December & New Year Must-Watch Picks

NHK Specials

🎤 The 76th NHK Red and White Year-end Song Festival!

This year’s theme: “Connect and Be Connected on New Year’s Eve.”As NHK celebrates 100 years of broadcasting, Kōhaku returns with a powerful message—unifying generations, cultures, and communities through music.Close out 2025 with the biggest live music event Japan has to offer.🗓 Streaming from Dec 31

⚔️ Taiga Drama: “Brothers in Arms (Toyotomi Kyodai)”

A thrilling new Taiga series set in the heart of the Sengoku era, telling the remarkable rise of the Toyotomi brothers—the duo who changed history forever.Seen through the eyes of Hideyoshi’s brilliant brother Hidenaga, this is a bold, energetic retelling of Japan’s most dramatic age.Featuring an all-star cast including Taiga Nakano, Sosuke Ikematsu, Riho Yoshioka, and more.🗓 Streaming from Jan 4

Taiga Drama: “UNBOUND (Berabou)”

Now reaching its dramatic climax!All episodes available with English subtitles.

"Mary of Magdalene Restaurant" — Special 2-Part Drama

A powerful, emotional human story—brought to life by standout performances from Machiko Ono, Kisetsu Fujiwara, Ryota Bando, and Shima Iwashita.Featuring an original theme song written by Miyuki Nakajima.🗓 Dec 5 & Dec 12

“Queen of Mars” — 100th Anniversary Sci-Fi Special (3 Episodes)

A bold new sci-fi saga set 100 years in the future, where 100,000 people now call Mars home.When a mysterious entity appears, humanity faces a new turning point.With an A-list cast including Masaki Suda, Shim Eun-kyung, Rie Miyazawa, Hidetaka Yoshioka, and more.🗓 Streaming from Dec 13

📺 On-Demand Drama — Perfect for Holiday Binges

“Dear Radiance” (with English subtitles)

The life and love of Murasaki Shikibu, author of The Tale of Genji, brought to the screen in this beautifully crafted Taiga drama.⭐ Starring Yuriko Yoshitaka and Tasuku Emoto💫 Now streaming

“The Treasury of Loyal Retainers” (with English subtitles)

A fresh take on Japan’s most iconic loyalty tale—told from the perspective of master swordsman Yasube Horibe.🗓 Streaming from Dec 16

“Byakkotai”

A powerful historical drama about the warriors of Aizu during Japan’s turbulent final days of the shogunate.🗓 Streaming from Dec 30

 “When the Last Sword Is Drawn”

A deeply moving Shinsengumi drama exploring friendship, conflict, and family bonds.🗓 Streaming from Dec 30

“Kagemusha Tokugawa Ieyasu” (with English subtitles)

What if the real Tokugawa Ieyasu died at Sekigahara?This sweeping historical epic follows the man forced to take his place—and reshape history.🗓 Streaming from Jan 6

🏃 Sports

The 102nd Hakone Ekiden

Japan’s biggest college relay race returns!Last year, Aoyama Gakuin clinched back-to-back victories—can they defend their title against top rivals Kokugakuin and Komazawa?Experience this New Year tradition from the U.S. and Canada.🗓 Jan 3: Outbound (on-demand)🗓 Jan 4: Return (on-demand)

※Content is subject to change.