Kobayan Completes Permanent Move to Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto

Japanese Street Fighter pro Kobayan has been unveiled as the latest signing for the esports team Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto.

Kobayan transfers over from Answer M. Gaming, where he had spent his entire career up to this point. He initially joined SSK on loan for the Street Fighter League Japan season, where he linked up with Nemo, Cosa, and Shuto to form a formidable team. During this period, he also competed in tournaments around the world with the joint support of SSK and AMG.

Official Statements from Both Teams

The transfer has now been made official, with SSK releasing a statement that read:

“We are pleased to announce that Kobayan, who has been on loan from Answer.M.Gaming, will officially join our team on a permanent transfer starting April 1.

We will continue to carry forward the spirit of A.M.G and walk alongside Kobayan moving forward. We sincerely appreciate your continued support and cheers for the player.”

AMG also acknowledged the move on social media, stating:

“Kobayan will transfer from AMG to Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto starting April 1st. From the establishment of the Street Fighter division, he participated in the SF League on loan and competed in CAPCOM CUP. Thank you for showing us so many wonderful sights.

"We sincerely appreciate your continued support for Kobayan's ‘path’ moving forward.”

A Rising Force in the Scene

Kobayan is widely regarded as one of the best Zangief players in Japan, alongside names like Itabashi Zangief and Jr. He rose to prominence during the Topanga Championship 5 tournament in 2024, which he won despite being relatively unknown within the scene at the time.

In that run, he defeated Kakeru in the finals, who had been one of the favorites. From there, Kobayan continued to build momentum and carve out his place among Japan’s elite.

He later qualified for the most recent Capcom Cup through the global leaderboard, though his run ended in the first phase.

Despite that early exit, Kobayan’s future remains bright. With a packed tournament calendar ahead and the backing of Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto, he has a strong opportunity to reach new heights and further establish himself as one of the top competitors in the Street Fighter scene.