Dragon King Cup

The Pokémon Dragon King Cup (Japanese: ポケモン竜王戦(りゅうおうせん) Pokémon Ryuoh Battle) is an official Japanese tournament for the Pokémon video games and the Trading Card Game that was first held in 2014. It is named after the Ryūō Tournament, one of the major professional shogi tournaments, which itself takes its name from 竜王 ryūō, the promoted rook in shogi. It is sponsored by The Pokémon Company and co-sponsored by the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Japan Shogi Association. In the same way that winners of the Ryūō Tournament earn the title of Ryūō, players who win the Pokémon Dragon King Cup earn the title of Pokémon Dragon King (Japanese: ポケモン竜王 Pokémon Ryuoh).

Logo

The manga Pocket Monsters XY: The Legend of the Pokémon Dragon King was created to promote the Pokémon Dragon King Cup. Although the tournament itself has not been held outside of Japan, the Dragon King Cup (Japanese: ポケモン竜王戦2020 予選 Pokémon Ryuoh Battle 2020 Qualifier) Online Competition was held in Pokémon Sword and Shield for Japanese and non-Japanese players alike from December 10/11 to December 13/14, 2020.

2014

Artwork

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The first Pokémon Dragon King Cup (Japanese: ポケモン竜王戦 Pokémon Ryuoh Battle) was held on December 27, 2015 at the Yomiuri Otemachi Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Entry was limited to elementary school students. Ryūō Toshiyuki Moriuchi, Taichi Nakamura (6-dan), Chikara Akutsu (8-dan), Hirotaka Nozuki (7-dan), and Takuma Oikawa (5-dan), attended the tournament.

Qualification

The qualifiers were held at various locations across Japan from January 19 to March 9, 2014, with the first four qualifiers being held as part of the Next Generation World Hobby Fair '14 Winter Tournament. A professional shogi player attended each of the events. A last chance qualifier was held on March 21, 2014. The top two players from each qualifier advanced to the finals.

Prefecture	Location	Dates	Visiting shogi player
Aichi	Nagoya Dome, Nagoya	January 19, 2014	Taichi Nakamura, 6-dan
Chiba	Makuhari Messe, Chiba	January 25 to 26, 2014	Taichi Nakamura, 6-dan
Fukuoka	Fukuoka Yafuoku! Dome, Fukuoka	February 2, 2014	Isao Nakata, 8-dan
Osaka	Osaka Dome, Osaka	February 9, 2014	Bungo Fukusaki, 9-dan
Hokkaido	JR Tower Planis Hall, Sapporo	February 22 to 23, 2014	Kanna Suzuki, women's 2-dan
Miyagi	Yume Messe Miyagi, Sendai	March 9, 2014	Kanna Suzuki, women's 2-dan
Tokyo	Tokyo Dome City Prism Hall, Bunkyō	March 21, 2014	—

Format

The video game tournament was conducted in Double Battle format using Pokémon X and Y. Players could register a team of four Pokémon (excluding Special and Mythical Pokémon) in the Battle Box, with one of the Pokémon having to be a Dragon-type Pokémon or a Pokémon that Mega Evolves into one; if the latter, it had to hold the appropriate Mega Stone. Pokémon had to have a blue pentagon. No two Pokémon could have the same Pokédex number or the same held item. Pokémon above level 50 were auto-leveled down to 50, but Pokémon below level 50 were not auto-leveled up.

The TCG tournament was held using decks consisting of cards from the BW Era onward. In the preliminaries, the deck had to contain at least one Dragon-type Pokémon card; in the finals, the deck had to contain at least four such cards.

Prizes

Main article: List of other event distributions (Generation VI) → Dragon King Cup Prizes

In the qualifiers held from January 19 to March 9, 2014, the prizes that a player could obtain were based on how many matches they won.

Players who participated in the video game division could obtain 30 Full Restores if they won one match, ten Pearl Strings if they won two matches, ten Max Revives if they won three matches, five Rare Candies if they won four matches, and a Master Ball if they won five matches. Players who won six matches advanced to the finals.
Players who participated in the TCG division could obtain a Basic Energy card if they won one match, a Collection X booster pack if they won two matches, a Collection Y booster pack if they won three matches, a Collection X booster pack and a Collection Y booster pack if they won four matches, and a Chespin, Fennekin & Froakie Deck Case if they won five matches. Players who won six matches advanced to the finals.

All participants in the finals received a Pokémon Dragon King Cup 2014 Original T-Shirt. The winner of each category received the title of "2014 Pokémon Dragon King", an invitation to the 2014 World Championships, a trophy, and a Nintendo 3DS XL with an original Pokémon Dragon King design.

Results

In the video game division, Rin Terasawa (age 12) won against Kazuki Ōgushi (age 11), earning the title of Dragon King. In the TCG division, Asaki Hasegawa (age 8) won against Kōto Nishimura (age 11), earning the title of Dragon King.

2015

Artwork

The 2nd Pokémon Dragon King Cup (Japanese: 第2回ポケモン竜王戦 Pokémon Ryuoh Battle 2nd) was held on December 27, 2015 at the Yomiuri Otemachi Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo. The tournament was invitation-only, and limited to elementary school students. Ryūō Akira Watanabe attended the tournament.

Qualification

In the video game division, the top 4 players from the Pokémon World Championships Japan Representative Tournament Junior Division and the top 6 players from the CoroCoro Challenge East Japan Championships/West Japan Championships could participate.

In the TCG division, the top 4 players from the Rayquaza Mega Battle Japan Championships A League, the top 2 players from the CoroCoro Challenge Elementary School League Hiroshima, the top 2 players from the CoroCoro Challenge Elementary School League Kanagawa (Day 1), the top 2 players from the CoroCoro Challenge Elementary School League Kanagawa (Day 2), the top 2 players from the CoroCoro Challenge Elementary School League Aichi, the top 3 players from the CoroCoro Challenge Elementary School League Osaka, and the first Pokémon Dragon King could participate.

Format

The video game tournament was conducted in Double Battle format using Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Players could choose eight Pokémon, four of which were registered in the Battle Box, with the other four recorded on a team sheet. Non-Dragon-type Special and Mythical Pokémon were not allowed. One of the four Pokémon in the Battle Box had to be a Dragon-type Pokémon or a Pokémon that Mega Evolves into one; if the latter, it had to hold the appropriate Mega Stone. Up to one Dragon-type Special Pokémon could be included among the eight Pokémon. Pokémon had to have a blue pentagon. No two Pokémon could have the same Pokédex number or the same held item. Pokémon above level 50 were auto-leveled down to 50, but Pokémon below level 50 were not auto-leveled up. The qualifiers were held in a round-robin format, with the top player from each group advancing to the main tournament. The main tournament was held using single-elimination format. Players could unlock the Battle Box and swap the four additional Pokémon into their Battle Box before the main tournament and between rounds of the main tournament.

The TCG tournament was held using decks consisting of cards from the XY Era. The deck had to contain at least four Dragon-type Pokémon cards. The qualifiers were held in a round-robin format, with the top player from each group advancing to the main tournament. The main tournament was held using best-of-two single-elimination format. In the main tournament, players used the deck they built using cards provided on the day of the tournament for the first game, the deck used in the qualifiers for the second game, and one of the decks selected by the host at random for the third game.

Prizes

All participants in the finals received a 2nd Pokémon Dragon King Cup Original T-Shirt. The winner of each category received the title of "Pokémon Dragon King" for Season 2, an invitation to the 2016 World Championships, and a special set of engraved shogi pieces (the promoted rook features a hand-carved Mega Charizard X).

Results

In the video game division, Kōta Tashiro won, earning the title of Dragon King for Season 2. In the TCG division, Reo Okada won, earning the title of Dragon King for Season 2.

