The J1 League (Meiji Yasuda J1 Hundred Year Vision League) season is already about two months old. There have been days when you cheered "Amazing!" watching your favorite club, and nights when you sighed, "I can't watch anymore..." and looked up at the sky.
This time, we've ranked all 20 clubs' supporters by how happy their match-watching experiences have been this season, calling it the "Happiness Score."
What is the Happiness Score?
It's not just about wins and losses. For each match, AI analyzes supporter emotions (six levels: Joy, Relief, Disappointment, Despair, Shock, Rage) and incorporates the "feeling" of the match to create a score.
A dominant 4-0 victory feels more exhilarating than a narrow 1-0 win. A win in a penalty shootout doesn't bring the same sense of fulfillment as a win decided in 90 minutes. Conversely, a crushing 0-4 defeat is tougher than a close 0-1 loss. This ranking quantifies those "gut feelings" of supporters.
🏆 Happiness Score Ranking TOP 20
1st 🥇 Kashima Antlers ― Happiness Score 71.1
9 matches, 7 wins, 2 losses (16 goals scored, 5 goals conceded) 7 wins in 90 minutes / 2 penalty shootout losses Emotions: Joy×5 / Relief×2 / Despair×2
Undefeated in 90 minutes with 7 wins. Many exhilarating, dominant victories like 3-0 against Machida and 2-0 against Tokyo Verdy mean the "quality" of their joy is high. Both losses came in penalty shootouts, making their overwhelming stability with zero losses in 90 minutes the reason for their top spot.
"A dominant 3-0 away win against the second-place team at National Stadium. Solidifying their top position has filled fans with enthusiasm and confidence."
2nd 🥈 Vissel Kobe ― Happiness Score 70.7
10 matches, 7 wins, 3 losses (19 goals scored, 8 goals conceded) 6 wins in 90 minutes / 1 penalty shootout win / 2 penalty shootout losses / 1 loss in 90 minutes Emotions: Joy×5 / Relief×3 / Disappointment×1 / Despair×1
Last season's champions are a close second. Recording positive emotions (Joy or Relief) in 8 out of 10 matches is spectacular. The dramatic injury-time comeback goal in the Hiroshima match is one of the season's highlights. The difference with Kashima is a slightly higher number of matches decided by penalty shootouts. If they can secure more wins in 90 minutes, a reversal is definitely possible.
"A dramatic comeback goal in injury time. Fans were in a frenzy." (vs Hiroshima)
3rd 🥉 FC Tokyo ― Happiness Score 67.1
10 matches, 7 wins, 3 losses (13 goals scored, 7 goals conceded) 4 wins in 90 minutes / 3 penalty shootout wins / 2 penalty shootout losses / 1 loss in 90 minutes Emotions: Joy×5 / Disappointment×4 / Relief×1
Their 5 instances of Joy are tied for the league's highest with Kashima and Kobe. However, their Happiness Score remains at 3rd. Five of their 10 matches went to penalty shootouts, leading to many games where "a lingering sense of unease remains whether they win or lose." The stark contrast of a resounding 3-0 victory against Machida followed by a penalty shootout loss in the next match symbolizes FC Tokyo's season.
4th Machida Zelvia ― Happiness Score 57.7
10 matches, 7 wins, 3 losses (13 goals scored, 15 goals conceded) 4 wins in 90 minutes / 3 penalty shootout wins / 1 penalty shootout loss / 2 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Relief×4 / Joy×3 / Despair×2 / Disappointment×1
Despite a 70% win rate, the same as FC Tokyo, their Happiness Score is 10 points lower. Their 15 goals conceded are the most among the top teams, and the damage from heavy defeats is significant. Nevertheless, their tenacity to win in a penalty shootout while down to 10 men, and defeating Urawa away, shows their continued strength this season.
