A good start can be a precious commodity in the J. League, and the three teams with perfect records after two games of the new season will be satisfied with their work so far.

The identities of those teams at the top, however, may surprise neutral observers. Sanfrecce Hiroshima flirted with relegation last season, Vegalta Sendai spent most of the campaign in the lower reaches of mid-table, and Nagoya Grampus gained promotion through the playoffs after finishing a tough J2 season in third place.

Of those three, Grampus were probably considered the most likely to make a flying start. The 2010 champions may have spent a year away from the top flight following their 2016 relegation, but they turned heads by signing Brazilian World Cup striker Jo and Australian goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak over the winter and have an experienced manager at the helm in Yahiro Kazama.