This tournament, which determines the number one player of “Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage,” held qualifying rounds over approximately six months across three regions: North America, Europe, and Asia. Ten elite players who emerged from those fierce qualifiers gathered in Tokyo. The players were divided into Groups A and B and competed in a round-robin format, with the top two from each group advancing to a playoff bracket to determine the ultimate winner. Held 260 meters above ground at a high-rise venue overlooking Tokyo, GLOBAL FINALS 2025 truly became a battle at the summit in every sense.

The ten players hailed from Japan, the United States, Italy, and other countries. With world-class players competing, even the round-robin matches for playoff spots were played at an exceptionally high level and packed with highlights. At this level, precisely landing combos is not enough to secure victory. What ultimately determined victory was whether players could go a step further—reading the flow of the match and anticipating their opponent’s moves. This kind of back‑and‑forth, reminiscent of real martial arts, is exactly what makes the Virtua Fighter series so compelling, and it was this kind of back‑and‑forth, unfolding round after round, that had the audience on the edge of their seats.

Fans from Japan and abroad gathered to witness the moment the world’s best player would be crowned. So many people filled the pre-registration slots that the venue, which holds around 300 people, ended up being standing-room only!

Female Attendee from Osaka

I came here on an overnight bus. Since this is the first world tournament, I’m really impressed by the level of play. I got hooked on Virtua because of the anime, then started playing the games, and before I knew it, I had been playing for about 25 years. The realistic fights make me feel like I’m actually in the action, which is great for stress relief—it’s such a fun game (laughs).

Female Attendee Who Came with Friends

This is my first time attending a live fighting game tournament. I hadn’t played Virtua before, but I’m a big fan of Itabashi Zangief, who’s competing. Actually, I only recently started playing after watching his videos. Virtua is a close‑range fighting game with a lot of depth, so it’s challenging but also incredibly fun.

The Virtua Fighter series, once a social phenomenon, has produced many top-tier players. As the first world tournament for this legendary game, the event also featured Chibita, known as Virtua Legend, and a top player who rose to prominence through Virtua Fighter.

Chibita

　I wanted to watch the first world tournament from the best possible spot, so I made sure to get in early—I was the third person to enter (laughs). Of course, I enjoy official tournaments like this, but Virtua also has regular community events, so I’ve never stopped playing. I started playing Virtua at 13, and now I’m already 45 (laughs). Personally, I think Virtua is the most enjoyable fighting game out there, and its player community is truly exceptional. What I’m most excited about right now is, of course, the New VIRTUA FIGHTER Project. Once it’s released, I think many famous players who are currently focused on other fighting games will return to Virtua, and we might see a new era of all‑out warfare (laughs). I’m really looking forward to it.

Advancing from the round‑robin matches to the playoffs were four players from Japan: Shiokara, Akani Shiwapo, Ton‑chan, and Virgo. Since all four had fought their way through intense matches to get here, their skill levels were extremely close, and even the slightest misstep could shift the momentum in these high‑pressure battles. In the end, Virgo—who won a match that went all the way to the final round—and Ton‑chan, who overwhelmed opponents with relentless offense, secured their spots in the grand finals.

The grand finals between Ton‑chan and Virgo. In fact, they belong to the same team, making this a showdown between training partners who hone their skills together daily.

The finals, played in a first‑to‑three‑rounds, first‑to‑five‑battles format, began with Ton‑chan applying pressure from the very start. Virgo tried to shift the momentum by switching characters mid‑match, but unfortunately, couldn’t stop Ton‑chan’s momentum. Ton‑chan ultimately won 5–1! He claimed victory in the first world tournament in Virtua Fighter history, earning the honor of being the inaugural champion and taking home the $100,000 prize (about 15 million yen).

Ton‑chan, the Champion

It feels amazing! I think I performed better than ever, and my reads were really on point, so I had luck on my side. Virtua has been around for 30 years and continues to evolve as a game. It’s a difficult game, but if you put in the effort, anyone has a chance—so let’s all keep the excitement going!

NERO (Italy)

I’ve been enjoying Virtua Fighter for nearly 20 years. Not only does it give me a strong sense of connection with my opponents, but it has also become an important way for me to express myself. During matches, I’m constantly thinking about how to respond to each situation. Because Japan has such a vibrant offline community, I could really feel—through interacting with the players—that each one has developed a strong sense of their own identity. This tournament was truly memorable, and I’m excited about the chance to face players from around the world again at the 2026 event.

GLOBAL FINALS 2025 concluded with great success, and the 2026 event was also announced. We spoke with Kensaku Nishimura of SEGA SAMMY Group’s SEGA East Publishing Business Unit Marketing Division, who supported the tournament behind the scenes and helped lead it to success.

―― What are your hopes for the future of Virtua?

Nishimura: I believe Virtua Fighter is the kind of game where the community is absolutely central. The VIRTUA FIGHTER Open Championship has already been confirmed for 2026, and for the next tournament, we want to help grow the community beyond borders and language barriers. To do that, we plan to invite key figures from regional communities and build special events around them. Virtua Fighter originally gained popularity in arcades, where the energy of being there in person and the unique offline connections made all the difference. At GLOBAL FINALS 2025, we also held a same-day side event called the JUST TOURNAMENT—an impromptu, single-round, 45-second match tournament—which recreated the excitement of the arcade era and reaffirmed the series’ enduring appeal. Our goal is to revive the bonds the Virtua Fighter series has built over the years, introduce the game to people who haven’t experienced it—including international audiences—and share its unique charm with them.

After GLOBAL FINALS 2025, we also spoke with Seiji Aoki, producer of the completely new “New Virtua Fighter Project” and the long‑running Legacy Virtua Fighter Project, which includes updates to the classic titles that have supported the series for many years.

――Looking back on the tournament, how do you feel?

Aoki: I was thrilled to hear players say things like, “It was the highest-level stage with the best battles ever—simply amazing.” It really made me feel that all the effort we put into preparing over the past year was worth it.

――We heard you personally visited every regional qualifier for the VIRTUA FIGHTER Open Championship.

Aoki: I’ve attended tournaments all over the world, and while there are cultural differences, one thing has been consistent everywhere: the love for Virtua and the high expectations players have for it. Looking ahead, I think it’s important to identify existing local communities worldwide and help nurture new ones. Creating and supporting these communities is our responsibility at SEGA, and I want to take an active role—even if it means going there myself. We also plan to keep updating Virtua and prepare for the New VIRTUA FIGHTER Project. Above all, I want to build excitement together with the players and communities that have supported us, and I truly appreciate their continued support.

VIRTUA FIGHTER Open Championship GLOBAL FINALS 2025 brought together fans from Japan and around the world, highlighting the power of a community built through shared experiences. With the New VIRTUA FIGHTER Project on the horizon, the future of this iconic SEGA franchise has never been more exciting!

SEGA SAMMY Holdings manages the “SEGA SAMMY×SPORTS” X account, where we share sports columns and other content.
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