Press Release
Produced by GEEK PICTURES | The first episode of the drama “Midnight Diner” is set to air on Tuesday, October 20, 2026! The familiar cast of regulars from “Meshiya” and the directing team are reuniting.
GEEK PICTURES has announced that a new series of the drama “Midnight Diner” will begin airing on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Furthermore, the cast and crew are reuniting for the first time in seven years since the previous series, and a total of 21 actors—including the familiar regulars from “Meshiya”—will appear in the first episode.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
It satisfies both your hunger and your soul.
“Meshiya” stands quietly in a back alley of the downtown district.
It’s open from midnight until around 7:00 a.m. People call it the “Midnight Diner.”
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
Based on the manga of the same name by Yaro Abe—known as one of Japan’s most iconic “food” manga series, with cumulative global sales exceeding 9 million copies—this drama was first adapted for television in 2009, starring Kaoru Kobayashi. Since then, despite airing as a late-night drama, it has garnered international acclaim, leading to the popular series “Midnight Diner 2” in 2011 and “Midnight Diner 3” in 2014. Starting in 2016, “Midnight Diner 4” and “Midnight Diner 5” were produced as Netflix original series and are currently streaming in 190 countries worldwide. Furthermore, the series has been adapted into two feature films—“Midnight Diner” (2015, directed by Joji Matsuoka) and “Midnight Diner 2” (2016, directed by Joji Matsuoka)—and its popularity has extended far beyond Japan, captivating fans around the globe.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
The full lineup of 21 familiar regular cast members and the directorial team has been revealed!
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
This time, a total of 21 familiar regular cast members have been announced for this film. Tadashi (Mansaku Fuwa), an insider on the Shinjuku scene; Kozuzu (Toshiki Ayata), who runs a gay bar in Shinjuku 2-chome; Marilyn (Tamae Ando), a stripper who loves tarako; Komichi (Shohei Uno), who always says one thing too many; and the Ocha-zuke Sisters—Miki (Risa Sudo), Rumi (Asako Kobayashi), and Kana (Nahoko Yoshimoto). Kanemoto (Kiyofumi Kaneko), who loves ginger ale; Hachiro (Yuichiro Nakayama), the know-it-all; and Gen (Takashi Yamanaka), the younger brother of the yakuza boss Ryu. Noriko (Aki Maeda), who loves nikujaga; Kasumi (Mizuki Tanimura), who loves tempura made with red pickled ginger; Detective Noguchi’s partner, Natsuki (Yukiko Shinohara); and Saya Adachi (Kaoru Hirata), who loves highballs. Then there’s Kou-chan (Yukihiro Yoshimi), an employee at Kozuzu’s gay bar; Kimitoshi (Shuhei Takahashi), Marilyn’s boyfriend; and Tsutae (Yoshimi Nozaki), a server at the Chinese restaurant Suzaki Restaurant.
Also returning are veteran Shinjuku Precinct detective Noguchi (Ken Mitsuishi); Ryu (Yutaka Matsushige), a local yakuza; Chieko (Kimiko Yo), the proprietress of a long-established ryotei; and Kogure (Joe Odagiri), a police officer stationed at a local police box. A total of 21 cast members are making a comeback for the latest series!
Seven years have passed, and even the familiar regulars have changed... Please look forward to seeing what kind of drama this new series will bring.
In addition, the directors for each episode have been announced. Leading the team is Joji Matsuoka (Episodes 2, 5, and 8), who has been shaping the world of “Midnight Diner” since the first series in 2009 and also directed the film “Midnight Diner.” Also returning as a director from the very first series is Atsuhiro Yamashita (Episodes 7 and 9), Seitaro Kobayashi (Episodes 6), who has been directing since the second series; Satoko Yokohama (Episode 4), making her debut on this series; and Ryo Yoshida (Episodes 1, 3, and 10). This stellar lineup of directors, all active at the forefront of the film industry, has come together to usher in a new chapter.
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Broadcast Information
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
MBS: Every Tuesday, 24:59–25:29; TBS: Every Tuesday, 25:26–25:56; RKB: Every Tuesday, 25:28–25:58
CBC: Every Tuesday, 25:20–25:50; HBC: Every Tuesday, 25:29–25:59; SBS: Every Tuesday, 26:30–26:00
RSK: Every Tuesday 26:25–26:55; tbc: Every Tuesday 25:00–25:30; RCC: Every Tuesday 25:55–26:25
SBC: Every Tuesday 24:59–25:29; BSN: Every Tuesday 25:30–26:00; TUT: Every Tuesday 24:59–25:29 [Dramaism Slot]
*The premiere on Tuesday, October 20, will start 5 minutes late. *Broadcast dates and times are subject to change.
