The J-Talk Podcast

Jonny and Ben review the J1 playoff 2nd legs on this episode, beginning with Kashima's home win that was merely window dressing as Kobe claimed the CEJLC title with a 5-2 aggregate win (to 35:50). Then we select our Best XI from the east across the league phase, and finish the pod with a brief look ahead to Japan's World Cup opener against the Netherlands. #We are aware of a couple of audio issues during the episode, most notably around the 42:20 mark, where Jonny's selection of Alex Scholz for one of the centre back spots in our Best XI mysteriously disappeared from the audio file, the audio picks up with Ben agreeing with Jonny's selection.#

In this week's bumper JTET, Jon Steele and James Taylor reviewed the games from the 1st round of the J2/J3 100 Year Vision League playoffs. In part 1, James talks about the West, with a focus on Toyama v Miyazaki, Nara v Oita, and Kanazawa v Tottori (to 30:25). Then in Part 2, Jon reviews the East games, with a particular look at Tochigi City v Iwata, Yokohama FC v Omiya, and Sgamihara v Fujieda (to end). There's also the usual Most Bravo Player and games to watch.   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

Alan Gibson joins Jonny and Ben in Part 1 to talk about Japan's farewell friendly win over Iceland (to 18:30), and Kobe's stunning Yuya Osako-inspired triumph over Kashima in the first leg of the J1 playoffs (to 36:37). Then we round up the other nine 1st legs (to 56:30), and piece together the Best XI from the west.

James and Jon are back to review all of the big stories from last week's final round of 'regional' fixtures in the 100 Year Vision League. Recording separately this time, James covers all of the main talking points from the West divisions in Part 1, while Jon does similar for the East in Part 2. As always, there's Most Bravo Player discussion, and a preview of the most intriguing-looking games in Round 1 of the Play-Offs this weekend! Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time this season so far! *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

The league phase of the CEJLC concluded over the weekend, and in Part 1 of this episode Jonny begins with the battle for top spot between Kobe and Nagoya as he rounds up the five games in the west (to 11:50), then gives out grades for each west club on their overall half season (to 22:50). Next, in Part 2, Ben runs through the five east games (to 35:20), then, with feedback from Jonny, gives his grades for each east team (to 59:00). Finally, to finish off the episode, Jonny gives his Under 23 Best XI from the east and west combined, then we look ahead to the weekend's playoff 1st legs.

Jon Steele and James Taylor are back on the regular JTET beat this week, as they check in on the action from the penultimate round of J2/J3 group stage fixtures. In part 1, James reviews the West groups, with a focus on Tosu v Yamaguchi and Osaka v Kanazawa (to 25:30). In part 2, Jon talks about the East groups, including Kofu v Gifu (to end). Plus all the usual Most Bravo Players and Games to Watch.   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

Jonny and Ben kick off this episode by reveling in Gamba Osaka's tremendous victory in the ACL2 final (to 15:45), then Jonny runs through the weekend's J1 west results, with top spot set to be decided in the final round (to 28:15). Next, Ben takes the reins for the east slate, after Kashima clinched top spot with a game to spare (to 39:10). Finally, we were joined by Urawa correspondent Ralf Seidl to discuss the end of Maciej Skorza's reign, the improvement under interim boss Tatsuya Tanaka, and the impending appointment of Cho Kwi Jae as the new permanent Reds manager.

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu named his squad for the 2026 World Cup on Friday, and Dan Orlowitz joined Jonny and Ben to go over all the major talking points, including a number of players under injury clouds, and those set to step up in place of a couple of notable absentees.

J-Talk Takeover Week continues as Jon Steele and James Taylor embrace the chaos and present this week's episode of the J-Talk Podcast. In part 1, James reviews the West group action from matchday 16, with a focus on Cerezo Osaka's late win over V-Varen Nagasaki and a chat about Cho Kwi-Jae's possible move from Kyoto to Urawa (to 31:00). Then in part 2, Jon runs through the East group, which included a dramatic late comeback win for FC Tokyo over rivals Tokyo Verdy (to end). Plus all the usual Player of the Round and Games to Watch sections.   Thanks for your continued support of the J-Talk Podcast. We hope you enjoyed Takeover Week! *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod

Welcome to J-Talk Takeover Week! On this episode of JTET, regular Big Pod hosts Jonny and Ben run the rule over the weekend's goings-on in the J2/J3 100 Year Vision League. Ben kicks us off with a rundown of all of the East B action (to 14:15), before moving on to East A, with Jonny offering his thoughts on each club from each respective group (to 22:56). Then Jonny takes the reins and begins with the West A action (to 38:37), before finishing with West B, with Ben chiming in with some thoughts on some of the west's under or overachievers. Stay tuned for James and Jon's takeover of Big Pod later in the week, and our special episode after Hajime Moriyasu names his World Cup squad on Friday. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

After a hectic Golden Week slate of J2/J3 matches, James & Jon return to look over the big talking points from the most recent games! In Part 1 (Start to 11:50), James picks out the vital information from Round 14 (played last weekend) from the Western perspective, while in Part 2 (11:50 to 22:10), Jon does similar for the East divisions. In Part 3 (22:10 to 47:30), the boys got together for the first time in a fortnight to talk about the Round 15 games from the West (played on Wednesday afternoon/evening), before finishing off with a review of everything from Round 15 in the East (47:30 to Finish). Topics under discussion include Ehime's stellar recent form, Tokushima parting company with manager Gert Engels in rather unceremonious fashion, and Jon's trip to deepest Tochigi to watch Yokohama FC's latest attempt to serve up 'impressive football'. There's also Most Bravo Player chat, and a look forward to this weekend's Round 16 games! *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

On this mini pod, Jonny kicks us off with all the midweek goings-on in the west, after Nagoya went top on goals scored ahead of Kobe (to 12:07), before Ben runs through the results in the east, with the title all but in Kashima's hands now. Check us out next week on J-Talk Takeover Week, as Jonny and Ben moonlight on JTET, and Jon and James take the reins on Big Pod!

With Gamba Golden Week in full swing, Jonny and Ben round up all of the action from the past two top flight matchdays, beginning in the east, where Kashima hold a two point lead over FC Tokyo with four games to play (to 23:40), then shifting west, where Kobe's once vice-like grip on top spot is now hanging by a thread after they were crushed by Gamba Osaka on Saturday. We'll be back later in the week with a review of Matchday 15, so keep your eyes peeled for that pod!

In another Golden Week-dictated mini-pod, the JTET team rounds up all of the latest action from the 100 Year Vision League for J2 and J3 teams. James has all the news from the West in Part 1, while Jon takes a look at the East divisions in Part 2. Plus Most Bravo Player picks, and a look ahead to the next slate of matches (Round 14)! *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

n another Golden Week mini-pod, James & Jon round up all of the weekend's action from the West & East in J2/J3 - plus all the usual segments! Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time! *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

Jonny and Ben begin this episode with a look back at Machida's gallant effort in the ACL Elite final (to 9:00), before Hiroshima correspondent Robert Turner returns to chat about Sanfrecce's season to this point, their win over Cerezo Osaka on Saturday and his hopes for the remainder of the CEJLC (to 29:15). Then in Part 3 we run through the other three games from the west (to 46:35), before we finish off with the four games from the east and a look ahead to the first two rounds of J1 Golden Week fixtures. #Quick update: Following their latest defeat, Urawa sacked manager Maciej Skorza on Tuesday#

Recording separately this week, James & Jon bring you up to speed with all of last weekend's action from the J2/J3 100 Year Vision League! In Part 1, James runs through the big stories from the West divisions, while Jon does similar in Part 2 (with some news about a managerial change at Iwata as well). We also select Most Bravo Players, and preview the upcoming games in Round 12 this weekend! We hope you enjoy the show, and apologies for the last-minute upload! *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

After Jonny and Ben begin the episode with a look back at ACL heroics from Kobe, Machida and Gamba Osaka (Spoiler alert: Kobe lost in the ACL Elite semi finals on Tuesday morning) last week (to 12:05), they welcomed Kawasaki correspondent Neil Debnam back to the pod to chat about Frontale's CEJLC so far, and their dramatic late Kanagawa derby win over Yokohama F.Marinos last Saturday (to 34:17). Then in Part 3 we round up the other three east games, as Kashima kicked further clear at the top (to 44:25), before reviewing the four games from the west and looking ahead to upcoming fixtures.

