Sebastian Weigle masterfully conducted the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra (YNSO) in the Japanese premiere of Hans Pfitzner’s “Von Deutscher Seele” (Of the German soul) at Suntory Hall in Akasaka, Tokyo, on Jan. 20.

This year’s NHK annual historical drama “Toyotomi Kyodai!” (“Brothers in Arms”) offers a fresh perspective on the genre with its portrayal of 16th-century feudal warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his era, which have been depicted many times in dramas and other media, from the point of view of his younger brother, who supported him.

In December, I emceed an event about a unique hero. My guest and conversation partner was Hiroshi Miyauchi, who appeared in the “Kaiketsu Zubat” (Zubat the marvelous hero) series broadcast in 1977, playing the hero Zubat and his secret identity Ken Hayakawa. The event celebrated the series being chosen from many tokusatsu works for release on Blu-ray, as determined by a fan vote conducted by Toei Video Co.“Zubat” features private detective Hayakawa, who witnesses his best friend being murdered by a criminal organization. To avenge his friend, he dons the Zubat Suit developed by the friend and transforms into a superhero, eliminating the organization’s subordinate gangs across Japan. “Zubat” is said to have been inspired by the popular “Wataridori” (Vagabond) film series.Hayakawa is super cool. Dressed in a red shirt, black leather suit and black hat pulled low over his eyes, he appears in front of a gang bodyguard, strumming a white guitar, and taunts him, saying, “Your skills are second best in Japan.” When the bodyguard angrily asks, “Then who is the best in Japan?” Hayakawa points at himself, shrugs and winks. This cool demeanor is unforgettable, and epitomizes the superhero’s charm and character.In addition to playing Hayakawa, Miyauchi is also known for roles like the hero Shiro Kazami in “Kamen Rider V3,” and Ao (Blue ranger) and Akira Shinmei, the alter ego of Ao, in “Himitsu Sentai Gorenger.”

Impressionism is often associated with the outdoors. Even its name, ironically coined by a scathing critic, comes from a Claude Monet painting of a sunrise called “Impression, soleil levant” (“Impression, sunrise”).

Filicide is a taboo. So is using a corpse to make a work of art. Taboos pile up in Kanae Minato’s novel “Ningen Hyohon” (“Human Specimen”), which has now been adapted into the drama series “Human Specimens,” streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video since Dec. 19.Hidetoshi Nishijima, who plays the protagonist of the series, recently spoke to The Yomiuri Shimbun about the experience of acting in this shocking work.When he received the offer to appear in the series, he said, he ran to a book shop and bought a copy of the novel, which he found fascinating. “I read it and immediately told them I wanted to be in the show,” he said.“It was very interesting and rewarding to read, a deep human drama,” said Nishijima. He added that his first thought after finishing it was that he wanted to take on the challenge of bringing it to the screen.In the story, the bodies of six boys are discovered inside acrylic cases on a mountain one summer day. Shiro Sakaki, the protagonist, a university professor known as an expert on butterflies, turns himself in for the crime. According to Shiro, since childhood, he has been making butterfly specimens and nurturing his obsessive desire to “preserve beauty for eternity.” Now, he says, this drive has led him to make human specimens, using the bodies of boys with good looks and artistic gifts, including his only son, Itaru (Ichikawa Somegoro). The story goes through several twists before reaching a conclusion viewers could never imagine.

Shogi genius Sota Fujii set a new record high for prize money and playing fees in 2025, according to an announcement made by the Japan Shogi Association on Tuesday.

Learning makes life rich regardless of how old a person is. More and more universities are offering courses for middle-aged and senior citizens to learn and study again.

As it gets colder, accidental falls while removing snow from rooftops become more common in snowy regions. It is crucial for people who do this job to take safety measures, such as wearing a safety line and not working alone. Icicles hanging from eaves and snow sliding off roofs can also cause injury.

At the beginning of November, autumn foliage had just entered the peak of its season in the Okuhida area of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. Located at the foot of the Northern Japanese Alps, this is one of few places where autumn foliage and snowy winter scenes can be enjoyed at the same time, attracting many hikers and tourists.

Isamu Tatsuno, chairman of Montbell Co., said the past 50 years has been a period in which “I converted my favorite things into business,” during an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun.

The tide of blockbuster movies and hit dramas continues to rise. Every day, new releases generate buzz as they premier in theaters, on TV and on streaming services.