Overview
The Japan Series began in 1950 with the two-league system as NPB's annual championship, pitting the Central and Pacific League champions (now Climax Series winners) in a best-of-seven format. The Yomiuri Giants hold the most titles with 22, followed by the Seibu Lions with 13. The series has produced legendary matchups-in 1992, Takehiro Ishii earned MVP with 3 wins for Seibu against Yakult, while in 2016 Shohei Ohtani starred as both pitcher and hitter to lead Nippon-Ham to their first title in a decade. The introduction of the Climax Series in 2007 allowed non-pennant winners to reach the Japan Series, most controversially in 2010 when third-place Lotte won it all. Held from late October to November, home-field advantage goes to the league champion. As NPB's premier event, the Japan Series consistently draws high television ratings and remains an autumn tradition in Japan.