Kakeru Finalizes Departure From ZETA DIVISION, Says Final Farewells

Kakeru Watanabe, more commonly known as Kakeru, has officially said his final goodbye as he formalized his departure from ZETA DIVISION.

Kakeru had earlier announced his retirement from competitive play due to ongoing health challenges. At the same time, ZETA confirmed that he would be leaving the organization on December 31, 2025.

The team made their final announcement on December 20, thanking Kakeru for his dedication and contributions. The moment was a bittersweet one, as Kakeru never truly had the chance to represent ZETA in competition in the way he would have liked following his move from IBUSHIGIN.

The Capcom Cup champion shared his final message with fans, apologizing that things had to end the way they did. While he is stepping away from competitive Street Fighter, Kakeru made it clear that he does not intend to disappear from the scene entirely. Instead, he plans to remain involved with the community in ways that do not negatively impact his health—potentially through streaming and other forms of engagement.

He said:

“As announced, I will be leaving ZETA DIVISION as of December 31st.

Joining the team since the division's launch in April, the opportunity to challenge the world in the best possible environment has become a lifelong treasure.
I am filled with gratitude toward the team that warmly supported me, and to all the fans who cheered me on.

In the future, I will step away from the front lines of the competitive scene, but I plan to continue engaging with Street Fighter 6 at my own pace as an individual player.
I will do my best to show everyone an energetic side of me again somewhere down the line.

Thank you so much!”

His teammates—Momochi, Hikaru, Chocoblanka, Higuchi, and Yamaguchi—all shared heartfelt messages, wishing Kakeru well and expressing regret that they were unable to compete together for longer.

Kakeru took the time to respond to each of them individually, thanking them for their support and openly expressing his own frustration at not being able to contribute more. He remained gracious to the very end.

Kakeru’s absence was keenly felt during ZETA DIVISION’s Street Fighter League campaign. While the team reached the playoffs, they ultimately fell short, finishing in third place. Fans can only speculate how different the outcome might have been had Kakeru been able to compete alongside them.

We wish Kakeru nothing but the best in his future endeavors.