This week's JTET begins in the East, as Jon Steele fills us in on matchday 10 and talks about the Fukushima Derby (to 25:20), then we move westwards for James to talk about Oita v Yamaguchi (to end). Both parts include the regular Most Bravo Player and games to watch selections.   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

After a very eventful J1 Matchday, Alan Gibson joined Jonny and Ben to chat about Kobe's win over Nagoya - that ended on a somber note after the sickening collision between Vissel players Matheus Thuler and Daiya Maekawa - then a rough week for Gamba Osaka, who lost 1-0 at home in both the ACL Two semi final first leg, and the Osaka derby (to 42:30). Then Alan reflects on his incredible trip to the UK to watch Japan's friendlies against Scotland and England (to 1:02:43). In Part 2 we round up the rest of the west (to 1:11:05), then all five games from the east, before finishing the episode with a look at the upcoming slate of top flight action.

James Taylor and Jon Steele got back together to review matchday 9 of the J2/J3 100 Year Vision League. In part 1, James reviews West-B, asks Jon about his trip to Kitakyushu, and then talks in more detail about West-A before crowning his Most Bravo Player and picking some games to watch (to 29:00). Jon takes over in part 2 for a review of the East groups, with a focus on Sendai v Gunma and Iwaki v Matsumoto, then picks his MBPs and games to watch (to end).   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

The J1 Chaos Energy J.League Cup reached the halfway point of the league phase over the weekend, and Jonny and Ben were pleased to welcome Fukuoka correspondent Daniel Hawkins back to the pod to chat about Avispa's season so far, their character-building 1-0 away win over Hiroshima on Sunday, and Daniel's outlook for the second half of the half-season campaign (to 25:40). Then in Part 2 Jonny and Ben round up the other four games from the west (to 41:55), and all five from the east, before they look ahead to Gamba Osaka's ACL Two semi final first leg this Wednesday night, and the weekend's top flight matchday.

In a bare-bones episode this week, James & Jon bring you up to speed on the latest results from the J2/J3 iteration of the 100 Year Vision League. Due to Jon's trip to Kyushu, the boys recorded separately this time. James has all the news from the West in Part 1, with Jon speeding through the East region in Part 2. We hop everyone enjoys the show! *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

The Samurai Blue claimed a first-ever win over England in their second friendly of the international break, and Jonny and Ben run through events at Wembley Stadium, before the latest installment of everyone's favorite game - Who's on the Plane? - less than two months before Hajime Moriyasu names his World Cup squad (to 35:05). Then we return to domestic matters, reviewing the two J1 games played on Wednesday, before finishing the pod with a preview of J1 Matchday 9.

After Japan scored late to beat Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park, Jonny and Ben were delighted to welcome Ryo Nakagawara back to the pod to chat about the 'B Team' lineup, how the game progressed, and players who impressed, before we moved on to look ahead to the second friendly of the international break, against England at Wembley (to 59:00). Then we shifted to domestic matters, as Ryo gave us the lowdown on the four under 20 J1 players who have impressed in the early stages of the Chaos Energy J.League Cup, then we chatted about the two J1 games from the weekend and Ryo's overall thoughts on the CEJLC as we approach the halfway point of the half season. If you're not already, get following Ryo on Twitter/X and/or Bluesky.

We start this episode in the West, as James Taylor focuses on Niigata's home loss to Toyama (to 23:50), then move to the East, where Jon Steele fills us in on his trip to Sagamihara v Yokohama FC and the Tochigi Derby (to end). All the regular Most Bravo Player and games to watch chat is included as usual.   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

Jonny and Ben were pleased to welcome Kashiwa correspondent Seamus Johnston back to the pod for the first time this year, after Reysol enjoyed a pair of wins in the past week. We begin with Seamus's thoughts on the early part of the season and what might have been behind Kashiwa's struggles, before moving on to their comfortable win over Mito on Sunday, that was highlighted by our new clubhouse leader for goal of the season (to 34:38). Then in Part 2 we round up the rest of the games from the east, beginning with Yokohama F.Marinos spoiling Kawasaki's Kokuritsu party (to 53:45), before we round up the five west games and finish with some national team chat ahead of the games against Scotland and England. Check out Seamus's Substack - The Reysol Ramble

This week's episode begins with the West: first James Taylor discusses Ryukyu v Yamaguchi, before revelling in Kanazawa's win away to Toyama in the Hokuriku Derby (to 19:45). In part 2, Jon Steele runs through the East groups, before trying to make sense of Nagano's capitulation at home to Matsumoto in the Shinshu Derby (to end). Both parts also include picks for Most Bravo Players and games to watch in matchday 7.   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

