Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. has evolved quite significantly since its GameCube release in 1999. There were just twelve core characters available, such as the iconic Mario, Donkey Kong, Kirby, and Pikachu. Some 23 years later, the franchise has seen the Ultimate variant become increasingly popular, especially within the esports scene. 

Despite the game not quite being the same as it was way back on the Nintendo 64, Smash Bros. professionals have spent decades perfecting the art with their chosen animated character, and have grown up to adapt and mould the game into its current rendition.

This makes it ever-more surprising that a 15-year-old prodigy is now on the rise, and has been dubbed as the "next god of Ultimate", even though the franchise outdates his lifetime by nearly eight years.

Who is the 'Next God of Ultimate' prodigy?

Japanese teenager "acola" has quickly become a sensation in the Smash Bros. community after just two months of competing, as the schoolboy has taught lessons to one of the most profound regions in the esport.

Began his professional offline career in February, with a second-place finish at Japan's regional event 'Maesuma', losing only to Shuto "Shuton" Moriya who is a top 25 Smash Bros. Wii U all-time player, acola has since gone on to win four consecutive offline events, taking the region by storm.

Competing in singles, the 15-year-old took home gold at Sumabato SP24, Maesuma Offline #2, MaesumaTOP #7, and Kagaribi #7, in less than 50 days. The most recent championship win at Kagaribi was a platinum-tier Smash World Tour event, which has catapulted his name across the globe. 

Having stunned Japan, acola has been hailed as the "next god of Ultimate" by none other than previous world number one Juan "Hungrybox" Debiedma - who himself dines at the table of the "Five Gods" (a prestigious collection of players who make up the best five Smash Bros. players of all-time). 

"A 15-year old Steve from Japan who has only been playing offline for 2 months just won a major over Shuton, Yoshidora, Tea, Kameme, KEN, Kome and many more. His name is あcola (acola). Potentially next god of Ultimate. Keep your eyes on it," said Hungrybox on Twitter.

As it stands, acola currently operates on Steve, the Minecraft character whose collab into Smash Bros. has seen him wield the famous pickaxe. 

The high praise on the prodigy does heighten the expectations behind the teenager, although his impressive record doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon, and it might not be too long before he faces off with Hungrybox himself on a world stage.