GIANTX has released a promotional video ahead of VCT EMEA Stage 2, taking inspiration from the manga and anime series Dandadan.
For its Stage 2 promotion, the European esports organisation recreated the Dandadan Season 2 opening, combining elements from the original media piece and VALORANT esports.
Dandadan is a supernatural Shōnen manga written and illustrated by Ken Takakura since 2021. The story follows two high school students, Momo and Okarun, as they navigate a modern world of spirits and aliens.
The first season of the Dandadan anime series was published last year. The opening for the second season, which premiered this month, has garnered over 62m YouTube views since its initial reveal nine months ago.
GIANTX’s VCT Stage 2 opening uses the Dandadan Season 2 opening song ‘Otonoke’ by Creepy Nuts accompanied by a similar visual and editing style to the original. Most prominent are the individual GIANTX roster members dressing and posing like the characters in the opening.
However, the video also highlights GIANTX’s fellow VCT EMEA competitors, including Fnatic, Karmine Corp and Team Vitality. The remaining frames show different VALORANT maps and abilities, as well as everyone’s favourite mascot, Wingman.
With its creative take on the Stage 2 kickoff, GIANTX has attracted the attention of esports fans and stakeholders.
“Just because of the artist banger I will root for GIANTX. Congrats to the artist/team involved,” commented an X user.
GIANTX Heads to VCT EMEA Stage 2
From July 16th until August 31st, VCT EMEA Stage 2 will see 12 teams compete for the chance to qualify for VALORANT Champions, the season-ending tournament of Riot’s VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT).
GIANTX will be part of Stage 2’s opening day with a best-of-three series against Team Vitality at 7 pm BST.
After placing low at this year’s EMEA Kickoff and Stage 1 event, the team will need a top-two Stage 2 finish to secure a Champions slot. While teams can also make Champions by earning regional VCT Points, even a third-place in Stage 2 could not award GIANTX enough points to reach the top-four teams on the EMEA Points leaderboard.
