News: FR2013 Sapporo and Nagoya Decklists, Dudley Emperor and Raging Form Proliferate, Ancient Dragons Debut in Pro Play

The last regional decklists for Fighter's Road 2013 have gone out, confirming that the first place cardfighters from Sapporo and Nagoya's Open division tournaments, Nakamura Kousuke and Fukuno Hyouga, seized their respective titles using Dudley Emperor and Raging Form Dragon. Second place in Sapporo went to Nishihita Naoki's Descendant deck, while second in Nagoya went to Sasaki Daichi and his own Emperor build. Although outnumbered due to their late arrival, the sleeper hit of Dudley Emperor and surprising success of Raging Form have left a serious impact on the Japanese format. The combined deck representation from the winning lists of these two events shows 6 Dragonic Descendant, 5 Raging Form Dragon, 4 Liberator Garmore and 3 Dudley Emperor, 1 Ancient Dragon, 1 Majesty Lord Blaster, 1 Dragonic Overlord The End, 1 PR♥ISM, 1 Nebula Lord and 1 dedicated Vowing Saber Dragon “Я” decks. Following these tournaments, Raging Form Dragon's price has risen to being one of the most expensive RRRs in the Japanese format, at 2100 JPY/approximately 21 USD. Meanwhile Diarmuid, Nebula Lord and the original Luquier are all tied behind him at 1500 yen.

Sapporo's Open tournament also marks the pro debut of Tachikaze's Ancient Dragons build, with Satou Yuu's Tyranno Legend making it into the top 4. The actual brackets for which decks will be used in the fight for the national title is not set in stone, as the cardfighters competing may change their decks prior to the championship finals in August.

Surprisingly, the winning team from Sapporo's Open class team tournament included a cardfighter emulating the reigning North American national champion Kaden Kawakami. Jinma Nobuoaki ran an even more extreme variation of Kawakami's DOTE model, with twelve stand triggers instead of six. The grade 3 makeup is relatively rare for the current Japanese format, as most Kagerou cardfighters would prefer Dauntless Drive Dragon as a supporting unit in order to give their deck a limit break and guaranteed extra drive checks, but Jinma instead stuck with the classic, crossride-centric model.

Meanwhile the Nagoya regional has marked the return of established pro cardfighter Koyanagi Keita, who also appeared in Nagoya's previous summer team tournament during FR2012. Koyanagi has since retooled his Dudley Emperor deck to follow the current Bad End Dragger trend, but also further expanded upon it using the search card Jelly Beans and the Dudley series units to bypass gradelock by being able to search for his grade 1 and 2 rides directly. The strategy was previously seen in the Sendai team tournament, where Katou Hirohisa similarly applied it for better overall consistency. Notably, Koyanagi's team included another veteran, Fujii Takaya, who ran a Spectral Duke Dragon deck in the previous year but is now using a PR♥ISM deck. As at FR2012, Koyanagi's team has a Shadow Paladin cardfighter onboard as their lead player, and they have once again come out as Nagoya's first place team.

Sapporo Open Class Regional Tournament
Regional Champion: Nakamura Kousuke/中村航介
Grade 0
x1 Mecha Trainer (FVG)
x4 Cheer Girl, Tiara HT
x4 Cheerful Lynx DT
x4 Sonic Breaker CT
x4 SIlence Joker CT
Grade 1
x4 Wonder Boy
x4 Reckless Express
x2 Cheer Girl, Marylin
Grade 2
x4 Highspeed Brakki
x4 Panzer Gale
x3 Devil Summoner
x3 Treasured, Black Panther
Grade 3
x3 Bad End Dragger
x4 Demonic Lord, Dudley Emperor
x2 Juggernaut Maximum

Runner-up: Nishihata Naoki/西畑直希
Grade 0
x1 Ambush Dragon Eradicator, Linchu (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x3 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
x2 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x3 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Cho-ou
x3 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon

Doctor O Prize: Satou Yuu/佐藤優
Grade 0
x1 Ancient Dragon, Babyrex (FVG)
x4 Ancient Dragon, Ornithohealer HT
x4 Ancient Dragon, Titanocargo DT
x4 Ancient Dragon, Firepteryx CT
x4 Ancient Dragon, Dinodile CT
Grade 1
x3 Ancient Dragon, Paraswall
x3 Ancient Dragon, Gattling Allo
x4 Ancient Dragon, Iguanagorg
x4 Ancient Dragon, Tri-Plasma
x1 Sonic Noah
Grade 2
x4 Ancient Dragon, Dinochaos
x4 Anicent Dragon, Beamankylo
x3 Ancient Dragon, Cryolopher
Grade 3
x4 Ancient Dragon, Spinodriver
x3 Anicent Dragon, Tyranno Legend

Sapporo Junior Class Regional Tournament
Regional Champion: Fukuno Hyouga/福野氷河
Grade 0
x1 Wingal Brave (FVG)
x4 Bringer of Good Luck, Epona CT
x4 Alabaster Owl CT
x1 Knight of the Future, Llew CT
x1 Margal DT
x2 Quiet Sage, Sharron ST
x4 Yggdrasil Maiden, Elaine HT
Grade 1
x2 Flash Shield, Iseult
x2 Flashing Jewel Knight, Iseult
x4 Little Sage, Marron
x2 Knight of Friendship, Kay
x1 Pongal
x1 Lake Maiden, Lien
x1 Borgal
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Blade
x4 Blaster Dark
x2 Knight of Loyalty, Bedivere
x1 Star Call Trumpeter
Grade 3
x2 Majesty Lord Blaster
x2 Swordsman of the Explosive Flames, Palamedes
x3 Alfred Early
x1 King of Knights, Alfred
x1 Soul Saver Dragon

Runner-up: Sasaki Daichi/佐々木大智
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Zephyr Eradicator, Hayate ST
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
Grade 1
x1 Rising Phoenix
x3 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x1 Wyvern Guard, Guld
x2 Eradicator of the True Flames, Kougaiji
x2 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x2 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x1 Thunder Fist Eradicator, Doui
x1 Red River Dragoon
x1 Dust Storm Eradicator, Tokou
Grade 2
x1 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x3 Twin Gun Eradicator, Hakushou
x1 Homing Eradicator, Rochishin
x2 Eradicator, Thunder Boom Dragon
x1 Assassin Sword Eradicator, Susei
x1 Dragonic Deathscythe
x2 Demonic Dragon Berserk, Garuda
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x3 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon
x1 Eradicator, Electric Shaper Dragon

