Key facts
- Mizuno has entered the esports market with a focus on ergonomic design and physical performance.
- The company launched a gaming chair, an asymmetric controller, and a vibrating training device.
- Products are themed around "Street Fighter 6" characters.
- The gaming chair is priced at ¥121,000 ($760), and the controller at ¥99,000 ($620).
- Pre-orders began May 1, with shipments starting mid-July 2026.
Mizuno, a well-established sports equipment manufacturer, has officially launched its foray into the esports market, aiming to leverage its expertise in ergonomics and physical performance to create a new revenue stream. The company unveiled its first three esports products on April 27, 2026: a gaming chair, a left-right asymmetric controller, and a vibrating training device, all developed in collaboration with the popular fighting game "Street Fighter 6." Mizuno views gaming not merely as entertainment but as a physical athletic activity, incorporating its knowledge of operability, posture maintenance, and fatigue reduction into product design. The gaming chair, priced at ¥121,000 (approximately $760), features breathable mesh material and extensive adjustability for comfort during long play sessions. The asymmetric controller, costing ¥99,000 (approximately $620), is shaped to support the distinct roles of each hand, promoting an upright posture. A vibrating training device, the "Blanka-chan Doll Burburu Bolretch," is also available for ¥8,800 (approximately $55). These products, inspired by "Street Fighter 6" characters, were showcased at EVO Japan 2026, a major fighting game tournament held at Tokyo Big Sight in May. Pre-orders commenced on the Makuake crowdfunding platform on May 1, with shipments anticipated to begin in mid-July 2026. Mizuno's strategic move into esports signifies its ambition to cultivate this rapidly growing sector as a significant pillar of future growth.