The Emperor's Cook

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Drama: The Emperor's Cook
Romaji: Tenno no Ryoriban
Japanese: 天皇の料理番
Director: Yuichiro Hirakawa, Shingo Okamoto
Writer: Hisahide Sugimori (novel), Yoshiko Morishita
Network: TBS
Episodes: 12
Release Date: April 26 - July 12, 2015
Runtime: Sundays 21:00
TV Ratings: 14.9% (weekly average)
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Tokuzo Akiyama (Takeru Satoh) is a young man living in a rural area. One day, he eats cutlet. That experience leads him to become a cook for western style food. He first goes to Tokyo and then Paris, France to learn about the culinary arts. Fighting against discrimination and prejudice, he becomes a chef at the Hotel Ritz in Paris, France. At the age of 26, he becomes the chef for the Emperor of Japan.

Notes

"The Emperor's Cook" takes over TBS' Sunday 21:00 time slot previously occupied by "Second Chance Chauffeur" and followed by "Save Our Town" on July 19, 2015.
Based on the non-fiction novel "Tenno no Ryoriban" by Hisahide Sugimori (published December, 1979 by Yomiuri Shinbunsha). The main character is based on real person Tokuzo Akiyama (1888-1974).
To prepare for his role as chef, Takeru Satoh began taking cooking lessons from August, 2014 at a culinary school. He also had his hair cut for the film.
Filming begins mid-December, 2014. Filming will also take place in Paris, France.

Cast



Takeru Satoh	Haru Kuroki	Kenta Kiritani	Tasuku Emoto	Sei Ashina
Tokuzo Akiyama	Toshiko Takahama	Shintaro Matsui	Tatsuyoshi Yamagami	Kayano



Ryu Morioka	Kazuta Sato	Ryohei Suzuki	Tetsuya Takeda	Hideaki Ito
Kurasaburo Akiyama	Koshiro Akiyama	Shutaro Akiyama	Shogo Kirizuka	Yukichi Tanabe



Yumi Asou	Masaya Kato	Yojin Hino	Satoko Oshima	Jun Miho
Okichi	Takeshiro Ioki	Kinnosuke Takahama	Harugo Takahama	Fuki Akiyama



Tetta Sugimoto	Kaoru Kobayashi
Shuzo Akiyama	Usami

Additional Cast Members:

Saki Takaoka - Ume Morita
Gajiro Satoh - Sennosuke Morita
Anna Ishibashi - Koshi Takahama
Yoshiyuki Tsubokura - Okumura
Jinta Nishizawa - Masashi Sasaki
Daisuke Kuroda - Araki
Takeshi Onishi - Sekiguchi
Mamoru Watanabe - Sugiyama
Hirotaka Okuma - Fujita
Yoshihisa Amano - Irinuma
Yasufumi Hayashi - Kurokawa
Emi Wakui - Empress Setsuko
Kaito Oyagi - Ichitaro Akiyama
Tetsuya Morita - Shirota
Katsumi Kiba - Tatsunosuke Miyamae
Itsuwa Sato - Ichitaro
Shota Taniguchi - Bozu (ep.1)
Hiromi Go - (ep.1,7-8)
Akira Shirai - (ep.4-5)
Manabu Hamada - (ep.5)
Umi Yamano - (ep.5)
Hajime Inoue - (ep.5)
Isao Takeno - (ep.5)
Hatsuo Yamaya - (ep.6)
Loic Garnier - Albert (ep.7)
Kazuyuki Asano - (ep.9)
Akira Otaka - (ep.9)
Hajime Okayama - (ep.10)
Rio Suda - Hatsue Akiyama (ep.10)
Kazue Ito - (ep.10-11)
Toshihide Tonesaku - (ep.11)
Yasuto Kosuda - (ep.11-12)
Zen Kajihara - (ep.12)
Saburo Shinoda - (ep.12)

Trailers

Episode Ratings

Episode	Date	Ratings (Kanto Region)
01	04/26/2015	15.1%
02	05/03/2015	11.4%
03	05/10/2015	12.0%
04	05/17/2015	12.7%
05	05/24/2015	14.5%
06	05/31/2015	14.1%
07	06/07/2015	14.9%
08	06/14/2015	15.3%
09	06/21/2015	16.7%
10	06/28/2015	16.1%
11	07/05/2015	16.8%
12	07/12/2015	17.7%
Average		14.9%

Source: Video Research, Ltd.

