The annual festival celebrating achievements in the domestic eSports scene, the JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS 2025, was held at Pacifico Yokohama North on Monday, January 12, 2026!
In the eSports Player Category, the winners of the Under 18 eSports Player of the year 2025, MOBA Player of the year 2025, Shooting Game Player of the year 2025, Fighting Game Player of the year 2025, Mind Game Player of the year 2025, Sports Game Player of the year 2025, and Non section Game Player of the year 2025 were announced.
Japan eSports Awards 2025 eSports Player Category Ceremony
At the Japan eSports Awards 2025, the ceremony for the eSports Player Category, selected through fan voting and judging by the screening committee, was held.
The winners are as follows:
- AREA310: Doramigi
- REJECT: Hinao
- Yuuki
- ZETA DIVISION: mkmldy
- Williams Sim Racing / Nagoya OJA: Sota Muto
- DRX: Tess
- Tasuku
- ZETA DIVISION: summertimer
- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Gaming: Evi
- INSOMNIA: Obuyan
- ZETA DIVISION: Rom
- ZETA DIVISION: Vitoppo
- REJECT: Alf
- ZETA DIVISION: DoLisu
- ZETA DIVISION: Kznk
- CAG OSAKA: Anitun
- RIDDLE ORDER: JoxJo
- DetonatioN FocusMe: Meiy
- VARREL: Nico
- FNATIC: YukaF
- GOOD 8 SQUAD: Kawano
- RIDDLE ORDER: Takagi
- DetonatioN FocusMe: GO1
- REJECT: Laggia
- DRX: LeShar
Under 18 eSports Player of the year 2025
The Under 18 eSports Player of the year 2025 is an award for young players who will lead the next generation of eSports, targeting pro players aged 18 or under, or students in high school or below.
It is given to players who achieved particularly outstanding performance or results.
AREA310: Doramigi
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"It is truly an honor to stand on this grand stage.
I am grateful to be here because the fans voted for me.
I will do my best this year as well, so I would be happy if you continue to support me.
Thank you very much."
(Translated from Japanese)
Yuuki
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"Thank you for this wonderful award.
I am so happy.
Last year was a very big year for me, as I was able to commentate at the Expo and win the open participation division of the National Prefectural eSports Championship.
I will continue to work hard in my Puyo Puyo activities so that I can receive such a happy award again this year."
(Translated from Japanese)
ZETA DIVISION: mkmldy
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"Thanks to the fans who always support me, I was able to receive such a wonderful award this time.
Thank you so much.
I will continue to strive to give back to everyone as much as possible through my future activities.
Please continue to support me."
(Translated from Japanese)
Sports Game Player of the year 2025
The Sports Game Player of the year 2025 was given to a player who achieved particularly outstanding performance or results in the sports game titles or genres of that year.
Williams Sim Racing / Nagoya OJA: Sota Muto
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"I am extremely honored to receive such a prestigious award.
I have been playing a game called iRacing for 11 years, since before the term “e-motorsports” existed.
The fun, excitement, depth, and also the unreasonableness of this game have something irreplaceable, and I have played it as if possessed.
I believe I have been able to come this far thanks to the environment, the community, the fans, the team members, my rivals around the world, and iRacing.
Thank you very much."
(Translated from Japanese)
DRX: Tess
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"Thank you very much to those who voted and to the Japan eSports Awards staff for providing such a precious opportunity.
I feel very honored.
This is my 7th year in my competitive life, and up until now, there were painful times and seasons when I couldn't win.
There were times when I hated the game I used to love, but being able to receive such a wonderful award now is not just due to my own strength; I am truly grateful to the DRX team members who always support me, my family, friends, and fans.
Thank you for today."
(Translated from Japanese)
Mind Game Player of the year 2025
The Mind Game Player of the year 2025 was given to a player who achieved particularly outstanding performance or results in the mind game titles or genres of that year.
Tasuku
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"First, I want to send my gratitude to the people involved in eSports and those who play eSports.
eSports is a competition that exists because there are opponents.
An opponent is a rival and, at times, a comrade who helps liven up the game.
I don't think I am standing here through my own power alone.
I believe it is because of all of you and because of the people who support me.
I want to give back by continuing activities to liven up Yu-Gi-Oh!, which changed my life.
Thank you."
(Translated from Japanese)
Yuuki
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"I am happy to receive two awards.
Thank you to everyone who voted.
I want to continue working hard on activities to let various people know about Puyo Puyo and to grow the Puyo Puyo community.
Thank you very much for giving me two awards."
(Translated from Japanese)
ZETA DIVISION: summertimer
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"Thank you very much for this wonderful award.
I sincerely thank the staff who support me daily and the fans who cheer for me.
In 2026, I will continue to aim higher in individual competitions and for victory at the EWC (Esports World Cup), which was my goal and the reason I joined the team, so please support me."
(Translated from Japanese)
MOBA Player of the year 2025
The MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) Player of the year 2025 was given to a player who achieved particularly outstanding performance or results in the MOBA game titles or genres of that year.
INSOMNIA: Obuyan
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"Thank you very much for honoring me in such a wonderful place.
As someone who loves games and has loved the MOBA genre for a long time, I feel truly happy.
