Japanese freelance television announcer Hiroshi Kume, known for hosting the popular music show "The Best Ten" and news show "News Station," died of lung cancer on Jan. 1, it was learned Tuesday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2026/01/13/tv-streaming/hiroshi-kume-obituary/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #hiroshikume #japanesetv #tbs #tvasahi #ntv #media #obituary
For its 65th installment, NHK’s “taiga” period drama leaves the pleasure quarters of Edo behind to shift focus on the right-hand man of one of Japan’s great unifiers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2026/01/02/tv-streaming/nhk-brothers-in-arms-taiga-drama/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #japanesetv #nhk
Fights, insults and unexpected sincerity: Netflix Japan’s “Badly in Love” flips the script (and a few desks) on the dating-show formula by centering on delinquent culture. And it works. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/12/16/tv-streaming/badly-in-love/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #television #japanesetv #netflix #dating #badlyinlove
The neon-lit underworld of Mars populated by multilingual transplants may borrow from cyberpunk and sci-fi tropes, but its take on interplanetary cosmopolitanism merits a watch. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/12/13/tv-streaming/new-japanese-sci-fi-queen-of-mars-nhk/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #scifi #nhk #japanesetv
Viewers are comparing the new Netflix series to “Shogun” and “Squid Game,” but “Last Samurai Standing” stands out for its anime-style cartoonish chaos. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/11/21/tv-streaming/last-samurai-standing/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #netflix #lastsamuraistanding #junichiokada
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is getting the ultimate send-off. A six-part docuseries and concert film will hit Disney+ on Dec. 12. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/10/15/tv-streaming/taylor-swift-docuseries-disney/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #taylorswift #disney
At the Busan International Film Festival, Netflix’s Creative Asia made one thing clear: Asia isn’t a side market anymore — it’s the creative engine shaping global streaming. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/10/05/tv-streaming/netflix-creative-asia-busan/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #netflix #streaming #busaninternationalfilmfestival #southkorea #filmfestivals #busan
An anime about a teenage horse-girl idol shouldn’t work, but “Cinderella Grey” delivers the best sports drama since “The Last Dance.” https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/10/04/tv-streaming/umamusume-cinderella-grey/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #anime #umamusume
“The Summer Hikaru Died” is a slow-burn horror and a coming-of-age narrative, but its thematic layers and queer undertones open conversations about friendship and belonging. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/09/06/tv-streaming/queer-anime-summer-hikaru-died/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #mokumokuren #anime #kadokawa #japanesefolklore
In the time it takes to get to work, streaming platform Samansa says it can change the way you watch movies. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/08/14/tv-streaming/samansa-short-film-streaming/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #film #streaming #samansa #shortfilms #startups
Takeru Satoh looks gorgeous playing a tortured genius in “Glass Heart” — a show that sounds great but rings hollow. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/08/07/tv-streaming/glass-heart/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #netflix #jpop #takerusatoh #yumiyazaki#keitamachida #junshison