Midnight Diner (2015) (Blu-ray) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version) Blu-ray Region A

Just as the series' introductory narration observes that the diner gets more customers than you'd think, Shinya Shokudo attracted more viewers than you'd think with its low-key premise. The usual crowd that shows up at the diner was big enough to not only keep the series going for three seasons, but also to bring the slice-of-life foodie human drama to the silver screen in 2015.

Directed by Matsuoka Joji who also worked on the TV series, Midnight Diner the movie is every bit the familiar old friend and plays like multiple linked episodes of the TV series. Besides Kobayashi Kaoru as Master, many of the TV series' regulars show up in the film including Matsushige Yutaka, Mitsuishi Ken, Ayata Toshiki, Fuwa Mansaku, Sudo Risa, Kaneko Kiyobumi and even Odagiri Joe, but in the role of a neighborhood patrol cop.

Those who enjoyed the TV series will enjoy the movie and those who don't know the series need not worry either, as the film tells standalone stories. The story threads include a mismatched couple who meet at the diner, a disaster volunteer who is trying to sort out her relationship with a victim whom she had helped, an urn of ashes that was left at the diner and, most significantly, a homeless young woman played by Tabe Mikako who takes refuge at the diner and becomes Master's assistant. The addition of another person behind the counter gives insight into how the diner is run and reveals a new side to Master, though no new information about him is divulged.

The stories themselves in Midnight Diner are nothing special, but they're told with the quiet warmth, chatty candor and realistic overtones that have made the Shinya Shokudo series so popular. Similarly, while the food dishes Master cooks up are never gourmet delights, they always look like they hit the spot just right for a midnight meal. Midnight Diner is the cinematic equivalent of late-night comfort food.