Doctor O Prize: Murono Kaitei/室野快帝
Grade 0
x1 Frontline Revenger, Claudas (FVG)
x4 Healing Revenger HT
x4 Freezing Revenger DT
x4 Grim Revenger CT
x4 Revenger, Air Raid Dragon CT
Grade 1
x4 Dark Revenger, Mac Lir
x4 Morale Revenger, Dorin
x4 Transient Revenger, Masquerade
x1 Witch of Nostrum, Arianrhod
x1 Revenger of Malice, Dilan
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Dark Revenger
x4 Nullity Revenger, Masquerade
x3 Black Clothed Revenger, Tartu
Grade 3
x4 Revenger, Raging Form Dragon
x4 Illusion Revenger, Mordred Phantom

Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer, Open Class Sapporo Regional Tournament Championship Team
Imagawa Hirosuke/今川博介
Grade 0
x1 Ambush Dragon Eradicator, Linchu (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
Grade 2
x2 Twin Gun Eradicator, Hakushou
x2 Dragonic Deathscythe
x3 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Cho-ou
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Eradicator, Vowing Saber Dragon “Я”
x4 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon

Saitou Takashi/齋藤隆
Grade 0
x1 Spring Breeze Messenger (FVG)
x2 Flame of Victory CT
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x2 Strike Liberator CT
x4 Armament Liberator, Gwydion DT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x2 Barcgal Liberator
x4 Curved Blade Liberator, Josephus
x4 Little Liberator, Marron
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
Grade 2
x3 Blaster Blade Liberator
x4 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
x4 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
Grade 3
x4 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x3 Wolf Fang Liberator, Garmore

Jinma Nobuoaki/神馬伸昭
Grade 0
x1 Red Pulse Dracokid FVG)
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x4 Flame Seed Salamander ST
x4 Lizard Soldier, Gan-lu ST
x4 Lizard Runner, Nafud ST
Grade 1
x2 Seal Dragon, Kersey
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x4 Dragon Monk, Gojo
Grade 2
x2 Wyvern Strike, Tejas
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x2 Berserk Dragon
x2 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
x4 Dragonic Overlord

Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer,  Student-only Class Sapporo Regional Tournament Championship Team
Kuwamura Daichi/桑村大地
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
Grade 1
x3 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x3 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
Grade 2
x1 Twin Gun Eradicator, Hakushou
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x4 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Cho-ou
x2 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon

Chisaki Tetsuya/地崎鉄也
Grade 0
x1 Star-vader, Dusttail Unicorn (FVG)
x4 Star-vader, Stellar Garage HT
x4 Star-vader, Nebula Captor DT
x4 Star-vader, Weiss Soldat CT
x4 Star-vader, Meteoliger CT
Grade 1
x2 Opener of the Black Door
x4 Demonic Claw Star-vader, Lanthanium
x4 Demonic Bullet Star-vader, Neon
x4 Barrier Star-vader, Promethium
Grade 2
x3 Soaring Star-vader, Krypton
x4 Furious Claw Star-vader, Niobium
x4 Unrivaled Star-vader, Radon
Grade 3
x4 Star-vader, Infinite Zero Dragon
x4 Star-vader, Nebula Lord Dragon

Den Ryouhei/伝涼平
Grade 0
x1 Creeping Dark Goat (FVG)
x4 Healing Revenger HT
x4 Freezing Revenger DT
x4 Grim Revenger CT
x4 Revenger, Air Raid Dragon CT
Grade 1
x4 Dark Revenger, Mac Lir
x4 Morale Revenger, Dorin
x4 Transient Revenger, Masquerade
x1 Revenger of Malice, Dilan
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Dark Revenger
x4 Nullity Revenger, Masquerade
x4 Black Clothed Revenger, Tartu
Grade 3
x4 Revenger, Raging Form Dragon
x4 Illusion Revenger, Mordred Phantom

Nagoya Open Class Regional Tournament
Regional Champion: Hirago Masaki/平子真幸
Grade 0
x1 Creeping Dark Goat (FVG)
x4 Healing Revenger HT
x4 Grim Reaper CT
x4 Grim Revenger CT
x4 Revenger, Air Raid Dragon CT
Grade 1
x4 Dark Revenger, Mac Lir
x4 Morale Revenger, Dorin
x4 Transient Revenger, Masquerade
x1 Revenger of Malice, Dilan
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Dark Revenger
x4 Nullity Revenger, Masquerade
x4 Black Clothed Revenger, Tartu
Grade 3
x4 Revenger, Raging Form Dragon
x4 Illusion Revenger, Mordred Phantom

Runner-up: Nakamae Shuuta/中前秀太
Grade 0
x1 Mecha Trainer (FVG)
x4 Cheer Girl, Tiara HT
x4 Cheerful Lynx DT
x4 Sonic Breaker CT
x4 SIlence Joker CT
Grade 1
x4 Wonder Boy
x4 Reckless Express
x3 Cheer Girl, Marylin
x3 Medical Manager
Grade 2
x4 Highspeed Brakki
x4 Panzer Gale
x4 Devil Summoner
Grade 3
x3 Bad End Dragger
x3 Demonic Lord, Dudley Emperor
x2 Juggernaut Maximum

Doctor O Prize: Yamane Takashi/山根誉史
Grade 0
x1 Little Fighter, Cron (FVG)
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Strike Liberator CT
x4 Armament Liberator, Gwydion DT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x4 Barcgal Liberator
x2 Liberator, Flare Mane Stallion
x4 Little Liberator, Marron
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
Grade 2
x4 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
x4 Blaster Blade Liberator
x4 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
Grade 3
x4 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x3 Wolf Fang Liberator, Garmore

Nagoya Junior Class Regional Tournament
Regional Champion: Niwa Kensuke/丹羽健輔
Grade 0
x1 Eradicator, Blade Hang Dracokid (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x1 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
x3 Eradicator, Blue Gem Carbuncle DT
Grade 1
x2 Suppression Eradicator, Dokkasei
x3 Wyvern Guard, Guld
x1 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x2 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
Grade 2
x2 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x4 Supreme Army Eradicator, Zuitan
x4 Homing Eradicator, Doui
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x1 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Vowing Saber Dragon “Я”

