The Laughing Salesman

Available on Netflix Japan

Yes, The Laughing Salesman is now available on Japan Netflix. It arrived for online streaming on January 20, 2022

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Synopsis

Based on the horror manga created by duo Fujiko Fujio, The Laughing Salesman tells the story of a salesman named Moguro Fukuzo, whose job is to help people fill gaps in their soul. However, in reality, he ruins people's lives if his clients backstab him or never ask him for help.

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Cast

Tôru Ôhira
Tôru Ôhira
Tamio Ôki
Tamio Ôki
Seizô Katô
Seizô Katô
Shohei Yamaguchi
Shohei Yamaguchi
Takeshi Watabe
Takeshi Watabe
Mayumi Tanaka
Mayumi Tanaka
Issei Futamata
Issei Futamata

Episodes

The Laughing Salesman: Season 1

A Face You Can Depend On
Available in Japan

A Face You Can Depend On

1989-10-17

A handsome man crumbles under the pressure of the expectations of those around him and eventually seeks comfort in the bosom of a Buddha-like woman.

Easy Driver
Available in Japan

Easy Driver

1989-10-24

A salaryman takes driving lessons but is a terrible driver. Moguro gives him private lessons, letting him drive however he likes and enjoys the joke when the man causes a huge amount of damage.

The Friend Salesman
Available in Japan

The Friend Salesman

1989-10-31

Moguro sets up an unpopular and lonely salaryman with a lady by correspondence. When they meet in a park at night frequented by perverts, she turns out to be a mannequin whom Moguro causes to scream for help. The salaryman is then beaten up by citizens and arrested.

The Man in Disguise
Available in Japan

The Man in Disguise

1989-11-07

A married salaryman with a wife and child has a mundane life and wishes for some adventure. Moguro encourages him to wear a disguise and have nights out on the town, but then gives him a new life, in a small apartment with a wife and four children.

The View from the 47th Floor
Available in Japan

The View from the 47th Floor

1989-11-21

Moguro encourages a student to observe life from the top of a building and he falls in love with a woman he sees in an apartment building. Moguro sets up a meeting between them, but also tells her husband, a gang boss, who arrives and beats up the student.

In Valor There is Waste
Available in Japan

In Valor There is Waste

1989-11-28

A cowardly illustrator dreams of being a hero so Moguro encourages him to be brave. The young cartoonist eventually summons enough courage to stop a robber, but is stabbed in his right arm, preventing him from ever drawing again.

Sloth
Available in Japan

Sloth

1989-12-05

A slothful salesman is very unsuccessful so Moguro offers to help. Moguro sells many properties on his behalf, however he keeps the deposits, causing the salesman to have a breakdown and really behave like a sloth

The Separator
Available in Japan

The Separator

1989-12-12

A young celebrity does not want to marry his girlfriend, so Moguro says he will convince her to stay away, but he must never see her again. However the celebrity misses her and sees her again so Moguro joins them together permanently.

Woman on the Platform
Available in Japan

Woman on the Platform

1989-12-19

A dull young banker falls in love with a woman wearing a medical face mask he sees every day on the train. Moguro arranges a meeting, but demands that he does not love her only for her looks. The banker agrees, but then is horrified when she reveals her true disfigured face that is the result of failed plastic surgery.

The Sure Winner
Available in Japan

The Sure Winner

1989-12-26

A student bets away his allowance at the horse races. After helping him win once, Moguro offers to help him one more time, as long as he never bets again. Later, after bragging about his win, the student is forced to accept ten million yen from a gangster in a bar to bet at the races. However, before he meets Moguro on the next race day, he gambles all the money and loses.

Closet Man
Available in Japan

Closet Man

1990-01-09

Struggling manga writer Hikage Hisatoshi is having trouble creating and paying his rent. Moguro offers to move in to his apartment as long as Hikage stays in the closet. Hikage is so happy in the closet that he creates very popular and successful manga. Moguro then moves him to a purpose-built closet. Eventually, Hikage wants to leave and enjoy his success but finds that he can no longer live in the sunlight.

Daydream
Available in Japan

Daydream

1990-01-16

Company man Nakajima Kenichi always eats last night's leftovers for lunch. Moguro treats him to and exotic lunch at the Daydream Club in the basement. Nakajima enjoys it so much he and a workmate spend all afternoon the next day drinking there, but they return to work after 5pm and are both fired.

Golf 101
Available in Japan

Golf 101

1990-01-30

Unconfident company man Maido Chiyorou feels left out at work, so he tries to learn golf after hours. He improves after lessons from Moguro where he learns to imagine the ball as someone he hates. Later, Maido joins in the work golf competition but under pressure he hits the co-worker he hates instead of the ball.

The Woman Who Wants to Marry
Available in Japan

The Woman Who Wants to Marry

1990-02-06

The ambitious woman office-worker, Tsumanari Taiko, is only interested in tall, educated, wealthy men to the exclusion of all others. Moguro sends her on an island trip for singles where she meets and falls for a man who fits her criteria, however he is a fake and Tsumanari is horrified when she finds out.

Cutting
Available in Japan

Cutting

1990-02-13

Trainee hairdresser Demuno Fouta is too scared to hold a razor, so Moguro gives him a box of medicated cigarettes to increase his confidence. Demuno improves his shaving skills, but is distraught when the other hairdressers smoke them all during a mahjong night, not realizing that only the first cigarette was medicated. When called on to shave the boss, he makes a fatal slip.

