Editor's note 7/16: Panda recently parted ways with games like Mortal Kombat, Smash 64, Pokemon, Rivals of Aether, and SoulCalibur. As a result, Hayatei, BNBBN, SKD, and Shen Chan are no longer part of the team.

Panda is one of the most influential esports organizations in the fighting game community. Dr. Alan Bunney, aka “SamuraiPanda,” and David Wu founded the North American company in 2015. 

The team’s revolutionary contributions to competitive fighting games stretch from player development to event organization. They sponsor players in traditional fighters, anime fighters, and platform fighters, while also emphasizing content creation through successful streams. In 2018 they established the Panda Global Rankings (PGR), a complex ranking system that determines the top players in multiple games.

Panda eventually expanded into other areas of gaming like Pokemon, speedrunning, and even online chess. For now, let’s highlight their roster of fighting game players.

Punk

Real Name: Victor Woodley
Country: USA
Primary Game: Street Fighter

Main Character: Karin 

Also Competed In: Dragon Ball FighterZ, Injustice 2

Punk is arguably the most successful Street Fighter V player. Since bursting onto the scene as a 16-year old phenom in 2016, he won over twenty major tournaments and continues to make Top-8 finishes look routine. He is also one of the biggest personalities in the FGC.

Notable SFV tournament victories

• 2x Capcom Pro Tour NA Regional Finals (2017-2018)87
• 3x DreamHack (Austin 2017, Atlanta 2017, Dallas 2019)
• ELEAGUE Invitational 2017
• East Coast Throwdown 2017
• Summer Jam 2018
• Red Bull Conquest Finals 2018
• Geico Gaming Championship Finals 2018
• Final Round 2019
• Street Grand Battle 2019
• Combo Breaker 2019
• Ultimate Fighting Arena 2019
• First Attack 2019

Other notable SFV placements

• 2nd at CEO 2017
• 2nd at Evo 2017
• 2nd at Summer Jam 2017
• 4th at Evo Japan 2019
• 2nd at NorCal Regionals 2019
• 2nd at VSFighting 2019
• 2nd at Capcom Pro Tour NA Regional Finals 2019
• 2nd at Capcom Cup 2019

JWong

Real Name: Justin Wong
Country: USA
Primary Games: Marvel vs. Capcom, Street Fighter, and everything in between

Every fighting game fan should be familiar with Justin Wong, arguably the greatest player of all-time. The 9-time EVO champion won countless tournaments in a variety of series. JWong is a living legend and true pioneer in the FGC dating back to the early 2000s. 

Notable tournament victories

• 7x Evo Champion for Marvel vs Capcom 2
• Evo 2009 (Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike)
• Evo 2014 (Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3) 
• Electronic Sports World Cup 2010 (Street Fighter IV) 
• Final Round 2014 (Killer Instinct)
• MLG Anaheim (Killer Instinct)
• CEO 2014 (Killer Instinct)
• Final Round 2016 (Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3)
• Combo Breaker 2016 (Street Fighter V)
• 3x Dreamhack (Austin 2016, Austin 2018, Montreal 2018) [Street Fighter V]

Other notable placements

• 3rd at Evo 2004 (Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike)
• 2nd at Evo 2005 (Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike)
• 4th at Evo 2006 (Tekken 5)
• 2nd at Evo 2007 (Marvel vs. Capcom 2)
• 3rd at Evo 2007 (Capcom vs. SNK 2)
• 2nd at Evo 2008 (Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike)
• 2nd at Evo 2009 (Street Fighter IV)
• 2nd at Evo 2013 (both Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Street Fighter x Tekken) 
• 3rd at Capcom Cup 2013 (Street Fighter x Tekken)
• 2nd at DreamHack Montreal 2017 (Street Fighter V)
• 3rd at Evo 2019 (Samurai Shodown)

Hayatei

Real Name: Alexandre Dube-Bilodeau
Country: Canada
Primary Games: Mortal Kombat, Injustice

Main Characters: Takeda (MKX), Robin (I2), Fujin/Erron Black (MK11)

The French-speaking Canadian Hayatei is a household name in NRS esports. Few rival his consistent top-8 finishes. Character loyalty, strong fundamentals, and technical gameplay won him events like Viennality.

