The plot of the show centers on the staff of Genbu Shobō publishing company, with a particular focus on Araki, a seasoned editor in charge of the dictionary department. As he nears retirement, Araki seeks out a potential successor and takes notice of the socially inept salesman Majime Mitsuya after he interacts with Araki's outgoing colleague, Masashi Nishioka. Intrigued, Araki decides to bring Majime onto the team to join forces with Masashi in creating a new Japanese dictionary, dubbed "The Great Passage" (Daitokai), as the duo navigates the challenges of working together during the project. Overall, the series delves into the struggles of these two relatable and flawed characters as they attempt to complete this monumental task.