Mr. Pervert
Available in Japan

Mr. Pervert

1990-02-20

A grumpy old man is encouraged by Moguro to become a pervert.

Part-Time Confidential
Available in Japan

Part-Time Confidential

1990-02-27

College student Tsutsui Shinichi is offered high-paying part-time jobs by Moguro and takes one offered by an old man to go out and have a good time on his behalf, as long as the money is not spent on something pointless. Unfortunately Tsutsui loses a fortune to some thugs at a mahjong club and when he goes back to the old man's house with the thugs to get more money, they find that he's gone.

After The Dream
Available in Japan

After The Dream

1990-03-06

Urashima Taichi, a middle-aged company man has a dream of to stay in a deluxe hotel at least once. Moguro convinces him to try it, and tricks him into going with a young woman who he thinks is his wife. When he finally leaves and goes home, he finds that a long time has passed, and someone else has been living in his house for the past 10 years. The story is based on the legend of Urishima Tarō.

The Guardsman
Available in Japan

The Guardsman

1990-03-13

Company man Ishino Takashi calculates how much he has lost playing mahjong and decided to quit. Moguro offers to protect him from ever playing again, but Ishino relapses and Moguro finds him playing mahjong again. The next night when Ishino comes home, he finds Moguro has turned his wife into a mahjong addict.

Her First Love
Available in Japan

Her First Love

1990-03-20

Housewife Koino Yumemi regrets not marrying a potter in her youth and complains about her neglectful husband and disobedient daughter. Moguro reunites Koino with the potter and they run away to live together, however their new life together is not as idyllic as they imagined.

The Path to Karate
Available in Japan

The Path to Karate

1990-04-10

Moguro saves the young company man, Karasumori Kiichi, from being beaten by thugs and convinces him to learn karate every day with a tough master. Karasumori finds it difficult but perseveres for a few lessons. When he meets the same thugs in an alley, he tries to fight them, but is badly beaten up.

The Man-Hater
Available in Japan

The Man-Hater

1990-04-17

A career woman, Kariya Asako, is harassed by her boss and Moguro arranges for him to be fired for sexual harassment on a train. In return the Kariya must focus on her work and not become involved with a man, but she does. When Kariya's new boyfriend surprises her on a railway platform, she overreacts and accidentally pushes him in front of a train.

House Lights
Available in Japan

House Lights

1990-04-24

Middle-aged company man, Kaeri Takunai, has an unhappy home life, so spends his evenings aimlessly killing time. Moguro offers him an apartment as long as invites no women there, however he lets a female neighbour in, and so breaks his promise. Kaeri's family finds out and he is thrown out, but then is also prevented from entering the new apartment. Eventually he is back home, in the doghouse.

The Man in the Back Seat
Available in Japan

The Man in the Back Seat

1990-05-01

Moguro convinces a company driver, Ohkuri Yukumi, to give him stock tips so that he can buy shares and split the profits on the condition that the driver must not trade himself. However Ohkuri gets a hot tip, and uses company money to buy shares himself, but is then arrested for fraud and embezzlement.

Lady Killer Warning
Available in Japan

Lady Killer Warning

1990-05-08

Office worker Musai Toshio leads a dull life and women ignore him, so Moguro gives him a makeover but Moguro makes him promise to be prudent in his relationships with women. Musai finally dates a woman at work, but then takes another woman out to lunch. Moguro then calls Musai's girlfriend who turns up at the restaurant and makes a scene.

Belly of the Tanuki
Available in Japan

Belly of the Tanuki

1990-05-15

The handsome actor, Debara Nayami, must lose his pot belly to appear in a play beside a beautiful co-star. Moguro gives Debara a tanuki ornament to pray to if he feels tempted by sweets. The technique works and Debara becomes trim again while the tanuki becomes fatter. However, on opening night Debara receives a box of his favourite daifuku and eats them, causing his fat belly to reappear while he is on stage.

The Executive and the Window
Available in Japan

The Executive and the Window

1990-05-22

Overworked company executive, Higama Hoshiya, is envious of Madobe, a company man in the adjacent building who has no work to do because he is approaching retirement. Moguro arranges for them to exchange places, but warns Higama that he must not do any work. Unfortunately, Higama travels to Kyushu on a business and pleasure trip and when he returns he finds that Madobe has died while in his job. Higama is thus seen as an impostor and is condemned to spend the rest of his working life in Madobe's job.

The May Blues
Available in Japan

The May Blues

1990-05-29

Katsuta Rui, a young company man who still lives with his mother, has lost interest in his job because of his demanding boss named Oniyama. Moguro suggests that he practice knitting during lunch breaks and discovers that Oniyama also knits which makes his life easier, but Oniyama warns him to keep it a secret. However, Katsuta's mother finds out and exposes Oniyama who has to resign and he begins teaching knitting assisted by Katsuta, much to his mother's horror.

Message Dialing
Available in Japan

Message Dialing

1990-06-05

Young company employee Ikuji Naiya is extremely shy and lonely, and spends his spare time and money using a phone message service. Moguro gives him the message phone number of a lonely young woman and they happily exchange messages. Moguro tells Naiya that he must never contact her in person, but Naiya succumbs and arranges to meet her, only to find that she's a little girl.

The Single Life
Available in Japan

The Single Life

1990-06-12

Otokoya Moume is a divorced company worker who lives alone and his apartment is a mess. Moguro offers him a free housekeeper, Shigeko, who has a young daughter, but he prefers living alone and sacks her. However, he then misses her housekeeping and her cooking. He asks Moguro to bring her back, but Otokoya must promise not become romantically involved with her. However, Otokoya proposes marriage, only to find that Shigeko has reconciled with her burly husband and Otokoya's ex-wife has left their small children at his doorstep. They all then move into his small apartment with him.

