Fortnite Competitive Around the World: Japan

Esports in Japan has undergone a remarkable evolution in recent years, transitioning from a relatively niche interest to a thriving cultural and business phenomenon. With a rapidly growing player base, increasing global recognition, and innovative initiatives that bridge the generation gap, Japan's esports scene is making waves both nationally and internationally. This transformation not only highlights the country's ability to adapt to emerging trends but also underscores the unique ways in which esports is influencing various aspects of Japanese society, from entertainment and education to commerce and beyond.

Fortnite in particular, along with games like Valorant, has gained immense popularity in recent years. It's no coincidence that many organizations are investing heavily in the game. Currently, 14 Japanese players have qualified for the FNCS Invitational, representing a variety of teams, including AJS, DetonatioN FocusMe, Ultimate Warriors, Team Nature, Crazy Raccoon, Pulverex, and Zeta Division.

Today, I want to take you on a discovery of all these organizations by helping you understand their history.

The first organization we'll discuss is AJS, a collective effort initiated by influential figures in the Asian Esports community to expand opportunities for Fortnite players and foster an environment where everyone can improve in all aspects of the game. AJS is supported by ALBA E-sports, one of the most prominent Fortnite organizations in Asia, in part due to their management of training facilities across the region, ensuring accessibility for all while providing quality content on social platforms.

Players representing AJS and Alba in Copenhagen include Boby, Daydus, Larkpex, shelom, Stain, Yuma, ZAZI, each with their own compelling journey.

Crazy Raccoon, one of only five organizations that have participated in every Fortnite Major, hails from Japan. They've had notable representatives like Scarlet, Bell, and Ruri at the 2019 World Cup, Pepoclip, Runa, and Alice at the 2022 FNCS Invitational, and this year's FNCS. For those unfamiliar with the Asian scene, pepoclip stands out as one of the best and most followed players in the region, having teamed up with Zag0u for about a year to remarkable success.

Zagou, a rising star in the Fortnite esports scene and widely regarded as Asia's #1 player, made a significant impact at the prestigious "FNCS Invitational 2022". His reputation has transcended Asia, thanks to his exceptional AR aiming precision, excellent in-game leadership skills, and relentless training regimen, which keeps him at the forefront of Fortnite's competitive landscape characterized by rapidly changing metas. Recently, Zagou signed with Zeta Division, an organization with a remarkable track record of winning at least seven different titles since 2017.

Another notable organization is Ultimate Warriors, which only made its debut on the Fortnite scene in 2022. Their goal is to become the world's top team by sharing the joy and excitement of gaming through video content creation and streaming efforts. As part of their commitment to advancing the e-sports industry, they are actively involved in contributing to local communities and promoting social welfare. Representing the organization at the event will be Jaemon, and wickesy. Unfortunately, clx9xy who was originally scheduled to be the third player to represent the team, won't be able to attend due to visa issues.

Another organization I'm going to talk about today is Team Nature, which has been a part of the competitive Fortnite scene since its inception in 2019. Their motto, "Discern the Essence," reflects their goal of helping young people find their way through the game. Representing them at the event will be Mkmkpapa, one of the most popular players in these pre-tournament days.

Another important organization that deserves a mention, especially because of its influence on the scene, is Pulverex. Just a few months ago, they announced Raru, a legendary figure in the Asian Fortnite community. Formerly known as Team Unite, Pulverex has also been active in other games such as Apex Legends.

Finally, we have DetonatioN FocusMe, one of Japan's pioneering e-sports organizations, which made its debut in 2013 with League of Legends. The team was formerly known as GameWith and operated until December 12, 2022, when it merged with DetonatioN Gaming through a merger and acquisition by its parent company, GameWith, Inc. All players were transferred to the Fortnite division of DetonatioN FocusMe. While the team dominates online competitions in their region, the only player representing them on the international stage is Aim.

If you're interested in the stats and leaderboard information for Fortnite, then check out our official tracker page for the game! We also have a Fortnite Tracker App that can monitor your in-game performance. Consider checking us out and let us know on Twitter at @FortniteTracker what you'd like to see next!