Let’s take a look back at some photos from the event to get a feel for the weekend’s atmosphere, as well as a sampling of the smaller stories that bubbled up.
First up, a sojourn to the artist’s booth towards the back of the venue, where guest artist Rob Alexander holds his signing.
Rob Alexander makes full use of his wide array of paint pens.
He sets out a vast variety of beautiful playmats. And while there are plenty to choose from on the morning of the very first day, sure enough, they sell out one after another.
Just the day before the event itself, Rob Alexander painted this piece in oil during a live painting demonstration, and you could even still smell the faint scent of fresh paint.
One fan brings her sakura-themed [cherry blossom] Rob Alexander playmat to dedicate to little Sakura, her daughter, seated at front. Maybe just a bit longer before she can understand the significance of the memento?
This is the same fan’s Underground Sea extended-art alter. Most of the original card is painted over, so the piece really has quite a full-force effect.
Finishing up a beautiful ink piece deftly drawn in gray markers and pen on a blank playmat. The fan who commissioned the piece notes, “I chose Armageddon for a spot illustration and he just knocked it out of the park.”
And now let’s take a look at how the main event is shaping up. This year 139 hopefuls battle it out at the Hareruya Tournament Center.
Hareruya Manager Chikara Nakajima gives the opening remarks to kick things off, “Please enjoy the event, and let’s have some fun.”
Hareruya is decked out with Christmas decorations everywhere. Even the standings board is getting into the spirit.
This Legacy-round feature match yields a hasty, turn two Emrakul, the Aeons Torn attacking at the behest of Katsuhiro Mori.
Between rounds, it is bit of a tradition for pro players to gather at the feature match area to play looser, rowdier, and less-than-pro-level “wai-wai” games.
Manager Nakajima and President Tomoharu Saito (alternating with Wataru Ito, not pictured) call the games both days over NicoNico Live, and between rounds bring in special guests to chat (pictured at center, Pro Tour Battle for Zendikar champion Kazuyuki Takimura).
Just visible at the bottom of the frame, Chandra’s Ignition has successfully fired off, providing a big burst of life for arsonist Yuki Matsumoto.
Hall of Famer Shota Yasooka is often requested to sign cards like Dragonlord Silumgar.
Hall of Famer Kenji Tsumura transforms into a coverage reporter for the final round, taking diligent notes during the match.
The judging staff surrounds Rob Alexander for the judges’ group photo. Great thanks to them for helping the event run so smoothly.
The finals end around 11pm, so some spectators have headed home, but everyone, including opponent Nobuo Saitou, gives hearty applause to champion Shota Yasooka upon his victory.
And thus we wrap up the event to determine the strongest Constructed player of 2015. See you next year!