■Based on the manga “Shinyashokudo” by Yaro Abe (currently serialized in Shogakukan’s “Big Comic Original”)
■Staff
Directors: Joji Matsuoka, Atsuhiro Yamashita, Seitaro Kobayashi, Satoko Yokohama, Ryo Yoshida
Screenplay: Katsuhiko Manabe, Kosuke Mukai, Kensaku Kojima, Marina Oshima
■Cast
Kaoru Kobayashi / Mansaku Fuwa, Toshiki Ayata, Tamae Ando, Shohei Uno, Risa Sudo, Asako Kobayashi, Nahoko Yoshimoto,
Kiyofumi Kaneko, Yuichiro Nakayama, Takashi Yamanaka, Aki Maeda, Mizuki Tanimura, Yukiko Shinohara, Kaoru Hirata, Yukihiro Yoshimi
Shuhei Takahashi, Yoshimi Nozaki / Ken Mitsuishi, Yutaka Matsushige, Kimiko Yo, Joe Odagiri
■ [Copyright] ©2026 Yaro Abe, Shogakukan / “Midnight Diner 6” Production Committee
Production Companies: Amuse Creative Studio / GEEK PICTURES
Furthermore, the cast and crew are reuniting for the first time in seven years since the previous series, and a total of 21 actors—including the familiar regulars from “Meshiya”—will appear in the first episode.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
It satisfies both your hunger and your soul.
“Meshiya” stands quietly in a back alley of the downtown district.
It’s open from midnight until around 7:00 a.m. People call it the “Midnight Diner.”
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
Based on the manga of the same name by Yaro Abe—known as one of Japan’s most iconic “food” manga series, with cumulative global sales exceeding 9 million copies—this drama was first adapted for television in 2009, starring Kaoru Kobayashi. Since then, despite airing as a late-night drama, it has garnered international acclaim, leading to the popular series “Midnight Diner 2” in 2011 and “Midnight Diner 3” in 2014. Starting in 2016, “Midnight Diner 4” and “Midnight Diner 5” were produced as Netflix original series and are currently streaming in 190 countries worldwide. Furthermore, the series has been adapted into two feature films—“Midnight Diner” (2015, directed by Joji Matsuoka) and “Midnight Diner 2” (2016, directed by Joji Matsuoka)—and its popularity has extended far beyond Japan, captivating fans around the globe.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
The full lineup of 21 familiar regular cast members and the directorial team has been revealed!
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
This time, a total of 21 familiar regular cast members have been announced for this film. Tadashi (Mansaku Fuwa), an insider on the Shinjuku scene; Kozuzu (Toshiki Ayata), who runs a gay bar in Shinjuku 2-chome; Marilyn (Tamae Ando), a stripper who loves tarako; Komichi (Shohei Uno), who always says one thing too many; and the Ocha-zuke Sisters—Miki (Risa Sudo), Rumi (Asako Kobayashi), and Kana (Nahoko Yoshimoto). Kanemoto (Kiyofumi Kaneko), who loves ginger ale; Hachiro (Yuichiro Nakayama), the know-it-all; and Gen (Takashi Yamanaka), the younger brother of the yakuza boss Ryu. Noriko (Aki Maeda), who loves nikujaga; Kasumi (Mizuki Tanimura), who loves tempura made with red pickled ginger; Detective Noguchi’s partner, Natsuki (Yukiko Shinohara); and Saya Adachi (Kaoru Hirata), who loves highballs. Then there’s Kou-chan (Yukihiro Yoshimi), an employee at Kozuzu’s gay bar; Kimitoshi (Shuhei Takahashi), Marilyn’s boyfriend; and Tsutae (Yoshimi Nozaki), a server at the Chinese restaurant Suzaki Restaurant.
Also returning are veteran Shinjuku Precinct detective Noguchi (Ken Mitsuishi); Ryu (Yutaka Matsushige), a local yakuza; Chieko (Kimiko Yo), the proprietress of a long-established ryotei; and Kogure (Joe Odagiri), a police officer stationed at a local police box. A total of 21 cast members are making a comeback for the latest series!
Seven years have passed, and even the familiar regulars have changed... Please look forward to seeing what kind of drama this new series will bring.
