Final weekend was nuts. The largest non-EVO offline event, Combo Breaker 2026, reached its conclusion with Avenue Fighter 6 closing out the massively profitable occasion. Whereas Zeng “Xiao Hai” Zhuojun gained the bracket and punched his ticket to each Capcom Cup 13 and the Esports World Cup, the children of the FGC additionally confirmed up on the event to remind us that they’re right here to play.
I’m not simply speaking in regards to the runner-up, Hinao. One other child with the tag THEBABYS212 additionally confirmed up and fully smoked his opponent. In a world of “preventing video games are laborious,” we’ve got these beacons of sunshine displaying us that it’s all a matter of mindset.
Not simply that, however to additionally remind us that the “FGC youngsters are alright.”
THEBABYS212’s Efficiency is a Reminder That Combating Video games Aren’t Going Anyplace
For those who have been on Twitter throughout Combo Breaker 2026, you would possibly’ve run right into a tweet showcasing a 10-year-old child taking part in basic Ken named THEBABYS212. His match was streamed to 1000’s of viewers, and boy, did he not disappoint.
This child was whiff-punishing, doing Jinrai loops, and simply total taking part in the sport at a really aggressive degree. He even gained the set 2-0 over Trendy Juri participant PLASMADRAGON, which sparked debates about Trendy versus Basic management schemes once more. Now, I couldn’t care much less about this argument as a result of that’s not the purpose! The purpose is {that a} 10-year-old child goes to tournaments and profitable their units.
Even the Japanese broadcast of the event was impressed with how THEBABYS212 performed!
Which means preventing video games nonetheless enchantment to youthful youngsters who principally want video games resembling Roblox or Fortnite, and, in extension, that preventing video games will proceed to reside on as they are going to ultimately be the torchbearers of the neighborhood after some a long time.
Hinao’s Run Reveals That He’s Destined to be a Champion
If I’m going to speak in regards to the youngsters within the FGC, it’ll be bizarre if I don’t discuss in regards to the Avenue Fighter 6 Combo Breaker 2026 Runner-up, Hinao. This child is a beast. I keep in mind the primary time I discovered his title was when he gained the FightClub Championship VI Chengdu in 2024, punching his ticket to Capcom Cup 12.
In that event, he used Ryu and beat Evo champions Victor “Punk” Woodley and Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi. He didn’t simply beat them, he blasted them each, 3-0’ing them on his method to the grand closing.
Then, he gained the entire thing after resetting the bracket and taking part in a nail-biting closing set in opposition to Jojotaro. I keep in mind watching the reside protection and seeing him win over $7,000 USD for his feats. When it got here time to elevate the trophy, he genuinely had issues lifting it as a result of it was too heavy for him. This event was additionally his first worldwide event.
Now, round half a yr later, Hinao took on his second worldwide event at Combo Breaker 2026 and ended up second solely to fairly probably the most effective preventing sport gamers alive, Xiao Hai.
If he’s in a position to constantly high eight in his worldwide tournaments, what’s stopping him from being the following massive factor in preventing video games?
Hinao has insane potential. In his match in opposition to Xiao Hai within the grand finals, Hinao gave the impression to be somewhat too antsy and repeatedly put himself in a foul spot by burning out. Xiao Hai took benefit of this by taking part in much more patiently and punishing Hinao’s errors. Xiao Hai performed like an actual veteran, which threw Hinao off his rhythm, as a result of Hinao normally gained his units via uncooked aggression.
Although he misplaced, a few of the veterans within the FGC nonetheless complimented Hinao’s run. In a tweet, Yusuke “Momochi” Momochi stated he wished Hinao would maintain his head excessive regardless of his loss, as a result of his run was nonetheless excellent. He provides that seeing the youthful ones performing very well in tournaments has sparked his aggressive drive to by no means fall behind.
The gang additionally had Hinao’s again all through the grand closing. Everybody in Combo Breaker 2026 wished Hinao to take the title. Now, this would possibly simply be as a result of they’re uninterested in seeing Mai on the display, or perhaps they’re uninterested in seeing Xiao Hai win, however there was a loud “Aww” sound from the viewers after Xiao Hai efficiently whiff punishes Hinao for the win.
Don’t get it twisted, nevertheless: the viewers nonetheless clapped for Xiao Hai and congratulated him.
Most Combating Video games Now Have a Consultant From the Youthful Technology
Yup, you heard that proper. Most preventing video games these days function a personality representing the youthful era. In my view, this began post-COVID when gamers like Mashita “acola” Hayato and Miya exploded within the Tremendous Smash Bros. Final scene. They got here out of nowhere and began profitable tremendous majors and taking names from legendary smash gamers like Leonardo “MkLeo” Lopez Perez and Tyler “Marss” Martins.
Then, in October 2025, Reject established its Youth Division, with Hinao as a member. That very same month, the group despatched Hinao to Chengdu to take part within the FightClub Championship VI Chengdu. Effectively, everyone knows how that occurred. Apart from him, I don’t assume any younger-generation fighter has reached heights just like Hinao’s in Avenue Fighter 6.
Nevertheless, in 2XKO, there’s one. Bleed. This child, similar to Hinao, gained a significant at a really younger age. Earlier this yr, Frosty Faustings XVIII hosted the biggest variety of entrants for 2XKO in a event with over 900 folks registering for the sport’s bracket. The one who reigned on high? None aside from Bleed.
In an interview with Riot, he talked about that he desires to be “the beginning of the brand new era for the gamers within the FGC” and that by the top of his profession, he desires to be a “pillar of the brand new era.”
The FGC Youngsters Are Alright, And They’ll Proceed To Be Alright
For those who’re not aware of the phrase “the children are alright,” it principally implies that the youthful era will do fantastic and can attempt. Within the FGC context, because of this the children are nonetheless taking part in preventing video games regardless of different choices. To place an optimistic spin on the phrase, you possibly can basically say that the historical past and way forward for the FGC is in good arms, seeing that youngsters this younger are taking the style significantly and even profitable.
These youngsters grew up at a time when preventing video games have been very accessible. They’re accessible on each console, and all they want is an web connection to play in opposition to different folks. It pains me to say this, however gone are the times of going to arcades the place you line up your quarters in cupboards to indicate who’s subsequent in line. Combating video games these days permit gamers to hone their abilities anytime they need.
With how accessible the video games are these days, this solely will increase the enchantment of preventing video games to the youthful era. With how Hinao and Bleed are performing, I’d be shocked if we don’t see an enormous surge of inhabitants within the FGC within the close to future. To not point out, Avenue Fighter 6’s reputation in Japan has reached ranges that the FGC hasn’t heard of, and we all know that’s the place the beasts are.
The FGC youngsters are alright and can proceed to be alright. As older members of the FGC, it’s our accountability to welcome them with open arms.
