Silent Shinobi Speaks Loud

Well I know it's a bit early but this counts as Thursday Interview, I interviewed SilentShinobi about his success in the GG XX Accent Core scene and Final Round X.

TokaroCross (07:35:08 pm): so I wanted to do an interview.
TokaroCross (07:36:13 pm): so what do you think?
silentshinobi06 (07:36:41 pm): I think its an ok idea.
silentshinobi06 (07:36:45 pm): But still, why me?
TokaroCross (07:36:49 pm): all right
silentshinobi06 (07:36:55 pm): And Im just asking out of curiousity.
TokaroCross (07:37:04 pm): I couldn't get anyone else's AIM at the time jk
silentshinobi06 (07:37:14 pm): haha
TokaroCross (07:37:59 pm): I just thought I might as well talk to mid-tier players and get their perspective rather than talk to the huge crazy dudes and get a list of accomplishments and talked down to y'know?
silentshinobi06 (07:38:25 pm): Fair enough.
TokaroCross (07:38:51 pm): so, what games do you enjoy playing?
silentshinobi06 (07:39:18 pm): Fighting game wise, its mostly Guilty Gear and Melty Blood.
TokaroCross (07:39:31 pm): yeah I saw you on MB but never on GG
TokaroCross (07:39:43 pm): maybe I wasn't checking at the time
TokaroCross (07:40:09 pm): so, how's the circuit treating a dude like you? what tourneys do you frequent?
silentshinobi06 (07:41:58 pm): I have a pretty solid relationship with the top players Im usually around in my state. I do play/respect many top players in GG this past year and they have grown to respect the team that was made here.
TokaroCross (07:42:47 pm): like have you hung out with some of the players or do you only know them through the scene?
silentshinobi06 (07:43:13 pm): As for tournaments, I frequent Final Round in Atlanta (this will be my 2nd) and the Southeastern Regionals. It is a strictly GG tournament that is held 3-4 times a year.
silentshinobi06 (07:43:29 pm): Ive actually hung out with top players and have talked about certain things about the game.
TokaroCross (07:43:38 pm): right right
silentshinobi06 (07:43:38 pm): They do know me through the scene here of course.
TokaroCross (07:43:47 pm): yeah
silentshinobi06 (07:43:58 pm): But I do have a relationship with them as an individual.
TokaroCross (07:44:30 pm): well, being a player, is there anything you'd like to change within the scene such as more people being pulled in and such?
silentshinobi06 (07:46:25 pm): As to other scenes such as 3s and Marvel, I believe we're tightly knit from not having as many players.
silentshinobi06 (07:47:04 pm): The Guilty Gear scene here in America is always growing and will grow now that a console version is out in America.
TokaroCross (07:47:05 pm): right, I found that 3s and MvC2 are like, established scenes where the greats rule
TokaroCross (07:47:22 pm): well GG has a different appeal than say 3s
TokaroCross (07:47:34 pm): it gets the otaku populus
silentshinobi06 (07:48:12 pm): People put that sign on us.
TokaroCross (07:48:15 pm): like the scenes are very different
TokaroCross (07:48:21 pm): I don't mean to lol
TokaroCross (07:48:27 pm): but it's pretty true
silentshinobi06 (07:48:36 pm): No that's fine. I understand where you're coming from.
TokaroCross (07:48:42 pm): a friend of mine is a heavy GGXX player and hates anime
TokaroCross (07:48:52 pm): I play GGXX and love anime
TokaroCross (07:49:15 pm): it does differ however alot of the players like anime or anime-esq things
silentshinobi06 (07:49:31 pm): Yes, I do watch anime, but Im not an otaku.
TokaroCross (07:49:58 pm): well otaku's are those who obsess over the culture
silentshinobi06 (07:50:11 pm): This is true.
TokaroCross (07:50:14 pm): I used to be an otaku but slowly became a casual watcher
TokaroCross (07:50:22 pm): because anime began to suck
silentshinobi06 (07:50:54 pm): I will say this: Anime has missed its golden age.