In addition, the directors for each episode have been announced. Leading the team is Joji Matsuoka (Episodes 2, 5, and 8), who has been shaping the world of “Midnight Diner” since the first series in 2009 and also directed the film “Midnight Diner.” Also returning as a director from the very first series is Atsuhiro Yamashita (Episodes 7 and 9), Seitaro Kobayashi (Episodes 6), who has been directing since the second series; Satoko Yokohama (Episode 4), making her debut on this series; and Ryo Yoshida (Episodes 1, 3, and 10). This stellar lineup of directors, all active at the forefront of the film industry, has come together to usher in a new chapter.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
Broadcast Information
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
MBS: Every Tuesday, 24:59–25:29; TBS: Every Tuesday, 25:26–25:56; RKB: Every Tuesday, 25:28–25:58
CBC: Every Tuesday, 25:20–25:50; HBC: Every Tuesday, 25:29–25:59; SBS: Every Tuesday, 26:30–26:00
RSK: Every Tuesday 26:25–26:55; tbc: Every Tuesday 25:00–25:30; RCC: Every Tuesday 25:55–26:25
SBC: Every Tuesday 24:59–25:29; BSN: Every Tuesday 25:30–26:00; TUT: Every Tuesday 24:59–25:29 [Dramaism Slot]
*The premiere on Tuesday, October 20, will start 5 minutes late. *Broadcast dates and times are subject to change.
■Based on the manga “Shinyashokudo” by Yaro Abe (currently serialized in Shogakukan’s “Big Comic Original”)
■Staff
Directors: Joji Matsuoka, Atsuhiro Yamashita, Seitaro Kobayashi, Satoko Yokohama, Ryo Yoshida
Screenplay: Katsuhiko Manabe, Kosuke Mukai, Kensaku Kojima, Marina Oshima
■Cast
Kaoru Kobayashi / Mansaku Fuwa, Toshiki Ayata, Tamae Ando, Shohei Uno, Risa Sudo, Asako Kobayashi, Nahoko Yoshimoto,
Kiyofumi Kaneko, Yuichiro Nakayama, Takashi Yamanaka, Aki Maeda, Mizuki Tanimura, Yukiko Shinohara, Kaoru Hirata, Yukihiro Yoshimi
Shuhei Takahashi, Yoshimi Nozaki / Ken Mitsuishi, Yutaka Matsushige, Kimiko Yo, Joe Odagiri
■ [Copyright] ©2026 Yaro Abe, Shogakukan / “Midnight Diner 6” Production Committee
Production Companies: Amuse Creative Studio / GEEK PICTURES
Press Release
Produced by GEEK PICTURES | The first episode of the drama “Midnight Diner” is set to air on Tuesday, October 20, 2026! The familiar cast of regulars from “Meshiya” and the directing team are reuniting.
GEEK PICTURES has announced that a new series of the drama “Midnight Diner” will begin airing on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Furthermore, the cast and crew are reuniting for the first time in seven years since the previous series, and a total of 21 actors—including the familiar regulars from “Meshiya”—will appear in the first episode.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
It satisfies both your hunger and your soul.
“Meshiya” stands quietly in a back alley of the downtown district.
It’s open from midnight until around 7:00 a.m. People call it the “Midnight Diner.”
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
Based on the manga of the same name by Yaro Abe—known as one of Japan’s most iconic “food” manga series, with cumulative global sales exceeding 9 million copies—this drama was first adapted for television in 2009, starring Kaoru Kobayashi. Since then, despite airing as a late-night drama, it has garnered international acclaim, leading to the popular series “Midnight Diner 2” in 2011 and “Midnight Diner 3” in 2014. Starting in 2016, “Midnight Diner 4” and “Midnight Diner 5” were produced as Netflix original series and are currently streaming in 190 countries worldwide. Furthermore, the series has been adapted into two feature films—“Midnight Diner” (2015, directed by Joji Matsuoka) and “Midnight Diner 2” (2016, directed by Joji Matsuoka)—and its popularity has extended far beyond Japan, captivating fans around the globe.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
The full lineup of 21 familiar regular cast members and the directorial team has been revealed!
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
This time, a total of 21 familiar regular cast members have been announced for this film. Tadashi (Mansaku Fuwa), an insider on the Shinjuku scene; Kozuzu (Toshiki Ayata), who runs a gay bar in Shinjuku 2-chome; Marilyn (Tamae Ando), a stripper who loves tarako; Komichi (Shohei Uno), who always says one thing too many; and the Ocha-zuke Sisters—Miki (Risa Sudo), Rumi (Asako Kobayashi), and Kana (Nahoko Yoshimoto). Kanemoto (Kiyofumi Kaneko), who loves ginger ale; Hachiro (Yuichiro Nakayama), the know-it-all; and Gen (Takashi Yamanaka), the younger brother of the yakuza boss Ryu. Noriko (Aki Maeda), who loves nikujaga; Kasumi (Mizuki Tanimura), who loves tempura made with red pickled ginger; Detective Noguchi’s partner, Natsuki (Yukiko Shinohara); and Saya Adachi (Kaoru Hirata), who loves highballs. Then there’s Kou-chan (Yukihiro Yoshimi), an employee at Kozuzu’s gay bar; Kimitoshi (Shuhei Takahashi), Marilyn’s boyfriend; and Tsutae (Yoshimi Nozaki), a server at the Chinese restaurant Suzaki Restaurant.
