Coming Soon . . .

Don’t worry, I’ll still be posting stuff up about Grand Prix Nagoya this week, but before I sit down and put that post together, I’d like to let you guys know what I’ll be working on in the near future.

First, I’d like to announce that I’m planning on starting a podcast about Magic the Gathering in Japan (mostly Nagoya). The podcast will focus on things such as the Nagoya metagame, events happening around Japan, card discussion, and I’ll be asking guests to appear on my show as well. It won’t be only me talking. I’ll have various players (both foreign and Japanese) on the podcast in the future to give you a real feel for what it’s like to game over here in Japan. Look for the first one sometime before the end of the month, and after that it will be a bi-monthly occurrence.

I’d also like to announce that I’ll be writing exclusively for 60cards.com now. I would have liked to continue writing articles for Star City Games, but they have such amazing and talented writers/players (as well as tons of content) that my articles just won’t cut it and aren’t that relevant for their customers. 60cards.com has been growing very quickly and is a totally free website so I suggest that you check it out! New articles are posted every day and they cover a variety of topics dealing with Magic and gaming. There’s something for everybody there!

Upcoming Trials and big events in Nagoya

If you’re in the city and looking for some high level Magic events (with high point multipliers) this December or January, be sure to check these events out:

• Saturday, 12/15 at 9:30 am – Big Magic is sponsoring a Grand Prix trial for Sydney Australia. The cost is 1500 yen, the format is standard, and the number of players is limited to 36. I don’t think you have to register for this event, but I could be wrong. I’m not sure of the location (I think it’s the Women’s Center a few blocks from exit 1 of Higashi Betsuin Station), so call Big Magic at 052-238-6811 if you’re interested.
• Saturday, 12/22 at 12:30 pm – Toy and Hobby Shop Mishimaya will also be hosting a GP Sydney Trial this month and it will be very similar to Big Magic’s. The cost will be 1500 yen, the number of players is limited to 36, and the format is standard. Be sure to check the “Magic the Gathering” tab at the top of the page for directions to the store from Ozone station.
• Saturday, 1/12 at 9:30 am – Mishimaya is sponsoring the first GP Trial of the new year for GP Yokohama. You can sign up for the event at their store up near Ozone station. The cost is 1500 yen, and the number of participants is limited to 70, so be sure to reserve a spot at the store because if you go there the day of you won’t be able to play. The format will be standard and a winner will get 3 bye rounds at GP Yokohama.Just like previous large GP Trials, the location is Higashi Betsuin Kaikan, the community hall behind Meitetsu Television station. To get there, take the Meijo Subway line to Higashi Betsuin and use exit #4. You’ll see the TV station in front of you, and if you cross the street and walk past it you’ll see Higashi Betsuin Kaikan.
• Saturday, 1/19 at 9:30 am – Big Magic will be sponsoring the second GP Trial for Yokohama, and you can register for the event at their store near Yabacho station. The cost is 1500 yen, the format standard, and the number of participants is limited to 70, so be sure to reserve a spot because if you go there the day of you won’t be able to play. The format will be standard and a winner will get 3 bye rounds at GP Yokohama.Just like before, the location is Higashi Betsuin Kaikan, the community hall behind Meitetsu Television station. To get there, take the Meijo Subway line to Higashi Betsuin and use exit #4. You’ll see the TV station in front of you, and if you cross the street and walk past it you’ll see Higashi Betsuin Kaikan. Registration starts at 9:30, games start at 10 am.

And that’s it for today’s post. I was a little hesitant at first about a Sealed/draft Grand Prix, but the more I think about it the more interested I’m becoming. My sealed/drafting skills are still rather poor, but I plan to practice both in the future before the event in March. There are some really good drafters here in Nagoya, and if I play with them I know I’ll be able to raise up the level of my game play. Thanks for reading and if you have any questions about these events please let me know.