Picture Credit score: @airinagatomo / X
In latest instances, the Preventing Recreation Group (FGC) has been too severe for its personal good and has forgotten methods to have enjoyable whereas taking part in the video games they love. I don’t blame the neighborhood, although. It’s straightforward to lose sight of enjoyable if there’s one million {dollars} dangling in entrance of you to assert, so long as you’re ok.
It additionally doesn’t assist that the online game business goes by means of one thing of a downturn, with Sony considering it’s a sensible thought to cease producing bodily CDs and to make Marvel Tōkon: Preventing Souls not playable in over 100 international locations. This has clearly despatched the combating recreation neighborhood right into a frenzy, considering that the studio has misplaced its thoughts for eager to return to a follow that’s been thought of barbaric.
Within the midst of all of this, should you’re on FGC Twitter, then you definately most likely have been flashbanged by legendary Ryuji “Hayao” Hayashi’s behind in your timeline. In my case, it was really Andrew “Jiyuna” Fidelis’s tweet that introduced it to my consideration.
Take again all of Hayao’s EVO awards. Ban 3S from all future occasions. Delete all Co-Op Cup footage.— J I Y U N A (@jiyunaJP) July 16, 2026
Then, the chain impact began. Christopher “NYChrisG” Gonzalez tweeted about it, whereas different members of the FGC tried to scrub to scrub their eyes after what they simply witnessed.
Whats this hayao factor persons are speaking abo………. oooooooooooo……………. LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL— Chris G (@NYChrisG) July 16, 2026
It’s undoubtedly an awesome tonal shift. Perhaps even too jarring for different individuals. Nevertheless, I imagine that we’d like extra individuals like Ryuji “Hayao” Hayashi. Simply to make clear, no, I’m not speaking about individuals who would put up issues like that frequently.
I’m speaking about what Hayao’s position is within the FGC.
The FGC Wants Extra Showmen
I sincerely imagine that we’d like extra showmen within the FGC. Probably the most enjoyable elements of tournaments are the wild issues which might be occurring on the occasion, corresponding to Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique taking part in Tekken 8 shirtless and spreading money throughout his arm. We additionally had the outdated Lee “Poongko” Chung-gon, who additionally eliminated his shirt throughout matches that he discovered notably tough. Sadly, he not does this and has distanced himself from his outdated id. Now, he simply performs like a traditional FGC competitor, with out his earlier aptitude.
That is what I’m speaking about after I mentioned that we’d like extra individuals like Hayao within the FGC. These persons are very entertaining to look at. Seeing Hayao do all these theatrics, doing excellent splits whereas additionally beating up his opponents in essentially the most superb methods. Take into account, this man is 43, and he’s nonetheless extra versatile than I’m.
I used to be first uncovered to Hayao throughout Evo Vegas 2024, the place he confirmed prowess in his fundamental recreation: Avenue Fighter III: third Strike. He’s referred to as the “Hugo God,” and he confirmed why he’s undoubtedly among the finest third Strike gamers on the planet.
Through the event, he was liable for a sequence of occasions referred to as the “Evo Second #38,” the place he air parried Franklin “FrankieBFG” Nunez’s air tatsumaki kicks whereas at dangerously low well being and received the sport due to it. All whereas doing a little theatrics in entrance of the already amazed crowd.
Simply check out this.
One other one that’s doing a bit little bit of showmanship himself is Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II. He principally does a stare-off towards his opponents within the high eight of majors, which amplifies the depth of the match to a sure diploma. This sort of showmanship is kind of completely different from Hayao’s flamboyant show, however it’s nonetheless nice.
Not as nice as Hayao’s, although, however that’s simply me.
That is the essence that the FGC has misplaced all through the years. Some attribute this to the modernization of the FGC and the doorway of massive cash, primarily saying that the FGC is changing into much less and fewer grassroots because the years go by. Nevertheless, I’ve already talked about this numerous instances, however I merely don’t imagine in that sentiment. Video games like League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, and VALORANT all have personalities that match the “showman” archetype, and so they all have been very entertaining to look at.
