"What is life?" This age-old question now meets the advances of life sciences. The brand-new series is the ultimate sequel to 2019's "The Body". It explores the "mystery of life" from three perspectives.
The first episode examines "the life of cells." Within these basic life units lie a dazzling wonderland―far more vibrant and chaotic world, unlike textbook descriptions. This episode dives deep into the breathtaking mystery of how lifeless matter can spark into living magic.
The second episode, "Human Life," shows how our 40 trillion cells, each one a miracle in motion, create intelligence and abilities. But with that gift came a heavy burden: the inevitability of aging. What secrets do life and aging conceal?
And the third episode, "The Life of All Things," explores how all life on Earth originated from a single common ancestor born nearly 4 billion years ago. This episode takes you on a sweeping journey through time, chasing the origin of life itself. Life is often called a miracle...but the latest research reveals something far beyond that. What we've discovered defies imagination―it's not just a miracle. It's something greater!

A mortality rate of 98.4% (*), a "Death Zone." This is the area within 500 meters of the hypocenter in Hiroshima where the atom bomb was dropped. Yet even here, 78 people miraculously survived. What did they experience that day? How did they live after the war? From the 110 hours of interviews recorded in the 1970s and 80s that NHK was allowed access for the first time, the survivors tell their tales. Their shocking experiences and the things they saw are then scientifically visualized with help from the latest technology and computer graphics. The details reveal horrific destruction of nuclear weapon use that not even the US army at the time was aware of.

*calculated as of November, 1945.

Saadiyat Island in UAE's Abu Dhabi is accelerating its drive to become a cultural hub for the future. Alongside the Louvre and the Guggenheim Museums, it now boasts the world's largest immersive digital art museum, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, opened in April 2025. How did teamLab—Japan's frontrunner in immersive, ethereal, highly conceptual art installations—respond to the challenge? It has achieved worldwide acclaim for installations such as teamLab Borderless—a destination that attracts millions of visitors and international celebrities while earning accolades like TIME's World's Greatest Places 2024 and the 2025 Tourism Innovation Award. With rare access granted to film the secretive art collective, the program follows teamLab's three-year venture to complete the museum, a journey fraught with obstacles and offers a front-row seat to one of the UAE's landmark cultural investments.

In October 2024, the Kingdom of Bhutan hosted a grueling very-high-altitude ultra-marathon in the Himalayas. The race was aimed at drawing the world's attention to the crisis known as global boiling. Melting Himalayan glaciers are raising water levels in glacial lakes and, more than ever before, magnifying the risk of outburst floods that can destroy people's homes and livelihoods. NHK and the Bhutan Broadcasting Service teamed up to show the entire foot race for the first time. Athletes battling hypoxia as they ran through the harsh terrain used compact cameras to record what they were seeing and feeling. This documentary shows the spectacular, gradually disappearing scenery and the grueling challenges of the race. And it uses the athletes' powerful words to convey the largely unseen reality of global warming.

In March 2023, musician Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away. As a member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra, Sakamoto catapulted to international notoriety with his innovations in electro music. The Oscar-winning composer was also known for his pursuit of a wide range of styles. In his final years, Sakamoto filled his diary with honest directness. "It's a death sentence." "Better to choose euthanasia?" "Music may be the only way to keep my sanity." "Music to leave behind, Music not to leave behind.” His hitherto unknown relationship with other YMO members, his unreleased music―with incredible access to his diaries and private footage provided by Sakamoto’s bereaved family, the program follows how one of the greatest musicians of the age grappled with death and lived out his final days.

What do the 300 newly found geoglyphs tell us?

It is one of the great archeological mysteries: who created the massive-scale designs of the Nasca lines, and for what purpose? The 300 newly found geoglyphs by the research team at Yamagata University may shed new light. Because so many were discovered so quickly through harnessing AI technology, experts are now able to extrapolate on meaning and objective from their placement as well as content. What role did the lines play within the sophisticated civilization that flourished 2,000 years ago? The program goes on the ground in Peru to follow the forefront of research.