Runner-up: Gotou Yuusuke/後藤優介
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x4 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x3 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Chou-ou
x4 Homing Eradicator, Rochishin
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x1 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x3 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Vowing Saber Dragon “Я”

Doctor O Prize: Honda Naoki/本田直己
Grade 0
x1 Liberator, Cheer Up Trumpeter (FVG)
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Strike Liberator CT
x4 Armament Liberator, Gwydion DT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x2 Barcgal Liberator
x3 May Rain Liberator, Bruno
x4 Curved Blade Liberator, Josephus
x2 Little Liberator, Marron
x2 Halo Liberator, Mark
Grade 2
x3 Blaster Blade Liberator
x3 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
x2 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
x2 Liberator, Bagpipe Angel
x2 Cloudy Sky Liberator, Geraint
Grade 3
x2 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x3 Wolf Fang Liberator, Garmore
x3 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot

Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer, Open Class Nagoya Regional Tournament Championship Team
Shirai Yoshiyuki/白井克幸
Grade 0
x1 Frontline Revenger, Claudas (FVG)
x4 Healing Revenger HT
x4 Grim Reaper CT
x4 Grim Revenger CT
x4 Revenger, Air Raid Dragon CT
Grade 1
x4 Dark Revenger, Mac Lir
x4 Morale Revenger, Dorin
x4 Transient Revenger, Masquerade
x1 Sacriledge Revenger, Berith
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Dark Revenger
x3 Nullity Revenger, Masquerade
x3 Black Clothed Revenger, Tartu
x2 Skull Witch, Nemain
Grade 3
x4 Revenger, Raging Form Dragon
x4 Illusion Revenger, Mordred Phantom

Koyanagi Keita/小柳敬太
Grade 0
x1 Mecha Trainer (FVG)
x4 Cheer Girl, Tiara HT
x4 Cheerful Lynx DT
x4 Sonic Breaker CT
x4 SIlence Joker CT
Grade 1
x2 Wonder Boy
x3 Reckless Express
x3 Cheer Girl, Marylin
x1 UFO
x1 Commander, Garry Gannon
x1 Dudley Daisy
x2 Dudley Dan
Grade 2
x2 Highspeed Brakki
x1 Brave General, Zachary
x1 Treasured, Black Panther
x4 Dudley Mason
Grade 3
x4 Bad End Dragger
x3 Demonic Lord, Dudley Emperor
x2 Juggernaut Maximum
x3 Jelly Beans

Fujii Takaya/藤井貴哉
Grade 0
x1 Angelic Star, Coral (FVG)
x4 Drive Quartet, Flows HT
x4 PR♥ISM-Miracle, Adria
x4 PR♥ISM-Miracle, Canaria
x4 Drive Quartet, Shuplu CT
Grade 1
x3 Mermaid Idol, Sedna
x4 Mermaid Idol, Erie
x4 Fresh Star, Coral
x4 Mirror Diva, Biscayne
Grade 2
x1 PR♥ISM-Smile, Ligurian
x2 Girls Rock, Rio
x3 PR♥ISM-Promise, Celtic
x4 Shiny Star, Coral
Grade 3
x1 Eternal Idol, Pacifica
x4 PR♥ISM-Image, Vert
x3 Aurora Star, Coral

Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer,  Student-only Class Nagoya Regional Tournament Championship Team
Kyouen Seima/京円星磨
Grade 0
x1 Little Fighter, Cron (FVG)
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Strike Liberator CT
x2 Armament Liberator, Gwydion DT
x2 Flame of Victory CT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x1 Silver Fang Witch
x3 May Rain Liberator, Bruno
x2 Little Liberator, Marron
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
x4 Curved Blade Liberator, Josephus
Grade 2
x4 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
x2 Blaster Blade Liberator
x4 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
x2 Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane
Grade 3
x4 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x2 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot
x1 Wolf Fang Liberator, Garmore

Fushida Noriaki/藤田宜明
Grade 0
x1 Frontline Revenger, Claudas (FVG)
x4 Healing Revenger HT
x4 Freezing Revenger DT
x4 Grim Revenger CT
x4 Revenger, Air Raid Dragon CT
Grade 1
x4 Dark Revenger, Mac Lir
x4 Morale Revenger, Dorin
x4 Transient Revenger, Masquerade
x2 Buranbau Revenger
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Dark Revenger
x3 Nullity Revenger, Masquerade
x4 Black Clothed Revenger, Tartu
Grade 3
x4 Revenger, Raging Form Dragon
x4 Illusion Revenger, Mordred Phantom

Imani Michi/今仁道
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x2 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
x2 Eradicator, Blue Gem Carbuncle DT
Grade 1
x3 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x2 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
x1 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x3 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Cho-ou
x4 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x1 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon
x1 Eradicator, Vowing Saber Dragon “Я”

News: Spike Brothers and Majesty Lord Blaster Take First in Sapporo Regional

Doctor O tweeted earlier today from the Sapporo branch of FR2013, revealing that the Open division champion used a Spike Brothers deck based on the Dudley series of units. Meanwhile the winner in the Junior class tournament was a Royal Paladin cardfighter who built their deck around Majesty Lord Blaster. The upper brackets for Sapporo included Tachikaze, Shadow Paladin, Link Joker and Narukami decks, but which clans made second place in each division is currently unknown.

Doctor O's information is coming on the heels of Raging Form and Nebula Lord's success at Tokyo, as well as the Spike Brothers' previous triumph in Hiroshima. This sudden influx of seemingly underdog decks into a format that was previously stale and dominated by Dragonic Descendant has come as a surprise to many, but as these outlier decks pick up steam the tail end of FR2013 promises to be an exciting period. As the official Cardfight!! Vanguard portal does not update over the weekends, the decklists from Sapporo will likely be put out later this week. The next and final regional in FR2013 will be Nagoya tomorrow on the 15th, with the championship finals on August 11th.

