Sako The first thing I had to do since I joined was take some pictures, and now this interview (laughs). Everything seems new and fresh, like I'm starting over from the beginning again. I'm really looking forward to it. I want to work with Ryuusei to liven up the scene.

Ryuusei I just really can't believe that I've joined. I'm sure everyone is thinking "Oh man, there's another new weird pro gamer now!", and I actually think that they're right (laughs).

―― (laughs) Sako-san, what impression do you have of Ryuusei-san?

Sako The "BlazBlue" series is for young people, and I think that he plays it with a young person's sensibilities, and I thought "Yep, he really is young." But when I actually met him and talked with him, I thought that he's actually a bit strange.

Ryuusei Wha, really!?

Sako You're a bit mysterious, and have a unique vibe all your own.

Ryuusei Um, well, I think I'm pretty normal…

―― Ryuusei-san, did you know about Sako before this?

Ryuusei Of course. He's a legendary player from the "Street Fighter IV" series, and he's amazing with combos. When I first met him, he was just like the kind person that I imaged from watching his streams.

――You were already a pro gamer, Sako-san, but how did you feel when you got the offer from FAV gaming?

Sako I was simply overjoyed. I've always been a huge fan of the Famitsu brand, and I have also been on some of their shows. When I think that I'll be able to work with them to "Help cultivate eSports" I get excited. It's like a dream, being able to join a team that is run by the company (Gz Brain) that publishes Famitsu, which I loved ever since I was a kid. I want to try all sorts of new things with that company of my dreams.

―― On the other hand, Ryuusei-san, you have just now become a pro gamer. Why did you want to become a pro gamer?

Ryuusei First, I worried about what it meant for a someone like me, who hasn't proven himself in Street Fighter or left any marks in tournaments, to call himself a pro gamer? But, we talked about how by joining a team, my goal should be to become stronger, and since they said that I thought it would be a great chance.

Sako You never know where your next chance will come from. The question for you is, what will you do with this chance you have now?

Ryuusei Yes. Please Sako-san, give me your support …

Sako I'll help you as much as I can, but in the end, it is up to you, right?

Ryuusei I'll do my best!

―― What kinds of activities do you two want to do now as part of FAV gaming?

Sako I feel like FAV Gaming will allow me to do some things that up until now I have not been able to do. I think that it will be much easier to reach out to non-gaming regular people as not just part of Game Media that started with Weekly Famitsu, but also the larger Kadokawa Publishing business. Actually, I have many fans that are overseas, and I'm happy that I'm able to reach out to them. If we can work together on that, I think I can grow not just as a player but in the business sense as well.

Ryuusei I'm sure everyone is thinking "Ryuusei? Who's that?" I think now there are many different types of people that can become pro gamers. I'm an example of someone caught up in that wave that isn't your typical pro gamer. I mean, I haven't won anything yet. So while I might be a bit atypical now, I'll keep practicing and I'll show people through my game play that "Yeah, he's really a pro gamer".

―― So what do you two think about the team concept of FAV Gaming, "Have fun and win"?

Sako That just fits my game life as I am now perfectly. My whole life until now, I've been having fun playing and winning, and I can't think of any other team concept that would match so well with what I have become.

Ryuusei Well, I don't have the record that Sako has, and I'm worried about what I'll do if I can't get good results … So I'm a bit worried about it. I wonder if I really will be able to have fun and win in the future …?

―― I see. So for you, Ryuusei, your style is that more than having fun, you enjoy winning?

Ryuusei I always felt that winning was everything in a tournament, and "it isn't fun if I don't win". But the more I play, the stronger I get, so I keep playing. But personally, I think at any competition Street Fighter V is the most interesting game. Because the overall level of play is very high, all the competitors are super serious, it's like a different world. I'm so nervous my hands shake, and you really try to defeat your opponent with all your strength, it just isn't the kind of experience you can get living a normal life. I want to experience more of that in Street Fighter V. In that way, I really think I can have fun playing games, and I'm super excited about it.

―― Ryuusei-san, while you will be active as a pro gamer, I also heard that you will take part in Famitsu productions and work as a writer as well. Can you tell me about that?

Ryuusei I was really surprised when I heard that "What? I'll be employed there!? I'll be typing on a computer and stuff!?" I couldn't believe that a day like this would come, all of a sudden. I've been able to help out with preparing a few articles for Famitsu, and it's been a lot of fun. I really would like to try to interview some pro players once I've become good enough to handle that kind of thing (laughs).