Midnight Diner (Japanese TV Series)
| Midnight Diner | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Shinya Shokudō |
| Genre |
Mystery Slice of life Food |
| Based on |
Shinya Shokudō by Yarō Abe |
| Starring | Kaoru Kobayashi |
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Original language(s) | Japanese |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 40 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Takeshi Moriya |
| Running time |
30 minutes |
| Distributor | MBS/Netflix |
| Release | |
| Original network | TBS Television |
| Original release | 2011 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows |
Shinya Shokudō Midnight Diner Late Night Restaurant |
Midnight Diner (深夜食堂 Shinya shokudō) is a Japanese TV series based on the manga of the same name by Yarō Abe. The show focuses on a midnight diner, the chef, known only as "The Master", and his involvement with his customers.
Setting
The setting of Midnight Diner is a small 12 seat Izakaya called "Meshiya" in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Despite the restaurant's strange opening hours, 12 am to 7 am, it is popular with the busy nightlife of Shinjuku. The Shinjuku setting, and the hours of operation, mean that much of the Midnight Diner story takes place at night.
Storyline
"The Master", the main character of the show, is a chef who runs While he has a limited range of food, (generally only pork miso soup) he always offers that he will "do the best he can" to produce any thing that a customer may want with the ingredients he has at hand. Sometimes the customer contributes the ingredients, particularly if they are out of the ordinary. The diner is frequented by a range of people, all of whom get on, including prostitutes, Yakuza, salaryman. Only occasionally is there conflict between the characters, (e.g., in one scene two characters start fighting and the Master pours alcohol on them).
Generally, each episode deals with a drama focused on a particular customer, only rarely are the dramas about the Master himself (mainly the first movie, where the master injures his hand and can't cook). The plot will introduce the characters of the episode, and then detail that they are sad or challenged in some way. The Master offers help to his customers generally, and to give advice. The plot will generally offer some philosophical lesson as part of the story, be it simple or complicated. The Master himself tends to offer advice, and at least console with a good meal, but doesn't personally get involved in the dramas.[1] Some of the stories are lighthearted, others more dramatic.
Generally, the show will focus on a particular dish, (often the favorite of the character that the episode is about) which relates to the story, and show the preparation of it.[2][3]
The Master character occasionally breaks the fourth wall, to speak to the viewers (e.g. in the TV series, to announce the upcoming movie). In the first movie, the master is assisted by a homeless girl, (played by Tabe Mikako) who learns some of his cooking techniques, though generally he cooks by himself.
While generally the characters are transitional, and are mainly seen in their own episodes, and perhaps as background in minor characters in one or two other episodes, a couple of characters are regular customers and reappear regularly, including the trio of gossiping old ladies, and Tadashi, the old man wearing a cap (played by Mansaku Fuwa). Occasionally seen is the cross-dressing restaurant owner Kosuzu (Toshiki Ayata), and the Yakuza boss (played by Yutaka Matsushige).[4]
Occasionally, the stories will adopt magic realism overtones, including in one story, the depiction of a ghost. Commentary has also suggested that the Tadashi character may be a type of Japanese demon that is seen at bars.
Recurring characters
The Master
The main character of the show is the Master. He is a somewhat mysterious figure; he is well regarded for his cooking talents, but his background is not detailed. He has a very obvious scar down the side of his face, implied in one episode to be from a sword cut from a rough past life; however, this is otherwise never explained. The Master character's actual name is never given. He is a sympathetic character, however despite the various problems his customer has, he never gets too involved in their affairs, and is generally not involved in scenes with them, except at his restaurant. His main way of assisting is to bring comfort by making food, and to provide advice.
His character is similar to a bartender in the away that he functions as an adviser/psychiatrist, and the characters project their insecurities or issues on to him, or discuss and mull over their problems with him. He doesn't engage upon in depth conversation, however what wisdom he does say seems to have an effect. Instead of getting involved in people's issues directly, he mainly offers advice. Most of the time, he is cooking, cleaning dishes, or having a cigarette in the kitchen.
