Former Capcom Cup champion Kakeru has shared an update on his post-retirement intentions, confirming he will not return to professional gaming or full-time streaming. The Japanese player, who won the $1 million prize at Capcom Cup 11 using JP, retired due to health issues and recently clarified his focus on personal pursuits. He plans to enjoy Street Fighter 6 casually while exploring interests like programming and reading.
Kakeru, the standout Street Fighter 6 player who dominated the competitive scene, achieved remarkable success before stepping away. In 2025, he clinched the Capcom Cup 11 title with the character JP, earning the $1,000,000 grand prize. His performance was so impressive that it led to a nomination for Best Esports Athlete at The Game Awards 2025, though he did not win—nor did fellow nominee MenaRD.
Following his victory, Kakeru vanished from tournaments and later announced his retirement, citing serious health issues. No other player has since matched his prowess with JP. He also gave up his qualified spot for the upcoming Capcom Cup 12 Finale, set for early March 2026, where another $1,000,000 prize awaits the winner.
In a recent post on X, Kakeru addressed speculation about his future. "Since time has passed without me making any clear statements about my future specific activities, I'd like to talk about my approach to activities going forward," he wrote. He emphasized, "First, I have no plans to get involved with games as a job or to work as a full-time streamer in the future."
Kakeru intends to play Street Fighter 6 purely for enjoyment, stating, "I'll continue to enjoy Street Fighter 6 as a single player from here on out too, but if I turned it into work, it wouldn't align with the way of engaging that I truly value." He plans to resume streaming occasionally but not as a primary income source. His old YouTube videos from his professional era are now private due to rights complications.
During his hiatus, Kakeru has been reading books across genres and conducting research, reigniting his interest in programming from his pre-gaming career. He will keep posting on social media but expects content to shift away from games, reflecting changes in his mindset and lifestyle. Apologizing for any misconceptions, he added, "If I've left things unsaid and ended up giving the impression of expecting a pro comeback or full-time streaming activities, I'm truly sorry. I hope you'll keep this in mind as my own way of approaching things."
This update provides closure to fans, highlighting Kakeru's transition to a more personal phase after a brief but brilliant esports career.