TokaroCross (07:51:13 pm): it had a very glorious golden age
silentshinobi06 (07:51:15 pm): I do admit, there are some good animes out here today, but nearly not as much as back in the 90s.
silentshinobi06 (07:51:22 pm): The 80s even.l
TokaroCross (07:52:17 pm): I believe HnK and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure are the anime equivalents to like Superman and Spider-Man in their level of idolization
TokaroCross (07:52:36 pm): both are very known to their opposite cultures
silentshinobi06 (07:52:43 pm): Yes. Gundam is also up there.
TokaroCross (07:52:54 pm): and DBZ, Atom, etc
TokaroCross (07:53:08 pm): all cultural phenomenons
TokaroCross (07:54:46 pm): anime is very relatable to the comic ages
TokaroCross (07:55:15 pm): Evangelion was as controversal and moving as The Punisher or Spawn was
silentshinobi06 (07:55:41 pm): Indeed.
silentshinobi06 (07:55:48 pm): Im not much of an Evangelion fan.
TokaroCross (07:56:15 pm): however you can understand the kind of effect it had on anime culture
silentshinobi06 (07:57:07 pm): It did have such an impact for its time.
TokaroCross (07:57:32 pm): but lets get back to games
TokaroCross (07:57:39 pm): I feel so nerdy man
TokaroCross (07:57:51 pm): no wonder girlies avoid me
TokaroCross (07:57:54 pm): lmao
silentshinobi06 (07:58:00 pm): hahaha
TokaroCross (07:58:47 pm): anyway, have you ever been discouraged as a player? doubted your skills?
silentshinobi06 (07:59:20 pm): Well during the Slash era, I question if I did reach a limit.
silentshinobi06 (07:59:39 pm): Then Final Round 10 came around.
silentshinobi06 (07:59:58 pm): And you can only imagine what I felt. It was my first tournament and I did pretty well against most Ive faced.
TokaroCross (08:01:21 pm): yeah, It's hard to deal with
TokaroCross (08:01:36 pm): but any tips for players who doubt themselves?
silentshinobi06 (08:02:29 pm): One of the reasons why I was frustrated was at all of my friends levels, you must venture out to see how you fare against other people.
silentshinobi06 (08:02:42 pm): Broaden your horizons and go to a tournament every now and them.
TokaroCross (08:03:26 pm): yes, if not then you will not grow as a player and that won't do you any good
silentshinobi06 (08:04:06 pm): Yeah, you can do so much in your room.
TokaroCross (08:04:27 pm): the comp is only so good
silentshinobi06 (08:04:29 pm): Until you figure out that this wasnt working out.
silentshinobi06 (08:04:33 pm): lol
TokaroCross (08:06:34 pm): so, how do you get better? just hard work?
silentshinobi06 (08:07:47 pm): Actually it was a series of events. With Accent Core coming out, me growing in skill with my friends, and just going to tournaments.
TokaroCross (08:12:24 pm): so it was playing with buddies and the enviroment
silentshinobi06 (08:12:43 pm): Yes because currently, we have a very very strong scene here.
TokaroCross (08:12:51 pm): lucky
TokaroCross (08:12:54 pm): I play 3s
silentshinobi06 (08:12:58 pm): We have the best Jam and best Pot in America arguably.
TokaroCross (08:13:41 pm): haha, my Jam got beefed up because of my buddy Hideki, he's from the Spanish SBO team
TokaroCross (08:14:15 pm): I would keep grabbing with her back in the day but I've really learn quite a bit about her game
TokaroCross (08:15:25 pm): so, I gotta agree with you on the whole playing with others
TokaroCross (08:15:49 pm): though I still believe a solitary player can grow to be great with dedication alone
silentshinobi06 (08:18:28 pm): Exactly.
TokaroCross (08:18:28 pm): so, who have you met in all of your tournament matches
silentshinobi06 (08:18:34 pm): Man...
silentshinobi06 (08:18:54 pm): Ive met too many people from tournaments.
TokaroCross (08:19:11 pm): I'd like to play you
TokaroCross (08:19:26 pm): I'm the best Slayer in Canada..tch no I'm not
TokaroCross (08:19:38 pm): I've been to all of 2 GGXX tourneys
silentshinobi06 (08:19:42 pm): Haha
silentshinobi06 (08:21:50 pm): Ive played too many Slayers in a lifetime.
