My Japanese Comfort Shows
There’s a genre of Japanese media called iyashikei (癒し系), which translates to healing-type. I only recently discovered the term while buying my wife books from her TBR list. I was kind of rolling my eyes at titles like “Goodnight Tokyo” and “We’ll Prescribe You a Cat”, but then I read one and understood the appeal. They’re the literary equivalent of a cozy blanket and a warm cup of tea on a winter day.
Unlike the eldritch horrors and existential terror of my typical reading list, these are meant to actually lower stress and contribute to a relaxed and restorative mood.
Then it occurred to me that my wife and I aren’t so different after all, because some of my favorite late-night binge watches are actually iyashikei, as well. I just didn’t know it was even a thing at the time.
So, here are two of my favorites:
The Solitary Gourmet (孤独のグルメ / Kodoku no Gurume)
This one has been around for quite a while. It started as a seinen manga series written by Masayuki Kusumi and illustrated by Jiro Taniguchi. It was adapted into a Japanese TV drama series starring Yutaka Matsushige that first began airing in 2012.
Each episode of the show sees main character Gorō Inogashira meeting a client or interacting with local residents before becoming hungry and heading off to find a restaurant to eat at.
All the restaurants featured on the show are real businesses; however the restaurant staff are replaced by actors when filming the episode. At the end of each episode, in an unscripted segment, Masayuki Kusumi visits the restaurant showcased in the episode to sample its menu and offer his thoughts.1
There’s just an upbeat innocence and relaxed atmosphere to this show. We get to hear Goro’s internal monologue as he explores local neighborhoods and eateries that would otherwise go unnoticed. I have a big dumb smile on my face at the end of every episode.
Important note: Here’s a YouTube link. This is an official channel and it has the complete first season. However, YouTube seems to default to the dubbed version, which is ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. Make sure you change the audio track to Japanese and turn on the subs. It’s the only way to watch it.
Midnight Diner (深夜食堂 / Shinya Shokudō)
Another one based on a manga (by Yarō Abe), which shouldn’t be terribly surprising. It focuses on a late-night diner in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, its mysterious chef known only as "Master," and the lives of his customers. It is directed by Joji Matsuoka.
Every episode starts with moving camera shot under a bridge to reveal Shinjuku, accompanied by a narration:
When people finish their day and hurry home, my day starts. My diner is open from midnight to seven in the morning. They call it "Midnight Diner". [cut to menu listing tonjiru, sake, beer and shōchū] That's all I have on my menu. But I make whatever customers request as long as I have the ingredients for it. That's my policy. Do I even have customers? More than you would expect.2
Each episode focuses on the drama of a particular customer. There’s usually a philosophical life lesson learned in the end and the tone ranges from lighthearted to melancholic.
There’s just something about the late-night izakaya aesthetic that makes this weeb particularly happy. It can be found on Netflix.
Of course, it might be easier to enjoy both of these shows if you sailed the high seas. 🏴☠️ Not that I would ever endorse such flagrant violations of copyright law. I’m just sayin’... 🏴☠️
So if you’re feeling the need for some healing TV, consider giving these a chance.