Season 1 • Episode 10
LatestCurrently unavailable.
University student Wakamizu Ryota (Emoto Tokio), who is the middle of job hunting, gets caught up in a sudden gang dispute. Ryota’s life is saved by Yanagiba Ryuichi (Namase Katsuhisa), the boss of Yanagiba-gumi, and Ryota for some reason ends up harbouring Yanagiba in his own home. Ignoring Ryota who wants him to leave immediately, Yanagiba uses the leftover food in the fridge and starts to prepare a meal without asking. However, the meal is surprisingly delicious despite the leftovers that did not seem possible to combine. This is the beginning of a bizarre communal life connected by meals for a gangster and a university student.
Acting
Namase Katsuhisa's terrifying-tender yakuza dad energy is unmatched.
Practical Effects
Real food prep that'll have you raiding your own sad fridge.
Writing
Turns leftover ingredients into surprisingly profound character moments.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The title 'Otoko Meshi' literally means 'man's meal' — subverting traditional Japanese masculinity by showing a yakuza finding power in domestic care rather than violence.
Namase Katsuhisa is best known for comedic roles; this was a rare dramatic turn that convinced producers specifically because he could make a yakuza boss feel like your embarrassing uncle.
JP