Early Stopover
Available in Japan

Early Stopover

1990-06-19

Married company man Hande Oshita is enticed by a woman sitting above a bar he sees from the train each evening. One night, Moguro convinces Hande to leave the train and meet het. He enters the bar but he is drugged and then presented with a huge bill. Moguro bails him out, but when Hande catches a taxi home, he finds his house has gone, leaving him stranded.

Kissing Fortune
Available in Japan

Kissing Fortune

1990-06-26

Osaki Makkura is a college preparatory student who wants to enter Tokyo University. Moguro takes him to a kissing fortune teller who predicts he will be successful if he studies hard, however he is not allowed to kiss anyone else before the exams. Unfortunately, his girlfriend kisses him and Moguro tells him that he will never go to Tokyo University and even his girlfriend rejects him.

Refusal of Service
Available in Japan

Refusal of Service

1990-07-03

Taxi driver Ooi Takushi does poorly because he seems to only pick up short fares and he is too meek to refuse the client. Moguro gives Ooi a paper tiger which he says will bring long fares, but he must never refuse to pick up a passenger. Ooi begins making more money, but on night he refuses to take a woman a short distance to hospital. Moguo causes him to have an accident, and then no taxis stop to pick up the injured Ooi.

Bullpen Ace
Available in Japan

Bullpen Ace

1990-07-10

Baseball pitcher Nomino plays well at practice in the bullpen but plays badly in the real games. Moguro gives Nomino a cap to wear but he must also abstain from drinking alcohol until he is pitching in the major league. Nomino improves his pitching, but he cannot sleep on the night before a big game, and resorts to drinking sake. The next morning he is hung over and rushes to the game without his lucky cap and ruins his chance to play in the major league.

Wife Photo
Available in Japan

Wife Photo

1990-07-24

Photo lab worker Kako Shinobu shows around a photo of his attractive young wife and son, but the photo is quite old and his home life is unhappy. Moguro lures him back to his old apartment where he meets his wife and son as they were 15 years ago and he is finally happy.

Collector
Available in Japan

Collector

1990-07-31

Company man Kichide Maniya is an addicted stamp collector and Moguro offers him an extremely rare Hawaiian 2 cents stamp in exchange for his entire collection. Kichide is happy to hand over his collection to overcome his addiction, but Moguro says he must never sell the stamp. Later, Kichide's mother reveals that she owes millions of Yen after playing the stock market, so he tries to sell the stamp but is killed by a front-end loader as he rushes across the road.

Queen of the Night
Available in Japan

Queen of the Night

1990-08-07

Freeter Ubuna Yatsuda has a crush on Megumi, a girl working in a flower shop, but he is too shy to speak to her. Moguro offers Ubuna a Queen of the Night flower to woo Megumi. She accepts, and As Ubuna and Megumi wait for the flower to bloom during the night, Megumi's boyfriend arrives home and pushes Ubuna over the balcony and into a pond.

Pet-in-a-Can
Available in Japan

Pet-in-a-Can

1990-08-14

Young animator Koh Arao has a pet myna bird in his apartment against the building's rules. Tachiki from next door notifies the landlord and the bird is allowed to escape. As compensation, Moguro gives Arao a eucalyptus tree in a can and promises that if Arao talks to it, it will bring him happiness. Arao finds the tree fascinating and it prompts him to create a successful pitch for an animated series about a koala and a eucalyptus tree. However, Tachiki discovers the tree and cuts it to pieces. Moguro then regenerates the tree whose branches grow and deposit Tachiki on top of a telegraph pole.

Owl Eyes
Available in Japan

Owl Eyes

1990-08-21

Mimizu Kunio is a photographer obsessed with owls, but Moguro suggests that he photograph "night owls" in the city to support his family and fund his hobby. Mimizu becomes financially successful, but is still obsessed with owls so Moguro turns him into an owl.

Youthful Pride
Available in Japan

Youthful Pride

1990-08-28

The youthful looking and married company manager Wakasa Manjirou is concerned that he is beginning to look his age. Moguro give him a Rudolph Valentino doll and tells him to wish upon it for youth, and it proves successful. Later, Moguro warns Wakasa not to overdo it, however after meeting a beautiful woman, Wakasa overexerts himself and dies on the dance floor.

Gourmand in Waiting
Available in Japan

Gourmand in Waiting

1990-09-04

Struggling company man Kurume Hoshio is saving for his wedding, but he yearns to eat at three star restaurants. Moguro treats him to dinner at a high-class restaurant, then offers him a membership card but warns that it should be used in moderation. However, Kurume becomes addicted to the point he becomes obsessed so Moguro condemns him to enjoy eating garbage.

Karaoke Addict
Available in Japan

Karaoke Addict

1990-09-11

Karao Keiichi company man dislikes karaoke nights, but Moguro gives him a karaoke set to practice at home and he becomes a convert. At an important business dinner, he embarrasses the client by his good singing, then refuses to return to work and continues singing at home.

Relocated Husband
Available in Japan

Relocated Husband

1990-09-18

Company man Tanami Kazuhito is relocated to a remote branch office but he misses his wife and home back in Tokyo. Moguro takes him to a friendly bar with the charming young hostess Tsuyu and he begins to frequent the establishment. Moguro encourages Tanami's friendship with the lonely Tsuyu and end up spending a night together. However, the next morning Tanami wife visits his hotel and discovers his transgression.

