SHOTA YASOOKA
Class of: 2015
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Debut: Pro Tour Barcelona 2001
Lifetime Pro Points: 408
Two Pro Tour Top 8 appearances, highlighted by a win in Charleston 2006 … Nineteen Grand Prix Top 8s, including a win in Kobe 2011 … Won the Player of the Year title in 2006 … Legendary blue control deck-builder, known for almost always casting blue and black spells.
Japan's Shota Yasooka matched up against Willy Edel in the finals of his breakout performance at Pro Tour Charleston. He would win that tournament, and for a player who is so identified with being a lone-wolf Magic player, there is no small irony that his biggest moment came on a three-person team. Yasooka was one-third of the victorious team Kajiharu80 alongside Tomohiro Kaji and Tomaharu Saito.
Yasooka began playing Magic during middle school when he was introduced to the game by classmates. He was always drawn to the competitive aspects of the game, but it was not until half a decade later that the success of his countrymen drove him to try his hand at playing seriously on the Pro Tour.
"I was always kind of flirting with being a competitive player, but after seeing what the Japanese players did at Worlds 2005, I got more enthusiastic and decided to get serious about being competitive," said Yasooka, who had played on the Pro Tour a half dozen times before a sterling 2006 campaign that culminated in him winning the Player of the Year title in addition to the team Pro Tour victory.
Yasooka's first Pro Tour started promisingly but ended short of where he hoped.
"I remember my results well: Three wins in a row followed by four losses in a row," said Yasooka. "My goal was to make Day Two, but alas I was dropped after the first day."
Yasooka has always viewed Magic as a solitary experience and was drawn to the cards. And while he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his countrymen, he wanted to do so on his own terms and never set out to emulate anyone.
"I wasn't into people much," he admitted. That is not to say he did not enjoy the camaraderie that emerges when you travel the world playing the game at the very highest level. "I look back a lot to 2006–2007, when Saitō, Nakamura, Tsumura, and I traveled the world together. That was an irreplaceable experience."
While Yasooka has always been a tremendous deck builder and consistent performer on the Pro Tour, with many deep runs into Day Two, it was not until this past season that he notched his second Pro Tour Top 8 during Pro Tour Dragons of Tarkir. Perhaps his most iconic finish was when he came in second at the Players Championship—now known as the World Championship—playing a completely rogue deck of his own fiendish design. His success was not limited to paper Magic, as he also won the Magic Online Player of the Year title in 2009.
"I think my proudest moment was when I took the Magic Online Player of the Year title," said Yasooka when asked to look back at his most treasured accomplishments.
Yasooka did not expect to get into the Hall of Fame this year, and was taken by surprise when he received notification that he had been elected. While he did not necessarily think he would get in this season, he did always think he would ultimately get in.
"Once the Pro Tour Hall of Fame was announced, I felt that as long as Magic continued, eventually I would probably get in," said the Pro Tour Charleston Champion. "I'm just happy that my accomplishments are being recognized."
When asked if there was anyone in particular he wanted to thank in the light of his election, Yasooka said succinctly, "I would like to thank everyone who voted for me."
FEATURED DECKLISTS
Creature (2)
2 Emrakul, the Aeons TornInstant (20)
4 Brainstorm 3 Cunning Wish 4 Dig Through Time 4 Force of Will 1 Impulse 4 Spell PierceEnchantment (4)
4 OmniscienceLand (18)
2 City of Traitors 4 Flooded Strand 5 Island 1 Misty Rainforest 4 Polluted Delta 2 Volcanic IslandSideboard (15)
1 Eladamri's Call 1 Electrickery 1 Firemind's Foresight 1 Flusterstorm 2 Lightning Bolt 1 Pyroblast 1 Pyroclasm 1 Red Elemental Blast 1 Release the Ants 1 Surgical Extraction 1 Through the Breach 1 Wipe Away 2 Young PyromancerBlue (42)
4 Brainstorm 3 Cunning Wish 4 Dig Through Time 4 Force of Will 4 Gitaxian Probe 1 Impulse 4 Omniscience 4 Ponder 4 Preordain 4 Show and Tell 4 Spell Pierce 1 Flusterstorm 1 Wipe AwayBlack (1)
1 Surgical ExtractionRed (10)
1 Electrickery 2 Lightning Bolt 1 Pyroblast 1 Pyroclasm 1 Red Elemental Blast 1 Release the Ants 1 Through the Breach 2 Young PyromancerColorless (20)
2 Emrakul, the Aeons Torn 2 City of Traitors 4 Flooded Strand 5 Island 1 Misty Rainforest 4 Polluted Delta 2 Volcanic Island1 (27)
4 Brainstorm 4 Gitaxian Probe 4 Ponder 4 Preordain 4 Spell Pierce 1 Electrickery 1 Flusterstorm 2 Lightning Bolt 1 Pyroblast 1 Red Elemental Blast 1 Surgical Extraction7 (1)
1 Firemind's Foresight8 (4)
4 Dig Through Time10 (4)
4 Omniscience15 (2)
2 Emrakul, the Aeons TornCommon (28)
4 Brainstorm 4 Gitaxian Probe 1 Impulse 4 Ponder 4 Preordain 4 Spell Pierce 5 Island 1 Electrickery 1 PyroblastUncommon (8)
2 Lightning Bolt 1 Pyroclasm 1 Red Elemental Blast 1 Release the Ants 1 Wipe Away 2 Young PyromancerRare (33)
3 Cunning Wish 4 Dig Through Time 4 Force of Will 4 Show and Tell 2 City of Traitors 4 Flooded Strand 1 Misty Rainforest 4 Polluted Delta 2 Volcanic Island 1 Eladamri's Call 1 Firemind's Foresight 1 Flusterstorm 1 Surgical Extraction 1 Through the BreachPlaneswalker (1)
1 Ugin, the Spirit DragonInstant (22)
2 Bile Blight 3 Dig Through Time 2 Dissolve 2 Foul-Tongue Invocation 3 Hero's Downfall 3 Jace's Ingenuity 1 Murderous Cut 4 Silumgar's Scorn 2 Ultimate PriceLand (26)
4 Dismal Backwater 1 Haven of the Spirit Dragon 6 Island 2 Opulent Palace 4 Polluted Delta 3 Swamp 4 Temple of Deceit 2 Urborg, Tomb of YawgmothSideboard (15)
1 Bile Blight 1 Ultimate Price 2 Disdainful Stroke 1 Dragonlord's Prerogative 3 Drown in Sorrow 3 Duress 1 Negate 2 Stratus Dancer 1 Virulent PlagueBlue (21)
3 Icefall Regent 3 Dig Through Time 2 Dissolve 3 Jace's Ingenuity 4 Silumgar's Scorn 2 Disdainful Stroke 1 Dragonlord's Prerogative 1 Negate 2 Stratus DancerBlack (24)
3 Bile Blight 3 Crux of Fate 2 Foul-Tongue Invocation 3 Hero's Downfall 1 Murderous Cut 2 Thoughtseize 3 Ultimate Price 3 Drown in Sorrow 3 Duress 1 Virulent PlagueColorless (27)
1 Ugin, the Spirit Dragon 4 Dismal Backwater 1 Haven of the Spirit Dragon 6 Island 2 Opulent Palace 4 Polluted Delta 3 Swamp 4 Temple of Deceit 2 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth2 (15)
3 Bile Blight 4 Silumgar's Scorn 3 Ultimate Price 2 Disdainful Stroke 1 Negate 2 Stratus DancerUncommon (24)
3 Bile Blight 2 Dissolve 2 Foul-Tongue Invocation 3 Jace's Ingenuity 1 Murderous Cut 4 Silumgar's Scorn 3 Ultimate Price 2 Opulent Palace 3 Drown in Sorrow 1 Virulent PlagueRare (29)
3 Icefall Regent 1 Silumgar, the Drifting Death 3 Crux of Fate 3 Dig Through Time 3 Hero's Downfall 2 Thoughtseize 1 Haven of the Spirit Dragon 4 Polluted Delta 4 Temple of Deceit 2 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth 1 Dragonlord's Prerogative 2 Stratus DancerSideboard (15)
1 Bloodline Keeper 2 Nihil Spellbomb 1 Ratchet Bomb 1 Inkmoth Nexus 3 Curse of Death's Hold 1 Dissipate 3 Distress 3 FlashfreezeBlack (21)
4 Bloodline Keeper 2 Liliana of the Veil 2 Black Sun's Zenith 2 Despise 3 Doom Blade 2 Wring Flesh 3 Curse of Death's Hold 3 DistressMulti colored (3)
3 Tezzeret, Agent of BolasColorless (41)
2 Spellskite 1 Wurmcoil Engine 1 Batterskull 3 Nihil Spellbomb 4 Ratchet Bomb 2 Sphere of the Suns 2 Tumble Magnet 4 Darkslick Shores 4 Drowned Catacomb 2 Ghost Quarter 4 Inkmoth Nexus 4 Island 8 Swamp2 (21)
2 Spellskite 2 Black Sun's Zenith 3 Doom Blade 2 Mana Leak 4 Ratchet Bomb 2 Sphere of the Suns 3 Distress 3 FlashfreezeCommon (29)
3 Doom Blade 2 Forbidden Alchemy 2 Mana Leak 3 Nihil Spellbomb 2 Sphere of the Suns 2 Wring Flesh 4 Island 8 Swamp 3 DistressRare (27)
4 Bloodline Keeper 2 Spellskite 2 Black Sun's Zenith 4 Ratchet Bomb 4 Darkslick Shores 4 Drowned Catacomb 4 Inkmoth Nexus 3 Curse of Death's HoldMythic (9)
2 Consecrated Sphinx 1 Wurmcoil Engine 2 Liliana of the Veil 3 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas 1 BatterskullLand (26)
2 Celestial Colonnade 4 Creeping Tar Pit 4 Darkslick Shores 4 Glacial Fortress 4 Marsh Flats 2 Plains 2 Seachrome Coast 1 Swamp 3 Tectonic EdgeSideboard (15)
2 Condemn 1 Day of Judgment 2 Duress 1 Ratchet Bomb 1 Sword of Feast and Famine 3 Emeria Angel 2 Flashfreeze 2 Mindbreak Trap 1 White Sun's ZenithWhite (18)
4 Squadron Hawk 1 Sun Titan 2 Gideon Jura 4 Condemn 3 Day of Judgment 3 Emeria Angel 1 White Sun's ZenithBlue (18)
2 Jace Beleren 4 Jace, the Mind Sculptor 2 Cancel 4 Mana Leak 2 Preordain 2 Flashfreeze 2 Mindbreak TrapColorless (31)
3 Ratchet Bomb 2 Sword of Feast and Famine 2 Celestial Colonnade 4 Creeping Tar Pit 4 Darkslick Shores 4 Glacial Fortress 4 Marsh Flats 2 Plains 2 Seachrome Coast 1 Swamp 3 Tectonic EdgeRare (30)
3 Day of Judgment 3 Ratchet Bomb 2 Celestial Colonnade 4 Creeping Tar Pit 4 Darkslick Shores 4 Glacial Fortress 4 Marsh Flats 2 Seachrome Coast 3 Emeria Angel 1 White Sun's ZenithMythic (13)
1 Sun Titan 2 Gideon Jura 2 Jace Beleren 4 Jace, the Mind Sculptor 2 Sword of Feast and Famine 2 Mindbreak TrapPlaneswalker (2)
2 Jace, the Mind SculptorArtifact (2)
2 Sword of Feast and FamineEnchantment (4)
4 BitterblossomLand (26)
4 Creeping Tar Pit 4 Darkslick Shores 4 Island 3 Mutavault 1 Reflecting Pool 4 Secluded Glen 2 Sunken Ruins 2 Swamp 2 Tectonic EdgeSideboard (15)
1 Vendilion Clique 1 Disfigure 1 Thoughtseize 2 Consume the Meek 3 Flashfreeze 4 Phyrexian Crusader 3 Sower of TemptationBlue (26)
3 Mistbind Clique 4 Spellstutter Sprite 4 Vendilion Clique 2 Jace, the Mind Sculptor 4 Cryptic Command 3 Mana Leak 3 Flashfreeze 3 Sower of TemptationBlack (21)
4 Bitterblossom 4 Disfigure 1 Go for the Throat 2 Inquisition of Kozilek 4 Thoughtseize 2 Consume the Meek 4 Phyrexian CrusaderColorless (28)
2 Sword of Feast and Famine 4 Creeping Tar Pit 4 Darkslick Shores 4 Island 3 Mutavault 1 Reflecting Pool 4 Secluded Glen 2 Sunken Ruins 2 Swamp 2 Tectonic Edge5 (2)
2 Consume the MeekRare (38)
3 Mistbind Clique 4 Cryptic Command 4 Thoughtseize 4 Creeping Tar Pit 4 Darkslick Shores 3 Mutavault 1 Reflecting Pool 4 Secluded Glen 2 Sunken Ruins 2 Consume the Meek 4 Phyrexian Crusader 3 Sower of TemptationMythic (12)
4 Vendilion Clique 2 Jace, the Mind Sculptor 4 Bitterblossom 2 Sword of Feast and FamineCreature (21)
3 Angel of Glory's Rise 4 Avacyn's Pilgrim 3 Cartel Aristocrat 4 Fiend Hunter 4 Huntmaster of the Fells 3 ThragtuskLand (21)
3 Cavern of Souls 2 Clifftop Retreat 3 Forest 1 Godless Shrine 4 Rootbound Crag 1 Sacred Foundry 2 Sunpetal Grove 4 Temple Garden 1 Watery GraveSideboard (15)
3 Centaur Healer 3 Oblivion Ring 3 Restoration Angel 2 Rhox Faithmender 2 Slayer of the Wicked 2 Zealous ConscriptsWhite (17)
3 Angel of Glory's Rise 4 Fiend Hunter 3 Oblivion Ring 3 Restoration Angel 2 Rhox Faithmender 2 Slayer of the WickedBlack (3)
3 Unburial RitesColorless (21)
3 Cavern of Souls 2 Clifftop Retreat 3 Forest 1 Godless Shrine 4 Rootbound Crag 1 Sacred Foundry 2 Sunpetal Grove 4 Temple Garden 1 Watery Grave7 (3)
3 Angel of Glory's RiseUncommon (18)
3 Cartel Aristocrat 4 Fiend Hunter 3 Tracker's Instincts 3 Unburial Rites 3 Oblivion Ring 2 Slayer of the WickedRare (31)
3 Angel of Glory's Rise 3 Thragtusk 3 Cavern of Souls 2 Clifftop Retreat 1 Godless Shrine 4 Rootbound Crag 1 Sacred Foundry 2 Sunpetal Grove 4 Temple Garden 1 Watery Grave 3 Restoration Angel 2 Rhox Faithmender 2 Zealous ConscriptsMythic (4)
4 Huntmaster of the FellsInstant (20)
4 Cryptic Command 3 Lightning Bolt 3 Mana Leak 2 Remand 1 Spell Pierce 3 Spell Snare 2 Thirst for Knowledge 2 Vapor SnagArtifact (4)
4 Æther VialLand (23)
1 Breeding Pool 4 Copperline Gorge 3 Flooded Grove 1 Forest 4 Island 3 Misty Rainforest 1 Mountain 4 Scalding Tarn 1 Steam Vents 1 Stomping GroundSideboard (15)
2 Spell Pierce 3 Ancient Grudge 2 Combust 2 Glen Elendra Archmage 2 Grafdigger's Cage 2 Huntmaster of the Fells 2 Threads of DisloyaltyBlue (30)
4 Snapcaster Mage 3 Vendilion Clique 4 Cryptic Command 3 Mana Leak 2 Remand 3 Spell Pierce 3 Spell Snare 2 Thirst for Knowledge 2 Vapor Snag 2 Glen Elendra Archmage 2 Threads of DisloyaltyMulti colored (2)
2 Huntmaster of the FellsColorless (29)
4 Æther Vial 1 Breeding Pool 4 Copperline Gorge 3 Flooded Grove 1 Forest 4 Island 3 Misty Rainforest 1 Mountain 4 Scalding Tarn 1 Steam Vents 1 Stomping Ground 2 Grafdigger's CageUncommon (15)
3 Eternal Witness 3 Lightning Bolt 2 Remand 3 Spell Snare 2 Thirst for Knowledge 2 CombustRare (31)
4 Snapcaster Mage 4 Cryptic Command 1 Breeding Pool 4 Copperline Gorge 3 Flooded Grove 3 Misty Rainforest 4 Scalding Tarn 1 Steam Vents 1 Stomping Ground 2 Glen Elendra Archmage 2 Grafdigger's Cage 2 Threads of DisloyaltyArtifact (4)
4 Dimir SignetEnchantment (1)
1 Debtors' KnellLand (23)
3 Island 4 Plains 4 Swamp 4 Watery Grave 4 Hallowed Fountain 3 Azorius Chancery 1 Prahv, Spires of OrderSideboard (15)
2 Wit's End 2 Keening Banshee 1 Moonlight Bargain 3 Spell Snare 2 Faith's Fetters 1 Nightmare Void 2 Orzhov Pontiff 2 Muse VesselWhite (2)
2 Faith's FettersMulti colored (21)
3 Angel of Despair 3 Grand Arbiter Augustin IV 3 Swift Silence 3 Mortify 1 Debtors' Knell 4 Trial // Error 1 Twisted Justice 1 Overrule 2 Orzhov PontiffColorless (29)
3 Island 4 Plains 4 Swamp 4 Watery Grave 4 Hallowed Fountain 3 Azorius Chancery 1 Prahv, Spires of Order 4 Dimir Signet 2 Muse Vessel1 (3)
3 Spell Snare4 (10)
3 Grand Arbiter Augustin IV 2 Keening Banshee 2 Faith's Fetters 1 Nightmare Void 2 Muse Vessel6 (1)
1 Twisted JusticeCommon (24)
3 Island 4 Plains 4 Swamp 2 Convolute 4 Dimir Signet 4 Compulsive Research 1 Overrule 2 Faith's FettersUncommon (26)
3 Azorius Chancery 1 Prahv, Spires of Order 4 Court Hussar 4 Remand 3 Mortify 4 Trial // Error 1 Twisted Justice 2 Keening Banshee 3 Spell Snare 1 Nightmare VoidRare (25)
4 Watery Grave 4 Hallowed Fountain 3 Angel of Despair 3 Grand Arbiter Augustin IV 3 Swift Silence 1 Debtors' Knell 2 Wit's End 1 Moonlight Bargain 2 Orzhov Pontiff 2 Muse Vessel




CAREER STATISTICS
BY FORMAT
Format | W | L | D | Matches | Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Limited | 412 | 256 | 17 | 685 | 62.30% |
Constructed | 473 | 273 | 25 | 771 | 63.40% |
Total | 885 | 529 | 42 | 1456 | 61.90% |
BY EVENT TYPE
Event | W | L | D | Matches | Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pro Tour | 381 | 240 | 16 | 637 | 58.30% |
Grand Prix | 504 | 289 | 26 | 746 | 63.60% |
Total | 885 | 529 | 42 | 1456 | 61.90% |
Stats are current as of the week of October 5, 2015.