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Bathed in the glow of the monitor, a man grips a controller. This is Mago. For him, still active in the fighting game scene at 40 years old, this space is more than just a workplace—it's the stage of his life itself.
"I wasn't fast, I wasn't particularly handsome, and I wasn't popular at school—I had no special talents like that. But somehow, I was a little better at fighting games than other people."
That was how his journey with fighting games began.
The first time he found "his unique strength"
──Tell us about your first encounter with fighting games.
Mago: Having an older brother was a big factor. He loved games, so we had a Super Famicom and a Game Boy at home. Watching him have so much fun, I really wanted to play too.
But when my brother was playing, if I watched him from behind, my parents would count that as me "playing a game." So when I'd say, "I want to play too," they'd say, "Didn't you just play?" (laughs). I hardly ever got to play.
Then fighting games came out, and my brother said, "It's boring by myself, so you play too." That was my only chance to get my hands on a game.
──It sounds like a strict environment, where just watching counted as playing (laughs).
Mago: Because I had my brother, I was a little better than other people. Until then, I had nothing I could be proud of. I wasn't fast, and I wasn't particularly popular. But I was better than others at fighting games. It was the first time I felt, "I can win against people with this," and I really got into it.
A少年 who preferred arcades to cram schools
Mago: My family was very focused on education. I had a private tutor and attended local cram schools and even a prep school in Yokohama Station. The people at the cram school told us not to go through entertainment districts, but I thought, "It's closer this way," so I'd take that route and often get sidetracked by arcades. Before I knew it, I'd end up at the arcade instead of the cram school.
Even when my parents asked me to go buy cigarettes, I'd detour to the arcade before going to the tobacco shop. Of course, it would take longer, and some of the change would disappear into game money. I think my parents knew, though; that's how I operated.
──You completely succumbed to the allure of the arcade (laughs). I guess your parents noticed.
Mago: I think my parents knew. But yeah, that's how I was.
Life choices in an era without the concept of "pro"
──What led you to become a professional gamer?
Mago: Back then, there was no concept of a professional scene. So, it was really like I was throwing away my life for gaming. Even at 25 or 26, I didn't know what I'd do in the future, and people around me were worried.
But for me, I thought as long as I could earn enough money to live and secure time to play games, that was enough. Becoming successful in a company or making a lot of money wasn't my definition of happiness. This wasn't resignation; it was a firm decision.
Then the professional scene started in Japan, and fortunately, I was strong domestically at the time, so I got an offer and became a pro. I realized that being dedicated to games might be what makes me happy.
──It really was a perfect match with the flow of the times. It's because you had your own values for happiness.
Mago: That's right. As I was doing that, I happened to be one of the strongest players in Japan at the time, so I received an offer and became a pro.
The disappearance of his "escape" after turning pro
──What was the hardest part about becoming a pro?
Mago: There were no先輩 to look up to, so I didn't know how to conduct myself as a pro, which really troubled me. I'd watch pros in other sports and start thinking, "I have to be serious," "I have to do it even if I don't want to."
But that was the hardest part. The game I used to play because I wanted to, became something I had to do. I was originally the type of person who would often escape from things I had to do, like studying or cram school. But games were different. Games were my only "escape," and even that became an obligation.
There was nothing new at all, just repetition. It was truly boring, and I went through about a year of such hardship that I almost quit.
──It's the dilemma of your passion becoming an obligation. It must have been incredibly difficult to break free from that.
Mago: At that time, I really did think about quitting. It was just too hard. I agonized over it for about a year.
Rediscovering "curiosity" by returning to his roots
──How did you overcome that situation?
Mago: I went back to my roots. I thought back to when I was in elementary school, leading up to the national tournaments in my late teens, and wondered why I enjoyed fighting games so much back then.
It was because I played it because I wanted to, and because I enjoyed it, that I got good at fighting games. I realized that the curiosity of "I want to get stronger" and "I want to learn new techniques" was the driving force behind my improvement.