Moonlit Orchid
Available in Japan

Moonlit Orchid

1990-09-25

Company man Hanahata Komatta always delays returning home because his unhappy home life. Moguro gives him a potted orchid to care for. However his wife becomes jealous and cuts off the blossoming flowers and serves them in tempura which devastates Hanahata. As compensation, Moguro makes an orchid flower bloom from Hanahata's mouth in the moonlight.

The Laughing Salesman: Season 2

Kefir
Available in Japan

Kefir

1991-03-19

Scriptwriter, Nashiya Sutami, is addicted to energy drinks and Moguro offers him Kefir instead, but he must care for the culture and keep it alive. Sutami's health improves, but he develops a writer's block. He blames the kefir and destroys it. Before he can apologize, the kefir consumes him.

Man Who Looks Down
Not Available

Man Who Looks Down

1991-04-09

Kazuo Uwame is a middle-aged company man who is always apologizing for his behavior. Moguro takes him to the top of a skyscraper to live for a week so he can look down on everyone else instead of always looking up at others. His attitude changes and he gains more respect at work, however when he returns home, his domineering wife beats him back into the submissive man he was before.

Golf Freak
Not Available

Golf Freak

1991-04-16

Company man Kyouichi Shiratama is obsessed by golf, but he is a terrible player. Moguro offers to make him a super golfer, and gives him a magic golf club, but he must not let anyone else use it. However, after Shiratama's boss insists on using it, Shiratama's next ball hits a gangster in the head and his associates take their revenge on the unlucky Shiratama.

Old Face, Young Body
Not Available

Old Face, Young Body

1991-04-23

Company President, Izumo Wakashi is 73 year old and feels his age, but he looks much younger. Moguro gives him special dumbbells for training which he must use with a special incantation to recover his youthful strength. However, it only works if he sticks to golf and does not pursue women. Wakashi ignores the warning and spends the night with a young woman, which does not effect his muscular body, but causes his face to decay rapidly into that of an old man.

The Chair-Man
Not Available

The Chair-Man

1991-04-30

Printer Anraku Kazuhisa often works late and sleeps on uncomfortable office chairs at work. Moguro offers him a large comfortable bed above the Demon's Nest Bar and he takes the bed home for his family. However, his family all sleep in the bed so he goes back to the factory to sleep and Moguro turns him into an armchair.

Decision Stick
Not Available

Decision Stick

1991-05-07

Mayoi Oushi, a 25 year-old company man has difficulty making decisions and exasperates his co-workers. Moguro gives him a "decision stick" with an arrow head to help him make decisions, but he must always follow the stick's decision. Things go well when he follows the stick, however when he goes against its decision, the next time he throws the stick into the air, it kills him when it falls.

Hot Spring Eccentricity
Not Available

Hot Spring Eccentricity

1991-05-14

Company man Kibara Shisao decides to take a side trip on his way home from a business trip, and Moguro takes him to a Mystery Onsen. They spend the night drinking with geishas, but to Kibara they look like his wife except a beautiful young woman named Chi. Moguro arranges for Kibara to spend the night with her, but in the morning he awakes with a geisha who looks like his wife and an expensive bill.

Security Capsule
Not Available

Security Capsule

1991-05-21

Company man Heiichi Uranari (from episode 2) feels more comfortable living in his old car than staying at home, but the car breaks down so Moguro takes him to a capsule hotel. Uranari sleeps badly because of hearing others snoring, so Moguro takes him to another hotel with security capsules that seals out the outside world. Uranari sleeps so well, that when he emerges he finds a post-apocalyptic world where he is the only survivor.

Pride in My Work
Not Available

Pride in My Work

1991-05-28

Ban Moriyasu is a struggling artist and Moguro takes him to the wealthy Mr Narugane who commissions him to paint a van Gogh replica for his office. Narugane then sponsors Moriyasu to paint, but Moguro warns Ban that he must not lose his artistic integrity. However, Ban reluctantly agrees to copy a Gauguin painting rather than lose his sponsorship and Moguro condemns him to be like van Gogh. Ban severs his ear and spends the rest of his life painting self-portraits.

Home Vegetable Garden
Not Available

Home Vegetable Garden

1991-06-04

Company man Deri Keita is extremely fussy and always brings his tea and food from home. He is asked out for a business dinner but he finds the food inedible and drinks too much. Moguro offers Deri a device which will detect if food contains harmful substances and sends him fresh organic food which soothes his conscience. However, Deri becomes suspicious of the quality and Moguro condemns him to survive alone by turning his apartment into an organic farm.

Mean Drunk
Not Available

Mean Drunk

1991-06-11

Company man Yotte Sourou is meek and incompetent, but after drinking alcohol he becomes loud and obnoxious. Moguro shows Yotte video footage of his behavior and Yotte vows to give up alcohol. Moguro does not trust him, and gives him a bag into which Yotte can vent his pent up rage. The arrangement works fine until he arrives home late one night. A an angry drunk accosts Yotte and pulls open the bag to receive a tirade of abuse. Insulted, the drunk pushes Yotte down a flight of steps and he ends up in hospital.

