Help Send Osamu to Evo 2012. Update: Message from Osamu!
Update – 06/28/2012
Our donation drive was successful, and Osamu will be coming to Evo! Thanks again to everyone who contributed or sent their well wishes. You really have made a difference. Osamu sends along this message.
Thank you so much everyone for contribution. I cannot believe my dream of going to EVO is coming true! I am so grateful to Shoryken.com, EVO organizers, Umehara-san and of course, all of you who has donated your money. I am very moved by your compassion. I cannot wait to come to EVO and do the best I can to enjoy the time of my life.
Again, thank you so much.
-Osamu
Update – 06/12/2012
The donation currently sits at 91% with only three days left. One final push should help Osamu get to EVO, so let’s do it!
Update – 5/31/2012
Support continues to rally around Osamu! Here’s a special message from Daigo. If you can afford it, please help us reach our goal of sending Osamu to Evo.
I am trying to hold an event for Osamu next month with a help of Taito
Station to make his dream come true. He has been to arcades only a few
times and never played there. I want to help make it happen for him to
play at the arcades, on the machine, with other street fighters. I
know so well how much enjoyable that is, which I took grant it of….
I will also fulfill another dream of his — to be able to play with
me.
We are still working out the details with Taito Station but hopefully
will be able to announce it soon. I too am excited about this
opportunity and determined to realize it for him as a send-off to EVO
2012.. and yes, I am very excited about EVO 2012. I want to be there
with Osamu.
-Daigo Umehara
Osamu Ichikawa was diagnosed with brain paralysis as an infant, but has not let that stop him. Amazingly, Osamu directs a non-profit org for the handicapped people aimed at fulfilling their social needs as well as addressing issues in order to improve their life in Japan. For anyone that has not been to Japan, you should know that overall it does not share the same level of handicapped access as you see in the US, so people in Osamu’s position face a real challenge.
Osamu is also a Street Fighter player who dreams of going to Evo. Here’s Osamu, in his own words:
I am a 29-year-old street fighter with brain paralysis. I was diagnosed with the condition when I was one, and have been living with a wheelchair in my entire life.
I’ve always loved video games, and in growing up, I played a lot of NES at home with my friends and family. Video games give me the chance to be free from the physical disadvantages and differences. I can communicate with no problem, but I cannot move the rest of my body below my neck. I began playing the SF series after watching Umehara-san. He has been a great inspiration to me in playing SF. I play Street Fighter using my cheek and chin, which is a style I became settled with through years of experimentation.
Growing up, I could not go to arcades despite my strong desire because there was no wheel chair access and no controller. Even today, the situation has not been improved much. I would love to come to EVO 2012 this summer. I think of EVO as the greatest tournament in the world and have always wanted to attend. I would love to play against people from all over the world, and be in the same room and in the same moment and share the passion and energy with my fellow players. There,
my handicap doesn’t exist.
I am so grateful for any support you can offer to try and make my dream come true. Thank you so much!
- Osamu Ichikawa
It is humbling that Evo has become someone’s dream, especially someone with such a big heart. Please help us make Osamu’s dream come true by participating in our donation drive.
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McintoshClifton
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dub bud
Great gesture.
Also, there’s the Stream room just across the hall from the actual main room and I think that’s free/you don’t need a ticket. I could be wrong.
http://twitter.com/MiGaOh Michael G. O’Hair
Yeah, there’s a stream room, but would you travel over 450 miles and spend almost $700 (or more) just to do something you could have could have done at home without spending a dime? I also imagined how jealous and regretful I’d eventually get after doing something like that. Hopefully this guy can get in without any BS.
http://twitter.com/WalterJKovacs Walter Joseph Kovacs
so you were just bullshiting with your other post?
http://twitter.com/MiGaOh Michael G. O’Hair
Osamu’s in, goal met, so it’s not an issue anymore.
But, yeah. If it came down to it, and I gave my badge to someone else I would be too “salty”, in the common vernacular, to watch the stream when I could have stayed home.