Jonny and Ben begin this episode with a look back at the ACL Elite and ACL Two action from last midweek, and after celebrating the progress of Machida, Kobe and Gamba Osaka (and commiserating with Hiroshima), we discuss whether these two competitions will actually be played to completion due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East (to 18:15). Then in Part 2 we dive in on the J1 matchday, beginning with the west (to 33:55), then moving on to the east (to 57:50), before we finish the pod with a look at some potential European-based call-ups to Hajime Moriyasu's next Japan squad.

In part 1 of this week's JTET, Jon Steele reviews the latest from the East groups of the J2/J3 100 Year Vision League, including a discussion of Tochigi City's ticket prices and his trip to watch Yokohama FC away in Hachinohe (to 33:00). Then in part 2 James runs through the West groups, with discussion of Miyazaki's win at Kitakyushu and Toyama's shootout win over Ehime to continue their encouraging start (to end). Both parts also include picks for Most Bravo Players and games to watch in matchday 6.   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

After JEF Chiba triumphed in the first J1 Chiba derby in 17 years on Saturday, Jonny and Ben were thrilled to welcome new JEF correspondent Allen to the pod to chat about the season so far and events at the Fukuda Denchi Arena on Saturday, among other topics (to 26:02), then in part 2 we round up the rest of the east games from Matchday 5, and check in on how some young players have fared in the early stages of the Chaos Energy J.League Cup (to 46:05). In Part 3 we wrap up all of the results from the ACL Elite and ACL Two from last midweek (to 55:07), then finish up with the four games played in the west group, some youngsters who have taken their opportunity so far, and look ahead to upcoming fixtures.

This week's JTET begins with a look at the West groups, as James Taylor recounts Shiga's first J.League victory, elects a Most Bravo Player, and chooses games to watch (to 19:30). Part 2 is Jon Steele's look at the East, particularly Fujieda's win over Iwaki, Most Bravo Players, and games to look out for in matchday 5 (to end).   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

Our Yokohama F.Marinos correspondent Stuart Woodward guests on this week's podcast, after his side claimed a first victory of the Chaos Energy J.League Cup at home against Tokyo Verdy on Saturday (to 28:00). Then in Part 2 Jonny and Ben round up the other four east games, highlighted by a first victory for Kashiwa and a stunning comeback by Kashima away at Urawa (to 43:30), then we run through the west slate, with a focus on Kyoto's brilliant late fightback at Hiroshima. Stuart and Dan Orlowitz made a joint guest appearance on The Football Heritage Podcast, and you can access the episode via various means here.

In this week's JTET, Jon Steele kicks things off with an update on the East groups, with a detailed and gleeful look at Yokohama FC's victory over Tochigi City, picks a Most Bravo Player and a game to watch (to 19:00). Then, James Taylor talks about the West, particularly group-toppers Kochi United's win against Kanazawa, picks his MBP and games to watch (to end).   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

After a brief ACL Elite and ACL Two review to begin the episode (to 6:20), Jonny and Ben welcome Tokyo Verdy correspondent Lewis White back to the pod to chat about Verdy's fast start to the Chaos Energy J.League Cup after their win on penalties over Machida in Matchday 3 (to 32:17). Then we round up the other four games from the east (to 50:50), before moving through the west slate and finish the episode with a look ahead to Matchday 4.

Jon Steele and James Taylor return with a review of the big games from the 100 Year Vision League matchday 2. First, James discusses Tokushima's win over Niigata in the West, picks a Most Bravo Player and a couple of games to watch (to 21:40). Then in part 2, Jon brings us up to date with the East, focusing on Omiya v Sapporo in detail, then elects his MBP and highlights some games to watch for matchday 2 (to end).   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

On this week's episode Jonny and Ben round up J1 Matchday 2 of the Chaos Energy J.League Cup, beginning with the four games from Sunday (to 25:00). They then move on to the five from Saturday (to 51:15), before they finish off the pod with Kobe's win over Nagasaki on Friday night, and a look ahead to upcoming ACL and J1 fixtures.