2018

Artwork

The 3rd Pokémon Dragon King Cup (Japanese: 第3回ポケモン竜王戦 Pokémon Ryuoh Battle 3rd) was held on January 14, 2018 at the Yomiuri Otemachi Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo. A last chance qualifier was held on December 9 and 10, 2017 at Pokémon Center Tokyo Bay. Unlike the two previous tournaments which were limited to elementary school students, all ages could participate.

Takanori Hashimoto, 8-dan, and Manao Kagawa, women's 3-dan, acted as commentators for the tournament. Ryūō Yoshiharu Habu attended the awards ceremony. Hajime Syacho's Corsola was distributed during the Niconico livestream.

Qualification

In the video game division, the top 6 players in the Junior Division, the top 5 players in the Senior Division, and the top 5 players in the Masters Division of the 3rd Pokémon Dragon King Cup Qualifier (Japanese: 第3回ポケモン竜王戦予選) Online Competition; Japanese players who finished in the top 16 in the Junior Division, in the top 8 in the Senior Division, or in the top 8 in the Masters Division of the 2017 World Championships; and the top 4 players in the Junior Division, the top 2 players in the Senior Division, and the top 2 players in the Masters Division of the Pokémon Japan Championships 2017 could participate. Four additional participants were specially invited: the women's 2-dan shogi player Eriko Yamaguchi, Game Freak Battle Designer Shigeki Morimoto, music creator Hyadain, and YouTuber Hajime Syacho.

In the TCG division, the top 4 players in the Junior Division, the top 2 players in the Senior Division, and the top player in the Masters Division of the Pokémon Card Game Champions League 2018 Yokohama; the top 3 players in the Pokémon Card Game Champions League 2018 Official Tournament 1st; Japanese players who finished in the top 16 in the Junior Division, in the top 8 in the Senior Division, or in the top 8 in the Masters Division of the 2017 World Championships; the top 4 players in the Junior Division, the top 2 players in the Senior Division, and the top 2 players in the Masters Division of the Pokémon Japan Championships 2017; the top 4 players in the Junior Division, the top 2 players in the Senior Division, and the top 2 players in the Masters Division of the Pokémon Card Game Japan Championships 2017; and the top player in the Open League and the top player in the Junior League of the last chance qualifier could participate. Four additional participants were specially invited: the 8-dan shogi player Tetsurō Itodani, Creatures, Inc. Game Designer Ryō Tsujikawa, Abareru-kun, and artist Taiiku Okazaki.

Format

The video game tournament was conducted in Single Battle format using Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Players could register a team of three to six Pokémon (excluding Mythical Pokémon and Ash-Greninja) in the Battle Box, with three of them selected for battle. Up to one Special Pokémon could be included in the team. No two Pokémon could have the same held item. All Pokémon had their levels automatically set to 50. The preliminary rounds were held in a round-robin format, with the top player from each group advancing to the main tournament. One group consisted of only Junior Division players.

The TCG tournament was held using decks consisting of cards from the XY Era, XY Break Era, or Sun & Moon Era. The preliminary rounds were held in a round-robin format, with the top player from each group advancing to the main tournament. One group consisted of only Junior Division players.

Prizes

All participants in the finals received a tournament original T-shirt. The winner of each category received the title of "3rd Pokémon Dragon King" and a special set of engraved shogi pieces (the promoted rook features a hand-carved Ultra Necrozma).

Results

In the video game division, Keisuke Sunaoshi won, earning the title of 3rd Pokémon Dragon King. In the TCG division, Ryōtarō Nanayama won, earning the title of 3rd Pokémon Dragon King.

2021

Artwork

The Pokémon Dragon King Cup 2020 (Japanese: ポケモン竜王戦2020) was held on May 29, 2021 at the Cerulean Tower Noh Theater.^[1] It was originally scheduled to be held on February 6, 2021, but was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.^[2]

The event was livestreamed between 14:00 and 23:59 JST, during which people could participate in a Twitter campaign to win a set of Dragon King Cup 2020 Original Sleeves.

