Review of a Good Manga “Shinya Shokudou(Midknight Dinner, 深夜食堂)”
This manga is not about cute girls or grand adventures, but it’s the kind that quietly warms your heart.
Check on Amazon
Check on ComicAddict
Unique Atmosphere
The ambiance of the artwork, the pacing of the story, and the content and punchline of each episodic story. Each has its own unique, leisurely atmosphere that seems to put something inside you in order. When you try to summarize the content of the stories, they might seem trivial, but there’s a peculiar atmosphere that feels comforting. It makes you want to murmur, “This is life, isn’t it?” even if you don’t fully understand why.
It’s a manga with a unique atmosphere, but it’s precisely this nuance that makes it so delightful for readers.
The Charm of a Regular Diner
Out of the blue, but do you have a favorite diner, restaurant, or bar? I don’t, but reading this manga makes me want to find one. It makes you appreciate the idea of having a regular spot. There’s something nice about various meals and how the choice and manner of eating can reflect a person’s character. While cooking for oneself is great, there’s something appealing about becoming a regular at a diner and getting to know the people there.
Craving Food Without Fancy Descriptions
Eating meals naturally and finishing them just as simply. Unlike other gourmet manga, there are no exaggerated phrases or expressions like, “Hmm, this seasoning is…” Yet, somehow, the deliciousness is conveyed.
It makes you want to eat, especially to reconsider the everyday menus you usually don’t think twice about. Maybe I’ll use my next day off to try cooking something a bit more special?
Nothing Spectacular, But Curiously Engaging Story
Nothing extraordinary happens, and there’s no exaggeration in the portrayal of events. Yet, it’s still captivating and makes you happy to read. Perhaps it’s because each character is so well-developed and complex?
The characters might feel more vivid than in typical manga. Due to the unique drawings and story content, the characters appear more complex and realistic, like people you might actually know.
There Are Many Types of Good Manga
This work is undoubtedly a good manga. It’s the kind you might not buy on your own, but end up flipping through in a café or ramen shop and thinking, “This is nice.” It doesn’t feature cute girls or thrilling adventures, but it’s still a good manga. Manga really comes in various forms. Even as an amateur, I’ve come to appreciate the depth of manga.
[1] Yaro Abe, “Midnight Diner” Volume 1, 2007, p6
[2] Yaro Abe, “Midnight Diner” Volume 2, 2008, p16
[3] Yaro Abe, “Midnight Diner” Volume 1, 2007, p11
