Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories (深夜食堂: Tokyo Stories)

When people finish their day and hurry home,

my day starts.

My diner is open from midnight to 7:00 in the morning.

They call it "Midnight Diner."

Do I even have customers?

More than you would expect.

TOKYO STORIES

CHICKEN FRIED RICE

ON PATROL

This is still here, not sold?

I don't care if he's sold or not. I want him to stay now.

You feel attached to him.

Yes, I know it's only junk.

Oh, it's about time.

-Thank you. -Okay.

Here you are.

Exact amount.

What's that?

This?

It's like a merry-go-round.

He is lonely on his own, though.

This won't sell, either.

It's just walking the same spot again and again.

Like our life.

Be lost in thought later. Let's get back to work.

You're right. See you.

Thank you.

I confirm the stolen wallet is in the bag.

Yes, I will take him to Headquarters.

Sorry to have bothered you, everyone.

Stealing? What did this man steal?

He has repeatedly stolen bags at midnight movie theaters.

A habitual offender.

I see.

Because the movie theater is dark.

Sometimes I was so into the movie, I forgot to steal, though.

For instance, recently--

I'll listen to your film reviews at the office.

Yes.

Thank you. We may need to ask you more questions later.

Sure.

So, can I order whatever I'd like here?

If I have enough ingredients.

I see.

It sounds like customers are given more choices,

but decisions are actually led by the diner.

What an interesting strategy.

What's the strategy?

Don't know.

Can you make chicken rice?

Sure.

I can.

Also a beer, please.

Okay.

Here you go.

Thank you.

How's it?

Delicious!

My name is Akai.

That's why you wear red?

Funny. You even order red-colored food.

The color red gives you power. Some people wear red underwear, you know.

Don't you like peas?

I didn't when I was a kid.

But now...

These days, I can't find any restaurant that serves this old-style chicken rice.

Since then,

it seems he liked my chicken rice,

and he's been coming here sometimes.

Mr. Momi, this...

It's Shinichiro Akai indeed.

Is he that famous?

He's a super famous game creator.

Just the video games, right?

The game he created, Door to Door,

commonly known as D to D series,

is a very popular one and is played worldwide.

Who are you?

Mr. Momi is my game master.

Master means my teacher not as in diner's owner!

Here, another one.

Thanks.

Why did he leave his business card?

He said he's been asked to go on TV.

They will make a documentary program about him.

He asked me if it could be shot here, too.

What? That's amazing! Make sure you accept that!

Anyway, I think he'd better stop wearing those red suits.

Even his name is Akai.

Master, I think a man who can only make silly jokes like that

needs a walkthrough manual of life.

Life, it's not like a game. You can't reset it.

Mr. Momi, you're so deep.

We'll frame the paper lantern and...

That's how they started shooting a documentary here.

Master.

Please get ready to cook.

Thank you.

Like this?

Okay.

Mr. Akai, let's start.

Sure.

Set...

Three, two...

Excuse me.

I've finished with the adjustments you asked me to do yesterday.

Quick work. Can I see it now?

Of course.

I'm happy with the movement of fingers, but not the neck.

The neck is important.

It won't be dynamic enough if it doesn't move like this.

It won't be dynamic enough if it doesn't move like this.

It was when he was in high school when Akai encountered video games.

He says it was a means to escape reality.

My husband used to be a barkeep.

But he passed away five years ago.

I have no children, and as long as I don't employ anyone,

I can enjoy working here.

I see.

I'd started it just before the Showa era ended.

-It's over 30 years, then? -Yes.

Congratulations!

Thank you!

Here, come on.

Thank you.

I heard you have fond memories about chicken rice.

When I was little, this was our main dish for celebrations, like my birthday.

Akai grew up in an orphanage.

Shinichiro Akai is not his real name.

The name was given to him by the head of the orphanage.

This photo was taken after he was brought to...

-Today's story is quite somber, isn't it? -Yes.

You can hear that kind of story everywhere.

That was hard for me as I can't change my past.

That's why I decided to overwrite my life,

-and stop worrying about who I am. -Ma'am.

-Ma'am. -What?

Can I have whiskey and water?

Sure.

I, your mother...

I wanted to see you so much, Shin.

On the program, I said

that's how I remembered my mother called me.

That's why you call me that, right?

Don't be silly.

You are my Shin.

Can you take a DNA test?