Notable NRS tournament placements 

• 1st at Viennality 2019 (MK11)
• 3rd at Kumite in Tennessee 2016 (MKX)
• 2nd at Combo Breaker 2016 (MKX)
• Top 8 at ESL MKX Pro League Season 3 Finals
• Top 8 at Evo 2016 (MKX)
• Top 8 at Evo 2017 (I2)
• 3rd at Injustice 2 Pro Series 2017 Grand Finals
• Top 8 at ELEAGUE 2017 Injustice 2 World Championship
• 2nd at Viennality 2018 (I2)
• Top 8 at Evo 2018 (I2)
• 2nd at SoCal Regionals 2018 (I2)
• Top 8 at Injustice 2 Pro Series 2018 Grand Finals
• 3rd at DreamHack Dallas 2019 (MK11)
• Top 8 at Evo 2019 (MK11)
• 3rd at WePlay Dragon Temple (MK11)

Kitana Prime

Real name: Bryant Benzing
Country: USA
Primary Games: Mortal Kombat, Injustice

Main Characters: Kitana (MKX), Wonder Woman (I2), Jade (MK11)

Kitana Prime is an extremely respectable competitor and commentator. He brings both knowledge and hype to any event. Developers often request KP to cast, a sign of success in multiple facets of the community.

Notable NRS tournament placements

• 3rd at Viennality 2017 (MKX)
• Top 8 at NEC 2017
• Top 8 at Viennality 2018 (MKX & I2)
• Top 8 at Kumite in Tennessee 2019 (MKX & I2)
• 4th at Frosty Faustings 2019 (I2)

HookGangGod

Real Name: Eduardo Deno
Country: USA
Primary Game: Dragon Ball FighterZ

Main Team: Piccolo/Goku (SSGSS)/Broly

HookGangGod’s legend in Dragon Ball FighterZ started when he was fired from a movie theatre for playing too much on the job. He went on to win several major events, including a victory over SonicFox at Summit of Power.  

Notable DBFZ tournament victories 

• Summit of Power 2018
• Thunderstruck 2018
• Frosty Faustings 2019 

Other notable DBFZ placements 

• Top 8 at Combo Breaker 2018
• 3rd at DreamHack Austin 2018
• Top 8 CEO 2018
• 2nd at Ultimate Fighting Arena 2018
• 2nd at East Coast Throwdown 2018
• Top 8 at DBFZ World Tour Finals 2018-2019
• 4th at Final Round 2019
• 2nd at Combo Breaker 2019
• 4th at VSFighting 2019

BNBBN

Real Name: Kei Komada
Country: Japan
Primary Game: Dragon Ball FighterZ

This former Street Fighter IV competitor gained wider recognition as a rising talent in Dragon Ball FighterZ. BNBBN won the DBFZ World Tour Finals Last Chance Qualifier in 2018-2019 to erupt onto the scene. He would go on to make Top 8 at the Finals, which became a regular theme for future tournaments. 

Main Team: Kid Buu/Goku (GT)/Bardock

Notable DBFZ tournament placements 

• 2nd at SEA Major 2019
• Top 8 at Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour Finals 2018-2019
• Top 8 at REV Major 2019
• Top 8 at Red Bull Spain 2019

Shen Chan

Real Name: Jovian Chan
Country: Singapore
Primary Game: SoulCalibur VI

Main Character: Cervantes

Shen Chan is one of the most prolific players in SoulCalibur history. Chan first competed in the SCV before setting the standard for how to play Ceventas in SCVI. He is also at the forefront of SoulCalibur’s Southeast Asia (SEA) community, particularly in his homeland of Singapore where the game is especially popular. 

