Watch the world's most intense 'rock, paper, scissors' victory ever and weep

And you thought this game was just for kids.
 By 
Elise Cooper
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The schoolyard game of rock, paper, scissors is as universal as love itself.

In Japan however, the humble game of janken (as it's known there) is not reserved simply for passing the time in the playground, but for life altering TV moments.

The world's largest pop group AKB48 uses the game to determine who will appear on their next record. The annual matches have been known to last several hours, which may be the reason 2016's final match is an 50-second rollercoaster of emotion and stress.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The final tournament was held on Oct. 10 in the Kansai region of Japan, with Tanabe Miku and Yumoto Ami facing off.

Sh*t got real. Just watch.

Tanabe's overwhelmed expression upon winning is one of the purest moments of joy this year has to offer. Fans from all over the world absolutely lost it.

Tanabe claimed her trophy, sobbing into the microphone and joking that after the events of the day, a drink was going to taste really good.

Rapturous applause and cheers filled the stadium. Finally, something good came out of 2016.

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Elise Cooper

Previous Watercooler Web Culture Intern - Sydney Australia // misc burden on society

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