Comments

Mishy Sep 06 2021 12:47 am I watched it because of Takeru. It was one of his best series! He’s so versatile, you end up thinking if he’s Tokuzo in real life (short tempered, impulsive).

Been crying since episode 6! Love how they build the characters; and everything’s tied up with Japan’s history. Takeru really deserves the Best Actor award for this series.

ana Jul 05 2021 11:46 pm i'm crying this drama is freaking awesome

Kobuta Jul 17 2020 9:38 pm I first only started to watch it because of Takeru but was really surprised how good it was. It was less heavy and serious as I thought. Many funny scenes. The main character changed so much throughout time. He was lucky to have all those people who supported him. His wife sacrificed so much for him. The story is beautiful. Wow!

Nisa Oct 06 2019 5:33 am I laughed and cried while watching this series. Takeru Satoh you did a great job. Of course all the other characters are very inspiring. I was surprised to see Takeru Satoh as a chef and as a responsible person. I like how his brother and his wife supporting silently every time. His mentor always believed his ability. Still I’m searching for my dream. Hope this drama will help me. I recommend everyone to watch this. I think this drama should get more ratings. It’s one of the best.

Aya Dec 30 2018 11:33 am So I've finished watching the series and the scenes which will be engraved in my heart would be Tokuzo's relationship with his brother. It's so precious, everytime his brother supported him whenever he doesnt know what to do I am so moved with his words. Dont want to spoil but I cried so hard in this series. It may be slow paced but I love how Tokuzo's character's development stage. Thumbs up to Haru Horiki as well for portraying Takeru's wife and Kenta and Tasuko as Takeru's best friends. And so this ends my review. Hoping everyone would watch the series with no regrets.

Aya Dec 29 2018 12:27 am Reading through the comments I know this will be good. I will be watching the series since I'm up for realistic genres this time. I just watched Rikuoh and I was looking for drama similar to it. The comments reached me, if you have time you might wanna check out Rikuoh as well. I'll be back once I've finished the series and will tell you my opinion. Takeru is indeed a great actor.

Cari Pintu Masuk Sep 01 2018 1:49 am you know. this is my first time writing comment on Asian wiki,even i used this site for years to check some drama info.

and i'm glad i wrote my first on Emperor's Cook page. since this is the one of dramas that moved my heart. i watched thousands dramas, but only few of them that moved my my heart. and Emperor's Cook suceed to do it. . somehow i can feel it.... the struggles to reach the dreams now i have been living in another country for almost 10 years. to reach my dreams. i faced many dificulties.... the struggles are real... the people of country i living in often mocked me and turned me down just like what they did to Takeru Sato. somehow i can feel it. and when he was crying to not going home and staying in France, i can related all of it.

i almost crying in every sad moment. his struggles remind of myself.

hope in the future.... i can reach all of my dream... my journey still long way...

leviosaelm Oct 15 2017 1:56 am Takeru is really so talented, he really absorbs the character he is playing, he plays the stupid character so convincingly that I feel like he must be stupid in real life, hands down one of the most versatile actors i know, not only Japanese but in the whole world.

there are some things I can really relate to in spite of not being a Japanese, and this is a Japanese drama through and through, when his father arranges a match for him and he is curious about his wife's appearance reminds me of the tale my grandpa told about his own marriage, he waited until his own marriage to see the bride's face, he had a really different approach towards it though, when someone asked what will you do if she is not pretty, he replied that no matter how she looks like, and even if he is handicapped, he will stick by her as his parents have chosen her.