Besides, it’s Vegas. Every time I’ve been to Vegas was for the tournament. Never really did anything thing else there before except play video games for hours, eat, and sleep.
http://www.geekjuicemedia.com/ Tom Badguy
Perhaps they are making an exception.
http://twitter.com/aliasxn Guilherme
It would be some really fucking bad PR if he makes it there and they don’t let him in, so I don’t think it will be a problem.
webweaver13s
Yes evo is sold out but if your special and have the eye of the people in power it does not mater.
stumblebee
BrolyLegs Vs. Osamu for the Face-Off to end all Face-Offs
http://twitter.com/HooliganCombo James Reilly
In before the “Hell no I’m not Captain-Save-A-Hoe” comments
http://twitter.com/MiGaOh Michael G. O’Hair
Payday is this Friday. ’nuff said.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Aizen/574589258 Christopher Aizen
same.
http://twitter.com/MoarLegion I am many now one
^
If we get the money together the SRK illuminati better give him a fucking spot, sold out or not.
http://www.facebook.com/Arkangel777 Ark López
I’m honestly impressed by the dedication of this guy. Will drop a donation on Friday, because payday.
http://www.facebook.com/rob.kusanagi Rob Toohey
i’m in a bit of a bad situation, but i’m passing this around. it’s the least i can do
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ricky-Brown/100000273705129 Ricky Brown
I’ll drop some money too. If it’s to help one that shares my intense passion for the FGC, so be it.
KubikiriTurkojin
isamu dyson? wtf happened man, the yf-19 got shot down? was it gold? that fucking goa.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=593683766 Jay Hood
funds are tight, but I will definitely see what I can do to help.
ben cureton
To people on the fence… don’t be. This guy is part of the Fighting Game Community, which means he’s a part of SRK, TZ, DL, TYM, and every other site dedicated to helping people connect with others and hone their fighting game talents. While he may not go on all of these sites (or any of them), he is a part of the community. Think about how much you love the game you play, and then imagine how much dedication it would take to play with brain paralysis. That’s true dedication – he plays because he loves it. Osamu’s dream is to come to EVO… a tournament that was once our dream. For us, it came true through hard work and perseverance. For Osamu, his dream can become a reality because of the community. Our community. – trag
http://www.facebook.com/people/Taylor-Danger-Hicks/591509578 Taylor Danger Hicks
Hi Iam Broly’s mom and I just like to add that I hope Mr Osamu get his chance to go to EVO. Great story and keep up with the gaming world it rocks over at our house daily.
Hi Iam Broly’s mom and I just like to add that I hope Mr Osamu get his chance to go to EVO. Great story and keep up with the gaming world it rocks over at our house daily.
kamstarworld
Man I wanna help so bad! I just left my first major fighting game tournament and it was awesome! No one should be deprived that experience. Wish last weekend wouldn’t hav wiped me clean!
SDS_Overfiend
The only thing i hate is tickets to Las vegas from anywhere is more expensive than most. Where can a Nigga donate to?
http://twitter.com/ClockworkItOut Nathan Ranney
Not only am I going to donate some money, were here at Clockwork Technology want to sponsor him for EVO. How can I get a hold of this guy?
http://www.facebook.com/JjJones1981 Josh Jones
Im not knocking this, but there was an event made last week to help broly in the same way and we were turned down for front page article..
ben cureton
Really? That’s unfortunate. Brolly should get the same love too. I’ll talk to inkblot and see whats up. We want everyone to show up!
heatEXTEND
dat blow-up
Bill Cosby
But if we put that up then one of max’s videos or some week one combos that were uploaded a year after release might get bumped off the page. You really want that on your conscience?
Broly and this bro should team up for SFxT doubles.
http://www.facebook.com/JjJones1981 Josh Jones
Well, note at the present time, Broly’s van to get him to evo took a turn for the worse. Currently raising funds to get it fixed so he can get there. I actually hope both Osamu and Broly make it
http://www.facebook.com/JjJones1981 Josh Jones
Yes, my local contact Maximo254 said he had emailed Mr.Wizard(?) and was told no, same for event hubs. As the event coordinator for Gaming World Wide (Gamingworldwide.org) we live to promote and help raise funds for these kinda events, with a dedicated team working non stop. I want to see Osamu get there as much as Broly does.
You can go to his facebook and give him a shout out..Mike Begum
http://twitter.com/KOcastSB KOcast
Donated. Hopefully this will bring greater awareness for the need for wheel chair access in Japan.
SNKCrymore
$5000? Doesn’t that seem an excessively high goal? Does it really cost thousands of dollars to fly to Vegas from Japan?
http://twitter.com/KOcastSB KOcast
Probably. It can’t be cheap to fly from Asia to the US in a wheelchair.
http://twitter.com/8bitpimp A_Rival
Not to mention impossible. I really think he should consider taking a plane.
http://www.facebook.com/dennisshoe Dennis Shoemaker
Oh man. Just made my day. I love sarcasm.
Joran Jansen
First time I had to laugh in real life at a comment on the internet.
Joran Jansen
First time I had to laugh in real life at a comment on the internet.
Fishtickz
Spot On_____Spot On~
inkblotSRK
Yes. The $5000 is to cover not only Osamu but his caretaker as well. As you can imagine, Osamu needs help with a lot of the activities that we take for granted.
SNKCrymore
Right, I wasn’t really considering quite how much his special needs
will increase the expense of the trip. Thanks for the reasonable
response.
dub bud
Yo… he’s disabled. From the neck down.
He’ll need some form of caretaker at least I would imagine. Either someone that accompanies him from Japan or someone in the States, but I’m guessing the former.
He’ll also need some form of special transport. It all adds up.
I’m sure I’m not thinking of other things he’ll probably need that are specific to someone with a disability which will incur costs too.
SNKCrymore
Right, I wasn’t really considering quite how much his special needs will increase the expense of the trip. Thanks for the reasonable response.
http://twitter.com/Broviet The Broviet
Not to mention it’s like 1800 bucks alone for a round-trip ticket for 1 adult. Shit’s crazy. I’d actually be really impressed if they could get the whole deal done for 5k
petran79
I think one of his parents will travel as well.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Yan-Zhao/10516382 Yan Zhao
I wonder if Osamu simply wants to attend Evo for the experience or actually participate. I can just imagine battles of conscience from people who have to face him. It’ll be like Chris G getting boo’d for beating Noah all over again, except worse.
If he simply wants to attend for the experience, I’m definitely supporting him. Hopefully waiting till Payday wont be too late.
http://www.facebook.com/pitheos Derek Dean
Why should he have to attend for experience? If people have crises of conscience, that’s their fault. As someone who has a disability, I think your post is unintentionally condescending. No offense.
SNKCrymore
I don’t think Yan implied that he should have to attend for the experience at all, he was simply speculating on what it’d be like to face him in a tourney. I’m sure Osamu wants any opponent to play to their best, but there would be a lot of social pressure against anyone who played against Osamu. That’s just being realistic, anyone who plays against Osamu is going to be heckled or chanted against more than anything we’ve seen before.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Yan-Zhao/10516382 Yan Zhao
I meant experience as in the experience of attending the biggest FGC event ever, be it socializing or playing casuals with fellow fans of the games, not tournament experience.
Jarlix
Whatever works. If his reflexes and dexterity can work around things well enough to play good, he just has another advantage in how trashy players will hold themselves back. Doesn’t that Broly guy have a similar issue? If I could play with my face as well as my hands I’d do it for the conscience advantage early on, haha.
If he can play good his opponents will literally be ‘facerolled.’
http://www.facebook.com/Hellacious1789 Ryan Boyle
Donated $10. Sure its not much but every little bit helps. I am fortunate enough to be able to go to Evo for the 1st time this year and I want nothing more than for others to be able to experience what I have wanted to for so many years.
http://www.facebook.com/glen.updike Glen Updike
http://www.facebook.com/events/332748240131003/ We have events planned out for the Broly Charity. Including a 25 hour NES marathon on Legendary Wings as well as other world class gamers streaming for the cause. The chip in link can be found on the stream channels. The stream channels can be found on the facebook event page.
http://www.facebook.com/JjJones1981 Josh Jones
With these 2 events, both for Osamu and Broly, is a chance to prove that the gaming community can do something legit, worth-while and for the greater good. The media has given gamers (from all genres) a bad repuation, and this is a chance to step up to the plate, and do something right.
The fuck you wanna send Osama to EVO for? So he can suicide bomb the finals?
http://www.facebook.com/UNdesTROY Troy Dalton
Capcom can’t cover this boy? $5000 is a drop in the goddamn bucket for them. Hey Capcom – wanna make up for all the ill will SFxT has spread? START HERE.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Yan-Zhao/10516382 Yan Zhao
The day Capcom do something nice like that is the day I win the multi-million dollar lottery.
http://www.facebook.com/pitheos Derek Dean
Has anyone tried contacting Capcom?
pootnannies
if there’s no profit in it then maybe they won’t. besides they didn’t meet sales expectation for sfxt yet so they’re losing money. and they’re assholes most of the time.
http://twitter.com/dihnmohr dihn mohr
That’s just an extremely low and tasteless way at trying to bash Capcom. You should be ashamed of yourself.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Yan-Zhao/10516382 Yan Zhao
Not as low and tasteless as your attempt to pointlessly white knight them.
someguy1234
“See? The fighting game community looks out for each other! Only 80% of us are fucking retards, but we still welcome them! We need good PR! Donate! We love everyone!”
I stubbed my toe last night. Can I get some donations to go to Evo?
someguy1234
“See? The fighting game community looks out for each other! Only 80% of us are fucking retards, but we still welcome them! We need good PR! Donate! We love everyone!”
I stubbed my toe last night. Can I get some donations to go to Evo?
“Im not knocking this, but there was an event made last week to help broly in the same way and we were turned down for front page article..”
So why the fuck did this make the front page? What a crackpot ass website these days, “Oh yeah we love the community, what? Someone that a metric fuckton of our userbase (BrolyLegs) knows wants donations for Evo? Nah, we can’t put that shit on the front page at all, sorry guys, he’s American”
http://www.squidoo.com/fightinggamesonline fighting games online
I remember BrolyLegs maybe there is a valid reason…I’m pretty sure there is.
thirdstrikesucks
try again, but this time for the photo in the article put a Japanese flag in the background, third strike on the television, but make sure it’s on PS3 Sony, and have a broken disc of smash bros somewhere and make sure Brolylegs has a quote mentioning Daigo or some other popular Japanese player doing something at EVO. Something like “nobody ever played fighting games til Daigo did that parry at EVO then the fighting game scene exploded. It wasn’t shitty for 5 more years and then only got big because a better game came out. Oh wait, no. Third strike, best game ever I swear.”
http://www.facebook.com/JjJones1981 Josh Jones
Aaron, my post wasnt to slander or even ask why. Just stating that both Broly and Osamu should share the limelight. Only thing is, our event for broly, is going till the end of june, with game swag to be won for donations.
Aaron don’t let stuff like this steal your peace. Broly has many great gamers like Josh Jones and Glen and way too many to mention, but mad love to you from Broly’s family in Houston Tx.
http://www.youtube.com/brawlersuptv Brawlers Up Tv
Hopefully Osamu and Broly will both get there. Donated…
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bruno-Moreno/1058441709 Bruno Moreno
Where’s Guy? I only see Ryu…
Bill Cosby
I feel bad for anyone who has to play him. You’re either the guy who lost to the paralyzed guy, or the douche who beat the paralyzed guy that people pitched in to get here. Its like that 9 year old kid all over again.
pootnannies
i think it’s best to give it your all when playing people who have obvious handicaps since they want to improve as much as possible and not win on pity. they want to be like everyone else. they’re used to losing and i’m sure when they win one now and again it’s probably much more exhilarating then we’ll ever know.
Your so freaking wrong on this Billy.My son works his face off to kick ass in the gaming world, but if you want not to be a douche bag play him as an equal. He is not here for pity he is here because he is the man to beat take that to the streetfighter.
love mom
acubus7
Broly is cool, let him handles. get a job ^
Los Illuminados
LOL….so true.
http://www.facebook.com/william.thigpen William Thigpen
Donation sent! I can’t make it but certainly will try to support all SRK members.
pootnannies
gave him something since i’m most likely not going this year anyways. if i end up going i’ll be playing the free games anyways and i hope to see him actually compete. his story is very inspirational like several others who have had their story on the front page who face major obstacles in life and keep shit going no matter what.
http://www.facebook.com/louis.brettle Louis Brettle
Rather than donating $5000 to just randomly bring him down to EVO. Why not use that money to help him get access to the arcades and events like Godsgarden and SBO etc. It just seems like a bit of a waste to me, to spend all that money for one persons trip when you can benefit him more by giving him access to his local scene. But yeah, logic goes out the window when you’ve got the SRK white knights, bombarding you with replies about how cold you are and that it’s all about “the experience”.
http://www.facebook.com/louis.brettle Louis Brettle
Rather than donating $5000 to just randomly bring him down to EVO. Why not use that money to help him get access to the arcades and events like Godsgarden and SBO etc. It just seems like a bit of a waste to me, to spend all that money for one persons trip when you can benefit him more by giving him access to his local scene. But yeah, logic goes out the window when you’ve got the SRK white knights, bombarding you with replies about how cold you are and that it’s all about “the experience”.
Dont they have a hook up to connect your brain and hardwire it into running a computer with your thought signels? I saw something like this for kids/adults and a special on the discovery channel. I pretty sure steve hawkins uses a forum of this. Im sure something can be done to make it work for video games also.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Yan-Zhao/10516382 Yan Zhao
One of my upperclassmen did that for his senior project a few years back. It was a 3D platformer called “Lazy Brain” where you control your character with your thoughts. Not sure if the whole thing got any further though. But from what I got out of it, this type of concept is still in a very early beta stage and I dont see it being fully functional, especially for something that needs split second decisions like in fighting games, in a long time. Its a start though.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ivan-Reyes/100000976112706 Ivan Reyes
osamu and broly should have a match at evo, sorry osamu but can you wait tuesday? i get pay on that day forgive me!
http://twitter.com/therobotboys Emo_Vega_£€G€ND•
Gonna donate tomorrow. stoked for these dudes! Saw that Broly footage; he’s really good! Cant wait to see some footage from Osamu! If Broly needs 20$ to get there, please reply with the link…
I can’t believe I actually donated a bit, despite being a greedy bastard. Hope Osamu’s dreams comes true!
pressstart
I can’t believe I actually donated a bit, despite being a greedy bastard. Hope Osamu’s dreams comes true!
Spr0cter
What do you mean inkblot and ponder are gonna match our donations dollar for dollar?
http://www.facebook.com/mike.begum Mike Begum
I’m in total awe for this guy. I don’t think people truly understand the obstacles we overcome to reach our dreams. I’m not putting others down, but our chance to shine our really limited. I really hope he makes this more than I do because hes proving alot of critics wrong for what hes going through. -Brolylegs
http://www.facebook.com/diezdesollano Jorge Corr Diez S
Osamu and Broly both deserve to be at EVO an more… I see them the same way I see Desk, they just have developed insanely amazing skills, their power of will must be gigantic. Sending my donation this weekend!
Donated.
I experienced Evo for the first time last year, it was one of the best experiences of my life.
I hope it will be the same for Osamu.
BornFreeSRK
Donated.
I experienced Evo for the first time last year, it was one of the best experiences of my life.
I hope it will be the same for Osamu.
http://www.facebook.com/CasshernsNiceBoat Daniel Lucas Park
yay Daigo! That must be humbling for Osamu. I hope we can achieve the same for Brolylegs. SRK staff needs to stop acting like frauds when it comes to one of our own handicapped who needs help. Stick builder has a freak accident with his eye, let’s help him! JAPANESE handicapped player wants to come to EVO but can’t afford it? Let’s help! Brolylegs’ only form of transportation is busted and needs our help to get to EVO? FUCK THAT SHIT HE’S AMERICAN.
Way to expose yourselves, SRK staff. Fix this immediately.
Osamu-san, this is your day man. We, the FGC, are behind you all the way.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ian-Lyons/1581152170 Ian Lyons
will donate next thursday. (payday) to brolylegs and Osamu! Good luck to both of you!
Streye
I didn’t have much to give, but I gave what I could. Going to Evo isn’t that big of a deal for some of us, but if it’s this guy’s dream, why not help out? I hope they’ll let me register for a game if it’s not too late or even if it already is.
If you want to keep track of the event for Broly, heres the link to the event page, done on facebook. The event and donation page are both running until the end of June, for those of you whom are awating payday
Not trying to bash Broly but IIRC he went to a past evo already and had the honors to play daigo and probably more top fighters..That could be why they feel Osamu has the right to be on the front page because Evo 2012 would be his first..Regardless, I do believe both should be able to attend.
THEQUEENOFLOVEHD
Do you think a creative mind from Tech Talk could create a gaming device suitable to Osamu and/or Broly’s needs? I’ve seen similar things done for other gamers with physical disabilities. Example one player made for his one-handed brother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45A2glYyezo
Has Capcom donated yet? If so, how much? I can understand them not stepping in when they guy need a few thousand dollars. Now it’s what – a couple hundred bucks? No more excuses, Cashcom. Show the community your true colors, here.
I’d give if I had money. I was so pissed the day this was posted because the day before I had jus paid taxes. I want to, but I can’t. CAPCOM can, but do they want to?
http://twitter.com/Thraphelga le sun
you gents did it!
http://twitter.com/Thraphelga le sun
proud to be a part of this community
jesus marin
Good to see people like fanatiq, mike z and seth killian donating.
Translayer
The goal has now reached to 100%.
http://twitter.com/osataro Osamu
Thank you, donors!!
Thank you, everyone!!
I’m very happy!!
Pimammaaaaaahh
Really glad you get to make it to EVO!
Hope you have the time of your life.
c g
things like this gives me hope for humanity, you all have a big heart
http://www.facebook.com/dominicdl Dominic De Luca
Congratulations Osamu, and have fun in America!
おめでとうございます！、アメリカで楽しんでください！恭喜你~ 在美国玩的好呀! (thought I’d throw some Chinese in there, that’s what I’m learning now)
http://www.squidoo.com/fightinggamesonline fighting games online
have fun for me!!
http://twitter.com/dihnmohr dihn mohr
Amazing.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=769835536 Stuart Hayden
I want to see how this guy plays. It’s very interesting to even pull off moves without hands since he cant move his body from the neck down. The other guy who was interviewed by Gootecks at least has his arms to move the stick and pushes his buttons with his cheeks. I’m not, by all means, making fun of the guy but I’m very interested in the way he operates the stick or controller.
