Amin Abbas

DUBAI: An exciting and engaging ‘One Piece’ card game tournament was held on July 7 at ‘Mangaya’ manga cafe in Dubai, where approximately 27 players participated to put their skills to the test and win valuable prizes.

Fatma Altamimi, Mangaya’s co-owner and store manager, shared exclusively with Arab News Japan the story and inspiration for organizing the tournament: “Since the launch of the game, we’ve seen an incredible amount of enthusiasm from our customers. The demand for trading card games (TCG) has been overwhelming, with many fans eager to get their hands on the latest releases. Simultaneously, there’s growing interest from new players wanting to learn how to play the game. To cater to both passionate players and curious newcomers, we’ve decided to hold a tournament.”

The tournament featured a series of matches where experienced players competed for amazing prizes while attendees observed and picked up tips and strategies. Additionally, there was an area dedicated to beginners, which included tutorials and hands-on demonstrations. 

“Our goal was to create a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere where everyone, regardless of their skill level, can enjoy and appreciate the game. We believe this tournament will not only enhance the gaming experience for our loyal customers but also foster a stronger community spirit,” Altamimi shared.

“All the rounds of the event were thrilling to witness. The intensity of each match was palpable, with players deeply focused and concentrated on every move. You could feel the passion and dedication with each play and each round. It was evident that the players had invested a lot of time and effort into mastering the game, and their enthusiasm was infectious,” she added.

The tournament also held a ‘One Piece’ quiz where the audience put their knowledge to the test in order to win a mystery prize. “This activity provided a much-needed tension break between rounds, allowing everyone to relax, have fun, and engage with each other in a different way,” the co-founder said. 

“The sense of camaraderie and community was palpable. Players not only competed against each other but also shared tips, strategies, and stories, creating a friendly and supportive atmosphere. It was heartwarming to see newcomers being welcomed and guided by experienced players, embodying the true spirit of the One Piece adventure,” she added.

About the response and feedback from the participants of the tournament, Altamimi said: “We conducted a survey among the participants and players of the event, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. A significant majority of respondents rated their experience as 10/10. This high satisfaction rate reflects the success of our efforts in planning and executing the event.”

“Overall, the feedback indicates that our event met and exceeded the expectations of most attendees. The positive responses are a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the planning and execution. We are grateful for the support and enthusiasm of the participants and are committed to maintaining this high standard in future events,” she added.

The cafe is planning to hold more activities for ‘One Piece’ fans in the future as well as dedicated sessions tailored to beginners. “Our future initiatives will include a variety of activities designed to engage both seasoned players and newcomers alike. Among these, we will organize local tournaments to foster a competitive yet friendly environment where players can test their skills and strategies,” Altamimi said.

“We are committed to hosting larger tournaments coinciding with each new release of the popular game. These major events will celebrate the excitement of new content and offer players the opportunity to compete on a grander stage. We envision these tournaments as community milestones, bringing together players and collectors from all over to share their passion for the game,” she added.

Mangaya is the first manga cafe in Dubai where people can read their favorite manga, buy their favorite anime and manga merchandise and enjoy eating snacks and drinking beverages in the same place. It is also considered a hub for all UAE anime, manga, and comic fans in the region.