SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 4: Softbank Hawks 4-2 DeNA (28th, Mizuho PayPay)

The Softbank Hawks defeated DeNA with four consecutive wins to secure their 13th Japan Series title and their second in a row. This marks back-to-back Japan Series championships following last year's victory over the Hanshin Tigers with four wins and one loss. Manager Kokubo was tossed into the air nine times during the victory celebration.

This marks the first time in history that a team has won the Japan Series with a perfect 7-0 record throughout the postseason (PS), including the Climax Series (CS). While the Softbank Hawks previously achieved a championship with six consecutive wins in 2020 (2 wins and 0 losses in the CS, 4 wins and 0 losses in the Japan Series) when the CS was shortened due to the impact of COVID-19, this is the first time a team has become the best in Japan with an undefeated streak of seven or more games.

The internet reacted to their overwhelming performance. Comments included: "At this point... The Hawks are so strong I don't even feel frustrated anymore...", "The Hawks' fundamental strength is just too much," "The Hawks got their revenge. It was a complete defeat, literally. Congratulations on being number one in Japan!", "The Hawks have won 15 consecutive home games recently? LOL, that means you're basically guaranteed to see a win if you go," "The Hawks are so strong it's insane," and "There probably isn't a single team in Japan that can stop these Hawks."