Simvivor: Yukimatsu

***Simvivor: Yukimatsu*** is the eleventh season of *Simvivor*. One of the franchise's least celebrated seasons, *Yukimatsu* suffered particularly due to the inclusion of the lopsided "Haves vs. Have Nots" twist, which was deemed unfair by fans of the show. The cold weather environment was also poorly received as it led to boring gameplay due to a lack of energy among the castaways and because it was viewed as a cruel and unforgivable location to film in. Additionally, a quit of one player and ejection of another left the season with a dark tone throughout.

However, the season was highlighted with the third Perfect Game in *Simvivor* history, accomplished by Sole Survivor Diesel Cardoza. He beat out Harpreet Brambilla and returning castaway Jairo Eaton in the first three-Sim Final Tribal Council, garnering all nine votes from the Jury.

## Production

Production sought a cold-weather environment for the eleventh season of *Simvivor*, choosing the Yukimatsu neighborhood in Mt. Komorebi as the filming location. The cast was originally fluctuated between eighteen and twenty castaways, but settled on eighteen with the inclusion of what would be a "twist" 19th castaway. In reality, this was just an excuse to use the "Survivor: Fiji" simulator and re-introduce a modified Hidden Immunity Idol mechanic, plus the addition of a Final Three.

Producers also decided to bring back the two castaways eliminated at the start of *Shang Simla*, Aziza Peters and Jairo Eaton.

## Twists/Changes

* **Returning Players:** Two former contestants return for redemption from their early (and unfair) elimination in the previous season.
* **Haves vs. Have Nots:** The castaways (after they had been divided into tribes) would compete for the right to the luxurious camp in the first episode that all eighteen regular castaways help build, the losing tribe would move to a new camp with the very basic of materials.
* **19th Castaway:** Prior to the start of filming, Raja Bautista was selected to join the season after the first Tribal Council as a surprise "reward" for the losers of the first Immunity Challenge. He would spend the first three days on Exile, then join the losing tribe after their first Tribal Council.
* **Rehashed Hidden Immunity Idol Mechanism:** The new mechanics for the Hidden Immunity Idol dictates that the holder can only play it after the votes have been cast, but prior to these votes being read.
* **Exile:** After a Reward Challenge, players may banish a player from the rival tribe to Exile. This camp (entirely separate from the existing camps) will force the banished player to fend for themselves until the upcoming Immunity Challenge, unless stated otherwise. The player would not be left in despair, for they will be given clues to a Hidden Immunity Idol, as well as basic supplies for survival.
* **Message in a Bottle:** A message forced the winning tribe of a pre-determined challenge to choose between keeping the luxurious camp or keeping immunity.
* **Tribe Switch:** A Schoolyard Pick was conducted between two captains to determine the new tribes. After the pick was done, the captains would then draw buffs to determine which tribe they would be members of.
* **Post-merge Tribal Challenge:** In the first round as a merged tribe, the group split into two teams of five. The winning group would be immune from Tribal Council under the rules of tribal immunity.
* **Final Three and Expanded Jury:** Unlike the first ten seasons where the usual Final Two facing a seven-player jury is featured, this season featured a Final Tribal Council with three remaining finalists facing a nine-person jury.

## Season Summary

When the original eighteen castaways learned they would be competing in the frigid landscape of Mt. Komorebi, there were obvious signs of hesitation to compete on the season after all. However, all of the castaways made quick work at building a shelter together, under the impression that they would be competing as one tribe from the beginning. Host Merissa Horvath soon revealed that this was not the case after all, then split the eighteen castaways up into two tribes of nine - Garnet and Wren - at random. The first Immunity Challenge also came with the significant reward of returning to camp with the "luxury" shelter built by everyone. Unbeknownst to the castaways, the losing tribe would gain an additional member after their first Tribal Council. This "mystery castaway" was later learned to be Raja Bautista.

While the Wren tribe had the advantage due to their comfortable living conditions, the Garnet tribe had a strength advantage and proved to be formidable opponents in the challenges early on. However, their string of good fortune came crashing down when the season's twist cast member, Raja, elected to quit the season just prior to the third Immunity Challenge. Losing two more Immunity Challenges, the Garnet tribe seemed to be shrinking more.

A surprise tribe swap came in the seventh episode and returning player Aziza Peters was the first victim to a change in tempo for the season, which seemed to focus on the original Garnet tribe's redemption. Led by Diesel Cardoza and Gabriela Valentine on opposing tribes, the Garnet tribe minus Aziza made their way into the merge with relative ease.

Underdog and Wren tribe loyalist Uma Akiyama rose like a warrior to foil Diesel's plans, but with two Hidden Immunity Idols and a growing target on her back, Uma's rivalry with Gabriela came to a head when Gabriela was ejected from the game for reasons partially unknown, suggested to have been related to their heated conflict. Uma herself then fell victim to a shocking blindside hatched by returnee Jairo Eaton, giving "OG Garnet" an advantage in the endgame.

Eventually reaching the Final Tribal Council, Diesel found himself at the center of attention from a Jury that bashed both Jairo and co-finalist Harpreet Brambilla. Diesel's strategic maneuvering and overall respect of his competitors earned him a unanimous vote to win, achieving *Simvivor'*s third Perfect Game.

## Trivia

* This is the first season to conclude in a Final Three.
* This is the second season to feature a Sole Survivor winning with a Perfect Game.
* Yukimatsu is the first, and so far only, cold-weather filming location.