The Roster That Has Everyone Talking
The Evolution Championship Series just dropped the official game lineup for EVO Japan 2026, and the fighting game community is absolutely losing it over the inclusion of some legendary retro titles. The event runs from May 1-3, 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, and will feature 12 main tournament games including modern heavyweights like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 alongside arcade classics that haven’t seen major tournament play in years. Most notably, Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) and Vampire Savior are making their EVO Japan debuts, bringing competitive kusoge and Darkstalkers action to the main stage.
This announcement came during the 2026 EVO Announcement Show, where both the Las Vegas and Japan lineups were revealed simultaneously. While EVO Vegas leans heavier into modern releases and Western preferences, EVO Japan’s roster celebrates the arcade heritage that made Japan the birthplace of competitive fighting games. The combination of cutting-edge titles like 2XKO and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves with decades-old classics like Vampire Savior creates a lineup that respects both the genre’s past and its future.
The Complete EVO Japan 2026 Game List
Here’s the full 12-game roster that will dominate Tokyo Big Sight next May. Each title represents a distinct subgenre of fighting games, ensuring there’s something for every type of competitor and spectator.
- Street Fighter 6 (third EVO Japan appearance)
- Tekken 8 (third EVO Japan appearance)
- Guilty Gear Strive (fifth EVO Japan appearance)
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves (first EVO Japan appearance)
- Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (third EVO Japan appearance)
- The King of Fighters XV (fourth EVO Japan appearance)
- 2XKO (first EVO Japan appearance)
- Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage (first EVO Japan appearance)
- Hokuto no Ken (first EVO Japan appearance)
- Melty Blood: Type Lumina (second EVO Japan appearance)
- Vampire Savior (first EVO Japan appearance)
- Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes (second EVO Japan appearance)
The mix is deliberate. Modern games like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 anchor the lineup with massive player bases and mainstream appeal. Anime fighters like Guilty Gear Strive and Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising represent the technical, air-dash heavy subgenre. Then you’ve got the wildcard retro inclusions that make this distinctly Japanese, celebrating arcade history in ways Western tournaments typically don’t.
Hokuto no Ken Finally Gets Its Moment
The biggest surprise for hardcore fighting game enthusiasts is Hokuto no Ken making its EVO Japan main stage debut. For those unfamiliar, this is the 2005 Arc System Works fighting game based on Fist of the North Star that’s achieved legendary status as competitive kusoge. Kusoge literally translates to garbage game, but in fighting game circles it’s become a term of endearment for broken, imbalanced titles that are somehow incredibly fun to play competitively because of their absurdity.
Hokuto no Ken is gloriously broken. Characters can perform infinite combos. The game has 100 percent touch-of-death sequences where one hit leads to your opponent’s entire health bar disappearing. Balance is nonexistent, with certain characters so dominant that tier lists become irrelevant. Yet the game has maintained a dedicated competitive scene for two decades precisely because of this chaos. Mastering Hokuto no Ken isn’t about learning balanced neutral game, it’s about execution perfection and the mental fortitude to land that first hit knowing the round is over.
Bringing Hokuto no Ken to EVO Japan’s main stage legitimizes a scene that’s operated in the shadows for years. This isn’t a throwback exhibition match for nostalgia. This is a full tournament with brackets, prize money, and championship prestige. Players who’ve spent years mastering this ridiculous game finally get their moment on the biggest Japanese fighting game stage. Expect absolute madness when top Hokuto no Ken players start pulling off 100 percent combos live in front of thousands of spectators.
Vampire Savior Represents Darkstalkers Legacy
Vampire Savior, known as Darkstalkers 3 in the West, is the other massive retro inclusion making its EVO Japan debut. Released in 1997, Vampire Savior represents Capcom’s gothic horror fighting game franchise at its peak. The game features characters like Morrigan, Demitri, and Felicia battling across nightmarish stages with some of the most gorgeous 2D sprite animation ever produced. The gameplay is fast, aggressive, and rewards offensive pressure over defensive play.
