By Galo S Mirth
Tomoka Nishiyama won the Universal Cup 52nd Jooryu Meijin best-of-five and took the title from Kana Fukuma in February 2026. The official match table on the Japan Shogi Association side records a 3-0 result for Nishiyama, with wins in Games 1, 2, and 3, so the series ended before Games 4 and 5.
By Galo S Mirth
2021 was the year shogi’s center of gravity shifted. Sota Fujii did not just win. He changed the shape of the title map, taking the Ryuo crown and becoming the youngest ever four-crown holder. At the same time, women’s shogi entered a new era with the launch of the Hakurei title system and its rank league.