Paradise Bath
Not Available

Paradise Bath

1991-06-18

Yuami Yoshio is a waterworks agent who enjoys bath houses and Moguro promises to take him to one of his favorite ones, the Edo style ukiyo Paradise bath house. Moguro gives Yuami a free entry pass, but warns Yuami that he will be banned if he takes any modern devices inside. One day Yuami takes in his pager and Moguro gives him the choice of never going again or never leaving. Yuami chooses never to leave and he becomes an attendant in Paradise

Rental Girlfriend
Not Available

Rental Girlfriend

1991-06-25

TV production staff member, Tsunei Kazuto, is invited to a function with the other crew members and must bring a girlfriend, but he doesn't have one. Tsunei asks Moguro to find him a partner for the night and he agrees, although Tsunei must not fall in love with her. On the night, Eri, a beautiful woman in a sports car picks him up and takes him to the dinner, making his colleagues jealous. Tsunei pleads with Moguro for a chance to see Eri again, but this time she arrives with her pushy manager who demands money for the service.

Memory Bar
Not Available

Memory Bar

1991-07-02

Ageing company man, Kaikou Sumitarou, longs for his younger days out at night before bars became dominated by noisy karaoke. Moguro takes him to the Taishō era Akaneko bar where he meets the beautiful hostess Etsuko. Kaikou becomes a regular, but Moguro warns him not to fall in love. Unfortunately, Kaikou falls for Etsuko and when he visits again, he discovers that the bar is a ruin after being abandoned for decades, and the Etsuko who greets him is undead.

My Wife's Lunch
Not Available

My Wife's Lunch

1991-07-09

Wagatsuma Tsuyoshi's wife Hanako always prepares lunch for him. Although her cooking is inedible, he does not have the courage to tell her and instead, he always eats sandwiches bought from a store. Moguro offers to provide a delicious lunch in exchange for Wagatsuma's at a jizo statue each day. The arrangement is successful, but Wagatsuma is not allowed to know who eats Hanako's lunches. One day, Wagatsuma sees that it is a homeless man who eats the lunches which breaks the deal. When Tsuyoshi returns home he finds the homeless man in his place, being fed by Hanako.

Divorce Club
Not Available

Divorce Club

1991-07-16

Bon Fukumizu is a hotel banquet host, but has a lifeless and miserable married life himself, living with his wealthy wife and her mother. Moguro offers to help him with a divorce, and introduce him to a divorce club where he must choose someone regardless of looks or wealth. The club is on a cruise ship and he meets a beautiful woman and they marry, even though his wife is a cross-dressing man.

Dream My Home
Not Available

Dream My Home

1991-07-23

Moguro offers to help Ikko Tateo find his dream home, but finding something suitable within his price range proves impossible. Eventually he finds the perfect home for Ikko's family, a free concept home which is modern, spacious, close to transport and the sea. The only drawback is that it is built out from the side of a cliff.

Love's Parting Gifts
Not Available

Love's Parting Gifts

1991-07-30

Moguro catches up with married travelling salesman Uwaki Shirou who, three years earlier, met and became infatuated with the attractive Ubuna Yoshiko. Moguro reminds Uwaki that he helped him woo Yoshiko, but Uwaki was supposed to reveal that he was already married. instead, Uwaki deserted Yoshiko and now as his punishment, Uwaki discovers that Yoshiko has moved in next door to his family, and she has a baby.

The Ideal Family
Not Available

The Ideal Family

1991-08-06

Moguro meets company worker Yanai Samushi who is unhappy at home with his wife and son and he suggests that Yanai change families. Initially Yanai refuses, but after another fight at home, he agrees. Yanai finds himself outside another house with his name, and is welcomed home by a woman and daughter he met previously at a blood bank. Yanai's wife and son begin to miss him, so Moguro takes them to his other home where they find him being sucked dry by a vampire mother and daughter.

Love Across the Glass
Not Available

Love Across the Glass

1991-08-13

Computer programmer Kouda Kametarou is obsessed by turtles and Moguro offers him a chance to swim with his favorite sea turtle Kamejirou at the local aquarium. Moguro releases Kamejirou but Kouda takes it home against Moguro's instructions, so Moguro turns Kouda into a turtle.

Barhopper
Not Available

Barhopper

1991-08-20

Novelist Koshiba Shousuke is an inveterate bar-hopper, but he has trouble meeting his deadlines. After a night on the town, Moguro introduces Koshiba to his attractive drinking partner Sakai Nomiko, but warns Koshiba that he must not make a pass at Nomiko. They agree on a bar-hopping expedition along the Yamanote circle, and Nomiko outlasts Koshiba who ends up a drunken wreck.

Long-Term Break
Not Available

Long-Term Break

1991-08-27

Mature company man Nagai Yasumi is forced to take four weeks vacation, but has no idea what to do with his time so he rides trains and sits in parks during the day. Moguro offers to help by introducing him to volunteering, however Nagai must expect nothing in return or become personally involved with the people he helps. He helps with the rehabilitation of a young woman which he enjoys, but he becomes attracted to her. When Nagai returns to the apartment, instead of the young woman, he finds an aged version of himself needing home care.

House Lady
Not Available

House Lady

1991-09-10

Wagama Machiko is a fashion designer, but never has time to tidy her apartment, so she is reluctant to let her boyfriend Bonchi see the mess. One evening when Bonchi arrives to pick her up, Moguro has the apartment tidied beforehand by the housekeeper Catherine Baker. Catherine proves invaluable, but Machiko thinks Bonchi finds her attractive so Machiko fires Catherine. However, Bonchi realizes that it was Catherine who cooked and cleaned so he dumps the messy Machiko and marries Catherine.

