Care home tournaments challenge stereotypes and spark national attention.
A 73-year-old woman defeating her opponent in a Tekken 8 final may sound like an internet oddity, but in Japan, it’s part of a growing movement that redefines ageing through gaming.
Yoshie Murabe, a first-time gamer, recently claimed victory in the 11th Amigo Club Cup, an esports tournament designed for care home residents aged 60 to 90. Her fighter of choice? The pink version of Panda, naturally.
Murabe’s win, broadcast online via the Care eSports Association’s YouTube channel, was more than just an individual success story. It shone a spotlight on how video games, often thought of as a young person’s domain, are helping to transform elderly care, creating new ways for older adults to connect, compete, and thrive.
From board games to button mashing: how Care eSports is reshaping the senior experience in Japan
The Care eSports Association was founded in 2019 to provide digital engagement for elderly residents isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially offering slower-paced titles like Shogi and Othello, the organisation introduced Tekken 8 in 2024 to shake things up. According to an interview with Game*Spark, the decision was influenced by PR representative Shimpei Hama, who also plays competitively under Rox3Gaming’s banner.
Despite concerns about the game’s speed and complexity, the elderly players quickly adapted. Some residents, including those living with dementia, found joy and motivation in learning the fast-paced fighting game. “They wanted to win at least once,” Hama shared in the interview. “And some even stayed up late to practice,” he added.
The finals, featuring players aged between 60 and 93, drew unprecedented online attention, including praise from voice actors and game streamers. One match even featured two 93-year-old women battling it out as Lili and Steve, showing just how inclusive the tournament had become.
Gaming as cognitive and emotional therapy
Far from being a passing trend, the initiative is opening doors for long-term cognitive and emotional benefits. The gaming sessions offered not only social interaction but also a sense of purpose. Characters became personal avatars, and the tournaments became communal events where residents could cheer each other on.
Murabe’s journey is especially noteworthy: Tekken 8 is the first game she’s ever played. “I’m happy I won. I didn’t find anything particularly difficult,” she said in her interview with Game*Spark. The reason why she chose Panda as her character was pretty simple too: “[it’s] I love pandas.”
She also expressed that she would love to participate in another Tekken tournament, should the opportunity arise again.
With their success in Tekken 8, the Care eSports Association is planning to expand its lineup. While classics like Shogi will remain, new accessible titles such as GeoGuessr, a map-based deduction game, are being considered. This move aims to engage even more residents, including those less inclined towards combat-based titles.
Although currently limited to three prefectures, the association hopes to hold a nationwide tournament in the future.
This isn’t the first time Japanese seniors have made waves in the gaming world. In 2020, Hamako Mori, then 90, entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest gaming YouTuber. Now, due to initiatives like the Amigo Club Cup, a larger cultural shift is underway; one that challenges long-held beliefs about what older adults can do, enjoy, and excel at.