The J2/J3 100 Year Vision League kicked off at the weekend, so Jon Steele and James Taylor got together to discuss the big talking points from the opening round of fixtures. In part 1, Jon reviews the East groups, with a particular focus on Yokohama FC v Yamagata, then picks his East MBP and games to watch for matchday 2 (to 24:25). Then in part 2, James talks about Imabari v Kanazawa and Kagoshima v Miyazaki, discusses the postponements, picks a West MBP and games to watch (to end).   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

The Chaos Energy J.League Cup got underway over the weekend, and in Part 1 of this episode Jonny and Ben were very pleased to welcome new Hiroshima correspondent Robert Turner to the pod to chat about Sanfrecce's opening night win over Nagasaki, and his thoughts on their prospects this season (to 23:55). Then in Part 2 your co-hosts round up the other four games from the west group (to 37:30), before moving on to Kawasaki's 5-3 triumph over Kashiwa on Sunday and the rest of the games from the east, before rounding off the pod with a look ahead to upcoming ACL and J1 fixtures.

Jon Steele and James Taylor return with a preview of the J.League's half-season tournament for J2 and J3 teams. First, James runs through the tournament setup and prize money (to 04:45). Then Jon talks about Yokohama FC and Tochigi City from the East-A group (to 15:30) and Sapporo and Matsumoto in East-B (to 25:20). After that, James looks at Imabari and FC Osaka from West-A (to 33:50) and West-B teams Tosu and Yamaguchi (to 46:05). The boys finish with a discussion of the different ways clubs might approach the HYVL (to end).   Big thanks to Mike Innes for sharing his detailed notes on the J3 teams.   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. We hope you'll enjoy the HYVL with us. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

We wrap up our top flight previews with the final five teams from the east group, beginning in the capital with FC Tokyo (to 18:15), Tokyo Verdy (to 30:40) and Machida (to 44:40), before Kawasaki correspondent Neil Debnam joins us to chat about Frontale's interesting moves in the transfer market, and their prospects for The Chaos Energy J.League Cup (to 1:19:10). Then Jonny and Ben preview Yokohama F.Marinos (to 1:33:35), take care of some housekeeping, and preview J1 Matchday 1. Check out Neil's Frontale Rabbit blog, and Jonny's Top 50 Japanese University Players (link is to Part 2, here's Part 1), take your swing at J.League Fantasy (and enter our mini-league with code sjWwSZ9k), and try your luck at JPred for ultimate bragging rights!

We wrap up the west on this week's episode, and after celebrating Japan's triumph in the Under 23 Asian Cup, Jonny and Ben welcome Kyoto correspondent Jamie Meikle back to the pod to chat about Sanga's tremendous 2025 season, and to look ahead to their 2026 by discussing their dealings in the transfer market, key players and ones to watch, and our final thoughts on their prospects for the Chaos Energy J.League Cup (to 32:45). Later Jonny and Ben follow the same pattern in chatting about Cerezo Osaka (to 48:50), Gamba Osaka (to 1:09:05), Nagoya (to 1:25:55) and Shimizu (to end), with those final three teams all under the stewardship of new managers.

We head west for this week's previews, and we were thrilled to be joined by Daniel Kuroda, one half of the Vivi Cast podcast, to chat about Nagasaki's 2025 campaign, and their long-awaited return to J1 in the Chaos Energy J.League Cup (to 42:30). In Part 2 Jonny and Ben begin with a depth chart explainer and praise for the collaboration between Yokohama FC and J.League Journeys, then run the rule over Fukuoka (to 1:01:45), Hiroshima (to 1:15:00), Okayama (to 1:27:45) and Kobe (to end). As a special bonus, we've smashed down the Patreon paywall this week so that all listeners can access Jonny's depth charts for the five teams featured on this episode by clicking on this link.

We kick off our Chaos Energy J.League Cup previews with five teams from the East group, and after Jonny and Ben run the rule over J1 Champions Kashima (to 14:13), Jon Steele guests to chat about the sensational promotions achieved by J2 Champions Mito and Playoff winners Chiba, and how both teams might fare in the top flight (Mito to 45:20, Chiba to 1:08:10). In Part 3 Jonny and Ben finish off the episode by checking in on Kashiwa (to 1:23:20) and Urawa (to end).

