Capcom Cup 11 took place recently, culminating in an exciting finale where IBSG|Kakeru emerged victorious, claiming the impressive grand prize of $1,000,000. During the tournament, Kakeru exclusively utilized the character JP, even though there were concerns about JP’s effectiveness after recent nerfs in Season 2 of Street Fighter 6.
Interestingly, none of the top players in the final eight opted to use Mai Shiranui, the newest character introduced in Street Fighter 6. However, Kakeru came close to selecting Mai during his matches at Capcom Cup 11, a point he revealed in a post-tournament interview with Walker Plus. This conversation was translated by Nicholas “MajinTenshinhan” Taylor.
In the interview, Kakeru shared, “I wanted to use Mai, and that’s actually the reason my wife and I were arguing, which I mentioned on stage, ha ha…” This humorous remark illustrates the personal dynamics at play during such an intense competition. The interviewer noted that Kakeru had frequently chosen Mai in ranked matches and wondered if she might appear in his Capcom Cup strategy. Kakeru admitted that his wife encouraged him to stick with JP as they prepared for the high-stakes event.
He explained, “In the end, we decided together that ‘JP is going to work better,’ so I decided to stick with JP only for the event.” This decision proved crucial, as Kakeru would have been the second player to use Mai in the tournament’s top 16, as KSG|Xiaohai had already introduced her as a secondary character. Other players like TM|OilKing and Liquid|Nephew briefly experimented with Mai but were eliminated before they could reach the top 16.
In the grand finals, Kakeru faced 2G|Blaz, a competitor who had established a strong record up to that point, only losing to Kakeru himself. Notably, Blaz was using Ryu, a character that seemed to be flourishing for him despite having the option to choose Ken or Akuma as well.
JP is recognized as a challenging opponent for Ryu, giving Kakeru a favorable matchup. Thus, regardless of Blaz’s prior success, Kakeru managed to maintain his composure and came out on top.
Though it’s impossible to speculate on what would have unfolded had Kakeru opted for Mai Shiranui, given his success with JP, it appears he made the right call for the tournament. Following his triumph, Kakeru expressed a willingness to integrate Mai into his gameplay in the future. He hinted at the possibility of playing her at smaller competitions before showcasing her in a high-stakes environment like the Capcom Cup again.
The competitive scene for Street Fighter 6 is evolving, and players are continuously exploring the potential of different characters. With new balance changes, the strategies may shift rapidly, posing fresh challenges for top players. Kakeru’s journey also reflects the importance of personal support and strategic decision-making in high-pressure scenarios, where even minor choices can lead to a life-altering outcome. As he prepares for future events, fans will be eager to see how he balances his character selections and continues to develop his skills further.