News: FR2013 Tokyo Regional Decklists, Nebula Lord and Raging Form Claw Their Way Up the Ranks

The Fighter's Road 2013 Tokyo regional results are out, giving us our first look at what a professional Raging Form Dragon deck looks like, as well as the first pro Link Joker deck ever played. It wouldn't be an understatement to call Tokyo the most anticipated regional yet, as the updates from VG-BT12: Binding Force of the Black Rings have brought with them sweeping changes to the format and the proper debut of Lock. The once-stable environment of BT10-on, dominated by Eradicator and Liberator decks, has been shaken up considerably by Tokyo's top 4. The addition of Vowing Saber Dragon “Я” to the standard Eradicator deck has narrowly put Narukami cardfighter Tatsuya Tanaka at the top, followed by Imanishi Kouichi's Raging Form and Nagata Shou's Nebula Lord, but the effusion of Eradicator decks has reportedly been stemmed as discussion now turns toward the Revenger and Star-vader subgroups.

To recap the situation, Dragonic Descendant began his reign of dominance in the Osaka branch of the Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament, where tournament winner Uemura Shouhei and runner-up Nishiyama Daiki codified the basic Descendant deck. Descendant was turned to for combining his self-stand skill with an extra critical, which in the eyes of Japanese pros combined some of the strengths of Dragonic Overlord The End and Majesty Lord Blaster, which were almost unplayable under the then-enforced January 1st restricted list. To be absolutely certain that Majesty could not compete in the Memorial Tournament, Bushiroad also instituted special rules that each deck had to have more than four grade 3s, in response to Nakamura Mitsuaki's Blaster deck from the 2013 Trio Festival which got around the restricted list by playing one copy of Majesty with three Soul Saver Dragons and using the extra deck space for additional Blaster units so that Wingal Brave's skill could be used to search Majesty. Descendant thus did not have Majesty or DOTE competing with him, bypassing the gauntlet that many previous decks have had to deal with and then becoming cemented as the go-to tournament deck. This was followed by Descendant placing first at Tokyo, second at Hakata and first at Nagoya, with Kokubo Hikaru's Nagoya decklist drawing attention for being a card-for-card copy of Uemura Shouhei's.

Then during the unofficial Vanguard Championship tournaments in April, the top three spaces of the best 4 at the Kyoto VGCS were taken by Descendant, as well as the top two spaces of the Kanto VGCS. Descendant also placed second in the A block of the official Fighter's Cup and first in B block of the Fight Royale. In May Bushiroad revised the restricted list, creating the May 11th list that brought back DOTE as well as Alfred but kept Majesty and Tsukuyomi restricted while Descendant was added to the list. This somewhat curbed Descendant's control of the Japanese scene, but Narukami cardfighters remained undeterred by the list, running extra copies of Vowing Sword and Gauntlet Buster Dragon in his place as a holdover until one of those two copies were drawn, and his dominance continued into the next VGCS tournament which had preemptively adopted the rules of the list four days prior to its actual start date. Descendant placed first in this Hachiouji VGCS, and repeated this feat at the onset of the Fighter's Road 2013 national tournament in Sendai as well as at Kyoto and Kanazawa.

This string of victories was broken by Okudaira Ryousuke at FR2013 Hiroshima, where he took first place using a Dudley Emperor-Bad End Dragger deck. While Yoshida Yuuta's Descendant deck still made it to second place, Emperor had not received heavy recognition at higher level play up to this point and essentially came out of left field, putting real doubt on if Descendant was really going to last through the duration of this current restricted list. Curiously, Descendant has not been especially popular in the juniors' division until today, which supported the suspicions that part of Descendant's success was owed to the same stubbornness that kept Soul Saver Dragon, Majesty Lord Blaster, Dragonic Overlord The End and Goddess of the Full Moon at the height of tournament play for so long. Every previous high-end deck in the Japanese scene has been buried by either direct decree from Bushiroad or by new cards from the same clan outmoding the old ones in the eyes of pro fighters. Majesty himself is even now going toe-to-toe with Descendant out of that same obstinance. While Descendant would go on to place first in Fukuoka, second place was taken by an Eradicator deck that didn't run him and instead used Sweep Command's break ride with Spark Horn Dragon. From this the idea surfaced that rather than Descendant himself being the dominating force of this tournament season, it is actually the entire Eradicator framework with Descendant and Gauntlet Buster as its dressing--an idea that veteran cardfighters of 2011 are all too familiar with, considering some of the crazier decks that the Barcgal framework was driving in that year. Unlike with Barcgal, there is no one card that Uemura's model of the deck would fall apart without. The Eradicators are an ever-growing snowball of cards that are good individually but overwhelming together, and the only thing that's going to stop their progress is the kind of impermeable evolution of strategy that Okudaira demonstrated at Hiroshima and that Gotou Kiyomi did in last year's tournament. Neither of these cardfighters made sweeping revisions to their respective builds. All they did was make their decks speak modern Vanguard with small changes that would give them concrete early, mid and endgame strategies effective in the current format. This brings us to now.

BT12's release has been anticipated because while Vowing Saber has given the Eradicators another tool to play around with, Link Joker and Shadow Paladin are FR2013's wild cards. At the very same VGCS where Descendant made its debut prior to the Memorial Tournament, Shadow Paladin was seemingly geared to start the tournament season strong as it headed in with the promise of the first new support in years coming further down the line. It speaks to the developing mind set of pro play that Descendant's tournament debut was only second place. With Shadow Paladin finally updated for modern times and Raging Form's own debut being "only second place," the throne is once again disputed as Imanishi and Nagata's shaking of the brackets has ignited new possibilities. The sudden inflation in prices for Shadow Paladin and Link Joker cards, particularly Raging Form and Nebula Lord, has pointed to Japanese pros potentially being on the verge of jumping ship to these new decks. Like DOTE and Majesty before it, Descendant may turn out to be that same breed of pro deck that commonly does well throughout a season and then drops off when the championship finals come around; FR2013 could very well be a repeat experience of FR2012's underdog championship.

In junior class tournament news, one Nakamura Shunto may actually be the return of an established junior pro cardfighter, third place in FR2012. The Nakamura Shunto that we are seeing today has played very differently from the one of the past however, coming in second place and now contending for the national title with a Scarlet Witch deck, likely in light of Majesty now being restricted. Nakamura's contemporaries are shrugging at the restriction, however; Misawa Kentarou from the open division is undeterred by the list, running two copies of Majesty with one Soul Saver Dragon and twelve Blaster cards among his grade 1 and 2 units to use Wingal Brave's search skill with.