TokaroCross (08:22:02 pm): but I'm gonna head to the next Toronto tourney and maybe Evo this year
TokaroCross (08:22:08 pm): haha, I don't main Slayer
silentshinobi06 (08:22:14 pm): Evo is a definite to me.
TokaroCross (08:22:15 pm): I main Sol and Jam
TokaroCross (08:22:41 pm): Slayer is just a dude I bust out when I play Slash
TokaroCross (08:22:53 pm): I stick with Sol for Accent Core
silentshinobi06 (08:23:16 pm): Ah, I second him.
silentshinobi06 (08:23:18 pm): I play Ky.
TokaroCross (08:23:47 pm): ah, a Ky player
TokaroCross (08:23:51 pm): my scourge
TokaroCross (08:23:57 pm): my bane
TokaroCross (08:24:04 pm): that fucking dude I hate
TokaroCross (08:24:15 pm): Ky frustrates me
silentshinobi06 (08:25:07 pm): lol
silentshinobi06 (08:25:17 pm): Jam frustrates me too.
silentshinobi06 (08:25:21 pm): So we're even.
TokaroCross (08:25:58 pm): haha yup
TokaroCross (08:26:19 pm): so do the girlies line up to get with the all-star GGXX players?
TokaroCross (08:27:39 pm): or are they too busy playing Arcana Heart to notice?
silentshinobi06 (08:27:42 pm): Some top players do have girlfriends.
TokaroCross (08:28:02 pm): haha, not us scrubs
silentshinobi06 (08:28:10 pm): However if you expected a line of girls to show up after you beat up half of Japan at Evo, its not gonna happen.
silentshinobi06 (08:28:54 pm): I believe some do however.
TokaroCross (08:28:54 pm): so, you go home with your meager $10,000 and masturbate
silentshinobi06 (08:29:08 pm): They're just not with them at tournaments lol.
silentshinobi06 (08:29:19 pm): Haha buy hentai with your tournament earnings.
TokaroCross (08:29:50 pm): haha BUY hentai!?
silentshinobi06 (08:29:53 pm): For someone who does blow 10Gs on hentai to just masturbate to, wow, that's lesss than a life.
silentshinobi06 (08:29:54 pm): lol
TokaroCross (08:30:09 pm): agreed
TokaroCross (08:30:20 pm): I would only blow...2Gs
TokaroCross (08:31:15 pm): lol
Auto Response from silentshinobi06 (08:31:15 pm): Your IM has been sent to my mobile device. When I receive it, I will be able to reply. Thanks for your IM! Want your IMs forwarded to your phone? Click here
Auto Response from silentshinobi06 (08:31:23 pm): Your message could not be delivered.
silentshinobi06 (08:31:30 pm): I dunno what just happened.
silentshinobi06 (08:31:31 pm): lol
TokaroCross (08:31:35 pm): haha
TokaroCross (08:32:05 pm): well I think I covered most of the stuff
TokaroCross (08:32:32 pm): actually, what's the craziest shit you've done at a tourney? like at the hotel?
TokaroCross (08:33:00 pm): room full of GGXX players = wild men
silentshinobi06 (08:33:25 pm): Man. Let me see.
silentshinobi06 (08:34:46 pm): The craziest thing Ive done at a tournament...
silentshinobi06 (08:34:53 pm): Well, this past December.
silentshinobi06 (08:35:09 pm): We went to a tournament in Philly.
silentshinobi06 (08:35:23 pm): From here to Philly is a 14-15 hour drive.
silentshinobi06 (08:35:38 pm): And there was a room open for Guilty Gear at about 5AM that morning.
silentshinobi06 (08:35:41 pm): When we got in.
silentshinobi06 (08:36:03 pm): After about an hour, everyone decided to quit and call it a morning...except me.
silentshinobi06 (08:36:21 pm): Me and this other Ky player had enormous amount of sets playing against each other.
silentshinobi06 (08:36:44 pm): Didnt finish with him until 8:30 that morning.
