Finding your next obsession
Finding your next obsession

The drama series depicts the life of Tokuzo Akiyama, head chef of the Imperial Household Ministry’s Imperial Cuisine Division during the Taisho (1912-1926) and early Showa (1926-1989) eras. Based on a true story and book by Hisahide Sugimori, 'The Emperor’s Cook' follows the life of country boy, Akiyama, who arrives in Tokyo in pursuit of the culinary arts. Driven by a deep love for his wife and family, a great reverence for his teachers, strong reliance on friends and an abiding love for cooking, Akiyama eventually rises to become 'the Emperor’s cook'.
LUXEN Decision Guide
A character-led series where relationships, personal stakes, and the gradual build of a story are central to the experience.
Best fit
Who it is for
Best suited to viewers who prefer character investment over a purely episodic watch.
Commitment
Compact commitment · 12 episodes
Use the season and episode count to judge how much time you want to invest.
Start here
Read the synopsis.
Read the synopsis first; the contained season makes it easier to judge whether the full story fits your time.
Explore the same territory
The series

12 episodes
2015
Cast
Tap a cast member to discover more of their work.