After months of waiting, we are back! 262 thrilling games will decide who will be the next M-League champions! The past few days were quite exciting, with the opening ceremony, new overlays and AI, and a rare yaku that was won three times in just this week alone! There’s so much to get into, so let’s get right into, shall we?
If you’re a total beginner to M-League, make sure to check out our Beginner’s Guide To M-League first!
Opening Ceremony
On September 16, 2024 at 17:30 JST, the opening ceremony for the M-League 2024-25 season began. Fans packed the Bellesalle Roppongi to watch it all live. The MC for the night was Hayashi Misaki.
Going in reverse standings order from last season, each team and all the players were introduced as the walked down the aisle and onto the stage.
With the U-Next Pirates being last season’s champions, they came onto the stage last with team captain Kobayashi carrying the championship plate. Once there, he ceremoniously returned the plate to M-League chairman Fujita Susumu.
Each team was given a chance to give a speech, with new players Takeuchi Genta (竹内元太) and Asai Takaki (浅井堂岐) saying a few words as well. Once all the teams were done, M-League senior advisor Kawabuchi Saburo came onto the stage and official opened the 2024-25 season. With a big cheer, the season began!
What’s New
Sony Shousuushii/Daisuushii Campaign
As part of their new sponsorship deal with Sony Assurance, there is a new prize campaign.
If a player wins either a shousuushii or a daisuushii yakuman during the season, Sony Assurance will be giving away 10 LSPX-S3 Sony Glass Sound Speakers through a social media campaign. Should it occur, details will be posted on the official Sony Assurance Twitter/X account.
New Angles
During the player entrances, they will now show a variety of different angles.
Call Display
When it’s a player’s camera view, the broadcast will now display the player’s calls. Previously, players had to remember or rely on the commentary.
Winning Tile Count and Furiten Colour Indicator
Using the power of AI, when a player is in tenpai, the broadcast now displays how many winning tiles are left in the wall (though it can be delayed or inaccurate during the period that calls are being made). When there are zero left, it animates slightly and the number 0 goes dark. This makes it much easier to approximate who has the higher chance of winning the hand and if the wait is dead.
The display will also be a different colour if the player is in furiten.
For everything else that’s new this season, check out our recent article: M-League 2024-25: What’s New
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