The Midnight Diner, or better known as “Shinya Shokudou” is an award winning manga written by Yoru Abe, revolving around the Master - owner and chef - of an interesting, down to earth diner that is open from midnight until dawn. The diner consists of one rule : the “Master” only has a measly menu featured. His menu consists of basic staples of pork, and soju, a japanese drink that is limited to three cups per person. However, if the Master possesses the ingredients to make the meal, he will cook whatever the customer’s heart desires. The Midnight Diner is classified as a seinen (seinen meaning, a genre that is typically advertised to young boys in Japan), or a slice of life manga. Some would also label it as a manga that should be featured in the drama genre, but I would beg to differ.
Following an episodic storyline, each chapter of “The Midnight Diner” revolves around one of the customers that the Master caters to. The chapter is named after the meal that the customer requests of the Master ; the meal itself connects to the story of the customer, regardless of whether that be a story of hilarity, or a story of bittersweet melancholy that causes a person to reflect on the importance of human emotions and human connections. The food that the Master creates is simple, found in the average person’s diet - it is not the most extravagant of food, but the warmth that the characters that the customers find in the food that the Master creates for them, customizing it to their own liking, is the most important.
ART STYLE : 8
Although initially off putting, the art style of “The Midnight Diner” is unique and unforgettable. It is filled with simplistic lines and art that is easily distinguishable. The simplistic designs of the characters emphasizes the simplicity of the story, and the ease that the art carries. In addition to this, the art succeeds in its intended purpose : depicting the heartfelt emotions of both the Master and the customer, while creating an ambiance that resembles that of a family at dinner, enjoying a meal that was prepared especially for them. I found that the backgrounds and the food itself were also drawn quite well, standing out from the somewhat strange designs that were used for the customers. I also enjoyed the fact that the mood surrounding the characters - their ages, their experiences, their desires - were recognizable with the art style.
CHARACTERS : 10
The main character is the man referred to as the “Master”, a man who has been running his midnight diner for over twenty years. He is quite fond of his customers, and is inclined to cook whatever they want, in the exact manner in which they would prefer. The Master is a man often seen with a cigarette at hand, listening to the stories of his beloved customers. The customers are an interesting group of people, coming from different backgrounds and experiences. Each customer possesses unique traits and desires, filled with strange eating habits and a story to tell. The characters featured in the story are ordinary - quite average, ranging from office workers to aspire actors. However, their stories enhance “The Midnight Diner” to an unreachable standard.
PLOT : 9
Seeing that the manga is told in an episodic style, each story could be understood as a stand alone, meaning that it could be understood without having read any prior chapters, and that it does not have a set plotline. A typical chapter of this manga would consist of an introduction to the strange, yet loveable character and to the meal that they typically eat at the diner. Afterwards, it would consist of the character describing their problem or concern - usually, this revolves around the character’s philosophy, or their understanding of life. When the story ends, it ends in a manner that is satisfying, regardless of the state of the ending. These stories revolve around heartbreak, losing a loved one, reconnecting with people that were once close to you, and learning about themselves. These stories could happen in our - the readers - daily life, causing the manga to be a thoughtful reflection of these events.
ENJOYMENT : 10
This is a manga that I find myself rereading, mainly because of the fact that it never fails to bring a smile to my face. It is beautiful, and honest, and a lot of stories do not contain these factors anymore. There is something about the down to earth characters that reign you in, never letting you go. I enjoyed this story a lot, even if I did find the art strange at first glance. It causes a yearning within you, to eat at a Midnight Diner and listen to the stories of others, ones that you can definitely - and will - learn from.
Shinya Shokudou is a remarkable manga - one that everyone can find a place in, even those that are shunned by society or forgotten by it. These characters and the stories that they tell, leave a mark on one’s heart, creating an ambiance that resembles a warm meal. It is no surprise that this manga was adapted into a Netflix television program, seeing that it’s unique disposition and tales offer so much more than what meets the eye. I recommend this manga whole heartedly, and I hope that you also find a home in The Midnight Diner, with its Master and his patrons.
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