Messenger Kuroda, Shiraku, and Hashimototo Enjoy Ikeda, Osaka! Excited at the Cup Noodles Museum!! Following Hikaru, another Super Big-Name Comedian Wants to Become a Disciple!? Secrets of the Rakugo World Revealed

Strong personalities, no holding back, saying whatever they want!

A street-walking TV show featuring Osaka's beloved, intensely individualistic "ossans" (middle-aged men).

Comedian "Messenger Kuroda," who possesses both great talking skills and a common touch, strolls through the unique streets of Osaka with two "guest ossans." What kind of chemical reaction will occur between "3 ossans" and "the streets of Osaka"!?

©TV Osaka

Cast

Kuroda Yū (Messenger)

Shiraku Tatekawa

Naoto Hashimoto (Sharahaku)

〇Program HP https://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/ip4/ossampo/

〇Program TVer Page (Free missed episode streaming available after broadcast) https://tver.jp/series/sr8p2y7g9m

Content

This time, the setting is Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture. The town is full of historical buildings and cultural facilities, offering a charming cityscape. It is also known as the hometown of Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods and the "Father of Instant Ramen," and the "Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda" is a representative popular spot in Ikeda City.

©TV Osaka

The opening begins at the "Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda." They meet guest Shiraku Tatekawa, making his second appearance, in front of the statue of Momofuku Ando. In stark contrast to his kimono from last time, he appears this time in casual wear from Hysteric Glamour, surprising Hashimoto, who exclaims, "You look so young!" while Kuroda comments, "He's a cringe ossan obsessed with Hysteric Glamour."

©TV Osaka

Inside the museum, the ossans learn trivia while tracing Momofuku Ando's journey to inventing instant ramen. In the customary trivia quiz, Kuroda answers correctly before Shiraku can, leading Hashimoto to retort, "How many years have you been in the entertainment industry!?"

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In the "Instant Ramen Tunnel," lined with packages of past products, the ossans reminisce, saying, "These bring back memories." They hear that although approximately 300 new products are released annually, only a few remain as classic items. Hashimoto remarks, "It's just like Yoshimoto Kogyo. Only a few [comedians] remain."

©TV Osaka

Finally, they try their hand at making a one-of-a-kind original cup noodle at the "My CUPNOODLES Factory." When they get to taste it specially at the venue, Shiraku looks satisfied, saying, "It tastes even better than usual." Hashimoto even suggests commercializing it, saying, "You should release it as the Shiraku Special!?"

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Following that, when the conversation turns to cooking, Shiraku reveals that he wakes up early every morning to make lunchboxes for his eldest daughter, but he asserts his theory that "it's not good if Dad does too much." Shiraku also does the cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning, complaining, "My children think I'm their servant," to which Hashimoto jokes, "You're like Alexa."

©TV Osaka

Strolling through the charming streets of Ikeda, the ossans arrive at "Seiseien," a renovated early Showa-era tenement house. They visit "Yomoyama-sha," a shop that sells and offers classes for handicraft goods, and also serves tea. The ossans were intrigued by the "New Tea" sign on the small noren curtain. Kuroda recalls being impressed by the deliciousness of new tea he drank during a visit to Shizuoka, saying, "Shall we try some since we're here?" and they enter the shop.

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While savoring kamairi-cha (pan-fired tea), which is rare in the Kansai region, the conversation returns to Shiraku's beloved daughter. Shiraku shares a shocking episode concerning a concert by Mrs. GREEN APPLE, a band his daughter is a huge fan of. Kuroda reflects, "This is what they mean by 'a parent's heart is not understood by the child.'"

©TV Osaka

Next, the ossans visit "Azuma," a long-established udon restaurant dating back to the late Edo period. While savoring their specialty sasame udon, Shiraku expresses his concern about the current "lack of stars" in the rakugo world. He laments the current situation where few rakugo performers are widely known to the public through television.

©TV Osaka

Furthermore, the topic shifts to the recent online controversy sparked by popular YouTuber Hikaru's remarks about Tamori. Shiraku reveals that Hikaru, after an initial conflict, eventually expressed a desire to become his disciple, and confesses the circumstances. He speaks of his desire to spread the appeal of rakugo to younger generations along with Hikaru, who has over 4 million followers.

©TV Osaka

Then, following Hikaru, an episode emerges about another super big-name comedian who also applied to become Shiraku's disciple. Shiraku reveals that during a talk segment, Matsumoto Hitoshi of Downtown asked him, "For example, is it possible for me to become your disciple?" Upon hearing this, Hashimoto's eyes widen as he exclaims, "There's going to be a huge traffic jam of disciples!"