Pretty Lai Sep 29 2017 7:19 am Been a fan of Takeru ever since Rorouni Kenshin. I just love him.

glen Sep 02 2016 8:30 pm This is the best drama of Takeru Satoh!!! I'm so impressed by his level of acting here. He really really really deserved the best actor awards he got for this drama. It has a nice story, i got hooked instantly from the first episode and finished the drama within two days and after the last episode, i'm wanting for more xD I cried a lot watching this drama and also laughed bcoz of tokuzo's antics. My rating for this drama is 10／10

capricorne93 Jun 23 2016 7:05 am Excellent japanese drama of 2015 !!! I totally understand why this had such high ratings. Everything was perfect... During wtching it, I had all emotions and feelings (laughing, crying, enjoying, suspense,...). Thank you very much to the actors because of their great acting skills. They made me want to know more about the real life of Tokuzo Akiyama.

fk Mar 19 2016 2:13 am So beautiful. superb characters!! A must watch for dorama fans :)

Jo Mar 16 2016 2:22 am Ok, I just want to say that really really hate dramas that relates to food. I just have bad experience with any dramas that's a food genre, kdrama or jdrama. Before watching the drama, I kept disregarding it because of its genre even when my favorite actor, Satoh Takeru, is starring in it. I was actually contemplating for a looong time if i should watch it or not. In the end, i watched it and boy did i regret the times I diregarded this drama. I should have seen it sooner. It's just so flapping good thay itms hard to decribe it with word. To the people who are wondering if they should watch this drama or not: I cried...a lot, it's not because the drama is like 1 litre of tears depressing but it's because it's so real (probably because it's based on a true story). There's so many life lessons in this drama and the fact that the actors who are in it are a-list actors who actually knows how to act and protray those emotions right to the audience is why the drama is amazing. Would recommend this to anyone.

Evelyn Dwiki Yohanna Feb 21 2016 10:12 am Just watched this on waku waku japan but can't wait so I streaming this. Wow this drama is really good and the quality is as good as movies. Really surprised me in many aspects. The story is based on reality(fiction or non fiction idk tho) like the seduction from ume-san and romantic relationship with french woman.

Bayu Ade Prabowo Jan 27 2016 11:46 am This drama is really good. The story and the character are awesome. Each episodes made me had a various feeling; sad, happy, cheer and angry. Kaoru Kobayashi who has a small portion in this drama but I always to wait him to appear. As usual for Japanese drama, I always think about my life. Because of this drama, I suddenly thinks about my future, how I will treat my future wife and my future family.

BANZAI! BANZAI! BANZAI!

Acchanssss Dec 04 2015 12:49 am The wonderfull drama.!! This drama with theme song "Yume Miru Hito" make me cry. This drama inspired me..

Vanessa Uyehara Nov 26 2015 5:28 pm My husband and I are hooked on this series and look forward to seeing it each Sunday. The actors are wonderful and so believable. "Tokuzo's skill is unbelievable."

I was in Japan recently and tried looking for the book but was unsuccessful as it was all in Japanese. Is there an english publication? and where I can get one.

Aloha!

raisin Oct 31 2015 4:48 am this drama is just soooo beautiful,, the story, the cast everything is just perfect. I can feel it how young tokuzo bacame mature day by day through this drama. I cry with him when his wife die,, its so saddd :((

10/10 for this drama. in my opinion its the best drama of takeru satoh along with bitter blood, but still this drama win by far.

If you resist to watch it please give it a try,, this drama is too good to miss out,,

peace_luver Oct 29 2015 1:37 am One of the best drama ever! The casts are brilliant especially Takeru-kun, you deserved that Best Actor Award. You are so mature now and become much better in act. Looking forward to see you in more dramas and movies. I'm your big fan.

