Lighthouse (talk show)

Lighthouse (Japanese pronunciation: [ɾaitohaꜜɯsɯ]) is a Japanese variety talk show hosted by musician Gen Hoshino and comedian Masayasu Wakabayashi. The series sees Hoshino and Wakabayashi meeting monthly at different locations for half a year, discussing worries with aid from journals of their thoughts. Hoshino wrote six songs based on the talk show, which are used as opening and ending themes.

The concept for the series was conceived by television producer Nobuyuki Sakuma after watching Hoshino guest star on Wakabayashi's variety show Achikochi Audrey. Wishing to showcase the hosts evolution through episodes to almost mimick Japanese television drama, Sakuma conceived of Gen Hoshino and Masayasu Wakabayashi's One Year, similar to the final product but spanning a year's period. After changing the filming period to half a year due to scheduling constraints, Sakuma renamed the show to Lighthouse, also attaching this name to Hoshino and Wakabayashi's duo. Production began in October 2022, and featured a focus on preserving entertainment value via comedy throughout the heavier subjects.

Lighthouse was released worldwide via Netflix on August 22, 2023, with six episodes. It saw positive response from Japanese critics, who praised its style, theming, and Hoshino and Wakabayashi as presenters. Western reviewers commented that the show was potentially more tailored towards Japanese audiences. Hoshino's theme songs saw release as an extended play (EP) under the same title on September 8, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart.