The 75th annual NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, held on December 31, 2024, enthralled viewers once again with its captivating performances and strong ratings, demonstrating its continuing significance in Japanese television culture. This year's event, broadcasted live from NHK Hall, achieved impressive viewing figures, especially considering the trend of declining television viewership.
According to Video Research, the Kanto region's average viewer ratings were 29.0% for the first part and rose to 32.7% for the second part, which is 0.8 points higher than the previous year. This increase reflects not only the quality of the performances but also the audience's continued engagement with the show during the New Year celebrations.
Among the notable performances, access to talented artists showcased their skills and emotional depth, contributing to the event's overall success this year. The audience's response was overwhelmingly positive, with comments like "it was really fun" and "the performances were impressive" filling social media. The tension between the two teams, Red and White, added to the competitive atmosphere as fans passionately supported their favorite artists.
This year, all eyes were on the Red Team's performances, reflecting popular opinions and polling results. The artists included:
3rd Place: Takahashi Mariko, making her 6th appearance after 7 years, captivated the audience with her iconic hit "for you…" from 1982. Despite previously announcing her retirement from nationwide tours due to health concerns, she has announced her final tour for October 2024, prompting massive fan appreciation. Viewers praised her performance, noting her resilience at 75 years old and expressing joy at witnessing her talent again.
2nd Place: Ishikawa Sayuri, who performed her classic hit "Noto Peninsula," dedicated to the residents of Noto, which has suffered from both earthquakes and heavy rain. Prior to her performance, she expressed hopes for recovery, saying, "This year, I will sing 'Noto Peninsula' to bring cheer to the residents of Noto. The road to recovery is still long, but I hope everyone returns to their cheerful daily lives as soon as possible." Viewers felt her heartfelt wishes: "The emotion reached us" and "She provided support to Ishikawa residents."
1st Place: MISIA, who was the closing act for the Red Team. Performing alongside Akiko Yano, she delivered emotionally charged renditions of "Song of Hope" and "Towards Tomorrow." MISIA has now secured the role of final performer for six consecutive years, serving as the highlight of the performance lineup. Her long notes captivated the audience, and viewers declared, "MISIA was simply superb with unparalleled vocal strength. Thank you for this heartfelt performance to conclude the year." This performance perfectly aligned with the event's theme, which focused on songs of hope for the viewers' future.
Viewership engagement was particularly strong during specific performance moments. The most watched moment was B'z's surprise performance at 21:57, which peaked with a 71% attention rate, according to the viewing recorders. They started with their hit songs "LOVE PHANTOM" and "ultra soul," exciting the audience with their unexpected appearance at the NHK Hall stage. Following this, viewers were glued to the screen during the singalong of "Hotaru no Hikari" at 23:43, with 69.2% attention rate, solidifying its position as one of the key moments of the night.
Another highlight included Creepy Nuts with their first-ever appearance, performing "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born," marking the arrival of new, vibrant acts onto the Kōhaku stage.
Special performances included collaboration pieces like the Disney Fantasy Medley featuring Da-iCE and ME:I, which not only entertained but also symbolized the culturally rich nature of this year’s show.
The successful integration of various genres and the emotional undertone of the performances helped solidify Kōhaku's historical relevance and relatability to contemporary issues within Japan, such as natural disaster recovery and the importance of community bonding during difficult times.
While the viewers expressed anticipation for possible mishaps linked with the renowned detective anime series "Detective Conan" due to the collaboration with the show's original author, Gosho Aoyama, the event passed without incident, prompting relief among audiences who awaited humor-filled twists. Aoyama’s involvement hinted at nostalgia and celebration for the show's 30th anniversary, creating positive sentiment around the Kōhaku.
Overall, the 75th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen successfully combined tradition with modern artistry, capturing the hearts of millions as it consistently highlights the convergence of entertainment and cultural unity during Japan’s New Year celebrations.