Tokido’s Esports Company CELLORB Goes Independent, Appoints New COO

CELLORB, the esports company formed in 2024, has officially become an independent entity after raising 1 billion yen (approximately 6.7 million USD) from investors, led primarily by the University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners.

The company, which counts legendary Street Fighter player Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi among its board of directors, was born from the merger of VARREL, a competitive esports organization, and Topanga, a long-standing fighting game tournament organizer. CELLORB also operates the fashion label +1F, which merges gaming culture with contemporary streetwear.

As part of this new chapter, CELLORB announced that Hiroshi Sakuma will join as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Sakuma, previously the co-representative at Userbase, brings years of business experience and a personal passion for gaming and esports.

In a statement reflecting on his new role, Sakuma shared:

“I love games. I love esports. We believe that games have the power to be enjoyed individually and to connect people. In this era of pursuing efficiency through AI, creating a place where everyone can enjoy themselves is probably the biggest social issue. We are looking for friends who believe in the possibilities of gaming and who will take on this challenge together. If you sympathize with my note, please apply.”

Sakuma also wrote on a personal blog about the new move and all the things that led to it. He talked about how, in his personal opinion, esports could even save the world. 

Tokido expressed excitement about Sakuma’s addition to the company, describing him as 'an amazing person.'

With CELLORB’s new independence, many in the fighting game community are curious about what this means for VARREL, the organization currently competing in Street Fighter League Japan. Whether the move will affect its operations or roster remains to be seen, but CELLORB’s continued involvement in esports suggests that its influence in the scene is only set to grow.