Sleep Pillow
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Sleep Pillow

1991-09-17

Muneri Kiyoshi is a company man supervisor who has trouble getting a good night's sleep. Moguro gives him a small electronic pillow to attach to his neck which will allow him to sleep while appearing to be awake. However, Muneri must remove the device when a buzzer sounds to avoid overuse, but he ignores the buzzer and it overloads during a business meeting. He then finds his inability to sleep ideal for his new position, as night watchman.

The Mystery Star
Not Available

The Mystery Star

1991-09-24

Moguro restores Katte Ryouzou, the former film actor known as Hoshi Shinzaburou, to stardom, but another actor emerges claiming that he is the former actor. They both appear on TV for the audience to identify the real star, but Katte loses and Moguro sentences him to acting out his role in his retirement village.

Germaphobia
Not Available

Germaphobia

1991-10-08

Young female office worker Seike Tsuzuki is health conscious and obsessed with cleanliness. Moguro offers to help her find a boyfriend and she encounters an unpolished, capricious man. She is attracted to him, but Moguro warns her that the relationship may become physical. When her boyfriend tries to kiss her, she is revolted and pushes him away, and condemns herself to living in an antibacterial suit.

Switched Organizers
Not Available

Switched Organizers

1991-10-15

Young married freelance writer, Memo Matarou, notes everything he finds interesting in his electronic organizer, but loses it after a night out drinking. Moguro returns one to him, but it although it is not his, Memo finds the data inside useful, especially the contact details of many women. Moguro later returns the original organizer, but Memo had already downloaded the address book and begins a series of sexual encounters with the women listed in it. Moguro punishes him for his transgression, so when he returns home, Memo finds that Moguro has switched his beautiful wife Tsukiyo for an unattractive woman and her demanding son.

Red or Black?!
Not Available

Red or Black?!

1991-10-22

Photographer Kakei Kazuya enjoys playing roulette in games parlors so Moguro encourages him to play for real money. Moguro takes Kakei to a secret illegal casino for a once only experience and Kakei has a good win. However, Kakei's work suffers because of his desire for easy money, and he returns a number of times to the casino with a chip that remained in his pocket. However, Kakei loses all his money, including some he borrowed from a loan shark after he does not bet on the winning number suggested by Moguro.

Sunday Club
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Sunday Club

1991-10-29

Uchinaki Yousuke has developed a loathing for Mondays after many years as a company man. Moguro takes Uchinaki through a building site to a secret Sunday Club where he spends a relaxing day instead of going to work. Moguro makes him promise to go only once a month, however Uchinaki returns sooner so Moguro condemns him to stay there forever.

Life in the Woods
Not Available

Life in the Woods

1991-11-05

Moguro distracts the busy company man Richigi Momoru on his way to work and takes him into the woods for a day off, gathering mushrooms, vegetables and fish and cooking them on an open fire. As the weeks pass, Richigi wants to return home. Moguro send him back, however Richigi also takes some of the psychedelic mushrooms they found which helps him readjust to the city life.

Mangania
Not Available

Mangania

1991-11-12

Moguro buys the company man and manga addict Chuunen Takuji a valuable classic manga by Osamu Tezuka for which he is extremely grateful. Moguro then asks Chuunen to appraise an old manga titled Last Utopia by a little known artist, Ashizuka Mushio. Chuunen discovers that it is extremely rare but he offers to buy it from Moguro for only 10,000¥. Because Chuunen lied to Moguro about the value, Chuunen returns home to discover that his wife has given his entire manga collection to waste recyclers in exchange for rolls of toilet paper. Note: The rare comic Last Utopia is a reference to the manga UTOPIA the Final World War (UTOPIA 最後の世界大戦) by Fujiko A. Fujio.

Sandlot in the Sky
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Sandlot in the Sky

1991-11-26

Company man Gaki Hiromasa visits the sandlot where he used to play as a child. He recalls that he left a box of his treasures in a disused pipe, but the land is scheduled for redevelopment. Moguro offers to take Gaki to a very special sandlot which is located on the roof of a skyscraper. The place is filled with adults playing in children's clothes as they recapture their childhoods. Moguro warns him that he must not take any "adult impurities" there. Gaki makes friends with Shizu, but then he meets her later in the street. He is shocked when she says that she works as a prostitute to pay her father's debts. Gaki embezzles money to help her, and takes it to the sandlot for her which breaks his promise to Moguro. Gaki then loses access to the sandlot, and the money. Meanwhile, Shizu is revealed to not only have a boyfriend — but also be lavishly wealthy.

Homeless Proposal
Not Available

Homeless Proposal

1991-12-03

Moguro promises to take stressed company man Sudoh Reiju to a stress free environment and takes him to spend time with some homeless people. Sudoh enjoys the change and abandons his family and job. He begins to live a carefree life with his new friends and refuses to return to his former life. Instead, he sells his house and goes to live on an island with his wife and son who also embrace the carefree lifestyle.

Super Luxury Solution
Not Available

Super Luxury Solution

1991-12-10

Unmarried factory worker Tomariba Nashio has trouble finding free parking spaces for his car and often parks illegally. Moguro offers to provide a free parking space, in a condominium in which the tenants park their cars inside their apartments, but he must not take anyone else there. However, Tomariba breaks Moguro’s rule and takes a woman to his condominium for the night so Moguro condemns him to never be able to park his car again. He now he has to share his small rented room with his car.