The master has a few rules for the kitchen, he has a limit of three drinks per person, and any fighting has to be taken outside.[5]
Tadashi
Tadashi (played by Mansaku Fuwa) is the character in the show that most frequently appears, apart from the master. He is an older man, who is always seen wearing a flat cap or some sort of hat. He occasionally offers advice, and harmless banter. Generally the stories don't involve him, he is just in the Izakaya to pass comment.
The Office Lady Greek Chorus
The Greek chorus of three office ladies, like Tadako, are generally not involved in the drama, and apart from Tadako, they are the most obvious recurring characters. They appear in the Izakaya, and offer comment on the drama, or filler dialogue between the main characters for the individual episode. They appear in all four seasons and the two movies. They are generally sympathetic to the troubled eaters in the restaurant.
Yakuza boss
The Yakuza boss is featured less in the Izakaya, his main feature is that he likes to eat childish food.
Police Officer
There is a police officer close by in a kōban, who sometimes features and has a less significant, but recurring role.
Production
The show has been a success in Japan,[6][7] with four seasons produced in 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2017. Also, to date, two movies were produced by TBS and MBS. The fourth season (known in the US as "Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories") produced in 2016 by TBS and Netflix Japan. Netflix Japan purchased streaming and production rights from the Japanese producer to produce the fourth series, which is shown on Netflix internationally.
Non-Japanese remakes
Following the success of the original Japanese version, Korean and Chinese versions were made. The Korean version, Late Night Restaurant, was mildly successful, and one season was made. The Chinese version, also called Midnight Diner, was very similar to the Japanese version but did not translate well to the audience and was not successful.
Cast
Main cast
- Kaoru Kobayashi as The Master
- Joe Odagiri as Katagiri and (in later seasons) police officer Kogure
- Asako Kobayashi as Rumi
- Mansaku Fuwa as Tadashi / Chu - San
- Kaoru Hirata as Saya
- Yutaka Matsushige as Yakuza boss
- Mansaku Fuwa as Tadashi
- Toshiki Ayata as Kosuzu
- Yuichiro Nakayama as Hachiro
- Tomoko Tabata as Miyuki Chidori
- Tomorowo Taguchi as Sakushika
- Toru Kazama as Taiboku Erekuto
- Sumie Sasaki as Taiboku's mom )
- Sogen Tanaka as Tanaka
- Naoaki Kenmochi as Anzai
- Junya Kawashima as Suwa
- Ryo Iwamatsu as Masao Toyama
- Morio Agata as Goro
- Koromo Tomosato as Ritsuko Toyama
- Tomomitsu Adachi
- Takuma Otoo as katutoshi kawada
- Reika Kirishima as Akemi
- Marino Kuwajima as Mayu
- Shinya Natsume as snack bar customer
- Kei Tanaka as Nakajima
- Eri Murakawa as Risa Aikawa
- Takeshi Yamamoto as producer
- You as Noriko Kajami
- Denden as homeless
- Lily as Yachiyo
- Ryotaro Yonemura as Mitchell Kajama
- Sakuya Nakamura as Kenta
- Maki Ishikawa as Yuki
- Ken Mitsuishi as detective
References
- ↑ Herald, The Korea (2015-06-23). "[Herald Review] Like Japanese food, 'Midnight Diner' is mild but heartwarming". Retrieved 2018-07-11.
- ↑ ""Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories" is the best (and most appetizing) show no one is watching". Newsweek. 2016-12-07. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
- ↑ "Netflix's 'Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories' is the Food-Centric Drama of the Year". SAVEUR. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
- ↑ "Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories is the next great show from Netflix Japan". The Verge. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
- ↑ "'Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories' Is a Hidden Gem on Netflix". Vice. 2016-12-28. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
- ↑ "9 J-Dramas for K-Drama Fans to Start Watching | Viu". Viu. 2017-10-20. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
- ↑ "'Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories' Is Decidedly Low-Key, But It Does One Thing More American Shows Should". Decider. 2016-10-25. Retrieved 2018-07-11.