Mini joins ZETA DIVISION Alongside SyouTa and Absol for 2026

ZETA DIVISION have officially announced the addition of Jacob “mini” Harris to their VALORANT division, bringing one of the most accomplished coaching minds in the game to Japan as a Coaching Advisor. The move keeps mini in the Pacific region following his 2025 stint with Paper Rex. The organization has also has confirmed the return of Shota “SyouTa” Aoki alongside the permanent addition of Kazuki “Absol” Fujinoki, finalizing a pair of signings from Japanese Challengers team Murash Gaming.

A Strategic Role Focused on Structure and Support

According to ZETA DIVISION, mini will operate as a Coaching Advisor, a role designed to provide tactical guidance and a second perspective for the team’s coaching staff. Rather than replacing existing coaches, mini’s position centers on supporting decision-making, refining preparation processes, and strengthening the organization’s overall coaching methodology. ZETA also emphasized that his experience will extend beyond match strategy, contributing to fundamentals such as team-building principles and instructional approaches across the broader support staff.

According to mini, his job is to “primarily to work with the coaching staff with whatever they need. Slightly different than PRX but will see how it morphs.”

In a message shared by the organization, mini expressed his enthusiasm for continuing his journey in Japan, noting the warmth of local fans and his desire to give back by helping ZETA achieve success in the coming season. He said, “The fans have always made me feel very welcome and helped shape many great memories on my adventures in Japan. I hope I can repay the kindnesses by supporting ZETA to overcome over this coming season!”

My role as “coaching advisor” will be primarily to work with the coaching staff with whatever they need.

Slightly different than PRX but will see how it morphs.

— mini (@minijake_) December 15, 2025

Mini’s Legacy With Fnatic: A Golden Era

Mini’s reputation was forged during his long tenure with Fnatic, where he served as a central figure behind one of the most dominant eras in VALORANT history. After a second-place finish at the first-ever international event at Masters Reykjavik in 2021, and after the roster rebuild ahead of 2023, mini helped guide Fnatic to multiple international titles that year, including victories at VCT LOCK//IN São Paulo 2023 and Masters Tokyo 2023. Under his leadership, Fnatic were widely regarded as the most structured and adaptable team in the world that year.

Beyond trophies, mini was known for Fnatic’s ability to evolve across metas and deliver in high-pressure playoff environments, setting a benchmark for coaching standards in EMEA and internationally. He decided to take a break, citing the extreme stress and exhaustion he was facing and how he had no time for a personal life as reasons for his decision. However, mini remained with FNC as their assistant coach for the upcoming season before eventually leaving the team.

A Brief but Notable 2025 Chapter With Paper Rex

After departing Fnatic, mini remained at the top level of competition by joining Paper Rex’s coaching staff in 2025. While his time with the Pacific powerhouse was shorter, the stint kept him deeply involved in the region’s elite competition and exposed him to a contrasting team culture and gameplay in a whole new region. His time with them culminated in a Masters Toronto trophy and a fourth-place finish at Champions Paris.

For ZETA DIVISION, bringing in mini represents an investment in long-term competitiveness rather than a short-term fix. With mini joining as Coaching Advisor, ZETA DIVISION add a globally respected voice to their VALORANT program: one shaped by championships, international experience, and years of elite-level preparation, including a year working with a fellow Pacific team and even winning a trophy with them.

ZETA DIVISION’s Finalized Roster

ZETA DIVISION appears to have locked in its core lineup for 2026. Absol had already spent time with ZETA as a temporary addition, most notably during the team’s campaign at Red Bull Home Ground. That event saw the Japanese organization place third, finishing behind North American giants G2 Esports and NRG. He also played during ZETA’s brief appearance in the SOOP Valorant League. While competing as a stand-in, Absol split Duelist duties with recent pickup eKo, operating as one of two primary fraggers while remaining contracted to Murash.

SyouTa, meanwhile, returns to ZETA after a short stint away. He originally joined the organization ahead of the 2025 season, but departed following VCT Pacific Stage 1 to link up with Murash and prior to his first ZETA spell, SyouTa spent two seasons with FENNEL, and earlier in his career also represented CREST GAMING Zst.

eKo is set as the team’s primary Duelist, with Absol offering secondary Duelist coverage and the ability to shift onto Initiator when needed. SugarZ3ro anchors the Controller role, Xdll takes on Initiator responsibilities, and SyouTa rounds out the roster as a flexible piece, drawing on his experience across Controller and Sentinel at the top level.

As the 2026 season approaches, mini’s influence combined with ZETA’s rebuilt roster could prove pivotal in helping the Japanese team refine their identity and push toward deeper runs on domestic and international stages alike.