This morning the winners of the three initial Fighter's Road 2012 regional competitions were announced through Bushiroad's official CF-Vanguard Japanese website. This year's round of regional competitions sees the introduction of many fresh faces into the professional world of Cardfight, as well as the return of 2011 National Champions Kamosaki Mayu and Rikino Sakura.
Additionally, several families appear to have entered the junior and trio battle competitions together, as multiple cardfighters this year share surnames. First place winners in these competitions will go on to the national championship; two among them will be crowned Japan's 2012 National Champions.
Only Nagoya, Hiroshima and Kanazawa have completed their regional tournaments. We are still waiting on the results from the remaining five cities.
By far the dominant decks for the seniors division this year are Blond Ezel and Dragonic Overlord The End decks, with Majesty Lord Blaster taking a backseat to the new Gold Paladin clan. Several old deck types are also reappearing in both age divisions, with the King of Knights Alfred still being able to hold his own against modern tactics. This influx of The End decks could be seen as a reaction toward the Stand Up! Vanguard live-action drama, whose main character endeared The End to many Japanese fans.
Trio Battle results will be reported later tonight, due to the encroaching length of this article.
Nagoya Regional Finals
Seniors Division
Regional Champion: Tabayashi Yoshiyuki/田林由行
Grade 0
x1 Little Fighter, Cron
x4 Flame of Victory CT
x2 Falcon Knight of the Azure DT
x2 Silent Punisher CT
x4 Weapons Dealer, Gwydion DT
x4 Elixir Sommelier HT
Grade 1
x3 Slaygal Dagger
x4 Halo Shield, Mark
x4 Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth
x1 Precipice Whirlwind, Sagramore
x2 Charjgal
Grade 2
x1 Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane
x4 Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains
x4 Mage of Disaster, Trip
x2 Sacred Guardian Beast, Nemean Lion
Grade 3
x2 Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel
x2 Gigantic Destroyer
x4 Great Silver Wolf, Garmore
Runner-Up: Abe Yuuki/安倍勇気
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x4 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x3 Blue-Ray Dracokid CT
x1 Red Gem Carbuncle
Grade 1
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x3 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x1 Demonic Dragon Mage, Kimnara
x2 Flame of Hope, Aermo
Grade 2
x4 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x3 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
Third Place: Inukai Yuuichiro/犬飼雄一郎
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x4 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x2 Blue-Ray Dracokid CT
x1 Red Gem Carbuncle DT
x1 Demonic Dragon Mage, Raksha DT
Grade 1
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x4 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x1 Guard Gryphon
x1 Flame of Hope, Aermo
Grade 2
x4 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x1 Cross Shot, Gap
x2 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
Fourth Place: Koike Aki/小池諒
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x3 Embodiment of Armor, Tahr CT
x2 Dragon Dancer, Monica DT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon
x3 Blue-Ray Dracokid
Grade 1
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x4 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x2 Flame of Promise, Aermo
Grade 2
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x4 Bellicosity Dragon
x3 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
Juniors Division
Regional Champion: Chiku Fumiya/知久史弥
Grade 0
x1 Mecha Trainer
x4 Silence Joker CT
x4 Cheer Girl, Tiara HT
x4 Cheerful Lynx DT
x4 Sonic Breaker CT
Grade 1
x4 Medical Manager
x2 Reckless Express
x4 Cheer Girl, Marylin
x4 Wonder Boy
Grade 2
x2 Field Driller
x4 Brave General, Zachary
x4 Treasured, Black Panther
x1 Highspeed, Brakki
Grade 3
x4 Demonic Lord, Dudley Emperor
x4 Juggernaut Maximum
Runner-Up: Rikino Sakura/力野桜
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x3 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x1 Dragon Dancer, Monica DT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x4 Blue-Ray Dracokid CT
Grade 1
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x4 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x1 Demonic Dragon Mage, Kimnara
x1 Flame of Hope, Aermo
Grade 2
x4 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x3 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
Third Place: Kaji Masaki/梶雅紀
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon
x4 Malevolent Djinn CT
x4 Old Dragon Mage DT
x4 Zephyr Kid, Hayate ST