Notable SoulCalibur VI tournament placements 

• 2nd at Evo 2012 (SCV)
• 2nd at Evo Japan 2019
• 3rd at CEO 2019
• 3rd at WSOE SoulCalibur VI Showdown
• Top 8 at Evo 2019
• 2nd at SoulCalibur Asia League Finals 2019
• 4th at Evo Japan 2020

Kizzie Kay

Real Name: Keenan Kizzie
Country: USA
Primary Games: Guilty Gear, Granblue Fantasy: Versus, and other Anime Fighters

Mains: Sin Kiske (GGXRD), Ky Kiske (GG Strive)

Kizzie Kay is a premier name in Anime Fighters and one of the most entertaining personalities in the FGC. He competes in multiple games like Dragon Ball FighterZ, BlazBlue, and Samurai Shodown, but is best known for playing Guilty Gear and Granblue. His versatile skill set makes him a formidable opponent in any fighting game. 

Notable tournament victories 

• Frosty Faustings 2019 (GGXRD)
• The Pinnacle 2019 (GGXRD)
• Evo 2019 (GBFV)
• CEOtaku 2019 (Samurai Shodown)

Other notable tournament placements 

• 2nd at CEOtaku 2016 (BBCF)
• 4th at Anime Ascension 2017 (BBCF)
• 2nd at SoCal Regionals 2018 (GGXRD)
• 3rd at Red Bull Conquest Finals 2018 (GGXRD)
• 3rd at Combo Breaker 2019 (GGXRD)
• 2nd at the Pinnacle 2019 (SamSho)

 MarlinPie

Real name: Kyohei Lehr
Country: USA
Primary Games: Guilty Gear, Marvel vs. Capcom

Mains: Zato-1, I-No (GG), C. Viper/Doctor Doom/Amaterasu (UMVC3)

An FGC veteran, MarlinPie started with Guilty Gear XX before becoming a frequent Top-8 presence in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. He would soon return to Guilty Gear with the release of XRD, solidifying his place as one of the best players in the world. Expect more success for MarlinPie in Guilty Gear Strive.

Notable tournament victories

• Shadowloo Showdown 2012 (UMvC3)
• Winter Brawl 2015 (GGXRD)
• East Coast Throwdown 2018 (GGXRD) 
• Defend the North 2019 (GGXRD)

Other notable tournament placements

• Top 8 at Capcom Cup 2013 (UMvC3) 
• 2nd at Combo Breaker 2016 (GGXRD)
• 3rd at CEO 2016 (GGXRD)
• 2nd at CEOtaku 2016 (GGXRD)
• 2nd at Summer Jam XI (GGXRD)
• 2nd at NEC 2017 (GGXRD)
• Top 8 Red Bull Conquest Finals 2018 (GGXRD)
• 2nd at Anime Ascension 2019 (GGXRD)
• 2nd at Headstomper 2019 (GGXRD)
• 2nd at AnimEVO 2019 (GGXRD)

SKD

Real name: Jachin Harte
Country: USA
Primary Game: BlazBlue

Mains: Izayoi (BBCF), Ruby/Jin (BBCTB)

SKD (short for SuperKawaiiDesu) is arguably the world’s most dominant BlazBlue player. An unrelenting force in BlazBlue: Central Fiction, he has also won several tournaments in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle. SKD is a leader in promoting the growth of BlazBlue and other anime fighters.

Notable tournament victories 

• 2x Anime Ascension (2018-2019) [BBCF] 
• 2x Defend the North (2015 and 2018) [BBCP and BBCTB]
• Combo Breaker 2017 (BBCF)
• CEO 2017 (BBCF)
• Winter Brawl 2018 (BBCF)
• Brussels Challenge 2019 (BBCTB)
• Headstomper 2019 (BBCF)

Other notable tournament placements

• 2nd at Frosty Faustings 2017 (BBCF)
• 2nd at Anime Ascension 2017 (BBCF)
• 3rd at CEOtaku 2017 (BBCF)
• 2nd at Combo Breaker (BBCF)
• 2nd at CEOtaku 2018 (BBCF)
• 2nd at Frosty Faustings 2019 (BBCF)
• 2nd at Brussels Challenge 2019 (BBCF)
• 3rd at CEOtaku 2019 (BBCF) 

Be on the lookout for these players at online and offline tournaments. You might even run into one of them at online events like Evo 2021 Online.