The JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS 2025, an annual festival honoring achievements in the domestic eSports scene, was held at Pacifico Yokohama North on Monday, January 12, 2026!
In the Buzzword Award category, the top 10 eSports-related buzzwords of 2025 were announced in a ranking format.
Japan eSports Awards 2025 Buzzword Award Announced! 1st Place Surprisingly Goes to That Word
At the Japan eSports Awards 2025, an eSports-related buzzword ranking from 1st to 10th place, created based on a survey, was announced.
Clutch_Fi (@Clutch_Fi) and Fanta (@Fanta_JPN) of ZETA DIVISION, along with Haitani (@hai090) of REJECT, appeared as guests to witness the outcome of the ranking.
The ranking is as follows:
- 1st Place: Gokujou (Excellent)
- 2nd Place: Sumanainee (I'm sorry...)
- 3rd Place: Kiee
- 4th Place: Factory Manager
- 5th Place: Haa? Yabasugidaro (Huh? That's too much)
- 6th Place: Nanda Koitsu... (What on Earth is s/he)
- 7th Place: 75% for Analyzing the Player, and 35% for Strategy
- 8th Place: Yo no I no Shi no Yo
- 9th Place: League The k4sen
- 10th Place: Kikesco (Kikosuke)
10th Place: Kikesco (Kikosuke) (1,312 Votes)
YouTubeA term used in the professional Street Fighter 6 scene to describe how the side that has won two rounds first tends to psychologically let their guard down, making them easy to overtake.
While it was originally supposed to be an abbreviation for kiken na score (dangerous score) called Kikesco, it also originated as Kikosuke due to a slip of the tongue by Fuudo (@TheFuudo).
9th Place: League The k4sen (1,429 Votes)
YouTubeA large-scale League of Legends event produced by streamer k4sen (@k4sen) and ZETA DIVISION.
It greatly energized the League of Legends title.
8th Place: Yo no I no Shi no Yo (1,502 Votes)
YouTubeA signature victory line uttered by Raolie (@raori_) of REJECT at the moment of victory in an IdentityV tournament.
Having achieved a major victory that wiped away the previous day's regrets, he said Yo no I no Shi no Yo instead of Yoisho while full of adrenaline, which spread widely among fans.
It has become established as a slogan symbolizing his manly playstyle and the team's bond.
7th Place: 75% for Analyzing the Player, and 35% for Strategy (1,692 Votes)
YouTubeA comment made by Ryukichi (@ryukichi1214) of FAV gaming during an interview in the Street Fighter League, a professional Street Fighter 6 league.
Although he said it with full confidence, when calculated, it totaled 110%, and the interviewer immediately called him out on it.
Because of its humor, it became popular among fans and started being used as a meme.
6th Place: Nanda Koitsu... (What on Earth is s/he) (1,783 Votes)
YouTubeA comment made by Neo-Porte VTuber Konkon Aria (@Aria_Konkon) during practice for League The k4sen.
In response to teasing from coach Raizin (@Eclair08), the usually mild-mannered Aria accidentally let the phrase slip out of confusion, causing it to go viral instantly.
After being turned into merchandise and more, it successfully ranked in 6th place.
5th Place: Haa? Yabasugidaro (Huh? That's too much) (1,824 Votes)
YouTubeA verbal habit that streamer Mittiii (@_mittiii) lets out during a stream when witnessing an unexpected play.
Despite having the calm strategic eye of a former professional, the funny contrast of him getting emotional during streams spread, making it a buzzword.
4th Place: Factory Manager (1,925 Votes)
YouTubeA term referring to a broadcasting accident in July 2025 where streamer Hiiragi Tsurugi (@HiiragiTsurugi) accidentally launched a PC game due to an operation error during a stream.
Because of the word Factory included in that game's name, he was playfully called Factory Manager, and it spread as a buzzword.
3rd Place: Kiee (3,167 Votes)
YouTubeA word born in March 2025 during an online argument regarding rule changes for the VTuber Saikyo Ketteisen Street Fighter 6.
It started when the organizer, Shibuya Hal (@ShibuyaHAL), gave calm yet sharp rebuttals to critical users.
However, many viewers expressed that seeing the argument on their timelines was stressful.
In response, Shibuya Hal began adding Kiee to the beginning of his rebuttals so that those who didn't want to see them could set it as a muted word.
This humorous self-defense measure spread widely among streamers and fans who found it amusing.
2nd Place: Sumanainee (I'm sorry...) (3,211 Votes)
YouTubeA word spoken by VSPO! VTuber Yano Kuromu (@kuromu_yano) during the VTuber Saikyo Ketteisen VALORANT.
Although she only said it as a modest expression of apology, it became popular and turned into a meme after being incorporated into the team name.
1st Place: Gokujou (Excellent) (3,635 Votes)
YouTubeA word born from Clutch_Fi, who appeared as a guest this time, during Final Fantasy XIV The k4sen while challenging high-difficulty content.
Referring to a barrier he deployed, he praised himself with high tension, calling it a Gokujou (Excellent) Barrier. This quickly became popular and successfully won 1st place.
Various events occurred in the eSports and streamer world of 2025.
It is very exciting to see what will happen in 2026!
The archive of the Japan eSports Awards 2025 is available on YouTube, so please take a look.
◤ 日本eスポーツアワード
流行語大賞2025 ◢eスポーツ流行語大賞2025見事1位に輝いたのは「極上」！
ランキングTOP10はこちら！
みなさまの記憶に残った言葉はいくつあったでしょうか？日本eスポーツアワード流行語大賞に多くのご投票をいただき誠にありがとうございました！… pic.twitter.com/nqnBaE7yG6
— 日本eスポーツアワード (@esportsawardsJP) January 12, 2026
