Netflix shares first look images for ‘The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House’, the first Netflix series by acclaimed creator Hirokazu Kore-eda.

• Set for global release on Netflix on January 12, 2023, acclaimed creator and Palme D’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda will serve as showrunner, director, and writer for the nine-episode series, with Netflix, Story Inc., and BUN-BUKU Inc. co-producing.

• The series is based on the manga MAIKO-SAN CHI NO MAKANAI-SAN by Aiko Koyama (Weekly Shonen Sunday). Set in the Geiko district of Kyoto, the protagonist Kiyo becomes a Makanai (person who cooks meals) at a house where Maiko (apprentice Geikos) live together. The story depicts the everyday life of Kiyo Maiko Sumire, her childhood friend who came with her from Aomori to Kyoto, amid a vibrant world of Geiko and Maiko courtesans and delicious food. The comic won the 65th Shogakukan Manga Award and is a best-seller with over 2.7 million copies sold.

• Alongside Kore-eda, Genki Kawamura (Confessions, Villain, Your Name, MIRAI) will be producing. Up-and-coming directors such as Megumi Tsuno (Ten Years Japan), Hiroshi Okuyama (Jesus), and Takuma Sato (Any Crybabies Around?) are directing individual episodes

• Nana Mori plays Kiyo, the Makanai at the Maiko House, Natsuki Deguchi plays Sumire, who comes from Aomori with Kiyo and is believed to be a “once-a-century talent” as a Maiko. Aju Makita plays Ryoko, the high school daughter of the manager of the Maiko House. Keiko Matsuzaka plays Chiyo, the previous manager of the Maiko House who still plays a key role in its operation. Ai Hashimoto plays Momoko, the most popular Geiko. Mayu Matsuoka plays Yoshino, a former peer of Momoko who decides to return back to the path of the Geiko. Takako Tokiwa plays Azusa, the manager of the Maiko House and Ryoko’s mother.

Project Details:
Based on the original graphic novel “MAIKO-SAN CHI NO MAKANAI-SAN ” by Aiko Koyama, published by Shogakukan
Showrunner: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Produced by: Genki Kawamura
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda, Megumi Tsuno, Hiroshi Okuyama, Takuma Sato
Screenplay: Hirokazu Kore-eda, Mami Sunada, Megumi Tsuno, Hiroshi Okuyama, Takuma Sato
Cast: Nana Mori, Natsuki Deguchi, Aju Makita, Keiko Matsuzaka / Ai Hashimoto, Mayu Matsuoka & Takako Tokiwa
Produced by: STORY inc.
Production Company: STORY inc., BUN-BUKU Inc.