Even though locals are used to seeing, it may be an emotional experience for first-timers. This is a travel show that values first-time reactions of newcomers and rediscovers the "proud charms" of Oga, Akita. The guests, Gantulga from Mongolia and Alina from Ukraine visit some hot spots of Oga in winter. Through this tour, you will discover the charms of Oga's food, culture, and sightseeing including Namahage. After watching this program, you will want to visit Oga for sure. Let's enjoy the tour full of laughs and discoveries!

Note: This program has English subtitles.

the RAMEN is a documentary-style program that offers an intimate look into the daily lives of popular ramen shops where the queues never end. From early morning prep to closing time, the camera tirelessly follows the bustling action, revealing the heartfelt dedication and passion each owner pours into every bowl. The program concludes with ramen-loving celebrities silently savoring the exquisite ramen down to the very last drop, in what can be called a “ramen-tary” program for ramen enthusiasts everywhere!

China and a new-age cybersecurity threat?

In early 2024, internal records that appear to have come from the Chinese cybersecurity company i-SOON were leaked onto the internet. The records contained a list of a large amount of data that was believed to have been stolen from government agencies and citizens of various countries. Furthermore, it even included chat logs which indicated the involvement of Chinese authorities. Analysis of the leaked data with experts in seven locations around the world reveals how the cyberattacks were conducted and on what scale, as well as a tactic called "cognitive warfare." Through the "i-SOON documents," the program delves into the emerging threats that lie across the internet space.

Gono Line, the local railway line connecting Akita and Aomori, has been popular among tourists and train enthusiasts. You can enjoy the spectacular views of Japan Sea on Gono Line trains.
An enka singer Yuki Tokunaga comes to Akita again and travels on the Gono Line to visit tourist spots along the route. He enjoys eating fresh seafood bowls and takes a stroll around the foot of the Shirakami Mountains, a World Heritage Site. He witnesses the beautiful view of lake called "mysterious blue."

What lay behind the mad "kamikaze" fervor?

On the Pacific front towards the end of World War II, Japan's imperial armed forces launched "kamikaze" attacks, or suicide missions by aircrafts laden with bombs. It was a mad operation with no hope of returning alive. But the nation went wild, and the attacks continued for ten months, literally until the very last day of war. About 4,000 crew lost their lives. How could this happen? Utilizing 15 years-worth of extensive interviews with both US and Japanese former military personnel as well as experts, combined with a detailed "hometown map" created from the data of each and every life lost, and the latest analysis of archival footage and documents, the program delves into the mechanism of how a crazed madness swept through an entire nation.

Parents with disabled children worry about who will watch over their dear children after they pass away.

Kunai Yasuo, living in Hiroshima City, is raising two disabled children. The older brother, Masahiro, has autism, and the younger brother, Yuki, has both autism and intellectual disabilities. However, the parents cannot support their son forever. When considering the parents’ inevitable death, what will happen to the two children? The family continues to live fearing their future.

Currently, Japan faces a nationwide shortage of facilities for people with severe disabilities. In Hiroshima Prefecture, there is a waiting list of people hoping to enter such facilities. It is a result of a national policy to shift people with disabilities from these facilities to community group residences, or their own home. The idea is to have them live independently in the community just like able people.

The death of a parent will inevitably come someday. When that happens, is there a place where you can safely leave your child? How will a society that is losing tolerance accept such families? In this program, we focus on the daily life of a family with disabled children.