Unlike Hokuto no Ken’s kusoge reputation, Vampire Savior is a genuinely well-designed fighting game that’s stood the test of time. The chain combo system allows for creative offense, the pushblock defensive mechanic keeps pressure from becoming overwhelming, and character variety ensures matchups stay interesting. Japanese arcades have kept Vampire Savior alive for nearly three decades, with dedicated players maintaining the competitive scene even as Capcom seemingly abandoned the Darkstalkers franchise.
Including Vampire Savior at EVO Japan 2026 is a statement about preserving fighting game history. While modern games chase photorealistic graphics and netcode improvements, Vampire Savior proves that brilliant game design and artistic vision can create experiences that remain relevant 28 years after release. The tournament will showcase players who’ve dedicated decades to mastering a game Capcom has largely ignored, keeping the Darkstalkers legacy alive through pure passion.
Modern Releases Get Their Spotlight Too
Beyond the retro love, EVO Japan 2026 gives major real estate to brand-new releases that are defining fighting games in 2025 and beyond. Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves finally launches in April 2025, and by May it’ll have its first EVO Japan champion crowned. The game represents SNK’s return to their roots after years of focusing on The King of Fighters, bringing back Terry Bogard and the Fatal Fury universe with modern gameplay mechanics and stunning visuals.
2XKO, Riot Games’ ambitious League of Legends fighting game, also makes its EVO Japan debut. This is Riot’s first serious attempt at the fighting game genre, and early impressions from beta testers suggest they’re taking it seriously. The tag team mechanics, character roster pulling from League’s massive champion pool, and Riot’s commitment to rollback netcode and long-term support could make 2XKO a genuine competitor to established franchises. EVO Japan gives the game a crucial testing ground in the market that essentially invented competitive fighting games.
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage rounds out the new additions. Sega’s 3D fighting franchise has been dormant for over a decade, and this updated version represents a chance to remind the world why Virtua Fighter was once considered the pinnacle of technical fighting game design. The slow, deliberate pace and emphasis on fundamentals over flashy combos makes Virtua Fighter a stark contrast to the speed and chaos of games like Guilty Gear Strive. Having both represented at EVO Japan showcases the genre’s incredible diversity.
The Anime Fighter Representation
Anime fighting games get serious love in the EVO Japan lineup with Guilty Gear Strive making its fifth appearance, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising returning for round three, Melty Blood: Type Lumina back for its second showing, and Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes competing in its second EVO Japan. These games share DNA through their emphasis on aggressive offense, air mobility, Roman cancels or similar systems that break normal combo rules, and character designs that look ripped from anime series.
Guilty Gear Strive has become the face of modern anime fighters, simplifying some of Arc System Works’ traditionally complex systems to create something more accessible without sacrificing depth. The game’s stunning visuals, heavy metal soundtrack, and flashy gameplay have attracted both hardcore anime fighter fans and curious newcomers. Its fifth EVO Japan appearance cements its status as a pillar of the competitive scene.
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising takes a different approach, using simplified inputs and a focus on neutral game to make anime fighter aesthetics accessible to players intimidated by complex motion inputs. The game’s popularity in Japan, tied to the massive mobile game franchise it’s based on, ensures strong tournament attendance. Melty Blood and Under Night represent the doujin fighting game scene, titles created with smaller budgets but passionate development teams that prioritize gameplay over production values.
What’s Missing and Why It Matters
Sharp-eyed fighting game fans will notice some conspicuous absences from the EVO Japan lineup. Mortal Kombat 1, which appears at EVO Vegas, is nowhere to be seen. This isn’t surprising given Mortal Kombat’s minimal presence in Japanese arcades and the franchise’s Western-centric design philosophy. The gore and emphasis on block strings over combos doesn’t resonate with Japanese audiences the way it does in North America and Europe.
More surprising is the absence of any Dragon Ball FighterZ or Marvel vs. Capcom representation. Both franchises have historically performed well at EVO events, but the lineup suggests organizers wanted to focus on currently active competitive scenes rather than games past their peak popularity. Dragon Ball FighterZ’s player base has declined significantly since its 2018 launch, and with no Marvel vs. Capcom game having recent developer support, neither made the cut.