Elm Tree of the Valley
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Elm Tree of the Valley

1991-12-17

Artist, Kigami Mamoru, is confronted by a land owner who wants to cut down an old Japanese elm tree. Moguro scares them off and he encourages Kigami to live in the tree and the artist promises to defend it to the end. Kigami becomes a local celebrity and he has an exhibition of his woodland paintings which enables him to earn enough money to stay in the tree. The landowner returns and makes Kigami the offer that if he lets the tree be cut down, the developer will provide a comfortable studio and Kigami can paint an everlasting mural of the tree on the side of the building. Kigami agrees, but Moguro cannot accept his change of heart, and makes Kigami part of the tree which is about to be cut down.

The Pinkie Ring
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The Pinkie Ring

1992-01-07

Company man Ishii Hirowaka is a heavy drinker, but must quit to avoid liver damage. However, he succumbs to pressure from his workmates and goes out drinking again, ignoring the paper pinkie ring on his finger from his wife to remind him not to drink. Moguro offers to help him quit and gives him a gold ring that painfully squeezes his finger if he drinks alcohol. initially it is effective, however Ishii is invited to drink with his boss and a client, so he removes the ring. When Ishii puts it back on, Moguro makes the ring shrink so tightly that it severs Ishii's finger.

The Illusionary Amusement Park
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The Illusionary Amusement Park

1992-01-14

Middle-aged unemployed man Yuchi Shuuruo is unable to find work, and spends a day at an amusement park trying to distract himself from the stress of unemployment. Moguro introduces him to an adult amusement park so that he can enjoy himself before dedicating himself to his job search. Against Moguro's instructions, Shuuruo sneaks back for another visit so Moguro sentences him to stay at an amusement park for the rest of his life by turning him into a carousel horse.

IV Patient
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IV Patient

1992-01-21

Salaryman Amae Taiji is put off by hospitals, but after being mistaken for a patient and being comforted by a nurse starts he appreciating the experience. He's admitted several more times after collapsing from overwork and becomes addicted to hospital life. Moguro lets him spend the rest of his life in a hospital being cared for, by reducing him to an infantile state of mind.

The Billboard Girl
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The Billboard Girl

1992-01-28

Moguro arranges for the illustrator, Yumemi Douta to meet Linda, his dream billboard model. They spend the evening together in his apartment where he produces many illustrations of her. Later his boss sees the illustrations and uses one for a magazine cover. Douta wants to see Linda again and Moguro agrees as long as Douta keeps the situation platonic. Unfortunately Douta tries to grab Linda and she leaves. Douta next wants to be with a different woman on a new billboard and Moguro so inserts him into the poster.

After 5 Club
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After 5 Club

1992-02-04

Salaryman, Temochi Fusata is bored with his life in a corporate town where everyone is forced to use the company facilities for recreation. Moguro takes him to the exclusive underground "After 5 Club" wearing a disguise where he meets a co-worker Michiyo who he has been wanting to date. They get on well, but whenever Temochi returns to the club, Michiyo is always with another client and he becomes jealous. He confronts her in the office and reveals the existence of the club, so Moguro turns Temochi into a hostess so that he can stay in the club forever.

Golf Domino Toppling
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Golf Domino Toppling

1992-02-11

Company CEO, Awate Taizou, is invited to a pro golf tournament but is anxious about his game and hitting bystanders with a wayward shot. Moguro helps him gain confidence, but he must only use the five iron supplied by Moguro. On the day of the game, under peer pressure, Awate switches to a driver, and hits the ball astray, knocking down the bystanders like dominos.

Silver Bank
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Silver Bank

1992-02-18

Salaryman, Katei Nobumitsu, wants to enter a grandfather and son home video competition but his father is dead. Moguro offers to provide an old man for the video from the "Silver Bank" of elderly volunteers. The aged Mr Ohkubo fills the position too well, and Nobumitsu's son Tarou wants him to stay on which is against Moguro's rules. Ohkubo then takes ill and Nobumitsu has to care for him for the rest of the man's life.

Lamp in the Valley
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Lamp in the Valley

1992-02-25

Salaryman, Usagi Oishi, finds his house too small for his growing children. Moguro offers him a vacant house in the countryside, but they are warned not to enter a foggy valley. His family like it, so they move there and he visits on weekends. However when he stays in the city on weekend, his family are lured into the valley. When he arrives home his family are gone, but he joins them on a farm in the valley which exists in the past where life was much more simple.

Eternal Residence
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Eternal Residence

1992-03-03

Middle aged salaryman, Hakaba Motomu, collapses at work and begins to think about his own mortality. Unfortunately, he cannot find an affordable burial plot in the city, so Moguro provides a solution where Motomu and his wife move into a combined apartment building and graveyard on the outskirts of the city.

The Man in the Food Section
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The Man in the Food Section

1992-03-10

Salaryman, Ukai Yorimichi, likes window shopping in food sections. However, he is criticized by his wife if he spends money on pre-prepared food after she has spent time cooking for him. Moguro offers Yorimichi free use of an apartment where he can indulge his food desires, but his wife tracks him to the apartment and makes a scene. Moguro decides to switch their residences, so the wife enjoys store-bought food in the apartment while Yorimichi is left at home, suffering malnutrition from eating only store-bought food instead of home cooking.

Blue-Eyed Japanese
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Blue-Eyed Japanese

1992-03-17

Kent Pincarton, an American trading firm worker in Japan, is having trouble balancing time with his wife and the work demands of after hours socializing. Moguro offers to teach him how to be more like a Japanese businessman, but Moguru only makes the situation with his wife even worse. However, one evening when he brings some co-workers home late, he finds his wife has fully embraced Japanese culture and has become the perfect Japanese hostess.

