Kansai (region)

Kansai is a Japanese Smash region, coterminous with the traditional region of, which includes the prefectures of Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, Shiga, and sometimes Mie. Kansai is regarded as one of the two strongest and most influential Smash regions in Japan, alongside Kantō. The region is also occasionally referred as West Japan, especially historically in regards to its Melee scene, though it is not one of the westernmost regions in the country.



The region has a long history of hosting notable Smash tournaments. One of the most notable tournaments was a 2005 Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament known as the tournament. This tournament may still be the largest Melee tournament ever held in Japan.

Regarding Melee the region would host several notable series including,, , , and most notably. While Sumabato would eventually discontinue hosting Melee tournaments, the series continues to host events for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Sumabato is one of Japan's most famous series and continues to attract top talent from across Japan. In addition, and  continue to host large tournaments in Ultimate. also hosts one of Japan's largest online tournament series, alongside. Finally, the region is famous for the tournament series for Super Smash Bros. 64.

Kansai is the home region of Nintendo, the publisher of the  series, and is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. Nintendo has sponsored some of their own tournaments and events.

The Kansai region is rich in talent, being home to players such as, and.

Top players

 * Formerly ranked 20th on the 2016 64 League Rankings.

Major tournaments hosted

 * A list of significant regional 64 events hosted in Kansai. Nationals are bolded.

Globally ranked players
These Kansai players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
 * 3rd on the RetroSSBMRank 2004 and was one of the best Melee players in the early 2000s.
 * 8th on the RetroSSBMRank 2005
 * Honorable Mention on the RetroSSBMRank 2004

Nationally ranked players
These Kansai players were ranked on the Japan SSBM Rank 2019.

Other notable players

 * Was one of the top Link players in the world during his playing career.
 * Prominent Peach in the early years of Melee. Organized several tournament series including Kansai Ranking Battles,, and.
 * Previously ranked 15th on the Japan SSBM Rank 2018.
 * One of the top Japanese players during the early years of Melee despite Mario generally being regarded as a weaker character in the metagame.
 * Previously ranked 5th on the Japan SSBM Rank 2017.
 * Previously ranked 8th on the Japan SSBM Rank 2018.
 * Previously ranked 19th on the Japan SSBM Rank 2017.
 * Prominent during the 2000s.
 * Prominent during the 2000s.
 * Prominent during the 2000s before moving to Kantō.
 * Prominent during the 2000s.
 * Prominent during the 2000s.
 * Prominent during the 2000s.
 * Prominent during the 2000s before moving to Kantō.
 * Prominent during the 2000s.
 * Prominent during the 2000s.
 * Prominent during the 2000s.

Notable tournament series

 * CrazyHand
 * Kansai Ranking Battles
 * , hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.
 * , hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.
 * , hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.
 * , hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.

Major tournaments hosted
A list of significant regional Melee events hosted in Kansai. Nationals are bolded.

Globally ranked players
This Kansai player was ranked on CLASH Tournaments' 2014 SSBBRank.

Other notable players

 * One of the best Ice Climber players in the world during the early metagame.

Notable tournament series

 * , hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.
 * , hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.

Major tournaments hosted
A list of significant regional Brawl events hosted in Kansai. Nationals are bolded.

Globally ranked players
These Kansai players were ranked on the Panda Global Rankings 100.

Other notable players

 * Ranked 22nd on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 35th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 43rd on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 45th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 52nd on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 57th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 58th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 66th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 77th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 86th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 89th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 90th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 95th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 96th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 96th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 101st on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * One of the strongest Wario players in the would during the early metagame. Ranked 107th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 109th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 110th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 122nd on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 128th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 129th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 134th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 135th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 151st on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 154th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 164th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 170th on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 181st on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 182nd on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 191st on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked 193rd on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * Ranked as high as 13th on the Umebura Smash 4 Power Rankings.
 * Previosuly Ranked 91st on the JAPAN Power Rankings.
 * One of the strongest Wii Fit Trainer players in the world.
 * One of the strongest Wii Fit Trainer players in the world.
 * One of the strongest Wii Fit Trainer players in the world.
 * One of the strongest Wii Fit Trainer players in the world.

Notable tournament series

 * Hyougosumabura, hosted in the Hyōgo Prefecture.
 * , hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.

Major tournaments hosted
A list of significant regional Smash 4 events hosted in Kansai. Nationals are bolded.

Globally ranked players
These Kansai players were ranked on the UltRank 2022 and/or the OrionRank 2022.

These Kantō players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
 * 68th on the OrionRank Ultimate: Eclipse.
 * The best Dr. Mario player in the world. 115th on the OrionRank Ultimate: Eclipse.

Nationally ranked players
These Kansai players were ranked on the Experimental Smash Player Rankings.

Other notable players

 * Previously ranked 44th on the discontinued Japan Player Rankings.
 * Previously ranked 46th on the discontinued Japan Player Rankings.
 * Previosusly ranked 55th on the discontinued Japan Player Rankings.
 * Previously ranked 63rd on the discontinued Japan Player Rankings.
 * Previously ranked 86th on the discontinued Japan Player Rankings.

Notable tournament series

 * ACT hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.
 * Critical Hit hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.
 * DOSUE hosted in the Kyoto Prefecture.
 * hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.
 * , hosted in the Hyōgo Prefecture
 * , hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.
 * , hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.
 * Miesuma, hosted in the Mie Prefecture.
 * , hosted in the Osaka Prefecture.
 * PARASUMA, hosted in the Shiga Prefecture.

Major tournaments hosted
A list of significant regional Ultimate events hosted in Kansai. Super regionals, majors and supermajors are bolded.