The Heat in Japanese Sports: J-League's "Final Showdown" Captures Attention as Season Nears End

As the year-end approaches, the keyword "starting lineup" is buzzing on SNS X (formerly Twitter), conveying excitement across various fields. Particularly in sports, with the J-League reaching its climax and new face competitions for universities and high schools, announcements from teams anticipating crucial matches are coming one after another, and fan expectations are reaching a fever pitch.

In the Meiji Yasuda J2 League, V-Varen Nagasaki announced its starting lineup for the match against Tokushima Vortis, dubbed the "Final Showdown." Along with the powerful message, "We're going for the TOP!", voices of supporters wishing for Juanma's appearance were also heard. Mito HollyHock and Oita Trinita also revealed their lineups for the 38th round, promising fierce battles. Additionally, at Consadole Sapporo, Fukai's start was announced, making him the center of attention in a stadium packed with spectators.

The performances of young players are also shining. Players like Junya Takahashi, Riku Handa, and Ryusei Amano, all from Montedio Yamagata Youth, are making it into the starting lineups for various matches, raising expectations for these future stars. In amateur football as well, players are expected to perform strongly in events such as Nitta High School Football Club's CLIMB Shikoku U-16 League promotion/relegation play-offs, Kansai University Football Club's Liga Student, the All Japan University Football Rookie Tournament, and Teikyo University matches.

In the Futsal F.League, Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club and Shriker Osaka have both announced their starting lineups. In basketball and baseball, too, interest in "starting lineups" is endless, regardless of the season, with examples like Kanazawa Seiryo University's hardball baseball team and predictions for professional baseball's opening day roster next season.

The Expanding Reach of "Starting Lineup" in Entertainment, Esports, and Daily Life

The term "starting lineup" extends beyond sports and is widely used in the entertainment sector. For the EXILE LIVE TOUR 2025 THE REASON, "starting lineup" appears as a keyword for exchanging merchandise such as photo cards and rubber keyholders, indicating lively fan interactions. At idol group concerts, questions unique to dedicated fans, such as "What's the right way for a 'starting member' fan to cheer?", were also observed.

In the world of esports, too, there are strategies and dramas reminiscent of real sports, with SCARZ's Identity V division, for example, announcing changes to its starting lineup due to a player's absence. Conversely, in the popular game "Inazuma Eleven," a system glitch was reported stating, "Team formation cannot be completed because the starting lineup cannot be arranged," causing a momentary headache for users.

Furthermore, the term is used metaphorically in various daily situations, such as lamenting the motivation of a new project team's "starting lineup" or referring to oden ingredients as "first-string starting members." There were also jokes referencing sumo wrestlers like Hakuho and mentions of character formations in character-raising simulation games, highlighting its high versatility.

A Term Symbolizing Expectation and Strategy

"Starting lineup" does not merely refer to players in a match; it has deeply permeated various social scenes as a term symbolizing the members of a team or project, their strategies, and the expectations, anxieties, and dramas associated with them. As the year-end approaches, many people seem to be eagerly awaiting the announcement of the "best possible lineup" across various fields, anticipating exciting developments.