Overview
The All-Star Game, inaugurated in 1951, is an exhibition series featuring selected players from both the Central and Pacific Leagues. Players are chosen through fan voting, player voting, and manager selection, with approximately 28 players per league. A distinctive feature of NPB's All-Star format is its multi-game structure (2-3 games) held at different stadiums across Japan, giving fans in regional cities a chance to see top talent. Yutaka Enatsu's legendary 9 consecutive strikeouts in 1971 remains the most iconic moment in All-Star history. Katsuya Nomura holds the record for most appearances at 21. In 2001, Ichiro won the MVP in his final NPB All-Star appearance before moving to MLB. In recent years, online fan voting has dramatically increased participation, allowing young breakout players to earn starting spots. The games blend competitive intensity with entertainment, offering the unique spectacle of teammates from the same league joining forces against their counterparts.