THE SOLITARY GOURMET Movie Press Notes and Photo Gallery From Toho

Source: Toho Co., Ltd.
Official Site: https://gekieiga-kodokunogurume.jp/ (Japan)

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for an upcoming film.

Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and photos from their new movie THE SOLITARY GOURMET (劇映画孤独のグルメ, Gekieiga Kodoku no Gurume), which opens in Japanese cinemas on January 10th.

INTRODUCTION

The hit manga The Solitary Gourmet by writer Masayuki Kusumi and artist Jiro Taniguchi debuted in 1994 and ran through 2015. It told the story of Goro Inogashira, an independent trader importing household and fashion goods from France, who travels all over Japan and abroad for his true passion -- food. In each of the manga's 32 chapters, Inogashira would dine at one restaurant after another, eating and observing the world and people around him.

In January 2012, a live-action adaptation quietly began airing late at night on TV Tokyo. Starring Yutaka Matsushige as Goro Inogashira, the series quickly built up a devoted fan base. Viewers became addicted to the show's appetizing dishes and the character of Inogashira, who was loved for his daring "eating style" and "sympathetic tweets on food." By showing delicious looking meals late at night and making viewers hungry, THE SOLITARY GOURMET television series was referred to by the slang term "Midnight snack terrorism" by its fans, and restaurants featured on the show saw huge upticks in customers. The popularity of THE SOLITARY GOURMET spread across Asia and eventually overseas, running for 10 seasons through 2022.

Yutaka Matsushige has now brought THE SOLITARY GOURMET to the big screen, writing, directing and starring in a feature film that was shot in France, Korea, and Japan.

Born in Fukuoka, Japan in 1963. Matsushige began acting while in college and joined Ninagawa Studio in 1986. In 1992, he made his film debut in Kiyoshi Kurosawa's THE GUARD FROM UNDERGROUND (地獄の警備員, Jigoku no Keibiin). He won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Mainichi Film Awards for TALK TALK TALK (しゃべれども　しゃべれども, Shaberedomo Shaberedomo, 2007). His film credits include THE RING (リング, Ringu, 1998) and its sequel SPIRAL (らせん, Rasen, 1998), GODZILLA 2000 (ゴジラ2000 ミレニアム, Gojira Nisen: Mireniamu, 1999), ONE MISSED CALL (着信アリ, Chakushin Ari, 2003), CLOUD (クラウド, Kuraudo, 2024) and FACELESS (正体, Shotai, 2024).

STORY

After receiving a call from his ex-girlfriend Koyuki's daughter, Chiaki Matsuo, Goro Inogashira travels to Paris, France. He grows increasingly hungry on the plane, and immediately satisfies his hunger upon landing.

Meeting up with Chiaki, Goro is taken to meet her grandfather, Ichiro. “I had a bowl of soup when I was a child," the old man explains. "I want to have that soup again. Would you to gather the ingredients for me?”

With only the names of a few place as a hint, Goro decides to find the ingredients. From France to Korea to Nagasaki to Tokyo... Goro travels the globe in search of the ultimate soup!

However., while he is supposed to be searching for soup, he has encounters all kinds of people and incidents everywhere he goes. Goro gradually becomes involved in something bigger than a quest for soup.

The open sea ▶ Survival ▶▶ A mysterious group ▶▶▶ Life-threatening events!?

This is the longest survival road story in the history of THE SOLITARY GOURMET.

And during his journey Goro realizes: "I'm hungry!"

DETAILS

Release Date: January 10, 2025 (Japan)
Japanese Release Information: Roadshow at Toho Theaters Nationwide
Running Time: 110 Minutes

■ Cast

Goro Inogashira: Yutaka Matsushige
Shiho: Yuki Uchida　
Nakagawa: Hayato Isomura　
Takiyama: Takehiro Murata　
Korean Immigration Officer: Yoo Jae-myung (Special Appearance)　
Ichiro Matsuo: Sansei Shiomi　
Chiaki Matsuo: Anne　
"San Serite" Owner: Joe Odagiri

■ Staff

Director: Yutaka Matsushige
Screenplay: Yutaka Matsushige, Yoshihiro Taguchi
Original Story: The Solitary Gourmet by Masayuki Kusumi and Jiro Taniguchi (published in Monthly PANJA and Shukan SPA!)
Executive Producers: Futoshi Asano, Kenji Yoshimi
Chief Producer: Rina Sobue
Producers: Yukitoshi Komatsu, Toshihumi Tsukuda, Shinya Furugori
Music: Sano Kan, The Screen Tones
Theme Song: “Hunger and Me” by The Cro-Magnons

Production: Kyodo Television FILM
Distributor: Toho (Japan)

©2025 THE SOLITARY GOURMET Film Partners (TV TOKYO, TOHO, Nikkei Inc., zazous, ZEROME, MONDO co.,ltd., Kyodo Television, BS TV TOKYO, FUSOSHA, PONY CANYON INC., TV OSAKA, TV-Setouchi Broadcasting Co.,Ltd., TVh, TVQ KYUSHU BROADCASTING)

About Toho Co. Ltd.

Toho Company provides high-quality entertainment to a wide range of customers through its film production, distribution, and exhibition business, which is solidly supported by its real estate business including the Shinjuku Toho Building and Hibiya Chante, animation production, DVD software production and sales, and TOHO Cinemas' efforts to expand its network of multiplex cinemas. Among these, "Godzilla," which has been around since 1954, is Toho's flagship IP that has many fans around the world and has been loved for many years.