L Analu Sep 26 2015 12:04 pm Hountoni subarashii! We have been presented with this dorama-biography of Akiyama Tokuzo through deep desires & goal of Akiyama-san’s family, excellent actors, writers & filmmakers to bring most inspiring, educating & entertaining filming to all of us, which we most warmly receive from them with much appreciation for their work of respect & humble perseverance from their hearts. May Akiyama-san’s living children/grandchildren today be most satisfied with film portrayal of their beloved parents/grandparents, Tokuzo-san & Toshiko-san, extended family members & Tokuzo-san’s most genuine friends. // In spite of acting challenges that especially Satoh-san, Kuroki-san & Suzuki-san experienced, hountoni they bore challenges most superbly to show us development of their character roles to the end. May I say more that each main supporting actor portrayed his or her character with much excellence. -- Music & lyrics of theme song, Yume Miru Hito (by Sada Masashi), is most beautiful impression of tenderness, deep love, yearning & faith that Toshiko-san had for Tokuzo-san. Very touching. -- Nee, a biography is most useful to help us learn from experiences of other person. I believe Akiyama-san’s family, actors, writers & filmmakers would be most pleased that we learn some life lessons from this dorama-biography. For me, after watching this dorama, my humble hope for each of us is that we may be careful in our life’s pathway of choices. Couldn’t it be, at any situation in our life, maybe we could be faced with similar choices to make like Tokuzo-san: -- Fidelity vs. adultery? ... Selflessness vs. selfishness? ... Humility vs. pride? ... Respectful vs. rudeness? ... Being upright & trustworthy vs. dishonest & undependable? ... Discovering our gifts from Kamisama vs. not trying or giving up? ... Fulfilling responsibility vs. being unreliable? ... Sincere heart vs. resentful? ... Being a faithful mentor? ... Cherish family & friends more? ... So many more, nee... -- Dakara, what choice will we make because we have recognize lessons & been inspired from Tokuzo-san’s life experiences? I hope may each of our choices please are the right ones that the real Tokuzo-san & Toshiko-san will happily smile down upon us from heaven. Minasama, ganbarimashou, kudasai! Arigatou gozaimashita to Akiyama-san’s family, actors, writers & filmmakers for Tenno no Ryoriban! --LA

kbisiat Sep 14 2015 7:00 am Awesome Drama , Such a beautiful Story ...

imranfreak Aug 24 2015 9:22 pm This series is awesome..... I'm Watching with my family, I love it

mina Aug 02 2015 11:22 pm Love to watch this drama, very inspiring. <3 <3 <3

Jennifer Jul 05 2015 8:30 am This drama is so good, but since I'm French "the main French actress" is not French ^^", hes accent is very prononced: / and so it disturbs me, it's probably not disturb the people who do not speak French, but I admit that the period in Paris is a bit long in part because of this, especially as the other actors speaking french, speaks it perfectly.

aron Jun 25 2015 11:37 pm This drama was fantastic in al levels,The acting was 'MAGNIFICO' a big 10 for me.

aron Jun 16 2015 10:16 am it's the best Japanese drama i have ever seen . the script ,the director . and the actors are amazing i hope the rating gets high and high coz it deserve it .

k Jun 14 2015 1:00 pm it's already around 3 am and i'm hooked with this dorama T.T

NewKDramaAddict Jun 12 2015 12:30 pm Drama is awesome! And let's be realistic! Showing the prejudices of the early 1900s, I would expect nothing less!!

yama Jun 08 2015 9:03 pm Watching ep. 7 -- I have one major complaint about the French actress they cast. Could they have found someone uglier? It's off-putting. And, I'm not sure it's a good representation of one's nationality/ethnicity with that constant yelling in public places.

A FAN May 11 2015 11:03 pm this is a really good drama, I love to watch period drama and the fact that it's based on true story intrigues me more.

Love all the casts here. they are doing a great job.

REIREI May 07 2015 2:32 am I just watched the first episode, it was wonderful. The fact that it based on actual person (even if it probably dramatized) also make it more appealing.

Diana Fitri Mar 26 2015 11:14 pm I'm very want to see this drama, but i can't that because i was haved a activity....i'm sad but i'm happy because he's (Takeru Sato) my first idol...and nothing other..

janey Mar 10 2015 10:49 pm yehey, ill be seeing him again in a new drama, looking forward to this and to his acting...Take-chan mahal kita...kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Mary Dec 22 2014 4:48 pm Yay! I'm so going to watch this considering he Takeru is one of my favorite actors. The story sounds interesting as well.

kin Dec 20 2014 3:06 pm A new drama of him!! Yeay!!!

Lovin'dramas Dec 09 2014 12:55 pm OMG YES! Finally I have been waiting for him to come into a drama asap! But damn his hair is all gone :(!

External Links

Official Website

The Emperor's Cook

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Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Trailers

Episode Ratings

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