Amongst the regular airsoft expos in Japan, there are three that we would love to cover first hand for Popular Airsoft, budget permitting, and the Victory Show series is one of these. What makes the Japan Victory Show series stand out is that the public is very much encouraged to trade with one another as compared to the other trade shows which are strictly business to business.

As always, we rely on Hyperdouraku, the foremost Japanese blog on airsoft (and even firearms), and have been willing to share his report for non-Japanese language readers to read. Whilst we try our best to give you his full report, we'll be mainly focusing on the highlights of the show.

If you have can read in Japanese or think can do a better translation, it's best for you to directly visit the Hyperdouraku's "Walking alone at the Asia ASGK Festival & Victory Show Events" review.

Starting with his report, the event was held last 30 March at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Hamamatsucho Hall. It is a three-floor area and access can be had by buying tickets worth JPY500. Upon entering the Hall, Yas first went up to the 3rd Floor where the ASGK festival is being held. Also the ASGK (or the Japanese Model Gun Manufacturers' Cooperative) is fully much in support of the Victory Show, aware that a good portion of their local market will be attending the show, which is organised by Sam's Militariya.

Tokyo Marui was very much a big presence and their centerpiece product on display is the HK45 Gas Blowback Pistol which we were expecting a late 2013 release, but release got moved either to mid or late April 2014. Also on display is the pre-release M9A1 AEP, the VSR-10 Pro-Hunter and the recently released HK416D DEVGRU Custom.

Tanaka Works had on display was their M40A1 Air (Air Cocking Airsoft Sniper Rifle). This has a new bb-feeding system with the magazine having a capacity of 27-rounds. This will come with a top Picatinny rail for mounting optics and the bolt handle has been designed not to hit the scope when it's flipped up. Also on display at the booth were there SAA Series, Ruger P08, Browning HP, and M29.

At the TOP Japan firing range, he met the CEO, Mr. Maemura who is also the current president of the ASGK. Mr. Maemura mentioned that the cartridge-less version of their M4 Electric Blowback series will be available this month too.

Western Arms was represented as well, with their MK18 Mod 0 GBB on display as well and this has good recoil with the Magna Blowback giving a heavy kick when fired.  For period airsoft gun collectors, KTW was there and their already familiar products like the Flintlock were in display but they will be releasing a Spencer 1865 Repeating Rifle which should be interesting. He also got to test the new SHOEI MG42 AEG which he was impressed by the sound and intense recoil.

Another interesting gun on display was a MK48 Mod1 which is a 7.62 Support Weapon based on the Minimi, though not much detail was revealed. Typical Japanese displays are some people in Cosplay displaying a Tank Turret and other cosplayers wearing military and unconventional combat wear.

Yas mentions about Judy Chan, a special guest from Taiwan, who was also a co-host in some of the presentations and she was wearing the Taiwanese camo pattern. Judy Chan actually has a guest blog page at Military Blog Japan where she has a full report of the event too.

For a single day, we don't know if you can cover all the items on display as the 72nd Victory Show was big and well-attended with a lot of exhibitors ranging from small ones to big and familiar airsoft brands. There are more photos at Hyperdouraku where you can see even more airsoft guns and tactical gear on display.

Many thanks to Hyperdouraku for the report.