The decision to include Hokuto no Ken and Vampire Savior instead of more modern alternatives shows EVO Japan prioritizing cultural significance over raw player numbers. These retro titles celebrate Japanese arcade history in ways Marvel vs. Capcom simply can’t. It’s a statement that EVO Japan isn’t just EVO Vegas with different branding, it’s a fundamentally different event that values different things.
When and How to Watch
EVO Japan 2026 runs from May 1-3, 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo. Registration is already open at evo.gg for competitors who want to secure their spots. The event happens about a month and a half before EVO Vegas (June 26-28), making it the first major EVO of the year and setting the tone for the entire competitive season.
For viewers who can’t make the trip to Tokyo, expect full streaming coverage across multiple channels. Past EVO Japan events have been broadcast with English and Japanese commentary tracks, allowing global audiences to experience the action regardless of language preference. The time zone difference means late-night or early-morning viewing for Western audiences, but the unique game selection makes it worth the awkward hours.
Early bird tickets are available now for those planning to attend in person. Tokyo Big Sight is easily accessible via public transportation, and the event typically features vendor halls, casual setups for players to practice between matches, and opportunities to meet professional players and community figures. If you’ve never experienced a major fighting game tournament in Japan, EVO Japan offers the full arcade culture immersion experience.
FAQs
When is EVO Japan 2026?
EVO Japan 2026 runs from May 1-3, 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan. This is about six weeks before EVO Vegas, which happens June 26-28 in Las Vegas.
What is Hokuto no Ken and why is it in the lineup?
Hokuto no Ken is a 2005 Arc System Works fighting game based on Fist of the North Star. It’s famous as competitive kusoge (broken game that’s fun competitively) with infinite combos and touch-of-death sequences. It has a dedicated competitive scene that’s finally getting main stage recognition.
Is Vampire Savior the same as Darkstalkers?
Yes, Vampire Savior is known as Darkstalkers 3 in Western markets. It’s the third entry in Capcom’s gothic horror fighting game franchise and is considered the series’ peak. The game launched in 1997 and maintains an active competitive scene in Japanese arcades.
Why isn’t Mortal Kombat at EVO Japan?
Mortal Kombat has minimal presence in Japanese arcades and doesn’t resonate with Japanese fighting game culture the way it does in Western markets. The gore, block string emphasis, and design philosophy skew heavily toward North American and European audiences.
What is 2XKO?
2XKO is Riot Games’ League of Legends fighting game launching in 2025. It features tag team mechanics with characters from League’s massive champion pool. This will be its first EVO Japan appearance, serving as a major test in the Japanese competitive market.
How many games are at EVO Japan 2026?
EVO Japan 2026 features 12 main tournament games. This matches the EVO Vegas lineup count, though with different game selections that reflect Japanese arcade culture and competitive preferences.
Can I register to compete?
Yes, registration is currently open at evo.gg. Competitors can sign up for any of the 12 main tournament games. Early bird tickets are available for both competitors and spectators planning to attend in person.
Will there be English commentary?
Past EVO Japan events have offered both English and Japanese commentary streams. Expect similar coverage for 2026, allowing global audiences to follow the action regardless of language preference.
Conclusion
EVO Japan 2026’s lineup represents everything that makes the Japanese fighting game scene special. By balancing modern heavyweights like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 with retro classics like Hokuto no Ken and Vampire Savior, the event celebrates both where fighting games are going and where they’ve been. The inclusion of kusoge and decades-old arcade titles on the main stage sends a message that competitive fighting games aren’t just about the latest releases with the biggest marketing budgets. They’re about passion, community, and respecting the history that built this entire genre. Whether you’re a Street Fighter purist, an anime fighter enthusiast, or someone curious about why people are still competitively playing a 28-year-old vampire game, EVO Japan 2026 has something for you. Mark your calendars for May 1-3, clear your schedule for some late-night or early-morning viewing if you’re outside Japan, and prepare to witness fighting game excellence across three decades of genre evolution. This is what happens when tournament organizers aren’t afraid to take risks and trust that audiences will appreciate diversity in game selection. EVO Japan doesn’t just showcase the present state of fighting games, it honors the past while building toward the future.