障がいのある子どもを持つ親の悩み。それは「親である自分が亡くなった後、誰が大切な我が子を見守ってくれるのか」ということ。

広島市内に暮らす九内康夫さんは、２人の障がいのある子どもを育てている。兄の誠洋さんは自閉症、弟の勇輝さんは自閉症と知的障害を併せもっている。弟の勇輝さんは一日の大半、部屋の中を飛び跳ね、歩き回る。しかし、親がこの先もずっと息子を支えることはできない。将来必ず訪れる“親の死”を考えたとき、２人の子どもはどうなってしまうのか。家族の将来に不安を抱える生活が今日も続いている。

現在日本では、主に重度の障がい者が入所する施設が全国的に不足している。広島県では施設への入所を希望する待機者が列をなしている状況だ。ここには「障がい者の受け入れを“入所施設”から“地域のグループホームや自宅”へ移行し、健常者と同じように障がい者が地域で自立して暮らす」という国が進めている政策が関係している。

いつか必ず訪れる親の死。その時、安心して子どもを託せる場所はあるのか。寛容さをなくしつつある社会はこの家族をどう受け入れていくのか。障がいのある子どもを支える、家族の日々を見つめた。

For the first time ever—high-performance GPS technology helps reveal the startling behavior of young male lions on their long-term quest for pride and power. Mahiri's life of ease with his mother has been upended after being forced from his pride. Busara and his brother left their group and eke out a nomadic existence on the fringes of rival territories. Now destiny calls... forcing them to form coalitions in order to challenge reigning pride leaders to the ultimate battle for the throne!

Tokyo harbors more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world. Variety abounds,from kaiseki and sushi to tempura and yakitori. Each style blends tradition and innovation.The skills master chefs wield in their imaginative use of seasonal ingredients and the spirit of hospitality they impart to delight their patrons are the treasures of Japan's cuisine.
Treasure hunter Shizuka Anderson visits some of the best restaurants in Tokyo to unearth the culinary delights hidden there.

A real estate expert travels the world, showcasing dream properties both in Japan and overseas that people would love to call home, all presented in an entertaining variety show format.

Minyo is the traditional Japanese folk song based on daily life of local people and nature. Akita is said to be the treasure trove of minyo because more than 1000 minyo songs have been born there. It flourished in the 1970s, but after the boom, the number of performers and fans has decreased. Also, COVID-19 gave another blow.
Teizo Fujimaru, from Akita, was the legendary player of shakuhachi, the traditional Japanese bamboo flute used in minyo. He survived the battle of Shumushu island and Siberian internment at the end of the Second World War. Under harsh condition in Siberia, he continued playing shakuhachi to encourage his fellows. Why did Teizo take good care of his shakuhachi for more than 1000 days of extremely severe life? Yu Takahashi, a singer-songwriter from Akita, traces Teizo's life and thoughts.

Nishimonai Bon Odori is the traditional festival of Bon dance held every August in Ugo town, Akita. For over 700 years, the festival has been the purpose of life for the local people. In 2022, Nishimonai Bon Odori was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list as a part of the "Furyu-odori, ritual dances imbued with people's hopes and prayers."
From 2020 to 2022, the festival was cancelled or held with no audience due to COVID-19. This program covers the festival in 2023 closely, held completely with audience for the first time in four years.
Through this program, you can learn deeply about four important elements of the festival: dance, instruments, songs, and costumes. Also, you can see how irreplaceable for the local people the festival has been.

This is the winning work of the 61st Galaxy Awards for programs highly recommended.

Step into the fast-moving world of modern journalism with NIKKEI Film, a documentary series blending investigative reporting, data visualization, and powerful storytelling. From geopolitical upheavals to economic security, each episode dives deep into the pressing issues of the day. Launched in 2023, the series has earned acclaim for its perceptive exploration of complex events, including the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

With its striking visuals and thought-provoking insights, NIKKEI Film represents a new direction in documentary filmmaking. Awarded the Grand Prix and the Visual Content Prize at Japan’s 2024 Internet Media Awards, it’s essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand our changing world.

Produced by Nikkei, Inc. since 2023, this ongoing series consists of episodes ranging from 15 to 20 minutes long. New episodes are being made available for streaming, on a regular basis.