Stories
Legendary games, doomed geniuses, and the moments that made Koshien a national myth.
The Biggest Upsets of Koshien 2026: Half the Favorites Are Already Gone
Before the 2026 tournament, analysts named four true title favorites. Two of them were knocked out early. Here are the biggest upsets of Koshien 2026 — and why the bracket blew wide open.
Stories 5 Koshien 2026 Players MLB Fans Should Know
Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish were once teenagers at Koshien. Here are five standout players from the 2026 tournament — the fireballers, sluggers, and prospects worth filing away now.
Stories Is This Japan's Real-Life Eijun Sawamura? Meet Koshien Ace Riku Takabe
A left-handed high school ace at Koshien has Japanese fans thinking of the 'Ace of Diamond' hero Eijun Sawamura. Meet Riku Takabe — and the anime that makes his story hit even harder.
Stories 3 Koshien 2026 Players You Probably Missed (But Should Know)
A pair of Ohtani-style two-way players from Miyazaki, and a leadoff hitter who won a game with two outs in the 9th. The 2026 stars who never made the English highlight reels — until now.
Stories Koshien's Best Defensive Plays of 2026 (So Far)
Diving catches, a fielder crashing into the camera pit, and double plays turned by 16-year-olds. A running highlight reel of the 2026 tournament's best defense — plays that need no translation.
Stories Giant-Killing at Koshien: How Mie Took Down a Title Favorite
At the 2026 tournament, unfancied Mie knocked out Riseisha — one of the four pre-tournament title favorites — and reached its first quarterfinal in 12 years. This is why upsets at Koshien hit so hard.
Stories First-Timer or Dynasty? Meet Yokohama, Koshien Royalty
The team throwing 97 mph and beating defending champions at the 2026 tournament is Yokohama High School — one of the most storied programs in Japanese high school baseball. Here's who they are.
Stories The 2006 Final That Needed Two Days to Decide: Saito vs Tanaka
A 15-inning tie, a next-day replay, and two teenagers who would define a generation of Japanese baseball. The story of the greatest Koshien final most Western fans have never heard of.