Yuu Toyota’s beloved slice-of-life manga, Papa and Daddy’s Home Cooking (Papa to Oyaji no Uchi Gohan), is set to receive a live-action television series adaptation, premiering on TV Asahi’s “Oshi Dora Saturday” programming block on October 4. The announcement comes with casting details and production staff, promising to bring the heartwarming story of two single fathers and their children to the small screen.
Cast and Production Details Revealed
The live-action series will feature So Matsushima, a member of the idol group timelesz, in his first lead role in a terrestrial TV drama series, starring as Akira Sengoku. Sengoku is a chiropractor who is suddenly entrusted with the care of his daughter by his ex-girlfriend. Joining him is actor Jin Shirasu, who will play Masahiro Harumi, a kind-hearted manga editor and single father himself after a divorce.
Child actors Nono Tanahashi and Sakura will portray Sengoku’s daughter Airi and Harumi’s son Seiichirō, respectively. Both child actors were selected through auditions for their roles. The series will be directed by Takuma Satō and Naomi Kinoshita, with scripts penned by Ureha Shimada and Tatsuya Yamanishi.
The Heartwarming Premise of “Papa and Daddy’s Home Cooking”
The original manga, created by Yuu Toyota, known for Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!, captivated readers with its gentle portrayal of family life and the importance of shared meals. The story begins with Sengoku, a short-tempered chiropractor, suddenly becoming a single father to his daughter, Airi. Overwhelmed, he seeks help from his friend Harumi, a mild-mannered manga editor who is also raising his son, Seiichirō, alone after a divorce.
To navigate the challenges of single parenthood, the two men decide to live together with their children. The manga explores their daily struggles, growth as fathers, and the delicious home-cooked meals that bring their unconventional family closer. The focus on food is a key element, with many chapters featuring recipes for the dishes prepared. The series has been praised for its warm, caring narrative and its depiction of competent fathers.
Manga’s Publication History and Accolades
Papa and Daddy’s Home Cooking (Papa to Oyaji no Uchi Gohan) was serialized in Shinchosha’s Monthly Comic @Bunch magazine from April 2014 to July 2020. The manga concluded with 13 compiled volumes, with the final volume released in October 2020.
A spin-off manga, Papa to Oyaji no Uchi Nomi, which focused on snacks and drinks, also ran from April 2016 to July 2021, compiling three volumes. The main series was recognized for its culinary aspect, ranking second in the gourmet manga category of the “TSUTAYA Comic Awards 2018.”
The upcoming live-action adaptation aims to capture the essence of this beloved family drama, highlighting the emotional journey of two fathers building a home and a family through love, patience, and good food.