If you’ve been anywhere near a computer in the last decade, you know Imane Anys. Most people just call her Pokimane. She’s the face of a generation of streamers, a multi-millionaire mogul, and the person who basically defined what "lifestyle streaming" looks like. But before the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and the multi-platform deals, there was the Rift.
Pokimane League of Legends content wasn't just a phase; it was the bedrock of her entire career.
It’s weird to think about now, but there was a time when she wasn't reacting to TikToks or hosting podcasts with Bernie Sanders. She was just another mid-laner trying not to tilt. Honestly, her relationship with League is kinda complicated. It’s the game that made her, but it’s also the game that—by her own admission—burned her out more than once.
The Grind That Built an Empire
Back in 2013 and 2014, League of Legends was the undisputed king of Twitch. Pokimane entered that space as a Diamond-ranked player. That’s actually a pretty big deal. A lot of people like to claim she was "boosted" or just a "support main," but if you actually look at the old VODs, she was a legitimate Lux and Morgana threat.
She wasn't just "good for a girl." She was just plain good.
She hit Diamond several times throughout the early seasons. For those who don't play, hitting Diamond puts you in the top 1% or 2% of the global player base. It takes a certain level of mental illness—or at least extreme dedication—to grind that many games.
Her growth was explosive. In 2017 alone, she gained nearly half a million followers. The Shorty Awards even named her Twitch Streamer of the Year because of her LoL commentary. People loved the mix of high-level play and her bubbly personality. It was a contrast to the toxic, screaming-into-the-mic energy that dominated the League directory back then.
Main Champions and Playstyle
Poki was primarily a mid-lane and support player. While she eventually branched out, her "signatures" were:
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- Lux: The ultimate "Poki" champion. Long-range, high utility, and pink.
- Morgana: Her go-to when she needed to actually win a lane.
- Anivia: This one actually caused a huge controversy because people misheard her saying the champion's name as a slur.
- Orianna: For when she wanted to show off her mechanical ceiling.
Why Pokimane League of Legends Streams Dwindled
Eventually, the honeymoon phase ended. If you've played League for more than a month, you know the feeling. The toxicity starts to get to you. The patches change everything you loved about your main.
By 2020, her variety content took over. Among Us, Fortnite, and Valorant became her bread and butter. Valorant, specifically, seemed to replace the competitive itch that League used to scratch. It was fresher, and Riot Games was putting a massive marketing push behind it.
She’s been very open about why she stopped playing League as a "main" game. The community is... well, it’s a lot. Dealing with 20,000 people watching you miss a cannon minion is stressful enough. Dealing with "incel" culture and constant harassment while trying to climb to Master tier is another thing entirely.
In early 2024, she made waves by officially leaving her Twitch contract. She didn't leave the platform entirely at first, but she stopped being "The Twitch Girl." In 2025 and moving into 2026, her content shifted almost entirely toward YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
What Really Happened With the Anivia Incident?
You can't talk about her League history without the drama. It's impossible.
The "Anivia Incident" is a classic example of how the internet works. During a heated match, she shouted something that sounded remarkably like a racial slur. The clip went nuclear. Even years later, people bring it up. Pokimane has clarified multiple times—and the context of the VOD supports it—that she was just saying "Anivia."
But the damage was done. It became fuel for people who already didn't like her. It's one of those things where no matter how much you explain it, a certain segment of the internet has already decided what they heard.
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Then there was the JiDion situation in 2022. While not strictly about League, it started because of her position as a top female creator in the gaming space. It highlighted the massive divide between the "OG" gaming culture and the new era of content creation she helped build.
Where She Stands in 2026
Is she still playing? Sorta.
As of early 2026, Pokimane’s League of Legends appearances are rare. She usually pops up for special events or "nostalgia" streams. Recently, she’s been seen participating in community tournaments hosted by people like Ludwig or MoistCrittikal.
Her rank has naturally slipped since she isn't grinding 10 hours a day. She usually hovers around Emerald or high Platinum (now called Emerald/Gold in the updated rank distributions). She’s admitted she doesn't have the "prodigy" mechanics anymore, and honestly? She doesn't need them.
She’s transitioned from "Pro LoL Streamer" to "Global Celebrity Who Plays Games."
The Legacy of the "Pokimane Era"
- Breaking the Mold: She proved a woman could be high-ranked and massively popular without relying on "titty streamer" tropes.
- The Variety Blueprint: She was one of the first to successfully pivot from a hardcore MOBA to variety content without losing her core audience.
- Riot Relationship: She’s still a "Riot Partner." You’ll see her in trailers and at events like the World Championship (Worlds) as a VIP or interviewer.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Skill
The biggest misconception is that she was "carried" to Diamond.
I’ve watched those 2015-2017 VODs. You can’t fake Diamond-level map awareness for three years straight. Sure, she duo-queued with other high-level players, but everyone in high elo does that. League is a team game. If she was actually Silver-level, her win rate would have plummeted the moment she went solo. It never did.
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She’s actually a very smart player. Her mechanics on champions like Lux were genuinely sharp. She knew her power spikes. She knew how to rotate.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Streamers
If you’re looking at Pokimane’s career and trying to figure out how to replicate that success in the current 2026 gaming landscape, here is what you need to take away.
Don't tie your identity to one game. Pokimane would have fizzled out in 2019 if she had stayed strictly a League streamer. The game is exhausting. Use a "main" game to build a foundation, but introduce your personality early so people stay for you, not the Rank.
Master the "Pivot." When Valorant launched, she was all over it. When Among Us blew up, she was the leader of the pack. You have to have your finger on the pulse of what's next.
Community is armor. The reason she survived the "Anivia" drama and the JiDion raids is that she built a community that actually likes her. They aren't just there to see a win screen; they're there for the "Poki" brand.
Pokimane and League of Legends are like high school sweethearts who grew apart but still follow each other on Instagram. The spark of the grind is gone, replaced by a more mature, business-oriented approach to content. She doesn't need the Rift anymore, but the Rift definitely needed her to show what was possible for creators in the space.
To stay updated on her current rank and match history, you can check her verified accounts on OP.GG under the North American region. Most of her current competitive energy is directed toward Valorant or whatever the newest Riot title happens to be, but the occasional Lux mid-game still happens when the nostalgia hits just right.
Next Steps for Research:
- Check out the OP.GG profiles for her known smurfs to see her 2026 win rates.
- Watch her "End of an Era" video on YouTube for her full explanation on leaving Twitch.
- Monitor the League of Legends subreddit for announcements regarding the next Creator Invitational, as she is a frequent guest.