TokaroCross (08:36:52 pm): jesus
TokaroCross (08:37:04 pm): I know it's addictive but jesus
silentshinobi06 (08:37:22 pm): I ran back to my room, and I just figured that I didnt have a key.
silentshinobi06 (08:37:27 pm): And everyone was knocked out cold.
silentshinobi06 (08:37:37 pm): Haha it was the first time I went up north for a tournament.
silentshinobi06 (08:37:45 pm): I was too excited to play the locals.
TokaroCross (08:38:10 pm): so you were stuck
silentshinobi06 (08:38:14 pm): Anyway, I tried to knock on the door, but that wasnt working.
silentshinobi06 (08:38:20 pm): My phone died on me.
silentshinobi06 (08:38:41 pm): So I found a plug and sat down by the door.
silentshinobi06 (08:38:56 pm): So when my phone had a little bit of juice in it, I could make a call to get in.
silentshinobi06 (08:39:21 pm): After 10 minutes of that, no one answered their phone.
silentshinobi06 (08:39:35 pm): And notice there were about 5 people sleeping all with cell phones.
TokaroCross (08:39:58 pm): hahaha
silentshinobi06 (08:40:04 pm): And the craziest thing was that everyone who was on my floor saw me sitting on the cold floor in front of my hotel room.
TokaroCross (08:40:16 pm): omg
silentshinobi06 (08:40:33 pm): About 9:15 someone FINALLY answered the phone.
silentshinobi06 (08:40:41 pm): Got me in and I had like 4 hours of sleep.
TokaroCross (08:41:34 pm): oooh that's harsh
TokaroCross (08:41:38 pm): 4 hours
TokaroCross (08:41:46 pm): did you have to play right after?
silentshinobi06 (08:41:49 pm): I made it up the next night.
silentshinobi06 (08:41:55 pm): Yes I did.
silentshinobi06 (08:41:58 pm): I did alright too.
TokaroCross (08:42:26 pm): man, I would have had to down 5 Red Bull's
TokaroCross (08:42:50 pm): and like get kicked in the nuts to wake up after an ordeal like that
silentshinobi06 (08:43:05 pm): I actually downed alot of caffeine on the ride up.
TokaroCross (08:43:15 pm): oh good good
silentshinobi06 (08:43:21 pm): And alot of caffeine on a 14 hour drive is alot of bathroom breaks.
silentshinobi06 (08:43:24 pm): lol
TokaroCross (08:43:32 pm): piss out the window
TokaroCross (08:43:37 pm): haha
silentshinobi06 (08:43:44 pm): Toooooooooo cold.
silentshinobi06 (08:43:47 pm): OH snap.
silentshinobi06 (08:43:51 pm): I do have another story.
silentshinobi06 (08:43:55 pm): Its mad funny.
TokaroCross (08:43:58 pm): ok tell tell
silentshinobi06 (08:44:18 pm): Last year in March, Final Round X in Atlanta.
silentshinobi06 (08:44:53 pm): There was about 4 of us going. It was getting late at the hotel so we decided to get a room and go to sleep.
silentshinobi06 (08:45:12 pm): Me and Doren (the Jam player) went to get some more games in for another hour or so.
silentshinobi06 (08:45:32 pm): So...when we get on the elevator down, we see these prostitutes.
silentshinobi06 (08:45:46 pm): And they were for one of the Marvel players that night.
silentshinobi06 (08:45:54 pm): There were 3 of them.
silentshinobi06 (08:46:12 pm): Anyways, we both get something to drink from the machine.
silentshinobi06 (08:46:20 pm): But the prostitutes were behind us.
silentshinobi06 (08:46:43 pm): I had a very very crinkled up dollar that the machine wasnt taking.
silentshinobi06 (08:47:11 pm): So one of the prostitutes give me a fresh dollar from her pocket (where that has been I do not know)
TokaroCross (08:47:28 pm): hahaha
TokaroCross (08:47:35 pm): in a certain pocket
silentshinobi06 (08:47:42 pm): *sigh*
TokaroCross (08:48:11 pm): so, man I would have broken down laughing
TokaroCross (08:48:20 pm): asking if that shit was warm
TokaroCross (08:48:46 pm): man haha
TokaroCross (08:48:49 pm): is there more?
silentshinobi06 (08:49:21 pm): Um...not really.
