In 1943, as the tide of war shifts against Japan, Professor Hyakken Uchida leaves his teaching position to begin his career as a writer. With the warm wishes of his students, he sets out to start anew. His former students decide to visit the professor to thank him for all the good he had done as their dutiful teacher. Through their frequent visits, they develop a new admiration for his wisdom and his offbeat sense of humor. They hold annual birthday parties for the professor, toasting him with the question 'Mahda-kai?' ('Are you ready?' to go on to the other world), to which Professor Uchida always answers back with a smile, 'Madadayo' ('No, not yet').