In latest occasions, the Preventing Sport Neighborhood (FGC) has been too critical for its personal good and has forgotten tips on how to have enjoyable whereas enjoying the video games they love. I don’t blame the neighborhood, although. It’s simple to lose sight of enjoyable if there’s 1,000,000 {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 via 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 a hundred countries. This has clearly despatched the preventing recreation neighborhood right into a frenzy, considering that the studio has misplaced its thoughts for desirous to return to a observe that’s been thought of barbaric.
Within the midst of all of this, when you’re on FGC Twitter, then you definitely most likely have been flashbanged by legendary Ryuji “Hayao” Hayashi’s behind in your timeline. In my case, it was truly Andrew “Jiyuna” Fidelis’s tweet that introduced it to my consideration.
Then, the chain impact began. Christopher “NYChrisG” Gonzalez tweeted about it, whereas different members of the FGC tried to clean to clean their eyes after what they simply witnessed.
It’s positively an ideal tonal shift. Perhaps even too jarring for different folks. Nevertheless, I consider that we want extra folks 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 function is within the FGC.
The FGC Wants Extra Showmen
I sincerely consider that we want extra showmen within the FGC. Essentially the most enjoyable elements of tournaments are the wild issues which are occurring on the occasion, corresponding to Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique enjoying 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 We additionally had the outdated Lee “Poongko” Chung-gon, who additionally eliminated his shirt throughout matches that he discovered significantly tough. Sadly, he not does this and has distanced himself from his outdated id.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 want extra folks like Hayao within the FGC. These individuals are very entertaining to observe. Seeing Hayao do all these theatrics, doing excellent splits whereas additionally beating up his opponents in essentially the most superb methods. Remember, 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 primary recreation: Road Fighter III: third Strike. He’s known as the “Hugo God,” and he confirmed why he’s positively the most effective third Strike gamers on the earth.
Through the match, he was answerable for a sequence of occasions known as the “Evo Second #38,” the place he air parried Franklin “FrankieBFG” Nunez’s air tatsumaki kicks whereas at dangerously low well being and gained the sport due to it. All whereas performing some theatrics in entrance of the already amazed crowd.
Simply check out this.
One other one that’s doing a bit of little bit of showmanship himself is Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II. He mainly does a stare-off towards his opponents within the prime eight of majors, which amplifies the depth of the match to a sure diploma. This sort of showmanship is kind of totally 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, basically saying that the FGC is changing into much less and less grassroots as the years go by. Nevertheless, I’ve already talked about this numerous occasions, however I merely don’t consider 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 observe.
Now, don’t get me improper. I’m not saying that everybody must be a showman. It’s simply that there’s an absence of it in the neighborhood, which is sort of unhappy to see.
The Japanese FGC will get it
In case you’ve been across the FGC for fairly a while, then you definitely would possibly’ve encountered Japanese Road Fighter 6 gamers performing some 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, it is a sturdy reminder that there are nonetheless folks 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, folks like Hinao and Hayao present us that whereas they’re very sturdy opponents, 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 finished in good style, in fact.
Presently, it’s the Japanese FGC that appears to get this idea. North America tends to be fairly free and informal, however more often than not, they don’t actually do any big-time theatrics on digicam. The perfect 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.]
Esports, identical to conventional sports activities, is a kind of leisure for the lots. Positive, it’s entertaining to observe two folks enjoying on the highest stage of your favourite recreation and seeing how sure gamers overcome their obstacles to change into the champions they’re destined to be. Nevertheless, for me, there’ll at all times be a particular place for individuals who additionally know tips on how to play to the gang and provides an ideal present.
Hayao’s efficiency transcended Evo Vegas’s venue. I wasn’t there. I used to be simply watching the match on-line, and I bear 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 consider that is the ability showmen have, and it could actually positively make the scene much more fascinating.
The FGC must strike a stability
I speak about 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 nearly as good as Hayao is more than likely a uncommon occasion. It’ll additionally really feel very bizarre if the FGC all of a sudden begins appearing like Hayao. It’ll make the entire scene really feel like a circus and would possibly flip off potential viewers or folks within the style.
I genuinely hope there are extra of them on the market simply ready for his or her probability on the highlight. We do have cosplayers, artists, and creatives who’re additionally prime gamers, which is fairly cool. However an actual showman brings a special vitality to the desk.
