Japanese LoL Esports Icon Evi Announces Retirement
Shunsuke ‘Evi’ Murase has announced his retirement from professional League of Legends after an 11-year career, bringing an end to one of Japan’s most storied esports legacies. Widely regarded as the greatest League of Legends player ever to emerge from Japan, Evi accumulated 12 LJL (League of Legends Japan League) titles and represented his country across six World Championships.
In a historic achievement for the Japanese esports scene, Evi became the first Japanese professional player to be imported to another region when he joined the LEC’s Team Heretics in 2023, demonstrating the quality and competitiveness of Japan’s esports talent on the global stage.
Following the announcement, the competitive League of Legends community has rallied to honor Evi’s contributions. Caster Alex ‘Nymaera’ Hapgood, who closely followed much of Evi’s career in the LJL, highlighted his significance as a figure for the region’s esports scene.
Looking ahead, Evi has expressed his commitment to continuing his involvement with Japanese League of Legends by mentoring younger players and sharing the extensive experience and skills he has developed throughout his professional journey. His transition to a mentorship role represents an opportunity to strengthen the future of competitive play in Japan and help cultivate the next generation of talent.