Since then, I've made an effort to maintain my curiosity about fighting games. I've reframed tournament practice not as work, but as a goal to "improve myself" and "discover a new me," and it's become incredibly enjoyable.
──So you found a solution by returning to your roots. That shift in perspective is wonderful.
Mago: By shifting my perspective to enjoyment, I think I've been able to continue as a pro gamer without stress until this year.
Enjoyment supported by inquisitiveness
──What specifically do you do to enjoy fighting games?
Mago: When playing fighting games, I make sure to watch my gameplay closely and look for areas that pique my interest. It's about cultivating a sense of inquiry within myself, you could say. A question like "Why is this happening?" arises, and I want to find the answer. When I solve it, it feels like a puzzle piece has fallen into place, and that's genuinely enjoyable.
I think everyone enjoys it differently. Some people enjoy winning tournaments, others enjoy playing with friends. For me, that feeling of a puzzle piece falling into place is the most fun.
──"The feeling of a puzzle piece falling into place" is a very clear expression. It sounds like a unique way for you to enjoy it, Mago.
Mago: I feel like the key to enjoying things is to find the parts that you personally find fun. Some people find joy in winning tournaments or beating others, while some enjoy playing with friends. I think everyone has their own way of enjoying things, but for me, that's the best way.
Tournament preparation is "like a sauna"
──What motivates you to apply that inquisitiveness in tournaments?
Mago: Tournaments themselves are incredibly enjoyable. There's tension, my hands tremble, adrenaline surges. I probably haven't experienced that level of stimulation in my life, but tournaments definitely provide that kind of thrill.
However, the preparation period for a tournament is like a sauna. You can endure a sauna because you know it will end, like "I'll stay for 5 minutes, 10 minutes." It's the same with tournaments; you can endure the hardships because there's a defined end. And more than anything, that feeling of "getting into sync" when you step out of the sauna and into the cold plunge. Because I can experience that ultimate pleasure after the tournament, I can push through the tough preparation period.
──Your "life is a sauna" theory is very convincing (laughs). Many people can probably relate to that analogy.
Mago: If you stay in a sauna for hours, it's tough, but you can endure it because you decide, "I'll stay for 5 minutes today" or "I'll stay for 10 minutes." You can endure it because there's a set end.
The importance of sleep for long practice sessions
──How long do you practice before a tournament?
Mago: I don't wake up early at all (laughs), but some days I only play for an hour or two, while on serious mode days, I can play for over ten hours from when I wake up until night. I'll invite friends online and just keep playing.
But I always make sure to get enough sleep. I've always been someone who can't function without sleep. Since middle and high school, if I went to school without sleeping, I'd be too sleepy to think or do anything. So I generally try to get sleep. I'll sleep 8 hours, and sometimes even 12 hours.
When I'm sleep-deprived, my performance clearly drops. My body feels sluggish, like my blood isn't circulating, and my mind isn't working. During play, I'll think, "Huh? I completely missed that." Conversely, when I've slept well, I feel good, and my performance is highest about 5 to 6 hours after waking up.
──Even with ten-plus hours of practice, you don't compromise on sleep. You're very diligent about your physical condition as a pro.
Mago: I've really always been someone who can't function without sleep, so ever since middle and high school, if I went to school without sleeping, I couldn't think or do anything. So I make sure to get enough sleep.
──Do you think the importance of sleep became more apparent due to age-related changes?
Mago: Yes, that's right. As I've gotten older, I've had more trouble sleeping, and I've started waking up in the middle of the night. Once I wake up, I'm not good at falling back asleep, so it becomes difficult to get back to sleep. That made me even more conscious of sleep quality.
That's when I encountered Brain Sleep. The encounter was through a sponsored stream, but when the offer first came, I honestly thought, "What the heck is Brain Sleep?" (laughs). But once I actually slept on it, it was incredibly good.