Night Train
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Night Train

1992-03-24

Salaryman Komiya Tomoo takes Moguro's advice to take a spontaneous train ride out of the city to leave his oppressive life behind. Stopping for a drink at the end of the line, he meets a beautiful innkeeper. She invites him to stay with her and help out at her business and he agrees instead of leaving. Some time later, Moguro tells Tomoo to call home and he learns that his wife has been hospitalized, prompting him to return. As he tearfully catches the train home, the innkeeper stands on the platform crying as she watches him leave.

The Laughing Salesman: Season 3

Sneak Member
Available in Japan

Sneak Member

1992-07-14

Moguri Irizou sneaks onto an expensive golf course to enjoy his game, since he can't afford membership fees. Moguro offers him a VIP membership, as long as he plays on certain days and plays alone. Irizou's boss finds out he's a member at the country club and pressures Irizou to take him. However while on the course, the two are apprehended and beaten up for playing with a fake membership card.

Energy Mushroom
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Energy Mushroom

1992-07-21

Warui Kanzou is a middle-aged man who is advised to stop exerting himself because of liver damage. Moguro offers Kanzuo an extract from a rare mushroom in Okuhida extract to restore his vitality, but warns him one bottle must last a month. After using it up too soon, Kanzou travels to Okuhida to find more, but after eating the wrong mushrooms, he turns into a mushroom himself.

Long-Distance Commute
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Long-Distance Commute

1992-07-28

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The Paradise of Dreams
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The Paradise of Dreams

1992-08-04

Hideo Otaku is fascinated by the island of Tahiti, hoping to visit there somebody. Moguro shows him a VR nightclub that authentically recreates a visit to the island, but warns Hideo to only enjoy the club's pleasures inside its environment. Hideo falls in love with a beautiful server named Marie and invites her to a real beach resort, but is horrified when the sun and water reveal she's made of paint and melts.

Kindergarten President
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Kindergarten President

1992-08-11

The busy CEO of a Kindergarten business, Oyamano Taizou desires the freedom that children enjoy. Moguro enrols him to a kindergarten for adults, but warns that he must not bring in any external power imbalances. After being victimised by a bully in the kindergarten, Taizou later discovers that the man is head of a construction company seeking a building contract. Taizou agrees to the contract on the condition that the man allows Taizou to bully him in the kindergarten. For breaching the conditions, Moguro turns Taizou back into a child.

The Fixer
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The Fixer

1992-08-18

Moguro offers to protect the married celebrity Mizuno Shouhei who is photographed while dating a young idol from the same agency. He sends the elderly fixer Uma to deal with the photographer. However, Mizuno gets into trouble again and Moguro agrees to help only if he stops his philandering and cherishes his wife Taeko. Mizuno soon falls for Keiko, a woman in a bar and divorces Taeko to demonstrate his love. However, when he proposes to Keiko, she rejects him and reveals that she's the elder sister of a woman who committed suicide after Mizuno rejected her. Uma then presents Mizuno with many incriminating photographs to blackmail him.

Class Reunion
Not Available

Class Reunion

1992-08-25

Douki Manabu, one of a quartet of aging men who are drinking buddies since their school days is excited at Moguro's recommendation they invite a beautiful female classmate, Yoshiko, to attend one of their reunion parties. She swindles them all by pretending to have financial difficulties within her business, ruining the men's friendships and costing them their jobs. Moguro rekindles their friendship by turning them into a group of homeless drunks hanging out in ragged school uniforms.

Private Tutor
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Private Tutor

1992-09-01

Yokomichi Yukio is concerned about his son Manabu's academic ability, and Moguro sends in a tutor who teaches Manabu to play and have fun. Manabu's grades improve and Yukio agrees to him joining a mahjong game with his friends and Manabu wins. However Manabu is so successful, he then becomes a professional mahjong player.

Remaining Years
Not Available

Remaining Years

1992-09-08

Elderly Mukai Osamu leads a quiet life, but he is browbeaten by those around him such as his family and a fellow croquet player. Moguro advises him to be more assertive and when he changes his behaviour, people are surprised by his new attitude. However, he takes it too far and pushes over the croquet player who has been bullying him, exposing his baldness and false teeth. He also becomes too demanding with his daughter-in-law so Moguro commits him to living totally alone.

Self-service Drink Area
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Self-service Drink Area

1992-09-15

The lyricist Nikken, is not feeling well and Moguro introduces him to special drinks made from exotic ingredients, however he is not allowed drink anywhere else. The drinks not only improve his health, but improve his work output and he creates a successful drink campaign. However, after he drinks some of the product delivered to his home from the sponsor who used his work in the commercial, he turns into a root vegetable.

Luck With Men
Not Available

Luck With Men

1992-09-22

Moguro gives a scarf to office lady Norie who has had no luck with men, but he warns her to always wear the scarf when she is dating. After she wears the scarf she is proposed by two different men. Norie accepts a diamond necklace from the president of a business partner but takes off the scarf. When she returns to her apartment, the necklace gets caught in the elevator doors and she chokes to death.

The Way of the Husband and Wife
Not Available

The Way of the Husband and Wife

1992-09-29

Newlyweds Kaji Daisuke and his wife are both working full-time and although he wants to share the housework, he is completely useless at cooking and laundry. Moguro enrols Kaji in a housework culture school and he is completely changed, surprising his wife with his new skills and rekindling their romance. Kaji's wife is later appointed to a section chief position with a higher salary, so Kaji resigns his job so that he can focus on the housework. However, Kaji becomes so domestic, that Moguro sentences him to become pregnant with their baby.

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