In the student-only division of the VF High School Championship, Ueno Yuuki's unorthodox Granblue deck has seen a lot of interest for its very tech-heavy build. The deck runs twelve critical triggers, with Rough Seas Banshee and the grade 3 Basskirk serving as a soul engine to fuel its three copies of Dancing Cutlass as well as the Deadly series cards. For field control options, Ueno selected the much-beloved Cocytus for his on-ride counterblast 2 and the much less frequently played Negromarl for the rearguard, one of the weakest grade 3s in the game that clocks in at just 8000 power but can also call any unit from the drop zone to any rearguard circle with his skill. For endgame limit breaks, Ueno also ran a single copy of Malefic Dragon, a unit that specifically fights units with 12000+ power like Majesty Lord Blaster and the many crossrides now in the game, by gaining +10000 power when it attacks them. While Ueno's deck is very far from standard Granblue and follows a difficult to master playstyle, his innovative approach has breathed some life back into the undead clan and the results speak in his favor.

With six tournaments completed, there are now just two branches of FR2013 remaining. Sapporo and Nagoya will bring us the last candidates for the championship title, with the tournaments being held on the 14th and 15th. The national championship finals will be on August 11th, closing the summer tournament with the coronation of Japan's 2013 champion.

Open Class Regional Tournament
Regional Champion: Tatsuya Tanaka/田中達也
Grade 0
x1 Ambush Dragon Eradicator, Linchu (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x4 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
Grade 2
x3 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x4 Dragonic Deathscythe
x4 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Cho-ou
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x3 Eradicator, Vowing Saber Dragon “Я”
x3 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon

Runner-up: Imanishi Kouichi/今西弘一
Grade 0
x1 Harbinger Revenger, Claudus (FVG)
x4 Healing Revenger HT
x4 Freezing Revenger DT
x4 Grim Revenger CT
x4 Revenger, Air Raid Dragon CT
Grade 1
x4 Dark Revenger, Mac Lir
x4 Morale Revenger, Dorin
x4 Transient Revenger, Masquerade
x1 Sacriledge Revenger, Berith
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Dark Revenger
x4 Nullity Revenger, Masquerade
x4 Black Clothed Revenger, Tartu
Grade 3
x4 Revenger, Raging Form Dragon
x4 Illusion Revenger, Mordred Phantom

Doctor O's Prize: Nagata Shou/長田祥
Grade 0
x1 Star-vader, Dusttail Unicorn (FVG)
x4 Star-vader, Stellar Garage HT
x4 Star-vader, Meteoliger CT
x2 Star-vader, Weiss Soldat CT
x4 Star-vader, Nebula Captor DT
x2 Star-vader, Scouting Ferris DT
Grade 1
x4 Barrier Star-vader, Promethium
x4 Demonic Claw Star-vader, Lanthanium
x4 Hollow Twin Blades, Binary Star
x3 Opener of the Black Door
Grade 2
x3 Star-vader, Mobius Breath Dragon
x3 Evil Claw Star-vader, Niobium
x3 Unrivaled Star-vader, Radon
x2 Shooter of the Singularity
Grade 3
x4 Star-vader, Infinite Zero Dragon
x3 Star-vader, Nebula Lord Dragon

Junior Class Regional Tournament
Regional Champion: Funayama Yuiga/舩山唯我

Grade 0
x1 Eradicator, Strikedagger Dragon (FVG)
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x3 Eradicator, Blue Gem Carbuncle DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Eradicator of the Divine Spear, Pollux CT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x4 Sword Dance Eradicator, Hisen
x4 Eradicator, Wyvern Guard Guld
x1 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x2 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x4 Supreme Army Eradicator, Zuitan
x3 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Chou-Ou
x1 Homing Eradicator, Rochishin
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x3 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x3 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon

Runner-up: Nakamura Shunto/中村俊斗
Grade 0
x1 Little Witch, LuLu (FVG)
x4 Lozenge Magus HT
x4 Psychic Bird CT
x4 Oracle Guardian, Nike CT
x4 Battle Sister, Ginger CT
Grade 1
x4 Oracle Guardian, Gemini
x2 Emerald Witch, LaLa
x2 Battle Sister, Omelette
x4 Battle Sister, Chocolat
x3 Battle Sister, Cream
Grade 2
x2 Battle Sister, Tart
x2 Promise Daughter
x4 Battle Sister, Mocha
x2 Silent Tom
Grade 3
x4 Scarlet Witch, CoCo
x4 Battle Sister, Cookie

Doctor O's Prize: Okura Takumi/小倉拓海
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x3 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x3 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
x2 Eradicator, Blue Gem Carbuncle DT
Grade 1
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x1 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
x3 Rising Phoenix
x2 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x2 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Cho-ou
x1 Twin Gun Eradicator, Hakushou
x3 Dragonic Deathscythe
x1 Supreme Army Eradicator, Zuitan
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x3 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x3 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon

Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer, Open Class Tokyo Regional Tournament Championship Team
Watanabe Kento/渡邉健斗
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
Grade 1
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x2 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
x3 Rising Phoenix
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x4 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Cho-ou
x4 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon
Misawa Kentarou/三澤健太郎
Grade 0
x1 Wingal Brave (FVG)
x4 Enthusiastic Jewel Knight, Polly HT
x3 Margal DT
x3 Blazing Jewel Knight, Rachelle
x3 Alabaster Owl CT
x3 Bringer of Good Luck, Epona CT
Grade 1
x4 Flash Shield, Iseult
x4 Little Sage, Marron
x4 Knight of Friendship, Kay
x2 Pongal
x1 Blaster Javelin
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Blade
x4 Blaster Dark
x4 Star Call Trumpeter
x3 Blaster Blade Spirit
Grade 3
x2 Majesty Lord Blaster
x1 Soul Saver Dragon

