Texas Showdown 2025 has been ongoing this past weekend. At this event, players are competing for prestige and cash prizes in games such as Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Mortal Kombat 1, Guilty Gear Strive, and more.
Under normal circumstances at an event like this, players generally aren’t allowed to be coached mid set, especially right as the matches are taking place. After all, fighting games are supposed to be about a battle of wits between two players. However, it seems that one particular “coach” was too good of a boy for the tournament organizers to deny…
As highlighted by Dextero, one of the players in attendance at the Tekken 8 tournament was Jamie “IGottaJet” Drake. While the player himself was able to put on quite the performance with his skills, it was actually his coach, Kintaro, that ended up stealing the spotlight.
You see, Kintaro isn’t a person. He’s IGottaJet’s Shiba Inu dog. While IGottaJet competed, his faithful companion was strapped to his back, resulting in the two being inseparable every step of the way.
Needless to say, the commentators poked fun at the fact that IGottaJet actually had a unfair advantage thanks to Kintaro’s coaching advice while he played. At the very least, you have to imagine that any opponent would struggle to maintain their focus on the game itself while there was this cool, well-behaved dog essentially sitting next to them.
From the footage, you can tell that Kintaro is completely content with this situation. There’s a good reason why dogs are often given the label of “man’s best friend.”
Fittingly enough, IGottaJet is a Leroy Smith player. Indeed, this is a character that sometimes calls his own dog, Sugar, to help out with an attack directed at the opponent.
Regardless, IGottaJet is seen giving Kintaro a tasty treat after he wins one of his sets. It would seem that Kintaro is providing excellent coaching to deserve such a reward.
Check it all out below:
A Tekken player came to a tournament with his dog strapped to his back
Cutest Tekken coach ever pic.twitter.com/HUBN57EdJJ
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) March 29, 2025
Funnily enough, Katsuhiro Harada has apparently taken notice of the Shiba Inu present at the tournament. Evidently, the scene had quite the impression on Harada.
According to Harada, he’s now considering adding a customization referencing the scene to Tekken 8. While he likely is just joking, this is something that could potentially come to fruition.
Coaching by Shiba Inu!
I’ll add it to the customization items in the game….. https://t.co/DcvvNDZMnn— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) March 30, 2025
Source: Event Hubs
