Ponto Nei’s Splatoon Team Wins Its Way Back Through the Losers’ Bracket, Then Bows Out

NIJISANJI — Ponto Nei, Sukoya Kana, Lunlun and Kitakoji Hisui, playing together as a team tagged #獣量級WIN, won their opening match of the knockout stage of Niji Ika Matsuri 2026, Nijisanji’s Splatoon 3 tournament, on Sunday. They then dropped into the losers’ bracket, won there once, and were knocked out in their next match. All four streamed the day from their own channels; Ponto’s ran nearly four hours.

The morning went to practice matches, which Ponto lined up. Kana said Ponto had been handling the rooms, the encouragement and the advice, and added that her main reason to win was that every win meant more matches with her teammates. Ponto said the previous day had been a close one. In a short interview before the first match, she said she would carry on for the teams that had not made it through.

“It’s not where you go but who you go with. Being able to do this with these members is my treasure.” — Sukoya Kana, closing her stream

The opening match was the high point. Kana, who plays the Flingza Roller, and her teammates traded the lead with their opponents, and in the closing seconds Ponto told them that holding the paint would win it. It did. Chat filled with praise for the team’s coordination.

The next opponent proved harder. The four took one game off that team, but lost the match, and Ponto reminded everyone the losers’ bracket was still open. While other matches played out, the team studied their next opponent. They won in the losers’ bracket, and Ponto thanked her teammates for calling out enemy positions while she concentrated on the fight. Waiting for the following round, the four talked about baking, sweets and picnic sets.

The final match went to the other side. The four noted that the team had come back from an earlier loss, and agreed it had been fun. They took a group screenshot in a private room on Manta Maria before signing off. Ponto, who served as the team’s in-game leader, or IGL, said the late matches had left everyone anxious to win, and that if there was a next year she would rather support than lead. Lunlun, who said it was her first Splatoon tournament, hoped to get good enough to play outside the beginner slot someday. Ponto told viewers to watch the finals and said she would rest the next day.