Matsumoto Yuusuke/松本佑典
Grade 0
x1 Little Witch, LuLu (FVG)
x4 Battle Sister, Chai HT
x4 Psychic Bird CT
x4 Oracle Guardian, Nike CT
x4 Battle Sister, Ginger CT
Grade 1
x4 Oracle Guardian, Gemini
x1 Battle Sister, Maple
x1 Battle Sister, Omelette
x4 Battle Sister, Chocolat
x3 Battle Sister, Cream
Grade 2
x2 Battle Sister, Tart
x2 Battle Sister, Macaron
x4 Battle Sister, Mocha
x4 Silent Tom
Grade 3
x4 Scarlet Witch, CoCo
x4 Battle Sister, Cookie

Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer, Student-only Class Tokyo Regional Tournament Championship Team
Imaizumi Tsukasa/今泉司
Grade 0
x1 Ambush Dragon Eradicator, Linchu (FVG)
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Eradicator of the Divine Spear, Pollux CT
Grade 1
x3 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator, Wyvern Guard Guld
x2 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x3 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
x3 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x3 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Chou-Ou
x2 Eradicator, Thunder Boom Dragon
x3 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x1 Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon

Ueno Yuuki/上野祐樹
Grade 0
x1 Skeleton Assault Troops Captain (FVG)
x2 Doctor Rouge HT
x2 Rick the Ghostie HT
x4 Rough Seas Banshee CT
x4 Knight Spirit CT
x4 Ghoul Cannonball CT
Grade 1
x3 Samurai Spirit
x3 Dancing Cutlass
x3 Dandy Romario
x1 Deadly Nightmare
x3 Gust Djinn
Grade 2
x2 Captain Nightmist
x4 Ruin Shade
x1 Skeleton Knight
x4 Commodore Blueblood
x2 Deadly Spirit
Grade 3
x2 King of Demonic Seas, Basskirk
x2 Witch Doctor of the Abyss, Negromarl
x2 Ice Prison Necromancer, Cocytus
x1 Dragon Undead, Malefic Dragon

Kurihara Ryou/栗原遼
Grade 0
x1 Little Fighter, Cron (FVG)
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Strike Liberator CT
x4 Flame of Victory CT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x1 Silver Fang Witch
x4 Curved Blade Liberator, Josephus
x2 Little Liberator, Marron
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
x2 May Rain Liberator, Bruno
Grade 2
x2 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
x3 Blaster Blade Liberator
x4 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
x4 Liberator of Silence, Gallatin
Grade 3
x4 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x3 Wolf Fang Liberator, Garmore

News: Shadow Paladin and Link Joker Top Tokyo Regional, Granblue Provokes Applause in Team Tournament

Update: The decklists for the tournament are now out.

Doctor O has reported the results of the Fighter's Road 2013 Tokyo regional tournament, which was just completed earlier today. Drawing much excitement, the Eradicator deadlock that has dominated much of the tournament season was broken by the arrival of VG-BT12: Binding Force of the  Black Rings and the new Shadow Paladin and Link Joker decks with it. Doctor O listed Tokyo's Open division top 4 as Shadow Paladin, Narukami and Link Joker, implying that one of these clans made two separate entries into the top.

Meanwhile in the VF High School team tournaments, the winning team drew cheers from the audience for its Granblue cardfighter, who carried their team to the top in spite of the clan having not received proper support since April of last year, in VG-BT06: Breaker of Limits. Decklists for the Open, Junior and team tournaments should be coming out later this week, providing a view of just how heavily BT12's release has impacted professional play.

While the success of Shadow Paladin and Link Joker was not completely unexpected, these new builds being able to compete with decks like Descendant on-release is still an unanticipated upset. Raging Folm Dragon's and Nebula Lord's prices in Japan have since jumped up into the range of 2000 yen per card (approximately $20 US) and Link Joker's perfect defense Promethium has gone to 1800 JPY, comparable to Barri's price during the Japanese reign of Dragonic Overlord The End. For comparison, the Revenger print of Mac Lir is hovering at 900-1000 yen, and the RRR print of Descendant has stayed at 900-1200. Cardfighters all across the country are eager to overturn the Eradicators' stranglehold on Fighter's Road, and with only two regionals remaining there is a limited window within which to do that. One trend that has been noted by attending cardfighters is the increased prevalence of Dark Zone clans; the introduction of Reverse units has deeply empowered Pale Moon and Dark Irregulars beyond their previous eras in BT03 and BT07, with Luquier Reverse and Amon Reverse being heavily proliferated across the different divisions. A distortion has appeared in the otherwise stable Japanese scene, and practically overnight the clan of the next national champion has become uncertain. Link Joker may be just the wild card pro fighters have been looking for.

News: Gauntlet Buster and Sweep Command Dragon Storm Fukuoka

This morning Doctor O tweeted the results of the Fukuoka branch of Fighters Road 2013, Japan's ongoing national championship. The Junior class champion took first place using a Narukami deck, with second place going to a Kagerou cardfighter.  The Open class tournament had both its first and second place spots taken by Narukami fighters, one using a now-standard Gauntlet Buster Dragon and Descendant deck, with the other using a different Eradicator build that combined Spark Horn and Sweep Command Dragon, using cards from the eleventh booster set, BT11: Seal Dragon Unleashed. Spark Horn has drawn some attention as a variation on the Eradicator formula, as when his attack hits a vanguard he can use an especial counterblast to retire an opponent's rearguard--without needing to be at limit break. This gives a Narukami fighter a stronger midgame, pressuring the opponent to drop cards for defense earlier in a fight, weakening their overall presence when the time comes for Sweep Command to hit the field, simultaneously retiring the opponent's rearguards and drawing new cards through his limit break and a combo with the Eradicators' many retire skills.

The Eradicators' continued dominance throughout this tournament season has drawn criticism, as the Narukami clan as a whole has continued to receive support from every core booster set since BT08, with multiple cards coming out as definitively competitive decks of their own, and this trend will not be broken until VG-BT13: Catastrophic Outbreak. With Descendant having come out as a competitive deck surpassing Dragonic Overlord The End in threat, the restricted list having done little to stop his reign, currently accounting for five of the eight Open class decks currently being used to contend for the national title and 32% of all 2013 tournament decks, an extremely powerful crossbreak Reverse unit coming for the clan in VG-BT12: Binding Force of the Black Rings, and the build only becoming stronger as a counter to the new Lock mechanic, many are calling for the plug to be pulled on the clan altogether. For some however, Spike Brothers having broken the Eradicator's stranglehold on the format at Hiroshima has inspired new hope.

