In a BSJapanext exclusive special program, it was announced that the BSJapanext team will officially be named “BEAST Japanext”. The team also revealed their logo, the eight candidates for their Draft Audition and the format of the tournament.
Name and Logo
BEAST Japanext incorporates the company’s name as well as representing a fierce and brave entity, just like the team.
Their logo (and presumably team mascot) is a wolf with the stylized letters “BS” on its mane. It also features the team’s name with the letters “BS” highlighted.
Eight Audition Candidates
In addition, the broadcast revealed the eight players that will be taking part in the draft audition. One by one, they players were called on their phone live on air.
Takeuchi Genta (竹内 元太)
The first player to be chosen was Takeuchi Genta (竹内元太) from Saikouisen. Takeuchi is the current title holder for Saikouisen’s top league. He was doing a livestream watch-along when he got the call and answered it live on his stream.
- Name: Takeuchi Genta (竹内元太)
- Born: March 12, 1982
- Pro Organization: Saikouisen
- Pro since: 2013
- Height: 190cm (6’3″)
- Current League: A1
- Titles
- 2022 BIG1 Cup (BIG1カップ)
- 47th Saikoui (最高位)
- Twitter: @takeuchigenta
Asai Takaki (浅井 堂岐)
The next player to get the call was Asai Takaki (浅井堂岐) from NPM. He is the current title holder for NPM’s highest league. Like Takeuchi, Asai was doing a watch-along when he got the call.
- Name: Asai Takaki (浅井 堂岐)
- Born: December 24, 1985
- Pro Organization: Nihon Pro Mahjong (NPM)
- Pro since: 2010
- Current league: A1
- Titles
- 21st Mahjong King (雀王)
- Twitter: @taka12taka24
Miyauchi Kozue (宮内 こずえ)
As the third player answered the phone, we got our first female pro. It was longtime and well-known pro Miyauchi Kozue from the JPML.
- Name: Miyauchi Kozue (宮内 こずえ)
- Pro Organization: Japan Professional Mahjong League (JPML)
- Born: March 28, 1980
- Pro since: 2002
- Current leagues: C2, Women’s C1
- Titles
- 10th Cherry Blossom Cup (女流桜花)
- 14th Pro Queen (プロクイーン)
- 4th・7th Mondo 21 Women’s Cup (女流モンド21杯)
- Twitter: @kozuemiyauchi
Yamai Hiroshi (山井 弘)
The fourth player chosen was JPML’s Yamai Hiroshi, the winner of the first-ever World Riichi Championship.
- Name: Yamai Hiroshi (山井弘)
- Born: February 3, 1970
- Pro Organization: Japan Professional Mahjong League (JPML)
- Pro since: 1998
- Current league: B2
- Titles
- 2014 WRC Champion
- 20th Champions League (チャンピオンズリーグ)
- 15th Mondo Cup (モンド杯)
- Twitter: @yamaihirosi
Sugawara Hiroe (菅原 千瑛)
The fifth player was another one popular overseas, Sugawara Hiroe from the JPML.
- Name: Sugawara Hiroe (菅原 千瑛)
- Born: December 2, 1991
- Pro Organization: Japan Professional Mahjong League (JPML)
- Pro since: 2012
- Current league: C2, Women’s A
- Titles
- 2021 RTD Girls Tournament
- 2nd Sakura Bud Tournament (桜蕾戦)
- Twitter: @hiroesugawara
Arai Keibun (新井 啓文)
The 6th player to be announced was Arai Keibun, the winner of the saikouisen league back in 2013. Like many others, he was doing a stream when he got the call.
- Name: Arai Keibun (新井啓文)
- Pro Organization: Saikouisen
- Born: July 20, 1979
- Pro since: 2001
- Current League: A1
- Titles
- 38th Saikoui (最高位)
- Twitter: @araikeibun
Uchida Miko (内田 みこ)
The 7th player was one that is a bit lesser known but still popular: Uchida Miko from the JPML.
- Name: Uchida Miko (内田 みこ)
- Born: July 1, 1996
- Pro Organization: Japan Professional Mahjong League (JPML)
- Pro since: 2017
- Current league: Women’s C2
- Titles
- 14th Yukan Fuji Cup (夕刊フジ杯)
- Twitter: @mikomiko_u
Ishibashi Nobuhiro (石橋 伸洋)
After a commercial break for added suspense, the final player was announced. A familiar face for fans of M-League it was none other than former U-Next Pirates player Ishibashi Nobuhiro!
- Name: Ishibashi Nobuhiro (石橋伸洋)
- Pro Organization: Saikouisen
- Born: September 29, 1980
- Pro since: 2003
- Current League: A2
- Titles
- Former U-Next Pirates member (2018-2019 season to 2021-22 season) (including 2019-20 championship)
- 36th Saikoui (最高位)
- 19th Dragon King Cup (發王位)
- 10th Mondo Cup
- 3rd Tenhou Meijinsen (天鳳名人戦)
- Twitter: @rate1484
Tournament Format
After all eight players were named and contacted, the tournament format was announced on the broadcast and posted on the team’s website.
- Players will be split into two groups (Group A and Group B)
- Each group will play 4 games
- The top player from each group advances to the finals
- 2nd and 3rd advance to the semifinals
- 2nd and 3rd players from the previous round will play 4 games for the semifinals
- 1st and 2nd from the semifinals advance to the finals
- The four finalists play 4 games and the top player will be guaranteed a spot on the BEAST Japanext!
Middle: Semifinals (1st and 2nd advance to finals)
Bottom: Finals (Winner gets drafted)
Qualifying rounds will take place on June 3 and 4, the semifinals will take place on June 10 and the finals will take place on June 17. All broadcasts will start at 12:00 JST and will be shown live on the ABEMA Mahjong Channel.
Starting Groups
Group A
Group B
With the broadcast over, the team updated their website and created their Twitter handle @BEAST_Japanext, ready to keep fans informed with all the latest information!
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