Asian Drama

Disappointed by the news that the object of her affection is getting married, Takako (Kikuchi Akiko) quits her job suddenly. She soon receives an offer from her uncle Satoru, who asks for her to come help run his bookstore in Jinbocho; a district of Tokyo with a high concentration of book stores, publishing companies, and distribution warehouses. Thus begins her everyday life at Morisaki Bookstore, where she absorbs the unique atmosphere and meets various quirky customers. Takako hadn’t read many novels in her life, but she finds herself being gradually drawn into the world of second-hand books. As summer turns to fall and winter in Jinbocho, Takako experiences personal growth through introspection and her newfound love of books.

Gigolo Wannabe acquaints the audience with seven young men of disparate backgrounds, from a street performer to an ex-banker, who have been through various circumstances such as losing a business and getting kicked out of a basketball team. They are brought together by a desire to make quick money as 'hosts'-essentially the male equivalent of hostesses in a club. However, their enthusiasm is almost arrested upon discovering that the club's 'manager' has run off with their deposits! To add to the problem, the bar owner's granddaughter, Chika (Riko Narumi) suffers a heart disorder, so the owner decides to let the young men run the joint themselves, though not without disastrous results. As the plot unfolds, the club transforms itself from a cluttered place with clashing personalities to one that is more mellow and professional in a bid to raise money for Chika's heart operation abroad.