Every year, the period from December to January feels a bit lonely.
Why, you ask? Because League of Legends is in the off-season!
After the "Worlds 2023" championship concluded in late November 2023, the professional leagues in each region went on break, shifting into the "stove league" phase, where attention turns to player movements and transfers.
The Japanese professional league, League of Legends Japan League (hereinafter referred to as LJL), anticipates a big year in 2024, shifting from an 8-team to a 6-team structure and joining the PCS.
Sengoku Gaming, a professional esports team continuing to aim for the world stage in the LJL, has announced its new roster!
Here is our report on the SG LoL Meetup Special at esports Challenger's Park held at esports Challenger's Park on Saturday, January 6, 2024!
LoL Esportsの最新情報が公開、2024年からMSIとWorldsの地域出場枠数が変更
Sengoku Gaming Meetup & LJL 2024 New Roster Announcement Event
The Sengoku Gaming LJL 2024 new roster announcement event, held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, consisted of two parts.
The first part featured a meetup where guests Jaeger and Reina Kiyokawa, along with Sengoku Gaming's own Nagisacchi and Paz, teamed up with attendees to battle in Arena mode.
Fifty-eight fans gathered at the venue, esports Challenger's Park.
Everyone enjoyed the valuable experience of playing in an offline environment alongside LJL casters and streamers.
After the LoL meetup, a bingo tournament featured amazing prizes like gaming mice.
Those lucky enough to grab souvenirs might just get off to a perfect start this new season!
Finally, the Roster Announcement!
Following their third-place finish in the LJL 2023 Summer Playoffs, all eyes were on the roster moves of Sengoku Gaming.
In November 2023, Sengoku Gaming announced that the contracts for nine players and coaches had expired.
So, who are the new members...?
Kinatu (Top)
Kinatu, who played for Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS gaming last year and advanced to the finals, joins the team!
He will continue to show his strong presence in the LJL's top lane, which remains packed with fierce competitors.
Comments from Coach Yang and Coach Yutorimoyashi
- Delivers consistent performance with minimal ups and downs
- If he evolves his natural playstyle at SG, he will become the complete player
- Possesses deep game understanding and exerts a great influence on the team
- Displays an exceptional instinct for team fights
Yuhi (Bot)
Yuhi, who has been anchoring the bot lane for Burning Core, joins Sengoku Gaming!
He is aiming straight for his long-cherished first LJL championship.
Comments from Coach Yang and Coach Yutorimoyashi
- The real Yuhi thrives in a more aggressive playstyle
- A player capable of taking risks and carrying team fights
- Expect to see a completely different level of play from him
Kakkun (Mid)
Kakkun, who was active in the Academy League, joins Sengoku Gaming.
While he is a newcomer to the LJL, his ability is proven by the fact that he is a regular in the top rankings of Solo Queue.
Comments from Coach Yang and Coach Yutorimoyashi
- He is no ordinary rookie
- He fully understands his own strengths and weaknesses
- His in-game judgment is sharp and rapid
- Strong communication skills give him the makings of a star player
Jett (Mid)
Jett, who also brings LCK experience, continues on the Sengoku Gaming roster from last season!
His wealth of experience will exert a massive influence on the team.
Comments from Coach Yang and Coach Yutorimoyashi
- Arguably the best Mid laner in the LJL
- His Japanese communication is flawless
- A further evolved Jett will anchor the team
Elim (Jungle)
Elim, who boasts a wealth of competitive experience with powerhouse teams like T1 in the LCK and Team Aze in the LLA, joins the LJL!
A fresh wind is about to blow through the league.
Comments from Coach Yang and Coach Yutorimoyashi
- Ever since his rookie days at T1, his in-game movement and shot-calling have been exceptional
- His self-described "dribbling" playstyle—invading the enemy jungle to draw attention from laners—is jaw-dropping
- Keep an eye out for his Messi-like dribbling skill
Gaeng (Support)
Gaeng, who has won the LJL and holds Worlds experience, has returned!
We have high expectations for his success at his new home, Sengoku Gaming.
Comments from Coach Yang and Coach Yutorimoyashi
- I know him inside out, yet he still surprises me (Coach Yang is his biological brother)
- Possesses lightning-fast judgment and decisiveness
- Thrives under pressure, and we expect him to lead the squad
The venue buzzed with excitement, especially over the additions of Kinatu and Gaeng.
Striking a perfect balance between hungry rookies and seasoned veterans, this new Sengoku Gaming roster is aiming straight for the world stage!
Exhibition Match
Shortly after Sengoku Gaming announced its new roster, the squad hosted an exhibition match against a Guest All-Stars team.
The playing environment was Patch 14.1, which brought massive changes to the shape of Summoner's Rift and the item system.
Sengoku Gaming
- Kinatu: Aatrox
- Elim: Graves
- Kakkun: Neeko
- Yuhi: Senna
- Gaeng: Lee Sin
ExPRO ALL STARS
- Paz: K'Sante
- hachamecha: Gragas
- Jett: Yasuo
- Zerost: Varus
- Enty: Karma
Zerost draws First Blood to kick off the match, but the active pro team refuses to back down.
Thanks to some brilliant plays by Gaeng—who showed off a surprise Lee Sin support pick—they gradually widen the gap.
Nineteen minutes in, with a razor-thin 300 gold difference, Kakkun executed a fantastic turnaround play.
With the Guest All-Stars low on health, Kinatu landed the finishing blow via a flank teleport, securing an Ace!
Capitalizing on a massive item advantage from that team fight, the active pro team smoothly controlled the rest of the map and emerged victorious!
Fans can catch the full event archive on the Sengoku Gaming YouTube channel.
Expectations for the New Sengoku Gaming!
◤￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣
Sengoku Gaming#LJL2024 NEW ROSTER
＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿◢⚔ Player
Top - Kinatu (@Luna_kinatu)
Jug - Ellim (@EllimLoL)
Mid - Jett (@jett0723)
Mid - Kakkun (@isobekakuzou)
Adc - Yuhi (@yuhilolz)
Sup - Gaeng (@Gaeng_lol)✍️ Coach
Head Coach - Yang… pic.twitter.com/T55Q3YR0kn— QT DIG∞ (@QT_DIG) January 6, 2024
Sengoku Gaming is restarting with a significantly changed roster.
After the SG LoL Meetup Special at esports Challenger's Park stream concluded, the venue hosted an exclusive talk show and fan interaction session.
Kakkun, the team's mood maker, even shared a funny anecdote about how he calls Elim—who is currently studying Japanese—Urusai (noisy), a word Elim had only just learned.
The event offered a wonderful glimpse into the team's fantastic chemistry, leaving everyone excited for their performance this year!
Regional leagues worldwide kick off one after another starting Saturday, January 13, 2024.
The League of Legends Japan League 2024 Spring Split begins on Saturday, January 20, 2024.
With a revamped ecosystem and massive roster shakeups across every team, this season is bound to be a must-watch!
Let's cheer them on together right from the opening match!
