterfinals in the final tournament. If she won one more match, she would have made it to the top four and qualified as a professional, but although she put up two match points first, she lost to Kazuki after a full set. Unfortunately, she fell one step short of becoming a professional. However, her ability has been recognized by many players and viewers, and she has become one of the most anticipated female players to become a professional player.
She then became a disciple of Yokan from around 2020, breaking away from her traditional "Akajikou style" and working to master the chain that increased her flexibility.
In March 2021, she participated in Sega's first female player tournament "Puyo Puyo Ladies Cup Pre-Open Match". In her first match, she defeated Notako(のたこ) 5-4. In her semi-final match against Tsuno(つの), her opponent gave her the match point first, but she showed her natural competitiveness and came from behind to win. She then faced I-chan(いーちゃん) in the finals, but she was overwhelmed by her opponent's momentum and lost 3-10, leaving her in second place.
In November 2021, she participated in the "Puyo Puyo Ranking Pro Selection Tournament SEASON 2", which was postponed for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. This was a tournament in which her top two finishers could qualify as professionals, but she lost to Mu(むー) in the first match. Mu later qualified as a professional with a runner-up finish.
In January 2022, she participated in the final tournament of the "1st Puyo Puyo Ladies Cup". She easily won against HALHAL 5-2, against Muna 5-1, and against Doraa 10-2, advancing to the finals. Her opponent in the final was Notako, and although she was pushed by her opponent in the first half, she ultimately won 10-8. She became the memorable first Ladies Cup winner.
In March 2022, she participated in the "Puyo Puyo Ranking Pro Selection Tournament SEASON 3 and 4". This was the second year in a row that she participated in the professional selection tournament, and there were hopes that she would become a professional, but once again she was defeated in the first match by Yamatake(やまたけプロ). Yamatake later made it to the top four and earned his professional qualification.
In November 2021, she participated in the "Puyo Puyo Ranking Pro Selection Tournament SEASON 2", which was postponed for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. This was a tournament in which her top two finishers could qualify as professionals, but she lost to Mu(むー) in the first match. Mu later qualified as a professional with a runner-up finish.
In January 2022, she participated in the final tournament of the "1st Puyo Puyo Ladies Cup". She easily won against HALHAL 5-2, against Muna 5-1, and against Doraa 10-2, advancing to the finals. Her opponent in the final was Notako, and although she was pushed by her opponent in the first half, she ultimately won 10-8. She became the memorable first Ladies Cup winner.
In March 2022, she participated in the "Puyo Puyo Ranking Pro Selection Tournament SEASON 3 and 4". This was the second year in a row that she participated in the professional selection tournament, and there were hopes that she would become a professional, but once again she was defeated in the first match by Yamatake(やまたけプロ). Yamatake later made it to the top four and earned his professional qualification.
In December 2022, she participated in the "2nd Puyo Puyo Ladies Cup" final tournament. Although she was worried about her health on the day of the tournament, she entered the tournament aiming for her second consecutive victory. When the tournament began, she played calmly and successfully advanced to the semi-finals, defeating Nyamen and Tapioka. She also won the semi-finals against Satsu-Mariko(さつまりこ) in two consecutive sets, advancing to the finals for the second time. Her opponent in the final was once again Notako. Both players battled back and forth, and she took the first set 5-4. Although she was at 2-4 disadvantage in the second set, she once again showed her competitive strength and came back from behind to win 5-4 and achieve her consecutive Ladies Cup victory. She was also named among the winners of the Great Chain Award (achieved by others Notako, Tomoron, and Sayana), as she fired the day's best chain of 12 in the final match that clinched the championship.
In June 2023, it was reported on her Twitter account that she had passed away after a battle with illness (she was 28 years old). The news of her sudden death spread shock and sadness among many players, related parties, and Puyo Puyo fans, and many expressed their condolences and prayers for her soul.
In March 2024, at the "3rd Puyo Puyo Ladies Cup", the following announcement was made by Mizuki Hosoyamada, the producer of the "Puyo Puyo" series. ``She has a track record of winning the 1st and 2nd Ladies Cup consecutively, and has made a great contribution to the Puyo Puyo series, including participating in Sega's official broadcasts and cooperating with events, and has brought us many memories. As a token of our gratitude, SEGA will present her with the honorary professional certification of Puyo Puyo eSports and an honorary uniform.''
Past results
- Puyo Puyo Cup SEASON2 May Tournament Best 32
- Puyo Puyo Cup SEASON2 November Tournament Best 8
- Puyo Puyo Ranking Pro Selection Tournament SEASON2 Best 22
- Puyo Puyo Ranking Pro Selection Tournament SEASON3/4 Best 21
- Puyo Puyo Ladies Cup Pre-Open Match 2nd place
- 1st Puyo Puyo Ladies Cup 1st place
- Puyo Puyo Ladies Cup Exhibition Match (SEASON5 STAGE1) 1st place
- 2nd Puyo Puyo Ladies Cup 1st place
Channels and social medium
[Amazon商品]