──Thank you for your honest feedback (laughs). So you were skeptical at first.
Mago: That's right, completely skeptical. But there are some things you just don't know until you try them, aren't there? I used to have a lot of stiff shoulders and neck pain when I woke up, but the neck pain has truly disappeared. I've changed pillows several times, and even tried custom-made ones, but they often stopped fitting well after extended use. With the Brain Sleep Pillow, however, I feel like I've finally found a pillow that suits me.
No, it's really true. If it wasn't good, I'd say so honestly. I've continued to use it because I genuinely thought it was good. The duvet, especially the Perfect Warm EX for winter, was also truly excellent. Down duvets tend to be so light that gaps easily form, but Brain Sleep's duvet has a structure that effectively keeps outside air out and warms you thoroughly. It was incredibly comfortable.
──Mago's candid review is very convincing. It's clear that you became a true fan after starting with a sponsored collaboration.
Mago: That's right. Now I'm just a regular user. There's no doubt that my sleep quality has improved. It's not about saying it's a good product because it's a collaboration; it's about wanting to take on a collaboration because it's a good product. I think that's an ideal relationship.
New strengths revealed with age
──How do you feel about being 40 years old?
Mago: I've started thinking about retirement constantly. Really strong, young players are emerging one after another. But I also have the desire to keep fighting to stay relevant.
When I was younger, memory and quick reflexes came naturally without much thought, but it's different now. I've become forgetful, so I started taking notes. Things I used to be able to remember just in my head, I now have to write down carefully or I'll forget them.
But there are also positives that come with age. The depth of my strategy and knowledge is something I won't lose to younger players. I've played many different games, and I have a lot of knowledge and techniques in my head. How to apply that, I think, is something younger people can't do.
──You're embracing changes due to age while leveraging your strengths. That's a very positive mindset.
Mago: As I get older, there are also positives. The depth of strategy and knowledge I have, compared to younger people, comes from having played many different games and accumulated various knowledge and techniques in my head. So, how to apply that is probably something younger people can't do. In terms of experience, I feel quite proficient.
Thoughts on the future of fighting games
──Please tell us about your future goals.
Mago: Fighting games are currently booming, but there was also a boom in the 90s, and then it gradually declined. People disappeared from arcades, and there was a prevailing sentiment that games were bad. I don't want it to become like that again.
I believe booms always subside, so I hope that during this current boom, we can actively work to build a solid foundation. If more people can make a living by being involved in games—not just pro gamers, but also team support staff, casters, event organizers, streamers—then it will become commonplace to make a living through games.
I hope to create an environment where I can live happily.
The secret to keeping passion alive
──Regarding the message "Never let your passion sleep."
Mago: I believe life should be enjoyed. But enjoying it is difficult. There are many hard times. So, precisely at those times, I think our job is to increase the amount of enjoyable time.
Get plenty of sleep. Maintain your physical and mental condition. And on top of that, keep your curiosity and inquisitiveness. To keep your passion burning, first rest your body. It might seem contradictory at first glance, but I think it's actually the most logical approach.
──The phrase "To keep your passion burning, first rest your body" is very impactful. That's a deep insight unique to Mago.
Mago: Thank you. This is something I've only understood because I've been doing it for so long. When I was young, I thought, "If I have spirit, I can do anything," but in reality, that's not true. Passion is like fuel, and to keep burning fuel, you need a proper engine. That engine is your body and mind. So, first, you need to maintain the engine. That's the most important thing.
Even at 40, Mago's passion shows no sign of waning. Perhaps it's because he understands the true meaning of turning a passion into a profession. He's overcome tough times, rediscovered how to enjoy himself, and utilized the knowledge gained through age.
Thinking about the future of fighting games, Mago continues to approach games with the same unwavering passion today. Sustainable passion, supported by quality sleep. That is the secret to Mago's long-running career.
▼Mago's items
▼Never let your passion sleep. -Special Page
