Suika Episode 1 introduces Motoko Hayakawa, a 34-year-old credit union employee whose life is shaken when her best friend and co-worker, Mariko, suddenly embezzles a large sum of money and disappears. Struggling to process the betrayal and looking for a fresh start, Motoko decides to leave her parents' home.
Motoko's search for a new beginning leads her to "Happiness Sancha," a cozy and slightly run-down boarding house located by a serene riverbank. The lodging house, managed by the warm and energetic Yuka Shibamoto, is home to a few colorful tenants, including Natsuko Sakiya, a university professor, and Kizuna Kameyama, a manga artist facing creative struggles.
As Motoko settles into this new environment, she begins to navigate her own feelings of loss and rediscovery while forming unexpected connections with her fellow residents. The episode sets the tone for a heartfelt exploration of personal growth, companionship, and the pursuit of happiness in an unconventional community.
