Saborîman Kantarô

Over the course of many years of watching international films and television shows, I have noticed that when you are looking for something really, really weird it's best to try something Japanese. This is NOT meant in a bad way...it's just that so many Japanese films are unique and...well....weird. With films like "Happiness of the Katakuris", "Boss Koala", "Calamari Wrestler", "Big Man Japan" and "Zebraman", Japanese movies are a great bet when you want something different and odd. In the case of "Saborîman Kantarô", you've got something every bit as weird as these movies...except that it's a television show. So this means LOTS more time enjoying the weirdness than in just a movie alone!

The story is about Kantaro, a very weird but very successful salesman. He is so good at his job that he's able to not only make all his sales calls and lead the company in sales, but he has time to indulge his passion....sweets. So, as he plans his day, he figures out all the best restaurants for sweets and incorporates them into his sales calls. But he also is sure to tell no one....as he's doing this during work hours. Because of this, his food blog is anonymous...though a beautiful co-worker long suspects who he really is.

This really doesn't sound too weird, does it? Well, if you add to this the amazing hallucinations that he experiences when he eats a great dish....then it's really strange. His reactions are almost religious or sexual....and they are ALWAYS hilarious to watch. In fact, the show is funny throughout...with a very dry but satisfying sense of humor. My only regret is that so far Netflix only has one season....and I finished all 12 episodes in one day and am longing for more!!

I love most of the Japanese food-centric shows (usually derived from manga) from recent years. My favorite is still Samurai Gourmet, but Kantaro shares many of the same plot points, such as they are, with that series. These aren't cooking shows, but they feature vignettes about a particular food or restaurant that all end sweetly. Kantaro has a bit more plot and bends a bit more towards food porn and comedy than the others, but it's still highly enjoyable. We all should enjoy a melon sherbet after a long, stressful day, and that is what Kantaro: The Sweet Tooth Salaryman provides. It's nothing like typical American TV series, so it won't appeal to a huge audience, but if you want something silly and quiet and gentle, you may very well enjoy it. The adzuki beans doing the Running Man to fight off the evil princess was just epic.

Matsuya Onoe is terrific as the book salesman/dessert blogger. Beautiful photography makes every dessert look fantastic. Also like the subplot of the office politics.. his manic boss is a hoot as well. And Tokyo looks great in every shot.

I accidentaly stumbled upon this while looking for something to watch on Netflix with my girlfriend and we decided to give it a go. After we've seen the first episode we could not stop watching. Great attention to presenting the desserts has been paid, and the places and desserts are real! Also, the acting of the main character is fantastic. Strongly recommend!

I stumbled on this, then could not stop watching! I loved the fact that they used real shops and real desserts, sigh! I found this very, very enjoyable. I want the second season please...