230 Upcoming Event

The KiShin Merchandise's 'Kosupure' sparked discussions among anime fans across Japan.

A young man in a sharp high school black suit entered the classroom. His friends chatted while other classmates focused on their tasks, and the teacher had yet to arrive.

As Yamazaki Michi joined his friends, one of them mentioned, "Yamazaki-kun, did you hear about KiShin's latest event?"

Perplexed, Yamazaki Michi responded, "Event?" He furrowed his brows and asked, "Is it a video game tournament?"

His friend, Naito Sango, shook his head. "No, it's about anime..."

"Anime?" Yamazaki Michi sounded confused.

Naito Sango nodded. "Exactly. It's about dressing up and embodying characters from KiShin's popular anime."

As an anime fan, Yamazaki Michi was astonished. "An event where you dress as a KiShin anime character?"

Naito Sango and his friends nodded in confirmation. He continued, "That's right. If you dress better and portray the character well in the competition, you might even win awards and rewards!"

"Isn't it interesting, Yamazaki-kun!?"

"The event kicks off on August 3, 1994!"

"I'll be dressing up as Yugi Mutou from Yu-Gi-Oh!"

"Then I'll be Honda..."

Yamazaki Michi and Naito Sango overheard their friends already discussing their roles and anime costumes.

The most popular character will probably be Yugi Mutou, and both Yamazaki Michi and Naito Sango preferred Yugi Mutou too.

"Why are most of us choosing Yugi Mutou?" Yamazaki Michi couldn't help but ask with a wry chuckle.

Naito Sango smiled and said, "Do we need to ask? Because he's cool."

"A bullied young man being cool? Haha..." One of their friends, a Pokemon fan, mocked with a chuckle.

"You didn't watch Yu-Gi-Oh!, did you?" another one of Yamazaki Michi and Naito Sango's friends remarked.

"Nah, I watched it, but the main character's hairstyle is a bit much..."

"You're judging Yu-Gi-Oh! because of a hairstyle!?"

"Of course not... Pokemon is just better..."

"Better? No, I think Yu-Gi-Oh! is better... It has a dark tone from the first episode alone..."

"Just because it has a dark tone doesn't mean it's better. Pokémon is much better and also more popular, alright?"

"Being popular doesn't mean it's better. And besides, just wait for a few more years, and everyone in the world will have heard of Yu-Gi-Oh!"

"Yeah, dream on..."

Yamazaki Michi and Naito Sango looked at each other and wryly chuckled as their friends engaged in another debate on which anime is superior.

In Yamazaki and Naito Sango's opinion, Yu-Gi-Oh! surpasses Pokémon and delves into mature themes, such as an episode where the main character, Yugi Mutou, faces discipline from a strict leader, Ushio. The portrayal of self-righteous figures like Ushio reflects realities in some Japanese schools.

While rumors connect school bullies to the Yakuza, the speculation holds a grain of truth, adding an intriguing layer to the narrative.

The anime's main character, Yugi Mutou, serves as an inspiration to Japanese youth, resonating especially with those in Tokyo who share a love for games.

Given that Yugi Mutou's family owns a game shop, some Yu-Gi-Oh! fans speculate that Shinro Suzuki based the character on himself. Many KiShin enthusiasts consider this an unofficial fact, reinforced by the anime's title, 'Yu-Gi-Oh!,' translating to 'Game King' or 'King of Games.'

If that doesn't say something, they're unsure what will...

Hence, many people essentially accepted a notion without Shin's knowledge: the anime Yu-Gi-Oh, along with its main character, was based on him.

While Shin remained oblivious to this developing consensus about himself, even those close to him felt that the anime Yu-Gi-Oh was rooted in his persona.

---

At the Yamauchi-Gumi headquarters, a traditional Japanese mansion, Yakuza men gathered in the Japanese hall, with Obi Yuu at the center.

"Kosupure, huh?" Obi Yuu mused, holding Yu-Gi-Oh cards.

"That's right... It's happening in Akihabara, and I plan to participate," said a Yakuza member already dressed as Ushio.

"Then I'll take the role of Honda," a man with a formal hairstyle declared.

"I'll be Nes," a Yakuza member holding a Gameboy announced.

"I'm going to be Ox-King..."

As the Yakuza members discussed, one of them asked Obi Yuu, "What about you, Oyabun?"

Obi Yuu stroked his chin in contemplation and replied, "I'm still thinking..."

"What about Yugi Mutou?" suggested one of the Yakuza members.

Silence fell over the group as Obi Yuu looked at the member who made the suggestion. He then stated, "Are you ignorant? Yugi Mutou is the character I will not take, and none of you should either."

"Uh... Is it because Yugi Mutou's character is weak and not manly at all?" The Yakuza member named Ryuji, who made the suggestion, couldn't help but ask. Being new to the Yamauchi-Gumi meeting, he was unfamiliar with the dynamics.

Most Yakuza members looked at Ryuji, some shaking their heads.

Obi Yuu turned his gaze towards Ryuji and slammed his hand on the table. "Of course not because he is weak! Besides, he wasn't entirely weak. Yugi Mutou, especially Yami Yugi, is the character I admire the most!"

"Eh... Then, why?" Ryuji couldn't help but ask.

Obi Yuu locked eyes with Ryuji and explained, "It's because Yugi Mutou, especially Yami Yugi, is based on the King of Games himself, the Kishin-sama Shinro Suzuki!" Observing Ryuji's confusion, Obi Yuu continued, "The Yami Yugi seen in the first episode of Yu-Gi-Oh, I believe to be Shinro Suzuki's way of conveying his true and formidable character through Yami Yugi in the anime." As he explained, his tone carried a hint of excitement.

The sentiment echoed among almost every Yakuza old member in the hall.

Saito and Ryuji exchanged glances. They had recently joined the Yakuza core member gatherings and were still new to the dynamics. They couldn't help but feel a bit shocked at the fervent worship these individuals had for Shinro Suzuki.

"I just spoke to Kishin-sama, and he informed me that he'll take on the role of Yami Yugi in the event," Obi Yuu announced, a revelation that didn't surprise most of the Yakuza members.

Shinro Suzuki will also join the first 'Kosupure' event, as stated in the announcement. This is why it has immediately captured the attention of many people.