5th Kyoto Sanga ― Happiness Score 53.8
9 matches, 5 wins, 4 losses (10 goals scored, 10 goals conceded) 3 wins in 90 minutes / 2 penalty shootout wins / 1 penalty shootout loss / 3 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Joy×4 / Despair×3 / Relief×1 / Disappointment×1
True to manager Cho Kwi-jae's team, their wins are dramatic. There was a penalty shootout victory the manager himself called a "miracle," but also tragedies where they conceded a comeback goal in injury time after scoring first. As their ±0 goal difference indicates, it's a thrilling season walking on thin ice.
6th Shimizu S-Pulse ― Happiness Score 53.6
10 matches, 5 wins, 5 losses (12 goals scored, 9 goals conceded) 3 wins in 90 minutes / 2 penalty shootout wins / 3 penalty shootout losses / 2 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Relief×4 / Joy×2 / Disappointment×2 / Despair×2
Shimizu, a team returning to J1, is "Relief-oriented." While lacking explosive joy, their tenacious fighting spirit is reflected in the 4 instances of Relief. An equalizer in the dying moments followed by a penalty shootout victory was a highlight of the season.
7th Gamba Osaka ― Happiness Score 53.5
9 matches, 6 wins, 3 losses (13 goals scored, 11 goals conceded) 3 wins in 90 minutes / 3 penalty shootout wins / 2 penalty shootout losses / 1 loss in 90 minutes Emotions: Joy×3 / Despair×3 / Relief×2 / Disappointment×1
Despite 6 wins, they are in this position. They concede too many goals in injury time. Conceding an equalizer in injury time against Kobe, then conceding an equalizer in injury time against Fukuoka leading to a penalty shootout loss. The damage from "Despair×3" for dropping winnable matches is significant.
8th Nagoya Grampus ― Happiness Score 53.2
9 matches, 5 wins, 4 losses (14 goals scored, 10 goals conceded) 4 wins in 90 minutes / 1 penalty shootout win / 2 penalty shootout losses / 2 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Relief×3 / Joy×2 / Disappointment×2 / Despair×2
Their scoring ability is among the league's best, but the impact of a crushing 0-3 defeat to Kobe is large. With Yamagishi's return goal leading to a 3-0 comfortable win recently, Nagoya is on the rise. A candidate for a jump in the ranking next week.
9th Mito HollyHock ― Happiness Score 50.3
9 matches, 3 wins, 6 losses (9 goals scored, 15 goals conceded) 1 win in 90 minutes / 2 penalty shootout wins / 3 penalty shootout losses / 3 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Joy×3 / Disappointment×3 / Despair×2 / Relief×1
The biggest narrative arc of the season. Only one win in 90 minutes, and 6 losses, yet their Happiness Score is 9th out of 20 teams. The intensity of each moment of joy is exceptionally high: their "first J1 win in 90 minutes" by defeating Yokohama F. Marinos, and a "penalty shootout win while numerically disadvantaged" in the Ibaraki Derby.
10th Tokyo Verdy ― Happiness Score 49.4
9 matches, 5 wins, 4 losses (12 goals scored, 14 goals conceded) 3 wins in 90 minutes / 2 penalty shootout wins / 4 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Joy×3 / Despair×3 / Relief×2 / Disappointment×1
The joy of winning and the pain of losing are evenly matched. While there was the joy of a penalty shootout win against arch-rival FC Tokyo in the derby, in the Chiba match, they came back from a two-goal deficit only to concede a late winner and lose narrowly. Manager Jofuku's harsh words, "pathetic," speak to the weight of "Despair×3."
11th V-Varen Nagasaki ― Happiness Score 44.6
9 matches, 4 wins, 5 losses (10 goals scored, 14 goals conceded) All matches decided in 90 minutes (no penalty shootouts) Emotions: Despair×4 / Joy×3 / Relief×1 / Disappointment×1
The unique club where all 9 matches were decided in 90 minutes. Without the "buffer" of penalty shootouts, the joy of winning is great, but the despair of losing is also direct. Joy came from a dramatic injury-time winner against Okayama, but they also lost after conceding a comeback goal to Kyoto, making it a rollercoaster-like season.
