I figured that since we've passed the midway mark of November, it would be time for the lineup announcement for the Red and White teams for this year's edition of NHK's annual Kohaku Utagassen. And sure enough, just before I went to bed last night, the lineup had come out. By the way, the Kohaku will be televised from 7:20 pm JST on December 31st at NHK Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Red Team
Aiko (15th appearance)
Aimyon (6)
Illit (1)
Sayuri Ishikawa (47)
Iruka (2)
HY (3)
Fuyumi Sakamoto (36)
Sakurazaka 46 (4)
Ringo Shiina (9)
Superfly (8)
Mariko Takahashi (6)
tuki. (1)
Yoshimi Tendo (29)
Twice (5)
Nogizaka 46 (10)
Me:I (1)
Misia (9)
Kaori Mizumori (22)
Ryokuoushoku Shakai (3)
Le Sserafim (3)
White Team
Omoinotake (1)
Creepy Nuts (1)
GLAY (4)
Hiromi Go (37)
Kocchi no Kento (1)
The Alfee (2)
JO1 (3)
Junretsu (7)
Da-iCE (1)
Together x Together (1)
Number_i (1)
Leon Niihama (1)
Be:First (2)
Masaharu Fukuyama (17)
Fujii Kaze (3)
Gen Hoshino (10)
Mrs. Green Apple (2)
Minami Kosetsu (6)
Hiroshi Miyama (10)
Keisuke Yamauchi (10)
Special Guest -- Kiyoshi Hiyama (24)
Your congenial hosts will be comedian Hiroiki Ariyoshi（有吉弘行）, actress Kanna Hashimoto（橋本環奈）, actress Sairi Ito（伊藤沙莉）and NHK announcer Naoko Suzuki（鈴木奈穂子）.
Some thoughts from me:
1) I kinda figured that either or both Creepy Nuts and Kocchi no Kento（こっちのけんと）would be showing up because of their catchy songs and dances. We might get everyone in NHK Hall participating during their performances. Not sure if the liniment or Salon-Pas will be available, though.
2) I had read a few days ago from the not-most-reliable source in Japan that no act associated with SMILE-UP (formerly Johnny's Entertainment) would be appearing on the Kohaku for the second year in a row, but it has now been confirmed. However, Number_i consists of three former members of King and Prince though this group is now under the TOBE Music label.
3) Mariko Takahashi（高橋真梨子）, Minami Kosetsu（南こうせつ）, The Alfee and Iruka（イルカ）are returning which warms my old kayo kyoku heart. Almost all of them have roots in folk music so will we be getting some of their 1970s material? The Alfee is appearing for just their second time on the Kohaku; the first time they appeared was on the 34th edition back in 1983 which was one of the earliest times that I ever watched the show. Maybe they'll take another swing at "MARIE-ANNE".
4) Of course, there will be the panel of celebrity judges. Will baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani（大谷翔平）be one of them?
What everyone will be singing probably won't be announced until December. And as has often been the case, there will be changes in the lineup through additions most likely. Any announcements on these changes will be posted below over the coming days and weeks leading up to New Year's Eve. You can also take a look at the Wikipedia article on No. 75.
I read two articles that said NHK was negotiating with STARTO/Johnny's to have their groups appear but apparently NHK only wanted two groups(with one of them being Snow Man) while STARTO wanted four of their groups. Also, relations between the two parties deteriorated because on the day NHK announced the return of STARTO talents to their network, they aired a documentary about Johnny Kitagawa and his crimes. Also, apparently Snow Man themselves weren't too keen on joining since their fans were against it and their own livestream was a resounding success against Kohaku.
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