Kohaku (New Year's Eve Red & White "Battle")

The Kohaku is a singing "competition" held every year in Japan on New Year's Eve between the best male and female artists in Japan. It's more an event than a competition, no one cares who wins (the actual naming of the winners always feels awkward) and anyone who is anyone in Japanese Music or TV is at the event. It is a huge deal, although it's ratings have fallen in recent years it still pulls in Super Bowl level ratings on New Years Eve! It's about 70% contemporary artists and about 30% enka (more traditional Japanese Music). It's a bit too long and boring at times, but it is a lot of fun. For someone like me who is a big J-Pop fan, the Kohaku is great. I get to see all my favorites, some of which (Kobukuro, Ayaka) are pretty much show staples now, and perform every year.

Think grammys but everyone came to perform and all the real stars came to watch, if everyone did a featured performance (dancers, etc.), with a ton of suprises. That's what the Kohaku is.

I thought this show was pretty good, the pacing was better than normal and there was a good mix of old and new. AKB48 has replaced Morning Musume as the idol group (they have 72 members all on stage at one time, just nuts) and Ayaka just KILLED. She was fantastic. I also though Ikimonogakari was just awesome. I really need to do a post about them soon. Don't bother look on youtube for clips - NHK hates youtube and doesn't allow posted clips, even though the show is over, they don't sell the show and there is 100% no downside to anyone wanting to see clips of the show after it is done.

I'll try to find some clips or pictures but this post may remain very barren unfortunately due to NHK being shortsided nimrods.

Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dhaku_Uta_Gassen - Wikipedia Page
http://www9.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/ - Official Site
http://www.criteriamusic.com/h/view/id-7523/%C2%AD-60th%20NHK%20Kohaku%20Uta%20Gassen%20Review.html - Great blow by blow review of the show, really gives you a feel of the scope.