Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Gaming Team

History of Creation

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks is a team representing the eponymous professional baseball club based in Fukuoka, Japan. Despite its long-standing history, the team began to actively develop in the esports arena relatively recently. In 2019, recognizing the growing popularity of esports and the desire to expand its audience, SoftBank, the club’s owner, decided to establish an esports division as part of a strategic initiative to attract younger audiences and diversify its brand.

The team focused its efforts on several disciplines, including League of Legends, FIFA, and PUBG. This allowed them to reach a wide range of players and viewers, strengthening their position on the Japanese esports scene.

First Roster

The first roster of Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in League of Legends was formed with a focus on talented players from the Japanese esports scene. It included:

• Daisuke (Daisuke Yamaguchi) — top-laner, known for his aggressive gameplay and good map awareness.
• Kazu (Kazuya Oda) — jungler, who showed himself as a strategic thinker capable of predicting opponents’ actions.
• Neru (Shun Nishida) — mid-laner, renowned for high mechanical skills and excellent positioning in team fights.
• Kyo (Kyohei Yoshida) — AD carry, who brought stability and damage in the late game to the team.
• Mikazuki (Yuki Takahashi) — support, distinguished by leadership qualities and the ability to create opportunities for the team.

This roster immediately demonstrated its ambitions by participating in various tournaments and achieving prize placements in local competitions.

Best Moments

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks quickly gained popularity on the esports scene and achieved several significant successes:

1. Participation in Tournaments — Since its inception, the team has actively participated in various tournaments for League of Legends and FIFA, demonstrating good results and success in other games as well.

2. Significant Victories — In the early stages of its existence, the Hawks managed to win several local tournaments, boosting their confidence and enhancing their reputation.

3. Collaboration with Other Teams — The team actively collaborated with other esports organizations, allowing them to improve their skills and strategies while expanding their network within the industry.

4. Development of Young Talents — Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks focuses on developing young players by hosting academies and qualifiers, which contributes to the growth of a new generation of esports athletes in Japan.

5. Expansion into Other Disciplines — The team continues to broaden its horizons, venturing beyond League of Legends and actively participating in FIFA and other popular games, contributing to their rising popularity and recognition.

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks is a team that combines traditional sports values with modern esports trends. Since its creation, they have achieved significant success, attracting the attention of both sports fans and the esports community. With the support of one of Japan’s most well-known baseball clubs, the Hawks look confidently to the future and continue to develop, striving to become one of the leaders in the world of esports.