Grand Champion All Japan Koi Show 2025: Dainichi power!
The most beautiful koi in the world crowned in Tokyo!
Today marks the moment all koi enthusiasts have been waiting for: the crowning of the Grand Champion at the All Japan Koi Show 2025 in Tokyo. This year, the highest honor was awarded to a breathtaking Showa from Dainichi Koi Farm. With an impressive length of 95 cm and unparalleled skin quality, this Showa captivated both the judges and the audience. It is a historic victory, as for the first time since 2014 – when the legendary Lion Queen from Momotaro claimed the title – a Showa once again graces the podium of the All Japan Koi Show.
Picture courtesy of Jane Maneerat.
A triumphant journey
The winning Showa has an impressive track record. On Nov. 5, 2023, this koi already captured the Grand Champion title at the Nogyosai Koi Show in Niigata, the second most important koi show in the world. Just 14 months later, the same fish shines on the very highest stage in Tokyo. What makes this victory extra special is that it is the first time since 2012 – With what many still label to this day as the best Showa ever – that Dainichi wins the coveted Grand Champion title at the All Japan Koi Show with a Showa.
The success of this koi is due in part to the care and expertise of Mano-san, three brothers who make up the Dainichi Koi Farm. Under their experienced wings, this fish grew from around 85cm to a spectacular 95cm in just over a year.
What makes this Showa so special?
The Grand Champion All Japan Koi Show 2025 Showa is virtually a masterpiece of perfection. Let’s take a closer look at some of its most striking features:
- Body and Fukurin: The body of the fish is impressively robust, unparalleled, I would say with deep fukurin (the skin structure between the scales) creating an almost hypnotic effect.
- Odome: The stunning balance in the tail zone, with a beautiful white skin between the final kiwa and the tail joint, highlights the elegance of the fish.
- Pattern and Color: The red pattern (hi) is intensely vibrant and evenly distributed, while the black (sumi) is perfectly positioned across the body. The playful pattern on the head makes this koi not only unique but also highly recognizable.
This perfect combination of traits makes it no surprise that even the renowned 108 cm long Sanke, a previous titleholder, could not rival the superior quality of this Showa. If one were to be critical of this Showa, it could be said that the head skin still has a slightly honey-colored tone and the *sumi* could tighten up further. However, I personally find this effect to be incredibly elegant.
Dainichi’s return to the top
With this victory, Dainichi once again proves why it is one of the most renowned koi breeders in the world. The last time Dainichi claimed the Grand Champion title at the All Japan Koi Show was in 2020, with a Kohaku. This recent win not only highlights the consistency of Dainichi’s breeding program but also underscores the future potential of this winning koi.
In conversation with Shigeru Mano
We at KoiQuestion spoke with Shigeru Mano, one of the three Dainichi brothers and the mastermind behind this koi. Shigeru mentioned that the koi is now seven years old, making it still relatively young. Who knows what this means for the future of its *sumi* and growth. This Showa is expected to surpass the one-meter mark. The fish comes from Dainichi’s Big Bang bloodline, a relatively unknown lineage to many—until you learn more about its origins. We’ll share more about this in an article later this week. Showa is back!
What does the future hold?
Now that this Showa has won the crown, the question arises: what is the next step? Will this champion continue to grow and shine even further in the competition, or will Dainichi choose to use her as a broodfish to bring forth a new generation of champions? Either way, the future of this Showa promises great things.
- Owner: Mr. Yuan Joan Dong
- Dealer: Sanshin Trading
- Breeder: Dainichi Koi Farm
The Grand Champion of the All Japan Koi Show 2025 is not only the most beautiful Koi in the world but also a source of inspiration for all Koi enthusiasts. This Showa shows that with the right care, expertise and passion, true masterpieces can be created.
