What is Laz? A New World for a Legendary VALORANT Pro Gamer—A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners on His Appeal as a Streamer [2026 Updated Edition]

What is Laz? The beginning of a “new chapter” from a legendary pro

「Laz（ラズ）」という名前をご存じだろうか。1995年11月26日生まれ、神奈川県横浜市出身。かつてはCS:GOとVALORANTの2タイトルで日本トップに君臨したプロゲーマーであり、2022年にはVALORANT国際大会「VCT Masters Reykjavík」で日本代表チームとして歴史的な世界ベスト3を達成した人物だ。2024年8月にプロ選手活動を休止し、ZETA DIVISIONのCREATOR部門へ転向。現在はTwitchを主な活動拠点にストリーマーとして配信を行っており、2026年時点でTwitchフォロワーは51万人を超えている。2025年には「世界で最も視聴されたVALORANTストリーマー」ランキングで世界3位にも選ばれた、まさに世界が認める日本のトップストリーマーだ。

Profile: Nine Years of Intense Competition and the Journey to a Historic World No. 3 Ranking

Laz’s gaming career dates back to his middle school days, when a friend introduced him to PC gaming. In his first year of high school, he discovered the Counter-Strike series and quickly demonstrated his overwhelming talent. In 2015, he began his career as a professional CS:GO player, serving as the leader of the gaming team “Absolute.” He competed in international tournaments for nine consecutive years starting in 2016, and in January 2020, he set an unprecedented record in CS:GO by remaining undefeated in 19 consecutive domestic tournaments in Japan. After transitioning to VALORANT, he dominated domestic Japanese tournaments there as well. At the 2022 VCT Masters Reykjavík, as the leader of the Japanese national team ZETA DIVISION, he defeated top international teams one after another, achieving the historic feat of finishing in the world’s top three—a first for a Japanese team.

Laz, who announced his retirement as a player in August 2024 with the statement, “I felt I had reached my physical limit in terms of continuing to focus on VALORANT,” chose to transition to streaming with the desire to “help promote VALORANT in a different way.” The overwhelming skill and experience he built up over nine years have become major assets in his career as a streamer.

3 Reasons Why Laz's Streams Are So Engaging: Why Even FPS Beginners Can Enjoy Them

① Watch “God Mode” gameplay in real time

Laz’s greatest appeal lies in his unparalleled precision, honed through a professional career that boasts over 35 total victories in CS:GO and VALORANT both domestically and internationally. In particular, his “one-tap accuracy”—the ability to take down opponents with a single shot—is among the best in the industry, and he continues to deliver such overwhelming performances in his streams that he has earned the nickname “God Laz.” His streams are perfect for FPS beginners who want to see what “pro-level movement” looks like; simply watching him will naturally imprint the fundamentals of skilled gameplay in your mind.

② The “in-depth analysis” provided by former world championship competitors is easy to understand

Laz ranked third globally in total VALORANT viewing hours in 2025, and one of the reasons for this is the “depth and clarity of his commentary.” His ability to analyze the situation in real time while anticipating enemy movements stems from the experience he has gained on the world stage. His commentary style allows even those unfamiliar with VALORANT or FPS games to intuitively understand “why a particular play is impressive” and “how the match is currently unfolding,” earning him support from a wide range of viewers.

③ A sense of comfort created by a laid-back atmosphere

Despite his intense professional career, the atmosphere of Laz’s streams is calm and relaxed. As he writes on his Twitch profile, “I stream at my own pace,” and his natural approach to gaming—without trying to force the excitement—provides a soothing experience for many fans. His passion for gaming—he has played FromSoftware’s *DARK SOULS* series for over 1,000 hours in total—and his unexpected role as a KFC ambassador further highlight his personal charm.

Tips for FPS Beginners to Enjoy Laz's Streams

The game Laz plays most often is VALORANT. VALORANT is a 5v5 team-based tactical shooter where each character has unique abilities. While the rules may seem complicated at first glance, watching Laz’s streams helps you naturally grasp the flow of the game and the roles of each character. For those just starting out with FPS games, I recommend first checking out Laz’s highlight reels on YouTube to get a feel for what “pro-level play” looks like. The streams of a player ranked third in the world serve as the ultimate guide for anyone looking to get into the game.

Current Activities as of 2026

As of 2026, Laz continues to stream actively on Twitch as a member of ZETA DIVISION’s CREATOR division. With over 510,000 Twitch followers, he ranked third globally in December 2025 as the “most-watched VALORANT streamer in the world.” He also maintains his involvement in the competitive scene, participating as a coach in major tournaments such as the VTuber Championship. In March 2026, he streamed the VCT Masters Santiago, actively creating content that allows viewers to enjoy the cutting edge of the global scene alongside him. Combining his achievements from his professional career with his approachable personality as a streamer, he is one of the most notable streamers to watch right now.

Summary: Laz is the best gateway to “world-class FPS”

Laz is a one-of-a-kind figure—a legendary pro gamer who has made his mark on the history of Japanese FPS gaming—who now delivers a “world-class gaming experience” to viewers as a streamer. With his overwhelming gameplay skills, easy-to-understand commentary, and a laid-back, reassuring vibe, his streams offer the perfect introduction to the world of gaming for FPS beginners. Start by checking out some clips on Twitch or YouTube.