12th Avispa Fukuoka ― Happiness Score 42.2
9 matches, 3 wins, 6 losses (7 goals scored, 16 goals conceded) 1 win in 90 minutes / 2 penalty shootout wins / 1 penalty shootout loss / 5 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Joy×2 / Relief×2 / Disappointment×2 / Despair×2 / Rage×1
Tough battles continue, but the joy of defeating Gamba in the longest penalty shootout in J-League history and their first 90-minute win of the season against Hiroshima shine through. In the 1-5 crushing defeat to Nagoya, they recorded the season's only "Rage." Amidst the struggle, there is definite hope.
13th Fagiano Okayama ― Happiness Score 40.3
9 matches, 3 wins, 6 losses (9 goals scored, 12 goals conceded) 2 wins in 90 minutes / 1 penalty shootout win / 3 penalty shootout losses / 3 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Despair×5 / Joy×3 / Disappointment×1
Despair×5 is tied for the league's highest. Injury-time goals conceded, missed clear chances, heavy home defeats. The joy of winning is intense, but there are too many wasteful matches. The joy of their first official win against Cerezo was immediately nullified by Nagasaki's injury-time goal in the very next match.
14th Kawasaki Frontale ― Happiness Score 39.5
9 matches, 5 wins, 4 losses (14 goals scored, 16 goals conceded) 3 wins in 90 minutes / 2 penalty shootout wins / 1 penalty shootout loss / 3 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Relief×3 / Despair×3 / Joy×1 / Disappointment×1 / Shock×1
The only club to record "Shock" this season. The 0-5 crushing defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos was a shocking match where they collapsed after their opening goal was disallowed by VAR. The fact that they are 14th despite 5 wins shows how deep the scars of that 0-5 loss are. Their recent injury-time comeback win against Urawa was their greatest joy this season.
15th JEF United Chiba ― Happiness Score 38.7
9 matches, 2 wins, 7 losses (9 goals scored, 14 goals conceded) 2 wins in 90 minutes / 2 penalty shootout losses / 5 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Despair×4 / Joy×2 / Disappointment×2 / Relief×1
Their first J1 win in 17 years, secured in the rivalry derby against Kashiwa, is memorable. However, 7 losses weigh heavily. The struggle of playing well but not converting it into wins continues, but will the dramatic victory against Verdy be a trigger for their resurgence?
16th Kashiwa Reysol ― Happiness Score 35.6
9 matches, 4 wins, 5 losses (14 goals scored, 13 goals conceded) 3 wins in 90 minutes / 1 penalty shootout win / 5 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Despair×5 / Relief×3 / Joy×1
Despair×5 is tied for the league's highest with Okayama. The chain of despair from losing 4 of their first 5 matches is heavy. However, they are rapidly rising with two recent consecutive wins (3-0 against Mito, 3-0 against Yokohama F. Marinos). The challenge is having only one instance of Joy so far, but the momentum is definitely shifting.
17th Sanfrecce Hiroshima ― Happiness Score 35.2
9 matches, 4 wins, 5 losses (12 goals scored, 13 goals conceded) 3 wins in 90 minutes / 1 penalty shootout win / 5 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Relief×3 / Despair×3 / Rage×2 / Joy×1
Hiroshima and Yokohama F. Marinos are the only two clubs to record "Rage" twice. Losing to bottom-placed Fukuoka led to boos, and a controversial penalty in the Kobe match caused indignation. Having only one instance of Joy is unusually low for a club with 4 wins. Wins only bring relief, while losses bring rage. The shadow of ACL elimination also looms.
18th Urawa Reds ― Happiness Score 34.8
9 matches, 3 wins, 6 losses (13 goals scored, 11 goals conceded) 3 wins in 90 minutes / 2 penalty shootout losses / 4 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Despair×4 / Relief×2 / Joy×1 / Disappointment×1 / Rage×1
Despite 3 wins in 90 minutes, they are in this position. The significant psychological damage of "conceding a comeback goal in injury time after leading twice" and "being booed for failing to score despite overwhelming possession" is reflected in the numbers. The despair of losing is deeper than the joy of winning.
