SKE48 playing at the Game Changers Championship 2026 will be peak cinema.
JAPAN – Japanese idol group SKE48 has announced the formation of an all-female VALORANT esports team made up of seven current group members. A press conference to unveil the full roster and official team name is set to take place on August 19 at the SKE48 Theater in Nagoya, according to a release received by VALO2ASIA.
“This marks a fresh new challenge as they take on the role of ‘serious esports players’, setting out to compete on the global stage, all starting from Nagoya.”
Two members have already been confirmed for the VALORANT team: Miyo Nomura from SKE48’s 8th generation and Yua Kawamura from the 12th generation. “I’m new to VALORANT, but I want to keep practicing and get stronger. I want to see a whole new world through esports,” said Miyo. “I’ve always loved gaming! I want to prove that girls can seriously compete too,” added Yua.
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(Photo courtesy of Instagram)
(Photo courtesy of Instagram)
The announcement referenced the recently concluded 2024 VALORANT Game Changers Championship, which drew a peak viewership of 460 thousand.
“The image of ‘esports as a male thing’ still remains, and SKE48 seeks to shatter this stereotype and present a new role model, idols who take esports seriously, and spark innovation in both the gaming and entertainment industries.”
Having been based in Sakae, Nagoya since 2008, SKE48 plans to work with local governments, tourism boards, and community initiatives to support the city’s growing esports ecosystem, especially ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya.
The team will train at a dedicated facility in SPASPO Shinyukan, a hot spring inn located in Sakakibara Onsen, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. Furthermore, the group plans to share their journey through weekly YouTube updates, offering a behind-the-scenes look into their training sessions and daily team life. They also intend to host fan meetings and interactive gaming events at their training facility to engage with their audience directly.
This isn’t the first time a group from the AKB48 family has ventured into esports. JKT48, the Jakarta-based sister group of AKB48, currently operates Valkyrie48, a dedicated subunit focused on esports primarily mobile. One of the most notable members from that initiative is Jesslyn Callista, who has since transitioned into a brand ambassador for VCT Pacific team BOOM Esports.
More to come. . .
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Cover photo courtesy of SKE48
As with any translation, there could be slight variations or discrepancies from the original.
