Five Barrier-Free Esports Players, Including Jeni and NAOYA, to Compete at "EVO Japan 2026," a Fighting Game Festival
ePARA Inc. announced that five barrier-free esports players, including Jeni and NAOYA, will participate in "EVO Japan 2026," held from May 1, 2026. This initiative aims to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities through esports, leveraging adapted devices and sound accessibility.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 25, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 15:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 23:10 (7h 38m after Collected)
ePARA Inc. (Headquarters: Toda City, Saitama Prefecture; Representative Director: Daiki Kato), which advocates for barrier-free esports, is pleased to announce that five barrier-free esports players will participate in the "Street Fighter 6" (hereinafter, SF6) division at "EVO Japan 2026 presented by RIVATEC," the world's largest fighting game tournament, held from May 1st (Friday) to May 3rd (Sunday), 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight.
ePARA Inc. has been continuously engaged in activities that expand the potential of individuals with disabilities through esports. At "EVO Japan 2026," these players will take on the challenge to win as many matches as possible, utilizing adapted devices and sound accessibility.
We kindly ask for your enthusiastic support for the five para esports players joining us at the venue.
■ Participating Players
Jeni
A player with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Fights using a self-made controller operated by his jaw. Participated in "EVO (Las Vegas)," the world's largest tournament, in 2024. Producer of "Hachif," the largest fighting game event in Tohoku.
DAIJIROO
A player with congenital multiple arthrogryposis.
Reached Master rank with a unique style, controlling two Access™ controllers with his hands and feet. At "Hachif," he engaged in fierce battles, even teaming up with popular streamers.
NAOYA
A blind esports player.
Using the sound accessibility feature of "SF6," which he also supervised in its development, he became the first blind Japanese player to reach Master rank in 2025 (according to our research). He also achieved his first victory at EVO Japan 2025.
sasadan5
A blind esports player.
On his YouTube channel, he showcases his Master rank gameplay utilizing sound accessibility. His precise combos and situational judgment continue to expand the possibilities of play without relying on visual information.
Echizen
A blind esports player.
Actively collaborates with ePARA's activities, including accessibility verification, event support, and serving as an instructor for barrier-free esports schools. He enjoys anime and music and is skilled at Taiko no Tatsujin.
■ [Side Event] Barrier-Free Esports Experience Booth
On the first day of the tournament, a booth will be set up for general visitors to experience the world of barrier-free esports.
Date
May 1, 2026 (Friday) 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location
Special Area for Side Events within the EVO Japan 2026 Venue
Tokyo Big Sight East Halls 1, 2, 3 (3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo)
Content
・"Shingan" (Mind's Eye) play experience booth
・Exhibition introducing ingenuity in barrier-free setups
・Interaction with barrier-free esports players
Participation Fee
Free
Remarks
Implementation times may change.
■ Project Introduction
LIFE IS 1CREDIT
"Life is a one-shot challenge, a one-time attempt with no continues."
This project was launched primarily by Jeni (Shunya Hatakeyama), whose physical functions are largely limited by Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Jeni and Daijiroo will participate in this tournament. It embodies the idea that even with severe physical disabilities, through innovative devices like special jaw-operated controllers, players can compete on the same playing field as able-bodied individuals.
Project Introduction Page: https://epara.co.jp/life-is-one-credit/
SHINGAN (Mind's Eye)
"There's a world visible because you can't see it. Can blindness be a weapon?"
This is a team of blind players who fight relying solely on sound accessibility (guidance through sound), without using visual information. NAOYA, sasadan5, and Echizen will participate in this tournament. Leveraging their expertise, which included supervising the sound design of "Street Fighter 6," they achieve deep fighting game strategies relying on sound.
Project Introduction Page: https://epara.co.jp/shingan/
■ EVO Japan 2026 Event Overview
"EVO Japan" is the largest festival of its kind in Japan, inheriting the spirit of "EVO," the world's largest fighting game tournament held in North America.
Dates
May 1st (Friday) – May 3rd (Sunday), 2026
Venue
Tokyo Big Sight International Exhibition Center East Halls 1, 2, 3
3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Official Website
https://www.evojapan.gg/
Street Fighter 6
Main Tournament
Top players from around the world gather.
ePARA Inc. has been continuously engaged in activities that expand the potential of individuals with disabilities through esports. At "EVO Japan 2026," these players will take on the challenge to win as many matches as possible, utilizing adapted devices and sound accessibility.
We kindly ask for your enthusiastic support for the five para esports players joining us at the venue.
■ Participating Players
Jeni
A player with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Fights using a self-made controller operated by his jaw. Participated in "EVO (Las Vegas)," the world's largest tournament, in 2024. Producer of "Hachif," the largest fighting game event in Tohoku.
DAIJIROO
A player with congenital multiple arthrogryposis.
Reached Master rank with a unique style, controlling two Access™ controllers with his hands and feet. At "Hachif," he engaged in fierce battles, even teaming up with popular streamers.
NAOYA
A blind esports player.
Using the sound accessibility feature of "SF6," which he also supervised in its development, he became the first blind Japanese player to reach Master rank in 2025 (according to our research). He also achieved his first victory at EVO Japan 2025.
sasadan5
A blind esports player.
On his YouTube channel, he showcases his Master rank gameplay utilizing sound accessibility. His precise combos and situational judgment continue to expand the possibilities of play without relying on visual information.
Echizen
A blind esports player.
Actively collaborates with ePARA's activities, including accessibility verification, event support, and serving as an instructor for barrier-free esports schools. He enjoys anime and music and is skilled at Taiko no Tatsujin.
■ [Side Event] Barrier-Free Esports Experience Booth
On the first day of the tournament, a booth will be set up for general visitors to experience the world of barrier-free esports.
Date
May 1, 2026 (Friday) 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location
Special Area for Side Events within the EVO Japan 2026 Venue
Tokyo Big Sight East Halls 1, 2, 3 (3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo)
Content
・"Shingan" (Mind's Eye) play experience booth
・Exhibition introducing ingenuity in barrier-free setups
・Interaction with barrier-free esports players
Participation Fee
Free
Remarks
Implementation times may change.
■ Project Introduction
LIFE IS 1CREDIT
"Life is a one-shot challenge, a one-time attempt with no continues."
This project was launched primarily by Jeni (Shunya Hatakeyama), whose physical functions are largely limited by Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Jeni and Daijiroo will participate in this tournament. It embodies the idea that even with severe physical disabilities, through innovative devices like special jaw-operated controllers, players can compete on the same playing field as able-bodied individuals.
Project Introduction Page: https://epara.co.jp/life-is-one-credit/
SHINGAN (Mind's Eye)
"There's a world visible because you can't see it. Can blindness be a weapon?"
This is a team of blind players who fight relying solely on sound accessibility (guidance through sound), without using visual information. NAOYA, sasadan5, and Echizen will participate in this tournament. Leveraging their expertise, which included supervising the sound design of "Street Fighter 6," they achieve deep fighting game strategies relying on sound.
Project Introduction Page: https://epara.co.jp/shingan/
■ EVO Japan 2026 Event Overview
"EVO Japan" is the largest festival of its kind in Japan, inheriting the spirit of "EVO," the world's largest fighting game tournament held in North America.
Dates
May 1st (Friday) – May 3rd (Sunday), 2026
Venue
Tokyo Big Sight International Exhibition Center East Halls 1, 2, 3
3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Official Website
https://www.evojapan.gg/
Street Fighter 6
Main Tournament
Top players from around the world gather.