The JTET team (with special guests) are back to conclude their J2 retrospective for 2025. In the first segment, James and Jon discuss the fortunes of Kofu (Start to 06:35), Fujieda (06:35 to 11:00), and then Oita (11:00 to 19:25). Then we hand over to pod debutant Tom for his take on Sapporo's 2025 campaign (19:25 to 24:55). After that, we welcome Fin back to the show for his thoughts on Sendai (24:55 to 37:45). James and Jon reconvene to run through a quartet of teams from the (very) wrong end of the J2 table: Toyama (37:45 to 43:55), Yamaguchi (43:55 to 49:00), Ehime (49:00 to 53:30), and Kumamoto (53:30 to 01:03:00). To make sure that we round things off on a positive note, we end with Allen's look back on an unforgettable season for JEF Chiba (01:03:00 to Finish). Thanks to all of our contributors, and to all of you for listening - we'll be taking a short podcasting break until the first week of February (when we'll post a 100 Year Vision League preview episode)! *Support The J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/jtalkpod *Join in with the discussion on our JLeague Chat Discord server: https://discord.gg/6Tr3MBAy

Happy New Year to you all, and welcome back to another season of The J-Talk Podcast. We're beginning the year with a bang, as we celebrate our 600th episode, and after a brief catch-up (and explanation of the pod for new listeners), Jonny and Ben welcome in Dan Orlowitz, to chat about the highs of 2025, as detailed in the J.League Season Review, (all in Japanese, use browser translation) and to look ahead to the Chaos Energy J.League Cup.

Happy New Year, everyone! In a vainglorious attempt to get 2026 off to a flying start, we do our best to review the J2 season across a pair of bumper episodes (Part 2 is on the way). In the early stages of this pod, James and Jon wax lyrical about a quartet of J2 clubs: champions Mito (Start to 04:30), runners-up Nagasaki (04:30 to 08:30), as well defeated Play-Off sides Tokushima (08:30 to 11:00) and Iwata (11:00 to 15:45). Then there's a chance for James to take a breather as Jon chats in-depth to special guest contributor Steve Fryer about another team vanquished in the Play-Offs, Omiya (15:45 to 59:40). James is back on deck to talk to Jon about a further trio of teams after that: Tosu (59:40 to 01:03:55), Yamagata (01:03:55 to 01:08:00), and finally Imabari (01:08:00 to 01:12:55). The pod ends with dynamite drop-ins from two of our regular club-specific contributors: Martin Spivey tells us all about Akita's 2025 campaign (01:12:55 to 01:21:40), before Leslie Mabon does similar for Iwaki (01:21:40 to Finish). We hope everyone enjoys the bumper pod - thank you to all of our contributors! *Support The J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/jtalkpod *Join in with the discussion on our JLeague Chat Discord server: https://discord.gg/6Tr3MBAy

Jon Steele and James Taylor sign off for 2025 by compiling a best eleven for J2, along with MVP and Manager of the Year (to 30:10). Then in part 2, Jon quizzes James on his J3 team (to end).   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. Keep an eye and an ear out for J2 season reviews over the next few weeks. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

The curtain came down on another season in J2, J3 and the JFL last weekend, and Jon Steele and James Taylor have analysis of the three big games: JEF United v Tokushima (to 20:00), FC Osaka v Miyazaki (to 35:40), and Numazu v Shiga (to 56:45). They also pick a Most Bravo Player from each of the matches (to 1:02:35) and round off the episode with news about the J2/J3 100 Year Vision League and J.League Awards.   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. Keep an eye and an ear out for J2 and J3 season reviews over the next few weeks. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

In the final episode of Big Pod for 2025, Alan Gibson guests as we piece together our Team of the Season. After Jonny and Ben begin the episode with some housekeeping - brief J2 Promotion Playoff and ACL reviews, as well as the groupings for the Chaos Energy J.League Cup - (to 16:26) we first get Alan's thoughts on some early offseason managerial appointments, before working from back to front in selecting the J-Talk J1 Team of the Season.

Jon Steele and James Taylor are back with a full review of all five postseason games from last weekend. The JTET section of the pod begins with a discussion of JEF v Omiya (to 17:05) and Tokushima v Iwata (to 23:35), then a preview of the playoff final, MBP chat and news of managerial changes in J2 (to 39:30). Then, in the JTSC section, the boys discuss Osaka v Kanazawa (to 48:35), Miyazaki v Kagoshima (to 54:30), and Shiga v Numazu (to 1:07:15), before ending with a fixture preview and another MBP award.   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social