It has been announced that Nippon Television's winter music special "Best Artist 2025" will be broadcast live on November 29th. This year, the show will be split into two parts, with an additional hour from 3:55pm to 4:55pm (broadcast in the Kanto region and other areas) added to the usual 7pm broadcast.
The show began airing in 2001, and this year's theme for the 25th broadcast is "Music Journey." Special projects related to the theme are also planned for the show.
The event will be hosted by Sakurai Sho for the 17th time, with other hosts including Hatori Shinichi, Bakarhythm, and announcer Rena Ichiki, and a total of 40 artists will perform popular and hit songs.
◇Comment from Sho Sakurai
--About being the general host of "Best Artist" again this year
This year marks the 25th broadcast, and I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to once again serve as the general host at this milestone moment for this historic program. Today, when I was interviewed, I felt like the end of the year was suddenly approaching (laughs). Once again, we have a fantastic lineup of artists appearing, and there will also be some overseas projects, so I think it will be a spectacular program.
--What are you looking forward to and what are the highlights of this year's "Best Artist"?
This time, the broadcast time will be wider and will be divided into two parts, with the first part starting a little earlier than usual, so we are looking forward to seeing more artists appearing.
--In keeping with the theme of this program, "Music Journey," what is the one song that accompanies you on your travels, the one song that brings back memories of your travels?
Although they have nothing to do with the season, Ketsumeishi's "Summer Memories" and "Night Wind" are songs that bring back memories of summer trips. I had only just gotten my driver's license, and the song I listened to the first time I drove to the beach was Ketsumeishi's "Summer Memories."
Arashi's "Turning Up" was also the first music video we shot in Los Angeles, so while it was a shoot and a job, it felt like a journey in itself. So when I listen to that song or watch the music video, I'm reminded of the five of us going to Los Angeles.
--Message to viewers
Not only are the artists appearing all impressive, but there are also plenty of exciting projects that you will enjoy, so I hope you will come and see it with the whole family.
