Is Frontrunners coming back?
Frontrunners (2023–present) on NHK World
The answer: Between seasons — last episode October 20, 2026, no return date announced yet.
4seasons
57episodes
About Frontrunners
Frontrunners is currently between seasons. The most recent episode aired on March 10, 2026, on NHK World. No return date is confirmed.
Frontrunners is a documentary series that first premiered on March 21, 2023. It highlights professionals who are at the forefront of their respective fields, showcasing their work, motivations, and the challenges they anticipate facing in the future. The show aims to provide insight into the lives and careers of leading figures across various industries.
Each episode has a runtime of approximately 30 minutes.
Frontrunners episode schedule
57 aired
Aired · 57
| Date | Ep. | Title |
|---|---|---|
| October 20, 2026 | S4·E15 | Advocate for Art of the Aged: Kushino Nobumasa |
| September 29, 2026 | S4·E14 | Psychiatric Nurse in Fukushima: Yonekura Kazuma |
| August 24, 2026 | S4·E13 | Recycling Specialist: Nakamura Takatoshi / Vietnam |
| July 15, 2026 | S4·E12 | World-Leading Nearsightedness Specialist: Ohno-Matsui Kyoko |
| June 24, 2026 | S4·E11 | Yabusame Horseback Archer: Kamimura Ayuko |
| March 25, 2026 | S4·E10 | Solar Sharing Pioneer: Higashi Mitsuhiro |
| March 18, 2026 | S4·E9 | Dietitian: Egashira Fumie |
| March 10, 2026 | S4·E8 | NPO Founder - Doya Yuto |
| February 24, 2026 | S4·E6 | Koi Masters – Mano Futoshi & Mano Shigeru |
| February 17, 2026 | S4·E5 | Master Whisky Blender: Akuto Ichiro |
| February 11, 2026 | S4·E4 | Wajima Lacquer Artist: Akagi Akito |
| February 3, 2026 | S4·E7 | Health Tech Entrepreneur - Ajima Masumi |
| February 3, 2026 | S4·E3 | Pizza Entrepreneur - Masuko Yosuke |
| January 21, 2026 | S4·E2 | NPO President - Shiraishi Yuriko |
| January 7, 2026 | S4·E1 | Cheesemaker and Dairy Farmer: Matsubara Masanori |
| December 24, 2025 | S3·E15 | Deaf Cyclist: Hayase Kumi |
| November 25, 2025 | S3·E14 | Dry Stone Waller: Kaneko Reo |
| November 18, 2025 | S3·E13 | Social Entrepreneur - Ishikawa Naohito |
| October 21, 2025 | S3·E12 | Reconstructive Surgeon for Microtia - Yotsuyanagi Takatoshi |
| September 29, 2025 | S3·E11 | Chef - Suzuki Yuko |
| August 27, 2025 | S3·E10 | Master Sculptor of Buddhist Statues - Matsumoto Shukan |
| August 12, 2025 | S3·E9 | Dollmaker - Nakamura Hiromine |
| August 5, 2025 | S3·E8 | Compost Promoter - Taira Yuiko |
| July 30, 2025 | S3·E7 | Peace Educator: Sumioka Kenta |
| March 25, 2025 | S3·E6 | Tree Surgeon - Goto Mizuho |
| March 19, 2025 | S3·E5 | Fish Leather Maker - Noguchi Tomohisa |
| March 4, 2025 | S3·E4 | Takama Takeshi - Environmentalist |
| January 28, 2025 | S3·E3 | Robotic Surgery Pioneer - Watanabe Go |
| January 15, 2025 | S3·E2 | Digital Services Innovator - Oba Carlos |
| January 8, 2025 | S3·E1 | Wildlife Vet - Saito Keisuke |
Show 27 earlier episodes
| December 25, 2024 | S2·E16 | Bonsai Master - Kobayashi Kunio |
| December 4, 2024 | S2·E15 | Horse-Powered Energy Innovator - Iwama Takashi |
| November 27, 2024 | S2·E14 | Medical Companion for Travel - Ito Reiya |
| November 20, 2024 | S2·E13 | Drone Entrepreneur - Kawanoue Kazufumi |
| October 29, 2024 | S2·E12 | International Mountain Medic - Oshiro Kazue |
| September 24, 2024 | S2·E11 | Nebuta Artist - Kitamura Asako |
| August 20, 2024 | S2·E10 | Coconut Entrepreneur Tackling Poverty - Mizui Yu |
| August 13, 2024 | S2·E9 | Accessibility NPO Founder - Oda Yuriko |
| June 26, 2024 | S2·E8 | Ainu Cultural Advocate - Monbetsu Atsushi |
| June 18, 2024 | S2·E7 | Cricket Food Producer - Ashikari Seiya |
| May 28, 2024 | S2·E6 | Orthopedic Shoe Meister - Nakai Yosuke |
| April 30, 2024 | S2·E5 | Supporting Street Children - Watanabe Hiroki |
| April 23, 2024 | S2·E4 | Snow Country Chef - Kuwakino Keiko |
| March 19, 2024 | S2·E3 | Poet & NPO Founder - Ueda Kanayo |
| February 27, 2024 | S2·E2 | Medical Interpreting Pioneer - Minamitani Kaori |
| January 30, 2024 | S2·E1 | Master Salt Maker - Sato Kyojiro |
| December 26, 2023 | S1·E11 | Pioneering Neurosurgeon - Kato Yoko |
| November 15, 2023 | S1·E10 | Thatching Innovator - Sagara Ikuya |
| September 27, 2023 | S1·E9 | Kyoto Kimono Dyer - Tabata Kihachi |
| August 30, 2023 | S1·E8 | Helicopter Physician - Tsugita Nobuyuki |
| July 26, 2023 | S1·E7 | Master Gardener - Kitayama Yasuo |
| July 19, 2023 | S1·E6 | Japanese Cheese Trailblazer - Shibata Chiyo |
| June 28, 2023 | S1·E5 | Vegan Washoku Chef - Kusumoto Katsumi |
| May 24, 2023 | S1·E4 | Children's Hospice Founder - Tagawa Hisato |
| April 18, 2023 | S1·E3 | Rope Rescue Expert - Hayashida Akihiro |
| March 28, 2023 | S1·E2 | Kyoto Foraging Master - Nakahigashi Hisato |
| March 21, 2023 | S1·E1 | Prosthetics Pioneer - Usui Fumio |