x4 Demonic Dragon Nymph, Seiobo HT
Grade 1
x3 Desert Gunner, Raien
x3 Photon Bomber Wyvern
x4 Red River Dragoon
x1 Lizard Soldier, Riki
x1 Lightning of Hope, Helena
Grade 2
x1 Dragonic Deathscythe
x4 Thunder Storm Dragoon
x2 Demonic Dragon Berserker, Garuda
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion
x1 Breakthrough Dragon
x1 Thunder Break Dragon
x1 Djinn of the Lightning Flash
Hiroshima Regional Finals
Seniors Division
Regional Champion: Fukushima Takahiro/福島嵩大
Grade 0
x1 Crimson Lion Cub, Kyrph
x4 Flame of Victory CT
x4 Falcon Knight of the Azure DT
x4 Silent Punisher CT
x4 Elixir Sommelier HT
Grade 1
x4 Slaygal Dagger
x3 Halo Shield, Mark
x4 Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth
x3 Precipice Whirlwind, Sagramore
Grade 2
x4 Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane
x4 Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains
x4 Mage of Disaster, Trip
x1 Slaygal Sword
Grade 3
x4 Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel
x2 Holy Mage, Manawydan
Runner-Up: Asanoma Daiki/浅野間大起
Grade 0
x1 Wingal Brave
x2 Future Knight, Llew CT
x1 Weapons Dealer, Govanon DT
x4 Yggdrasil Maiden, Elaine HT
x4 Margal DT
x1 Alabaster Owl CT
x4 Bringer of Good Luck, Epona CT
Grade 1
x4 Flash Shield, Iseult
x4 Little Sage, Marron
x1 Pongal
x3 Toypugal
x2 Knight of Friendship, Kay
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Blade
x1 High-Dog Breeder, Akane
x3 Blaster Dark
x2 Starcall Trumpeter
x1 Knight of Loyalty, Bedivere
Grade 3
x1 Soul Saver Dragon
x3 Swordsman of the Explosive Flames, Palamedes
x3 Majesty Lord Blaster
x1 Knight of the White Dragon, Pendragon
Third Place: Kamosaki Mayu/鴨崎真悠
Grade 0
x2 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x3 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x1 Dragon Dancer, Monica DT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x4 Blue-Ray Dracokid CT
Grade 1
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x2 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x2 Demonic Dragon Mage, Kimnara
x1 Flame of Hope, Aermo
Grade 2
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x3 Bellicosity Dragon
x1 Cross Shot, Gap
x3 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
Fourth Place: Kataoka Daisuke/片岡大輔
Grade 0
x1 Wingal Brave
x1 Weapons Dealer, Govanon DT
x4 Yggdrasil Maiden, Elaine HT
x4 Margal DT
x4 Alabaster Owl CT
x3 Bringer of Good Luck, Epona CT
Grade 1
x4 Flash Shield, Iseult
x4 Little Sage, Marron
x4 Lake Maiden, Lian
x2 Toypugal
x1 Mirubiru
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Blade
x4 Knight of Silence, Gallatin
x3 Knight of Truth, Gordon
Grade 3
x4 King of Knights, Alfred
x3 Swordsman of the Explosive Flames, Palamedes
Juniors Division
Regional Champion: Murosaki Yuki/室崎祐希
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x3 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x1 Dragon Dancer, Monica DT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x3 Blue-Ray Dracokid CT
x1 Red Gem Carbuncle DT
Grade 1
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x3 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x3 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x3 Demonic Dragon Mage, Kimnara
x2 Flame of Promise, Aermo
Grade 2
x1 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x4 Bellicosity Dragon
x2 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x3 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
Runner-Up: Kabashima Ryou/椛島諒
Grade 0
x1 Shield Seed Squire
x4 Dangan Chestnut CT
x4 Dancing Sunflower DT
x4 Sweet Honey HT
x4 Watering Elf ST
Grade 1
x3 Corolla Dragon
x4 Caramel Popcorn
x3 Lady of Kamorebi
x4 Blade Seed Squire
Grade 2
x2 Iris Knight
x1 Hey-Yo Pinappo
x3 Knight of Young Leaves, Gene
x4 Sky-Coering Wings, Simorgh
x2 Sage of Holywood, Irminsul
Grade 3
x4 Forerunner Battle Maiden, Laurel
x2 Knight of Harvest, Gene
x1 Avatar of the Plains, Behemoth
Third Place: Akazawa Satoshi/赤沢聡志
Grade 0
x2 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x4 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x1 Dragon Dancer, Monica DT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x3 Blue-Ray Dracokid CT
Grade 1
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x4 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x2 Demonic Dragon Mage, Kimnara
Grade 2
x2 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x2 Flame Edge Dragon
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x2 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
Fourth Place: Yasuda Nozomu/保田望
Grade 0
x1 Wingal Brave
x2 Weapons Dealer, Govanon DT
x4 Yggdrasil Maiden, Elaine HT
x4 Margal DT
x4 Alabaster Owl CT
x2 Bringer of Good Luck, Epona CT
Grade 1
x4 Flash Shield, Iseult
x4 Little Sage, Marron
x4 Toypugal
