The Climax Series is a playoff format used in Japanese professional baseball, specifically in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league. It determines the champion of the Central League and Pacific League before the final championship series, known as the Japan Series. The format typically involves the top teams from each league competing in a series of games to decide who advances. In the Climax Series, teams are divided into two stages: the first stage features the second and third-place teams, while the second stage pits the winner of the first stage against the first-place team. This structure adds excitement and intensity to the postseason, culminating in the chance to compete for the Japan Series title.