MIDNIGHT DINER: TOKYO STORIES was an excellent Japanese side series about the many assorted stories of the eccentric cast of characters who visit a small diner which opens from midnight to seven a.m. in the morning. The diner is visited by all sorts of interesting, bizarre and sometimes even shady characters, all with their own backstories, reasons for visiting the diner, along with special memories associated with their choice of dish. Some are Yakuza, some gay / trans night club workers, some are struggling dancers, but all have stories to share.

Along with the many character's stories that are gradually revealed as the show progresses, this series also features cooking and many different Japanese recipes, making this a unique experience for food enthusiasts, as well as culture aficionados alike. It's a great side series, full of many new stories, if you can't get enough of the original.

This is a very mellow and simplistic series, but one that has a very quiet, heartfelt and thoughtful atmosphere to it. I really enjoyed this and can thoroughly recommend. I must say however, that this show is for adults only as there is some light nudity present and the content can sometimes be risque and emotionally heavy. Overall, this series is a gem and I will be looking forward to watching other related series as well.