Also returning are veteran Shinjuku Precinct detective Noguchi (Ken Mitsuishi); Ryu (Yutaka Matsushige), a local yakuza; Chieko (Kimiko Yo), the proprietress of a long-established ryotei; and Kogure (Joe Odagiri), a police officer stationed at a local police box. A total of 21 cast members are making a comeback for the latest series!
Seven years have passed, and even the familiar regulars have changed... Please look forward to seeing what kind of drama this new series will bring.
In addition, the directors for each episode have been announced. Leading the team is Joji Matsuoka (Episodes 2, 5, and 8), who has been shaping the world of “Midnight Diner” since the first series in 2009 and also directed the film “Midnight Diner.” Also returning as a director from the very first series is Atsuhiro Yamashita (Episodes 7 and 9), Seitaro Kobayashi (Episodes 6), who has been directing since the second series; Satoko Yokohama (Episode 4), making her debut on this series; and Ryo Yoshida (Episodes 1, 3, and 10). This stellar lineup of directors, all active at the forefront of the film industry, has come together to usher in a new chapter.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
Broadcast Information
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
MBS: Every Tuesday, 24:59–25:29; TBS: Every Tuesday, 25:26–25:56; RKB: Every Tuesday, 25:28–25:58
CBC: Every Tuesday, 25:20–25:50; HBC: Every Tuesday, 25:29–25:59; SBS: Every Tuesday, 26:30–26:00
RSK: Every Tuesday 26:25–26:55; tbc: Every Tuesday 25:00–25:30; RCC: Every Tuesday 25:55–26:25
SBC: Every Tuesday 24:59–25:29; BSN: Every Tuesday 25:30–26:00; TUT: Every Tuesday 24:59–25:29 [Dramaism Slot]
*The premiere on Tuesday, October 20, will start 5 minutes late. *Broadcast dates and times are subject to change.
■Based on the manga “Shinyashokudo” by Yaro Abe (currently serialized in Shogakukan’s “Big Comic Original”)
■Staff
Directors: Joji Matsuoka, Atsuhiro Yamashita, Seitaro Kobayashi, Satoko Yokohama, Ryo Yoshida
Screenplay: Katsuhiko Manabe, Kosuke Mukai, Kensaku Kojima, Marina Oshima
■Cast
Kaoru Kobayashi / Mansaku Fuwa, Toshiki Ayata, Tamae Ando, Shohei Uno, Risa Sudo, Asako Kobayashi, Nahoko Yoshimoto,
Kiyofumi Kaneko, Yuichiro Nakayama, Takashi Yamanaka, Aki Maeda, Mizuki Tanimura, Yukiko Shinohara, Kaoru Hirata, Yukihiro Yoshimi
Shuhei Takahashi, Yoshimi Nozaki / Ken Mitsuishi, Yutaka Matsushige, Kimiko Yo, Joe Odagiri
■ [Copyright] ©2026 Yaro Abe, Shogakukan / “Midnight Diner 6” Production Committee
Production Companies: Amuse Creative Studio / GEEK PICTURES
Furthermore, the cast and crew are reuniting for the first time in seven years since the previous series, and a total of 21 actors—including the familiar regulars from “Meshiya”—will appear in the first episode.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
It satisfies both your hunger and your soul.
“Meshiya” stands quietly in a back alley of the downtown district.
It’s open from midnight until around 7:00 a.m. People call it the “Midnight Diner.”
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
Based on the manga of the same name by Yaro Abe—known as one of Japan’s most iconic “food” manga series, with cumulative global sales exceeding 9 million copies—this drama was first adapted for television in 2009, starring Kaoru Kobayashi. Since then, despite airing as a late-night drama, it has garnered international acclaim, leading to the popular series “Midnight Diner 2” in 2011 and “Midnight Diner 3” in 2014. Starting in 2016, “Midnight Diner 4” and “Midnight Diner 5” were produced as Netflix original series and are currently streaming in 190 countries worldwide. Furthermore, the series has been adapted into two feature films—“Midnight Diner” (2015, directed by Joji Matsuoka) and “Midnight Diner 2” (2016, directed by Joji Matsuoka)—and its popularity has extended far beyond Japan, captivating fans around the globe.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
The full lineup of 21 familiar regular cast members and the directorial team has been revealed!