The remaining three tournaments will take place in Tokyo, Sapporo and Nagoya with the Tokyo tournament being next in line on the 7th of July. This will be the first time that Okayama, Hakata and Osaka will not be participating.

News: FR2013 Kanazawa Results, Dragonic Overlord and Ezel Return to the Fore

Even though the world of North American Cardfight is currently caught up in the crowning of Kaden Kawakami, the world outside is still turning. While Kawakami was receiving his trophy, the next branch of Fighter's Road 2013 was taking place, and Doctor O has the scoop.

In the Juniors' division, Dragonic Overlord The End is picking up steam after its mild success in Kyoto's best 8. First place was taken by a The End cardfighter, although currently it is reported to not use the Dauntless Drive support that has drawn so much professional attention. Second place went to a Gold Paladin cardfighter using an Ezel build, suspected to specifically focus on the Platina Ezel crossride and his ultimate break. The Open division remains consistently dominated by the Eradicators even in their restricted incarnation, with Gauntlet Buster Dragon taking the top spot, and a Gold Paladin Liberator build placing second.  The disparity between the results of Junior class and Open class tournaments through this current season has been noted, as previous tournaments under the Junior and Senior models were relatively uniform when it came to which decks dominated the competition. While on the surface, the Eradicator and Liberator decks appear to be the defining builds of the format, this disparity between divisions may be a sign of a lack of consensus. Neither build has been as prolific as The End or Soul Saver Dragon from 2012 and 2011.

Based on Bushiroad's previous schedule, tournament decklists should go out within the next few days. The remaining five tournaments will take place in Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Tokyo, Sapporo and Nagoya with the Hiroshima tournament being next in line on the 16th. This will be the first time that Fukuoka prefecture has been included in the national tournament, and also the first time that Okayama, Hakata and Osaka will not be participating.

News: BCF2013 Kyoto Results Tweeted by Doctor O, Ethics Buster and Eradicators Sieze First

Early this morning Doctor O tweeted the results of the Bushiroad Cardfight 2013 Vanguard Stage in Kyoto, the second in a nationwide tour of tournaments that will last through July and will act as the Fighter's Road 2013 summer national tournament for Japan. While the previous tournament in Sendai saw unquestioned dominance of the Eradicators in the Open division and the celebrated return of Kagerou among Junior cardfighters, Kyoto's best 8's is significantly more diverse.

The top spot of the Junior class tournament, open only to elementary students and younger, was taken by a Nova Grappler cardfighter making use of the new Ethics Buster break ride and Beast Deity support cards. Second place went to an Angel Feather cardfighter who focused on Chief Nurse, Shamsiel and her Pegasus series. Meanwhile, the Open division tournament was topped by a Narukami deck based out of Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon, with second place going to a Gold Paladin Liberator deck. Among the tournament's best 8 were Majesty Lord Blaster, Ezel, and a vanguard-stand deck built off of Dauntless Drive Dragon and Dragonic Overlord The End. Like the previous tournament, this branch of FR2013 took place under the May 11th restricted list, but unlike in Sendai this event has had a much larger time gap between the announcement of the new list and the event itself, giving more time for cardfighters to prepare and promoting a more diverse environment overall compared to the fairly static pool of Eradicator decks that were previously at the height of professional play.

Bushiroad is expected to put out the tournament decklists within the next week. The remaining six tournaments will take place in Kanazawa, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Tokyo, Sapporo and Nagoya. This will be the first time that the Fukuoka prefecture has been included in the national tournament, and also the first time that Okayama, Hakata and Osaka will not be participating.

News: Fighter's Road 2013 & Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer Regional Tournament Results

This morning the results for Japan's ongoing national championship went public, following up Doctor O's reports from earlier in the week. These were the first official tournaments to take place following the introduction of the May 11th restricted list, and as a result Dragonic Overlord The End was projected to be a major contender in the tournament environment. However, with exception made for the recently-released Blockade Inferno, Japanese cardfighters seem to have eradicated crossrides as a useful mechanic in their singles format, as in spite of the restricted list Descendant has once again taken both first and second place in the Open division. The previously-mentioned exception comes from Blockade Inferno's introduction to professional play, as Haryuu Jin'ichi's Inferno deck took the Juniors by storm, surpassing Sato Yuushin's Liberator build to become a standout among the decks featured today.

In VFHS news, the Sendai regional team is getting attention for its forward cardfighter using a Spike Brothers variant relying on Jelly Beans. The deck runs an excessive number of grade 3s, but because of the search skill of its key card, it can pick out any unit with "Dudley" in its name and add it directly to the hand, bypassing gradelock entirely. Although not currently possible in the English format, on the Japanese side of the Pacific the Spike Brothers' access to the grade 2 Dudley Mason for his field setup gives it powerful consistency. With regard to VFHS decklists, note that there are two teams from each event but neither of them are the runner-up; VFHS is divided into Open and Student-only divisions this year.

For the duration of FR2013, the Senior Class division of tournaments has been retired in favor of a new division, Open Class. Under the new model, only elementary students and younger may participate in the Juniors' division, while anyone can participate in the Open division. Previously, Junior cardfighters could not take part in adult competitions, but with many past prodigies now able to tackle the higher brackets, existing professionals and rising stars alike have reason to be nervous from the heavier competition.

As with the Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament, Doctor O is selecting decks from the finalists that did not make it to first or second place to be featured.

Open Class Regional Tournament
Regional Champion: Nanakado Yuusuke/七角悠介
Grade 0
x1 Ambush Dragon Eradicator, Linchu (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Eradicator of the Divine Spear, Castor CT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x2 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x4 Eradicator, Wyvern Guard Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x3 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
Grade 2
x3 Storm Bring Dragon
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x1 Dragonic Deathscythe
x3 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Chou-Ou
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x1 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon

Runner-up: Ishida Akihiro/石田晃浩
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x2 Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x2 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Eradicator of the Divine Spear, Castor CT
Grade 1
x3 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator, Wyvern Guard Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x4 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x2 Dragonic Deathscythe
x4 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Chou-Ou
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x3 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x3 Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon

Doctor O's Pick: Haryuu Shino/針生凌
Grade 0
x1 Black Dragon Whelp, Vortimer (FVG)
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
x4 Flame of Victory CT
x1 Strike Liberator CT
x3 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Falcon Knight of the Azure DT
Grade 1
x3 Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth
x3 Blessing Owl
x4 Halo Shield, Mark
x4 Scout of Darkness, Vortimer
Grade 2
x2 Blaster Dark Spirit
x1 Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains
x1 Liberator of Silence, Gallatin
x4 Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane
x4 Black Dragon Knight, Vortimer
Grade 3
x4 Spectral Duke Dragon
x3 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot

Junior Class Regional Tournament
Regional Champion: Haryuu Jin'ichi/針生仁壱
Grade 0
x1 Red Pulse Dracokid (FVG)
x4 Seal Dragon, Biera CT
x4 Seal Dragon, Dobi ST
x4 Seal Dragon, Shading HT
x4 Seal Dragon, Artpitch DT
Grade 1
x3 Seal Dragon, Chambray
x3 Seal Dragon, Rinocross
x4 Seal Dragon, Kersey
x4 Seal Dragon, Flannel
Grade 2
x3 Seal Dragon, Corduroy
x4 Seal Dragon, Jakado
x4 Seal Dragon, Hungerhell Dragon
Grade 3
x1 Dauntless Drive Dragon
x4 Seal Dragon, Blockade
x3 Hellfire Seal Dragon, Blockade Inferno

Runner-up: Sato Yuushin/佐藤湧真
Grade 0
x1 Wingal Liberator (FVG)
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Strike Liberator CT
x4 Weapons Liberator, Gwydion DT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x1 Curved Blade Liberator, Josephus
x1 Liberator, Flare Mane Stallion
x2 Liberator of the Future, Llew
x4 Little Liberator, Marron
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
x4 Bomergal the Liberator
Grade 2
x3 Blaster Blade Liberator
x3 Liberator of Silence, Gallatin
x3 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
x2 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
Grade 3
x4 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x2 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot
x2 Wild Dancing Liberator, Mailshion
x1 Goshawk Liberator, Cadeau

Doctor O's Pick: Motoki Takashi/元木崇
Grade 0
x1 Aiming for the Stars, Artemis (FVG)
x4 Bandit Danny DT
x4 Battle Maiden, Kukurihime CT
x4 Cyber Tiger CT
x4 Large Pot Witch, Laurie
Grade 1
x4 Bowstring of Heaven and Earth, Artemis
x3 Battle Maiden, Tatsutahime
x2 Mice Guard, Sirius
x2 Goddess of Self-sacrifice, Kushinada
x1 Snipe Snake
x1 Witch of Cats, Cumin
Grade 2
x4 Twilight Hunter, Artemis
x4 Battle Maiden, Saohime
x2 Mice Guard, Orion
x2 Witch of Owls, Paprika
x1 Clever Jake
Grade 3
x2 Eternal Goddess, Iwanagahime
x2 Battle Deity of the Night, Artemis
x1 Oracle Queen, Himiko
x2 Witch of Wolves, Saffron

Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer, Open Class Sendai Regional Tournament Championship Team
Katou Hirohisa/加藤寛久
Grade 0
x1 Mecha Trainer (FVG)
x4 Sonic Breaker CT
x4 Silence Joker CT
x4 Cheerful Lynx DT
x4 Cheer Girl, Tiara HT
Grade 1
x4 Wonder Boy
x3 Cheer Girl, Marylin
x3 Dudley Daisy
x2 Reckless Express
x1 UFO
Grade 2
x4 Highspeed Brakki
x4 Dudley Mason
x1 Devil Summoner
Grade 3
x3 Demonic Lord, Dudley Emperor
x4 Bad End Dragger
x2 Juggernaut Maximum
x2 Jelly Beans

Masaki Takashi/正木隆志
Grade 0
x1 Spring Breeze Messenger (FVG)
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Strike Liberator CT
x4 Weapons Liberator, Gwydion DT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x4 Curved Blade Liberator, Josephus
x1 Liberator, Flare Mane Stallion
x1 Liberator of the Future, Llew
x4 Little Liberator, Marron
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Blade Liberator
x4 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
x4 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
Grade 3
x4 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x3 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot

Kikuji Toshiyuki/菊地俊志
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Eradicator of the Divine Spear, Castor CT
Grade 1
x4 Eradicator, Wyvern Guard Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x2 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x2 Dragonic Deathscythe
x4 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Chou-Ou
x2 Eradicator, Thunder Boom Dragon
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x2 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x3 Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon

Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer, Student-only Class Sendai Regional Tournament Championship Team
Hajime Shun'ya/原駿矢
Grade 0
x1 Little Witch, LuLu (FVG)
x4 Oracle Guardian, Nike CT
x4 Psychic Bird CT
x4 Battle Sister, Ginger CT
x4 Lozenge Magus HT
Grade 1
x4 Oracle Guardian, Gemini
x4 Battle Sister, Chocolat
x3 Dark Cat
x2 Battle Sister, Omelet
x1 Circle Magus
Grade 2
x4 Battle Sister, Mocha
x2 Oracle Guardian, Wiseman
x1 Battle Sister, Tart
x3 Silent Tom
x1 Battle Sister, Macaron
Grade 3
x4 Battle Sister, Cookie
x4 Scarlet Witch, CoCo

Ishiyama Masaki/石山正起
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe (FVG)
x2 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x2 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x3 Seal Dragon, Artpitch DT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x1 Seal Dragon, Biera CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Mage, Raksha
Grade 1
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x3 Seal Dragon, Kersey
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x3 Dragon Monk, Gojo
Grade 2
x2 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x3 Cross Shot, Garp
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x2 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
x4 Dragonic Overlord

Ishiyama Shunto/石山舜登
Grade 0
x1 Crimson Lion Cub, Kyrph
x4 Silent Punisher CT
x4 Flame of Victory CT
x4 Dantengal CT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x4 Halo Shield, Mark
x4 Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth
x2 Warhorse, Raging Storm
x2 Disciple of Pain
x2 Silver Fang Witch
Grade 2
x4 Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains
x4 Knight of Passion, Bagdemagus
x3 Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane
Grade 3
x4 Blazing Lion, Platina Ezel
x4 Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel