Dota 2 has gained popularity worldwide, but one country that has been noticeably absent from the Valve MOBA is Japan. However, there might be a glimmer of hope on the horizon as REJECT MAY recently announced their new team ahead of the Asia Pacific Predator League. While some remain skeptical about the team’s longevity, this could be a significant step towards revitalizing the Japanese Dota 2 scene.
The Asia Pacific Predator League, organized by Acer, will return to Japan in January, and it seems fitting for a home team to rise to the challenge and compete against some of the best teams in Asia. REJECT aims to fill that role by picking up Team May on November 24, just as they did for last year’s edition of the tournament.
Team May, the 2019 champions of the Mara Cup, one of Japan’s most renowned grassroots Dota tournaments, will be representing REJECT. The charismatic Ogasahara “Mara” Osamu has played a pivotal role in promoting Japanese Dota through his annual events. Valve even sent host and commentator SirActionSlacks to Japan to cover the tournament as part of a documentary, further shining a spotlight on Japanese Dota.
In 2022, the lineup consisting of baseballdogs, kaeru, Arab, Suan, and toyomaru competed under the REJECT banner but failed to secure a single victory. They were defeated by Australian qualifiers Boonz + Goonz and Mongolian team Lilgun. Despite the disappointing outcome, many fans were excited about the opportunity for Japanese Dota players to compete at a competitive level. Some even hoped that South Korea, whose Dota presence was consistent in the mid-2010s, would follow Japan’s lead. However, the team was released immediately after the tournament, leaving Japanese Dota in the dark once again.
Now, REJECT May is making a comeback. However, the Dota community remains cautious and hesitant to fully support this team after being let down before. REJECT has not only reacquired the exact same roster but also used the 2022 graphic for the announcement, simply changing the dates. This lack of updates raises concerns about the team’s commitment and progress. One fan believes that it is unlikely for Japan’s Dota scene to produce professional players at this stage, especially considering that the teams that defeated REJECT May in 2022 were not even top contenders in the region.
Nevertheless, REJECT has garnered support from various sponsors, including Sony, indicating a potential longer-term commitment from the organization and the team. The Asia Pacific Predator League is scheduled to commence on January 13, 2024, and all eyes will be on REJECT May to see if they can make a lasting impact on the Japanese Dota 2 scene.
Source: DOTESPORTS
