Mito HollyHock Achieves Long-Awaited J1 Promotion! "Mito-chan" Finally Crowned J2 Champions, Internet Meme Becomes Reality

Mito HollyHock, affectionately known as "Mito-chan" and a long-time competitor in the J2 League, has finally clinched the J2 championship and achieved its long-cherished dream of promotion to J1. This historic feat has been met with an outpouring of congratulatory messages from numerous football fans and supporters of other clubs on X (formerly Twitter).

As symbolized by celebratory posts such as, "Mito HollyHock are J2 champions! Mito-chan has finally won the crown. The passionate support of their fans has paid off 🏆," many people had eagerly awaited this moment. Of particular note was a deeply emotional tweet: "The AA crown created on 2channel ages ago has become a real crown...!" Long-time fans are profoundly moved that an internet meme born years ago has materialized into real-life glory.

With 31 years since the club's founding, many are touched by the championship, having overcome a history of struggles, including sentiments like, "I remember when 'Mito-chan' was considered a burden in J2." Supporters have posted comments mixing familiarity and respect, such as, "Congratulations, Mito-chan. You've gone quite far," "No longer 'Mito-chan,' now it's 'Mito-san' – so far away 😭," and "It's Mito-sama now."

Following the confirmation of J1 promotion, congratulations have also poured in from supporters of other clubs. Messages like, "Congrats on promotion, Mito-chan senpai ㊗️" and "It feels like a comrade-in-arms has moved up to a higher stage" are frequently seen from rivals with whom they fiercely competed in J2. There are also voices eagerly anticipating the realization of the "Reysol vs. Mito-chan" Ibaraki Derby against Kashiwa Reysol, and future J1 clashes with Fagiano Okayama, with expectations that Mito HollyHock will bring a fresh breeze to the J1 stage.

Comments also look ahead to the challenges in J1, such as, "It's a big deal to be able to try out in the 'Half-Century, Hundred-Year Vision League'," and "Will they be able to stay up in the 2026-27 season?" Great expectations are placed on their performance in the next stage. Mito HollyHock's triumphant march, fulfilling a long-held dream, is giving great hope to the entire J-League.

The Context

For readers unfamiliar with Japanese professional football, the J-League operates on a promotion and relegation system across three divisions: J1 (top tier), J2, and J3. Clubs strive to finish at the top of their respective leagues to earn promotion to the next level, while those at the bottom face relegation.

Mito HollyHock, known affectionately as "Mito-chan" (a common Japanese diminutive suffix for endearment), has spent a significant portion of its 31-year history in the J2 League. For many years, the club struggled to compete at the very top of J2, making their championship and promotion a particularly poignant and hard-won victory for their long-suffering fanbase. The shift in address from "Mito-chan" to "Mito-san" or even "Mito-sama" (more respectful suffixes) reflects the newfound prestige and respect the club has earned.

The "AA crown" refers to ASCII Art, a form of digital illustration using text characters, which was popular on early Japanese internet forums like 2channel (now 5channel). The idea that an unofficial, fan-created meme crown has now been replaced by a real championship trophy carries deep sentimental value for fans who have followed the club for decades. The "Ibaraki Derby" refers to a local rivalry match with Kashiwa Reysol, another club from the Ibaraki Prefecture, adding regional excitement to their J1 entry. The "Half-Century, Hundred-Year Vision League" is a reference to the J-League's ambitious long-term plan for the development and growth of professional football in Japan.