19th Cerezo Osaka ― Happiness Score 33.7
9 matches, 4 wins, 5 losses (7 goals scored, 10 goals conceded) 2 wins in 90 minutes / 2 penalty shootout wins / 1 penalty shootout loss / 4 losses in 90 minutes Emotions: Despair×4 / Relief×2 / Joy×1 / Disappointment×1 / Rage×1
Poor home form is fatal. A comeback defeat to Okayama led to fan anger, and a 0-3 crushing defeat to Nagoya brought disappointment. Their 7 goals scored are tied for the league's worst. The injury-time comeback win against Kyoto is their only joy, with the rest being days of enduring.
20th Yokohama F. Marinos ― Happiness Score 32.1
9 matches, 3 wins, 6 losses (12 goals scored, 15 goals conceded) All matches decided in 90 minutes (no penalty shootouts) Emotions: Despair×4 / Joy×2 / Rage×2 / Relief×1
The King of Suffering this season. Like Nagasaki, all their matches were decided in 90 minutes, meaning every win and loss is clear-cut. This is why the weight of 6 losses is directly reflected in the numbers. After a 5-0 victory against Kawasaki, the next match against Kashiwa saw a red card and a 0-3 crushing defeat, bringing anger to a peak. The resurgence of this prestigious club is still distant.
🏅 Special Awards
| Award | Club | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 😆 King of Joy | Kashima, Kobe, FC Tokyo | Three clubs tied with Joy×5. Clubs with dramatic wins dominate the top. |
| 😭 King of Suffering | Yokohama F. Marinos | 4 instances of Despair + 2 instances of Rage. 6 out of 9 matches involved negative emotions. |
| 🎲 King of Narrative | Mito HollyHock | Only one 90-minute win, yet 9th in Happiness Score. The purity of their victories is different. |
| 🎢 King of Rollercoasters | V-Varen Nagasaki | All matches decided in 90 minutes. It's either heaven or hell. |
| 😡 Clubs of Rage | Hiroshima, Yokohama F. Marinos | Rage×2 only for these two clubs. A season of boos and indignation. |
| ⚡ Club of Shock | Kawasaki Frontale | The season's only "Shock." The nightmare of 0-5. |
Summary
What makes the Happiness Score ranking interesting is that it reveals a different perspective than the league table.
- Kashima is 1st (perfect 90-minute win record + high quality of dominant victories)
- FC Tokyo is 3rd despite 7 wins (many matches go to penalty shootouts)
- Mito is 9th despite 3 wins and 6 losses (outperforms due to the purity of their joy)
- Kawasaki is 14th despite 5 wins (the scar of the 0-5 crushing defeat is too deep)
- Nagasaki and Yokohama F. Marinos have all matches decided in 90 minutes (no penalty shootout buffer)
The numbers of wins and losses alone don't determine the happiness of watching football. How a team won, how they lost. When you look at that "quality," a ranking closer to the supporters' actual experience emerges.
Who will rise and who will fall in the next ranking? Stay tuned for the next update.
This ranking is created based on data from "LEXORA FOOTBALL," a football analysis platform under development by LEXORA. Supporter emotions for each match are analyzed by AI based on match content, results, and other factors.
While this article presents a ranking, LEXORA is not primarily a site for compiling happiness rankings.
Which matches shook the world? How intense was the excitement? LEXORA quantifies and records the passion that lies beyond the scoreboard.
"That match was incredible, wasn't it?" — LEXORA permanently saves that feeling as a HEAT score. It's designed to let you feel the atmosphere of that day, which cannot be conveyed by stats alone.
Currently, we feature data for J1, the Premier League, La Liga, and international friendlies (limited to some countries), with plans for gradual expansion.