x2 Knight of Friendship, Kay
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Blade
x4 Swordsman of the Blaze, Palamedes
x4 Blaster Dark
x3 Starcall Trumpeter
Grade 3
x4 Majesty Lord Blaster
Kanazawa Regional Finals
Seniors Division
Regional Champion: Minami Takeshi/南武
Grade 0
x1 Wingal Brave
x2 Future Knight, Llew CT
x4 Yggdrasil Maiden, Elaine HT
x2 Margal DT
x4 Alabaster Owl CT
x4 Bringer of Good Luck, Epona CT
Grade 1
x3 Flash Shield, Iseult
x4 Little Sage, Marron
x3 Toypugal
x4 Knight of Friendship, Kay
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Blade
x4 Blaster Dark
x3 Starcall Trumpeter
x1 Knight of Loyalty, Bedivere
Grade 3
x3 Swordsman of the Explosive Flames, Palamedes
x4 Majesty Lord Blaster
Runner-Up: Tanaka Masamichi/田中昌道
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x4 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x3 Blue-Ray Dracokid CT
x1 Red Gem Carbuncle DT
Grade 1
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x3 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x1 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x3 Demonic Dragon Mage, Kimnara
x1 Flame of Promise, Aermo
x2 Flame of Hope, Aermo
Grade 2
x2 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x2 Bellicosity Dragon
x4 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x3 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
Third Place: Kodera Haruto/小寺悠人
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x4 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x3 Blue-Ray Dracokid CT
x1 Red Gem Carbuncle DT
Grade 1
x3 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x3 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x4 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x2 Demonic Dragon Mage, Kimnara
x2 Flame of Hope, Aermo
Grade 2
x4 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x3 Berserk DragonGrade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
Kobayashi Kensuke/小林健佑
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x2 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x2 Red Gem Carbuncle DT
x4 Flame Edge Salamander ST
x2 Doom Bringer Gryphon
Grade 1
x2 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x3 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x2 Flame of Hope, Aermo
Grade 2
x4 Flame Edge Dragon
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x2 Bellicosity Dragon
x2 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
Juniors Division
Regional Champion: Eboshida Hiromi/烏帽子田拓海
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x2 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x2 Dragon Dancer, Monica DT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x4 Blue-Ray Dracokid CT
Grade 1
x3 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x3 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x2 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x4 Demonic Dragon Mage, Kimnara
x1 Heatnail Salamander
x1 Flame of Promise, Aermo
Grade 2
x4 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x4 Wyvern Strike, Tejas
x3 Burning Horn Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
Runner-Up: Eboshida Daito/烏帽子田大翔
Grade 0
x1 Crimson Lion Cub, Kyrph
x4 Flame of Victory CT
x4 Silent Punisher CT
x4 Weapons Dealer, Gwydion DT
x4 Elixir Sommelier HT
Grade 1
x1 Slaygal Dagger
x3 Halo Shield, Mark
x4 Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth
x2 Precipice Whirlwind, Sagramore
x3 Charjgal
Grade 2
x2 Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane
x4 Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains
x2 Mage of Disaster, Trip
x4 Sacred Guardian Beast, Nemean Lion
Grade 3
x3 Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel
x4 Great Silver Wolf, Garmore
x1 Battlefield Storm, Sagramore
Third Place: Noro Keiki/野呂圭希
Grade 0
x1 Wingal Brave
x2 Future Knight, Llew CT
x4 Yggdrasil Maiden, Elaine HT
x3 Margal DT
x3 Alabaster Owl CT
x4 Bringer of Good Luck, Epona CT
Grade 1
x4 Flash Shield, Iseult
x4 Little Sage, Marron
x2 Lake Maiden, Lien
x2 Toypugal
x2 Knight of Friendship, Kay
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Blade
x4 Blaster Dark
x3 Starcall Trumpeter
Grade 3
x4 Swordsman of the Explosive Flames, Palamedes
x4 Majesty Lord Blaster
Fourth Place: Rikino Sakura/力野桜
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe
x3 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x1 Dragon Dancer, Monica DT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x4 Blue-Ray Dracokid CT
Grade 1
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x3 Dragon Monk, Gojo
x3 Demonic Dragon Mage, Kimnara
x1 Flame of Hope, Aermo
Grade 2
x4 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x2 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End