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
This time, a total of 21 familiar regular cast members have been announced for this film. Tadashi (Mansaku Fuwa), an insider on the Shinjuku scene; Kozuzu (Toshiki Ayata), who runs a gay bar in Shinjuku 2-chome; Marilyn (Tamae Ando), a stripper who loves tarako; Komichi (Shohei Uno), who always says one thing too many; and the Ocha-zuke Sisters—Miki (Risa Sudo), Rumi (Asako Kobayashi), and Kana (Nahoko Yoshimoto). Kanemoto (Kiyofumi Kaneko), who loves ginger ale; Hachiro (Yuichiro Nakayama), the know-it-all; and Gen (Takashi Yamanaka), the younger brother of the yakuza boss Ryu. Noriko (Aki Maeda), who loves nikujaga; Kasumi (Mizuki Tanimura), who loves tempura made with red pickled ginger; Detective Noguchi’s partner, Natsuki (Yukiko Shinohara); and Saya Adachi (Kaoru Hirata), who loves highballs. Then there’s Kou-chan (Yukihiro Yoshimi), an employee at Kozuzu’s gay bar; Kimitoshi (Shuhei Takahashi), Marilyn’s boyfriend; and Tsutae (Yoshimi Nozaki), a server at the Chinese restaurant Suzaki Restaurant.
Also returning are veteran Shinjuku Precinct detective Noguchi (Ken Mitsuishi); Ryu (Yutaka Matsushige), a local yakuza; Chieko (Kimiko Yo), the proprietress of a long-established ryotei; and Kogure (Joe Odagiri), a police officer stationed at a local police box. A total of 21 cast members are making a comeback for the latest series!
Seven years have passed, and even the familiar regulars have changed... Please look forward to seeing what kind of drama this new series will bring.
In addition, the directors for each episode have been announced. Leading the team is Joji Matsuoka (Episodes 2, 5, and 8), who has been shaping the world of “Midnight Diner” since the first series in 2009 and also directed the film “Midnight Diner.” Also returning as a director from the very first series is Atsuhiro Yamashita (Episodes 7 and 9), Seitaro Kobayashi (Episodes 6), who has been directing since the second series; Satoko Yokohama (Episode 4), making her debut on this series; and Ryo Yoshida (Episodes 1, 3, and 10). This stellar lineup of directors, all active at the forefront of the film industry, has come together to usher in a new chapter.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
Broadcast Information
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
MBS: Every Tuesday, 24:59–25:29; TBS: Every Tuesday, 25:26–25:56; RKB: Every Tuesday, 25:28–25:58
CBC: Every Tuesday, 25:20–25:50; HBC: Every Tuesday, 25:29–25:59; SBS: Every Tuesday, 26:30–26:00
RSK: Every Tuesday 26:25–26:55; tbc: Every Tuesday 25:00–25:30; RCC: Every Tuesday 25:55–26:25
SBC: Every Tuesday 24:59–25:29; BSN: Every Tuesday 25:30–26:00; TUT: Every Tuesday 24:59–25:29 [Dramaism Slot]
*The premiere on Tuesday, October 20, will start 5 minutes late. *Broadcast dates and times are subject to change.
■Based on the manga “Shinyashokudo” by Yaro Abe (currently serialized in Shogakukan’s “Big Comic Original”)
■Staff
Directors: Joji Matsuoka, Atsuhiro Yamashita, Seitaro Kobayashi, Satoko Yokohama, Ryo Yoshida
Screenplay: Katsuhiko Manabe, Kosuke Mukai, Kensaku Kojima, Marina Oshima
■Cast
Kaoru Kobayashi / Mansaku Fuwa, Toshiki Ayata, Tamae Ando, Shohei Uno, Risa Sudo, Asako Kobayashi, Nahoko Yoshimoto,
Kiyofumi Kaneko, Yuichiro Nakayama, Takashi Yamanaka, Aki Maeda, Mizuki Tanimura, Yukiko Shinohara, Kaoru Hirata, Yukihiro Yoshimi
Shuhei Takahashi, Yoshimi Nozaki / Ken Mitsuishi, Yutaka Matsushige, Kimiko Yo, Joe Odagiri
■ [Copyright] ©2026 Yaro Abe, Shogakukan / “Midnight Diner 6” Production Committee
Production Companies: Amuse Creative Studio / GEEK PICTURES
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