Qualification

In the video game division, the top Japanese player in the Junior Division, the top Japanese player in the Senior Division, and the top 2 Japanese players in the Masters Division in either the Tundra Tourney or the Dragon King Cup Online Competitions could participate.

In the TCG division, 2 Junior Division players, 2 Senior Division players, and 4 Masters Division players who had been active in various tournaments in the Championship Series 2020 could participate.

Format

The video game tournament was conducted in Single Battle format using Pokémon Sword and Shield. Players could register a team of three to six Pokémon (excluding Mythical Pokémon) in the Battle Box, with three of them selected for battle. Up to one Special Pokémon could be included in the team. Pokémon had to have a Galar symbol or battle-ready symbol. All Pokémon had their levels automatically set to 50.

The TCG tournament was held using decks consisting of standard regulation cards, specifically cards with regulation marks , , or excluding Mismagius and Bellelba & Brycen-Man. The tournament was held using best-of-one single-elimination format.

Prizes

The winner of each category received the title of "Pokémon Dragon King", a trophy, and a Pokémon Dragon King Cup 2020 Original Uniform featuring Eternatus.

Results

In the video game division, Watori won, earning the title of Dragon King. In the TCG division, Kōsei Saitō won, earning the title of Dragon King.

2024

Artwork

The Pokémon Dragon King Cup 2024 (Japanese: ポケモン竜王戦2024) will be held on February 25, 2024 at the Cerulean Tower Noh Theater. For the first time, a Pokémon UNITE tournament will be held in addition to the video game and TCG tournaments.

Qualification

In the video game division, the top 8 players in the Pokémon Dragon King Cup 2024 Qualifier Cup (Japanese: ポケモン竜王戦2024 挑戦者決定戦) Online Competition will be able to participate.

In the TCG division, the top three players in each age division in the Pokémon Card Game Champions League 2024 Kyoto will be able to participate.

Format

The video game tournament will be conducted in Single Battle format using Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. In the qualifier, players must register a team of three Pokémon in the Battle Box that follows Regulation E, with exactly one Pokémon being either Koraidon or Miraidon. In the tournament, players must register a team of three to six Pokémon in the Battle Box that follows Regulation F, with three of them selected for battle; one of the selected Pokémon must have a Dragon Tera Type. All Pokémon will have their levels automatically set to 50.

The TCG tournament will be held using decks consisting of standard regulation cards.

Gallery


Logo of Dragon King Cup 2020	Logo of Dragon King Cup 2024	Artwork of Koraidon and Miraidon from Dragon King Cup 2024

In the manga

The 1st Dragon King Cup

Pocket Monsters XY: The Legend of the Pokémon Dragon King

In Pocket Monsters XY: The Legend of the Pokémon Dragon King, the Dragon King Cup is a tournament held to determine the strongest Dragon Tamer, where participants can only use Dragon-type Pokémon. The 1st Dragon King Cup begins in Dragon King Cup Finally Begins!!, with Akira, Taichi, and Koji entering the tournament, and ends in A Victory of Bonds! The Birth of the Original Dragon King!!, with Akira and his Charizard earning the title of Dragon King. The tournament is organized by Kunio.

In other languages

Language		Title
Chinese	Cantonese	寶可夢龍王戰 Pokémon Lùhngwòhngjin
Chinese	Mandarin	寶可夢龍王戰 / 宝可梦龙王战 Bǎokěmèng Lóngwángzhàn
French		Coupe du Roi-dragon
German		Der Drachenkönig-Cup
Italian		Torneo Dragon King
Korean		Dragon King Cup
Spanish		Copa del Rey Dragón

References

External links

This article is part of Project Real-Life, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on Pokémon activities and events experienced in the real world.

[1] 「ポケモン竜王戦2020」公式サイト | Pokémon Dragon King Cup 2020 Official Site (archived copy)

[2] 「ポケモン竜王戦2020」公式サイト | Pokémon Dragon King Cup 2020 Official Site (archived)

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