Midnight Diner 2 (2016)

Once again Kobayashi Kaoru does not disappoint; he's become one of my most favorite actors because of two series. I've quickly fallen in love with this man and his talents, not to mention his voice and the way he carries himself from one character and one story to the next. This movie is filled with a cast of stars and everyone makes each story something like a miracle.

Each story is filmed as if it were a present to the viewers. There's a lesson to learn within each episode, and you lose yourself within the moments of just watching and falling in love with each character and their story.

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New folks visit the Master of Food Therapy

Have recently realized that Master is a Food Therapist. In every Midnight Diner episode whether it is the series or the movies, there are people who come to his diner for "comfort food". As he feeds them and as they taste his wonderful food, they relax in the atmosphere and camaraderie. Each guest has a back story, and the regulars all know each other. This movie focuses on 3 new diners, and thus is able to get more in depth views of their lives because more time is devoted to each diner.

The 3 stories are centered around problems women face.
1. Yakiniku Set - A female editor cosplays as a widow to escape the sexism that causes stress in her career as an editor. As someone who has experienced this daily, I could 100% relate to her frustrations at being unable to challenge, complain or change the status quo.
2. Grilled Udon - A widow who runs the family soba noodle shop worries her son is "useless" at taking care of himself or the family business. Unknown to her, the son is dating a much older woman, a woman the widow considers a "good catch" and friend.
3. Tonjiru Set Meal - An elderly Yukiko ends up at the Diner after being scammed. Patrons of Master's diner try to help her, and Michiru (from the first Midnight Diner movie) takes the woman in as she resembles her grandmother. However, the woman has some secrets from her past.

In each case, Master comforts them with food, and just a few, sparse sentences, full of meaning. Upon reflecting on what Master has said, various characters do take action and that's what makes Midnight Diner a magical show for how it depicts then resolves issues. Here is hoping for more!

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It's not what you eat, it's who you eat it with

From the moment the familiar theme song played I immediately relaxed and drifted off to the magical place where the Master will make whatever you want to eat. Open from midnight to seven a.m., the Master not only had his regulars show up, but also some new faces in Midnight Diner 2. Everyone, as always, is served their favorite comfort food, given a few gentle words of encouragement, and leave feeling better about themselves.

Midnight Diner 2 opened with the regulars dressed in black. All of the customers had been to different funerals. Only one woman in funeral attire had not. A lonely book editor when frustrated at work wore black and ordered the Master’s fried pork strips. The combination usually lifted her mood and helped her regain her fighting spirit. At a funeral she fell victim to a fetishist and Master helped her with the words she needed to find her way again and a little help from the dish she loved so much.

Story 2 was about a soba noodle restaurant owner unable to let go of her young, but adult son. He had fallen in love with a woman 15 years older than himself. It would take some special udon noodles to help heal this mother-son relationship.

Story 3 was another tale of a woman being scammed. This time an elderly woman fell for a scam involving her son. So desperate was she to help the son she hadn’t seen since he was a boy that she dropped everything and traveled to Tokyo to hand over her money. Master’s pork soup would have to work overtime to bring this woman the closure and redemption she was in desperate need of.

I have watched all of the seasons of this delightful drama and the first movie as well. In all the heartwarming stories, I have never been bored or disappointed. This movie provides a balm to a world-weary spirit. The people who frequent the Master’s establishment have learned to pass on the kindness and acceptance he has given them. Though it may stretch the bounds of believability at times, it’s nice to escape to a place with delicious food where someone will care about your problems and give you a helping hand or an encouraging word.

1/30/23

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