Seven active members of Nagoya, Japan-based idol group SKE48 are set to form a new all-female VALORANT esports team. The project is a collaboration between My Field Co., Ltd. and Zest Inc., which manages SKE48.
The team will consist of some of SKE48’s most popular members, marking what the companies call a serious move into competitive gaming. “A new challenge to compete on the world stage as serious esports players, separate from live performances, begins now from Nagoya,” the announcement reads.
“Esports is now a dream stage for Gen Z,” the companies say, pointing to the 2024 Valorant Game Changers women’s world championship, which reached a peak of 460,000 viewers.
However, the statement also acknowledges that the perception of esports being “for men” still remains. It says: “SKE48 will break that stereotype and bring innovation to both the gaming and entertainment industries as a new role model of ‘idols seriously challenging esports.’”
SKE48 has operated out of Nagoya’s Sakae district since forming in 2008, and has remained closely connected with local culture, tourism, and events. That relationship will now expand into esports, with the project tied directly to city and regional strategies.
Nagoya is set to host esports as an official competition at the 2026 Asian Games, and the city is already investing in the sector with permanent esports facilities and government-led community events.
“This project will align with Nagoya City’s esports strategy, utilizing SKE48’s locally rooted influence to simultaneously promote Gen Z culture and regional development,” the statement says.
The formation of the VALORANT team is described as “a rare and symbolic case of an all-female esports team based in Nagoya” and is being positioned as a breakthrough example of combining idols and esports.
The team’s base will be the historic SPASPO Kamiyukan hot spring inn in Sakakibara Onsen, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, where they will begin their training.
