Big Wing
Based on the immensely popular comic series of the same name, Big Wing focuses on the trials and tribulations of the women who work behind the hospitality counters at Haneda Airport. These ground attendants help travelers find their way through the huge maze that is Haneda, make hotel and railway arrangements, and basically, assist travelers with whatever they need. In their pursuit to provide the best service, the ground attendants must overcome employee rivalry, a strict supervisor and often touchy situations. Here’s a funny, yet heart-warming series that takes you behind-the-scenes of a busy metropolitan airport.
Episode 1
Yoshikawa Kumiko is overjoyed to get a plum job as a ground attendant for Big Wing, based at Haneda Airport. Since she’s a new hire, she is assigned to a counter that is away from the main lobby. But leave it to Kumiko to start her first day on the job with a bang. When an elderly traveler is late for a flight, Kumiko ends up delaying the take-off and running to the gate with the traveler on her back. The airline company files a complaint and Kumiko is given a reprimand. But the day doesn’t end there. Kumiko leaves her post to return a lost wallet, only to learn that there’s been a robbery at her counter in her absence!
Episode 2
Kumiko’s smile lightens the hearts of those around her. However, when her superior learns that the number of questionnaires deposited in the opinion boxes have increased greatly during Kumiko’s first week on the job, he suspects the worst.
Episode 3
A travel critic is scheduled to come to Big Wing in order to be interviewed for a magazine, but she also has plans to do her own undercover report on the company. Everyone is excited, but Kuriyama is worried that Kumiko will slip up.
Episode 4
Kumiko receives some pickled scallions one day. She accidentally spills the liquid onto a customer, who leaves the scene without a fuss. When the GM tastes the pickled scallions, she recognizes the hand of the dorm cook of her early stewardess days.
Episode 5
One night, Kumiko sees a young man being chased by two yakuza. She sees the same man the next day, and takes him to the first aid room to have his injuries treated. He turns out to be a stage performer who has lost confidence in his performance.
Episode 6
Kuriyama’s mother comes out to Tokyo from Fukushima. The young women vie for her attention. Upset with Kuriyama’s attitude towards his mother, Kumiko declares that his mother will stay in her dorm room.
Episode 7
A musician Kuriyama hires turns out to be someone Kumiko had a crush on in high school. Kaoru has changed drastically, and when Kumiko tries to talk to him of their school days, he loses his temper and walks off the job.
Episode 8
Kumiko comes upon a young boy who has been waiting for his mother’s return for eight long years. He catches the eye of a TV producer, who decides to do a story on him.
Episode 9
Atsuko, a former nurse, comes to Kumiko’s aid when a senile man shows up at the tour desk. She accepts Koizumi’s offer of a job at the infirmary. All goes well until Atsuko forgets to pass a message on to Kumiko.
Episode 10 - Final Episode.
Kumiko loses sight of Atsuko at the zoo. Atsuko’s daughter is furious when she hears this, because her mother is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Kumiko’s co-workers threaten to walk off their job is Kumiko isn’t fired.
