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 Live Entertainment Category, the eSports Caster of the Year 2025, Streamer of the Year 2025, and VTuber of the Year 2025 were announced.
Japan eSports Awards 2025 Live Entertainment Category Award Ceremony
At the Japan eSports Awards 2025, the award ceremony for the Live Entertainment Category, selected through fan voting and screening by the selection committee, took place.
The winners of this category are as follows:
- Hameko.
- Jaeger
- Kazuki Tomoda of Cygames, Inc.
- Vodka
- k4sen
- SHAKA
- Donpisha
- dtto. of REJECT
- Amaki Pururu of REJECT
- Shishiro Botan of hololive
eSports Caster of the Year 2025
The eSports Caster of the Year 2025 is given to casters who provided particularly outstanding play-by-play or color commentary at eSports tournaments and events during the year.
Hameko.
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
Thank you very much for this prestigious award.
In the competitive scene where results are everything, everyone except the winner ends up losing.
For example, at last year's EVO Japan 2025, there were about 6,670 participants in the Street Fighter 6 category, but all 6,669 people besides the winner, MenaRD, lost.
However, I believe the very important job on our shoulders as commentators is to express the value found in the processes of those who were defeated to everyone.
I will continue to work hard every day so that I can increase the value of the players and help the viewers understand the fun and the interesting nature of the tactics.
Thank you very much for today.
(Translated from Japanese)
Jaeger
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
First of all, thank you for giving me such an opportunity today.
I believe the reason I was able to receive such a wonderful award is none other than because League of Legends came to attract the attention of many people through various events and tournaments in 2025.
Therefore, personally, rather than receiving this award through my own power, I feel that I have received it thanks to the help of many different people.
Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude.
And, to repay that kindness, I will continue to put the players' passionate feelings into words to deliver them, and I will work even harder so that the fans watching can enjoy themselves even a little bit more.
Furthermore, I want to work hard to become a bridge between the community and the competitive scene, so I would appreciate your continued support.
Once again, thank you very much for today.
(Translated from Japanese)
Kazuki Tomoda of Cygames, Inc.
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
First, thank you very much for receiving this prestigious award today.
When I thought back on what kind of origins we have as eSports, I remembered that my origin was a small weekend game tournament my grandmother took me to when I was young.
There, winning or losing was decided by a single button, but the frustration of alternating between joy and sorrow in each moment, and the joy when winning—those moments were something I could really get absorbed in. I remembered that I cherish those origins and am still deeply immersed in the culture of eSports and games today.
I believe I am standing here now thanks to the caster team, management, and production staff involved with Shadowverse, and everyone who believed in and continued the competitive scene.
The year 2026 will be the milestone 10th anniversary of Shadowverse, and I will do my best to liven things up so that I can continue to deliver the heat and passion of the competitive scene to everyone through the power of words.
Thank you very much for today.
(Translated from Japanese)
Streamer of the Year 2025
The Streamer of the Year 2025 is given to streamers who boasted particularly brilliant activity or popularity in the field of game and eSports streaming during the year.
k4sen
Thank you very much for giving me the Streamer of the Year 2025 this time.
Thanks to you, I was able to win for the third consecutive year.
Streaming is something performed basically every day, but sometimes I feel like I might almost come to a stop.
At such times, I think I have been able to make it this far because the support from all the viewers and receiving an award in this way becomes an encouragement.
To all the viewers who always support me, the manufacturers who make wonderful games, and all the staff involved in the streams, thank you truly as always.
So as not to shame this wonderful award, I will work hard in my activities to continue spending enjoyable time with everyone.
Thank you very much for today.
(Translated from Japanese)
SHAKA
This year, it became a Streamer of the Year 2025 win while belonging to ZETA DIVISION.
Truly, thank you as always.
The year 2025 was especially a year of challenge; since I started doing the event called LEGENDUS, I have been able to hold it not only online but also offline.
In my own streaming activities, I have always thought it would be good if various streamers were focused on, and this event is also one I started because I wanted many people to know about gamers through interactions between streamers and those playing games competitively.
This event also exists because of the LEGENDUS staff who always think about events with me, as well as the game manufacturers and production companies.
And these events, after all, exist because of all the viewers who are watching, and I am truly always grateful.
Without stopping in 2026, I want to work hard in these kinds of activities through streaming.
Once again, thank you for the Streamer of the Year 2025 this time.
(Translated from Japanese)
Donpisha
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
First, thank you very much for naming me as an award candidate and for the fact that so many people voted.
To be honest, I didn't think it would be for the second consecutive year, so it is a great honor.
I don't strongly recognize myself as being able to contribute to eSports, but if my involvement in events and tournaments allows people to be even slightly interested in or enjoy that scene, I would be grateful to continue being involved in events and tournaments in some way.
Please support me this year as well.
Thank you very much.
(Translated from Japanese)
VTuber of the Year 2025
The VTuber of the Year 2025 is given to VTubers who boasted particularly brilliant activity or popularity in the field of game and eSports streaming in 2025.
dtto. of REJECT
I am truly honored and happy to receive such a wonderful award.
To be honest, I still feel a sense of disbelief regarding why I was chosen for such a vote.
Thank you very much for giving me such an award.
From now on, I want to do my best to deliver works that everyone can enjoy, as well as noteworthy tournaments and activities.
I would be happy if you continue to support me.
Thank you truly very much.
(Translated from Japanese)
Amaki Pururu of REJECT
I am very happy to gratefully receive the wonderful eSports Awards VTuber of the Year 2025 for the second consecutive year.
To everyone who voted, thank you very much.
This year, I had many valuable experiences, such as having the automatic commentary voice for Street Fighter 6 implemented and being able to appear in various tournaments.
Leveraging this grateful experience, I want to challenge various things in 2026 as well.
To everyone who supports me and everyone at REJECT, thank you.
I will continue to do my best.
(Translated from Japanese)
Shishiro Botan of hololive
Thank you very much for letting me receive the VTuber of the Year 2025 again this time.
Continuing from the previous year, I believe this is an award supported by many people, such as the fans who always send their cheers, the staff who support various events, and everyone who watches.
Taking this award as a new start for 2026, I want to continue to devote myself so that I can hold many fun events.
Please continue to give your support.
Thank you truly very much for this time.
(Translated from Japanese)