Now, don’t get me mistaken. I’m not saying that everybody needs to be a showman. It’s simply that there’s an absence of it locally, which is sort of unhappy to see.
The Japanese FGC will get it
Should you’ve been across the FGC for fairly a while, then you definately would possibly’ve encountered Japanese Avenue Fighter 6 gamers doing a little humorous match celebrations at Combo Breaker 2026. It’s the Joey Wheeler face from the anime Yu-Gi-Oh!, the place Joey did a bizarre face in one of many episodes.
For me, this can be a robust reminder that there are nonetheless individuals within the FGC who’re having enjoyable. Let’s face it, it’s true that the present state of the world is miserable – and this extends to the esports circle. Nevertheless, individuals like Hinao and Hayao present us that whereas they’re very robust rivals, they’re nonetheless right here to have enjoyable.
Whereas they might not discover this, their antics give happiness to the spectators and even the casters. So long as it’s executed in good style, in fact.
At present, it’s the Japanese FGC that appears to get this idea. North America tends to be fairly unfastened and informal, however more often than not, they don’t actually do any big-time theatrics on digital camera. One of the best one lately might be Victor “Punk” Woodley teabagging at Evo Japan 2026, and nothing else comes near it. [Editor’s Note: And Americans called it “disrespectful” while Japanese fans celebrated it.]
EVOJのルーザーズファイナルでひぐち村長に屈伸煽りをぶちかますPunkアールさん「Punkお前ってやつはーー！！」ももちさん「誰だよPunkが丸くなったとか言った奴！！」なんてこった、スト５の時の強すぎて煽りプレイしまくりで誰も止められないPunkが戻ってきちまった…！#EVOJapan2026 #EVOJ26 pic.twitter.com/blGchkfC7Q— 大志Ｍｋ－２ (@TaiMk2) Could 3, 2026
Esports, similar to conventional sports activities, is a sort of leisure for the plenty. Certain, it’s entertaining to look at two individuals taking part in on the highest stage of your favourite recreation and seeing how sure gamers overcome their obstacles to turn out to be the champions they’re destined to be. Nevertheless, for me, there’ll all the time be a particular place for individuals who additionally know methods to play to the gang and provides an awesome present.
Hayao’s efficiency transcended Evo Vegas’s venue. I wasn’t there. I used to be simply watching the event on-line, and I keep in mind the sensation of pleasure after Hayao’s win. It made me really feel like I used to be on the venue with him, celebrating his win along with the opposite individuals who went as much as the stage and gave him excessive fives.
I imagine that is the facility showmen have, and it may well undoubtedly make the scene much more attention-grabbing.
The FGC must strike a stability
ベイブレードからはやおを知った人に簡単に自己紹介いたしますかね・たくさんの人が見てる前で格ゲーした人（evo 2024）https://t.co/Hvh16XUXKO・たくさんの人が見てる前で半裸したひと（evo japan 2026https://t.co/vDYxUfjmcl・ベイブレードはXから 始めたのは3,4ヶ月前 pic.twitter.com/iyMTD5MKO0— immortal｜はやお（Hayao） (@880880880880) June 23, 2026
I discuss showmen within the FGC like they’re a dime a dozen. I do know that they’re fairly uncommon and that seeing one which’s pretty much as good as Hayao is almost definitely a uncommon occasion. It’ll additionally really feel very bizarre if the FGC instantly begins performing like Hayao. It’ll make the entire scene really feel like a circus and would possibly flip off potential viewers or individuals within the style.
I genuinely hope there are extra of them on the market simply ready for his or her likelihood on the highlight. We do have cosplayers, artists, and creatives who’re additionally high gamers, which is fairly cool. However an actual showman brings a special power to the desk.