TokaroCross (08:49:37 pm): haha, ok I was expecting her to say something
TokaroCross (08:49:42 pm): but man that's good
silentshinobi06 (08:50:00 pm): Well nah, just the occasional "Thank You - You're Welcome" stuff.
silentshinobi06 (08:50:18 pm): She did have a black box with her where everyone in the room betted on what it was.
TokaroCross (08:50:22 pm): well, she's a polite whore
TokaroCross (08:50:25 pm): hahaha
TokaroCross (08:50:32 pm): strap-on
TokaroCross (08:50:45 pm): that would be my guess
silentshinobi06 (08:50:46 pm): You have no idea what was we thought was in it.
silentshinobi06 (08:50:47 pm): lol
TokaroCross (08:51:46 pm): what man, tell me some of the guesses
silentshinobi06 (08:52:19 pm): A gag, furry handcuffs, whorish makeup, a whole bunch of money, and a vibrator.
TokaroCross (08:52:36 pm): furry handcuffs!? hahahaha
TokaroCross (08:52:46 pm): Marvel players love the S&M
silentshinobi06 (08:53:11 pm): lol
TokaroCross (08:53:27 pm): oh man, this was very fun. thanks alot
silentshinobi06 (08:53:34 pm): No problem.
silentshinobi06 (08:53:40 pm): I was looking up your show too.
TokaroCross (08:53:44 pm): and it was nice meeting you
silentshinobi06 (08:53:45 pm): What happened to it?
silentshinobi06 (08:53:48 pm): Same here.
TokaroCross (08:54:09 pm): haha the show is on hiatus, I'm working for some other dudes
TokaroCross (08:54:29 pm): we're going to do a commentary thing as well as a podcast
TokaroCross (08:54:51 pm): Alot of unfortunate shit happened with the show
TokaroCross (08:54:57 pm): like alot of stuff
silentshinobi06 (08:55:19 pm): Ahh I see.
silentshinobi06 (08:55:33 pm): I was on AlphaISM radio a few times, if you've ever heard of that.
TokaroCross (08:55:51 pm): yeah, I know Bunkei a bit
TokaroCross (08:56:04 pm): I met him through Mizuki
TokaroCross (08:56:18 pm): I love that show
silentshinobi06 (08:56:21 pm): Ahh ok.
silentshinobi06 (08:56:34 pm): Ive grown into it alot and decided to become a regular there.
TokaroCross (08:57:02 pm): I'd like to come on the show but I feel like I'd be torn to shreds
TokaroCross (08:57:10 pm): very little 3s love on that show
silentshinobi06 (08:57:28 pm): There's very little love for GG.
silentshinobi06 (08:57:35 pm): You should feel better in it than I ddi.
silentshinobi06 (08:57:37 pm): Did*
TokaroCross (08:57:56 pm): well Bunkei likes GG at least
silentshinobi06 (08:58:00 pm): True.
TokaroCross (08:58:05 pm): it's good that the host likes the show
TokaroCross (08:58:10 pm): that he'd back you up
TokaroCross (08:58:41 pm): but I'd talk about the Toronto scene and get told to shut up by Raishinken
silentshinobi06 (08:58:51 pm): Oh yeah.
silentshinobi06 (08:58:55 pm): I know him.
TokaroCross (08:59:12 pm): he seems pretty cool but he's so intense
TokaroCross (08:59:27 pm): and I don't mean the whole fighting thing
TokaroCross (08:59:32 pm): just him y'know
silentshinobi06 (09:00:10 pm): Yeah.
silentshinobi06 (09:00:20 pm): Just let me know whenever your show gets back up.
TokaroCross (09:00:26 pm): gladly
TokaroCross (09:00:38 pm): I may be doing the IM interviews for a bit
TokaroCross (09:00:42 pm): I like them
TokaroCross (09:00:56 pm): but I'd like to get back into the radio groove
TokaroCross (09:01:42 pm): anyway, I'm starving man. I'll catch you later
TokaroCross (09:01:50 pm): thanks again man, it was cool
silentshinobi06 (09:01:51 pm): Haha aight.
silentshinobi06 (09:01:55 pm): Np anytime.
TokaroCross (09:02:03 pm): good night
silentshinobi06 (09:02:07 pm): 'Night.