I want to convey the appeal of eSports to Japan and the world through the game Pokémon UNITE, and I hope everyone can experience the amazing heat of spectating in 2026.
Thank you very much for today."
(Translated from Japanese)
ZETA DIVISION: Vitoppo
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"Thank you very much for receiving such a wonderful award this time.
I could never have received it through my power alone, but I was able to win this award thanks to the fans, everyone involved in eSports, and all the team members who play with me.
Right now, I am just filled with gratitude.
Thank you."
(Translated from Japanese)
Non section Game Player of the year 2025
The Non section Game Player of the year 2025 was given to a player who achieved particularly outstanding performance or results in titles or genres that are not included in MOBA, Shooting, Fighting, Sports, or Mind games.
REJECT: Alf
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"I feel very honored to be standing on this stage again this year, following last year.
2025 was a year of challenge as I temporarily suspended my professional activities, but in 2026, I want to make it a year where I can level up both as a person and as a player.
I would like to express my gratitude to the fans who support me daily and to everyone involved in eSports.
Thank you for today."
(Translated from Japanese)
ZETA DIVISION: Kznk
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"I am very happy to be able to receive such a wonderful award.
I will continue to work hard, so please support me.
Thank you."
(Translated from Japanese)
Shooting Game Player of the year 2025
The Shooting Game Player of the year 2025 was given to a player who achieved particularly outstanding performance or results in the relevant genre of that year.
CAG OSAKA: Anitun
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"Thank you very much to the fans for receiving this award.
2025 was the year I was able to become runner-up for the first time at RE:L0:AD 2025.
I have been playing Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege for 9 years, and it is the best game that makes me think I'm glad I did it.
I am grateful to my comrades and the fans.
Thank you so much."
(Translated from Japanese)
VARREL: Nico
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"Thank you for this wonderful award.
I have loved Overwatch single-mindedly for 9 years, but there were long periods when things didn't go well or I wasn't evaluated by the public, so I am very happy to finally come to the point where I am honored on such a big stage.
I believe this is also thanks to the fans who always support me, the community, and the team members who continued this with me until now.
Thank you very much."
(Translated from Japanese)
Fighting Game Player of the year 2025
The Fighting Game Player of the year 2025 was given to a player who achieved particularly outstanding performance or results in fighting game titles or genres of that year.
GOOD 8 SQUAD: Kawano
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"First of all, I am very honored to receive such a prestigious award for the second consecutive year.
When I first started getting noticed, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, so there weren't many audiences or matches with spectators.
In that context, by receiving support from many spectators at the Street Fighter League: World Championship held at Ryogoku Kokugikan, I was able to realize that the support of all you fans becomes power.
I want to continue to do my best in the next tournament, CAPCOM CUP.
Thank you for this time."
(Translated from Japanese)
DetonatioN FocusMe: GO1
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"I feel truly honored to receive such a wonderful award today.
First, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my family who supports me daily, my teammates, and everyone at DetonatioN FocusMe.
And above all, the fans who love the fighting game genre are truly my greatest driving force.
Thank you very much.
What triggered me to start fighting games was being captivated by the play of top players at the time and thinking I wanted to play like that.
Without forgetting that heart, I want to continue working hard to play in a way that conversely captivates others and moves hearts even a little.
Thank you for today."
(Translated from Japanese)
REJECT: Laggia
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"First, thank you so much for being able to receive such a prestigious award.
Thank you very much to everyone who voted.
Last year was a year of activity with the newly released title Fatal Fury.
There were painful times when good results didn't come, but thanks to the people at REJECT and the fans who truly supported me, I was able to produce a good result at the very end, so I can't thank you enough.
I hope I can liven up the fighting game scene even a little with my play from now on, so please continue to support me."
(Translated from Japanese)
DRX: LeShar
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"It has been two years since I came to Japan, and although it's a short time, I am truly honored to be called to the JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS 2025.
I was able to come this far thanks to the support from DRX, REJECT, everyone on the REJECT team, and the fans who watch fighting games.
Thank you very much.
The Grand Finals are coming soon, and I want to win properly and see it through."
(Translated from Japanese)
eSports Player of the Year 2025
The eSports Player of the Year 2025 is an award given to the player who achieved the most brilliant performance of the year from among the winners of the MOBA Player of the year 2025, Shooting Game Player of the year 2025, Fighting Game Player of the year 2025, Mind Game Player of the year 2025, Sports Game Player of the year 2025, and Non section Game Player of the year 2025.
It is also the most prestigious award, representing the face of that year.
DetonatioN FocusMe: GO1
©︎JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
"Last year, I belonged to CAG and had decided to retire as a pro, but after various discussions with DetonatioN FocusMe, I was able to continue as a pro, and I worked hard and diligently in 2025.
I never thought I would receive such an honorable award.
It is truly thanks to everyone.
Thank you.
When I was working as a member of society, I told my wife, 'I want to aim to be a pro gamer. I'm not sure what will happen to our life.' My wife pushed me forward, saying, 'No, if it's GO1, you can do it,' and that is how this pro gamer life reached today.
It has been about 10 years since then, but I never dreamed it would truly turn out like this.
I will not be complacent and hope to continue accumulating good results, so please continue to support me.
Thank you for today."
(Translated from Japanese)
