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Match Made in Heaven, Thanks to Food!
If you liked the first season, then you will LOVE this season. In the first season, we saw the beginning of their friendship and the beginning of Nomoto San’s sexuality.This season focused a lot towards building their relationship along with introducing new characters. They have such a nice, fluffy, and healthy relationship that I was so eager for each episode. It’s really refreshing compared to some of the Asian GL’s that are out there. Nomoto and Kasuga have a wonderful and open relationship with one another. They do face many issues regarding their families, sexuality, and figuring out their own feelings, but they’re able to overcome them all. There is not a lot of toxic characters or moments, or any miscommunication (that doesn’t get solved asap).
While this drama does focus on Nomoto/Kasuga and their relationship with food. We are introduced to a new character who has their own struggle with food. I think this drama did an amazing job introducing new themes. We have those who enjoy cooking and eating, but there are some people who struggle eating especially around others. There’s a lot of pressure from society. We’ve gotten some Ace representation as well!
Even though the main leads do an amazing job with having good communication and being warm/kind to everyone in their lives, we do see the (sad) reality of being a same-sex couple in an Asian/conservative country. But it doesn’t stop them from moving forward in life.
Oh, if you’re looking for a drama with a lot of skinship, unfortunately we don’t get that in this season. Since this relationship is very new to them, they start out slow but I’m hoping to see more moments (if we get another season)! We did get a hug and kiss though!
I could go on and on about this drama and I wish I could watch it again for the first time again! I really hope we can get a third season! I wanna see their life of living together!!
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Smiling over a meal
Our lovely ladies returned in this second season to grace our screens with the sweet development of their relationship, their own personal challenges and moments of growth, the meeting of new supportive and heart-warming friends, and even more delicious meals.I know last season I begged for a second season but, now, I'm begging for a third. Pleeeeeeeeease!
If you're not watching this, what are you doing?! Do you not like JOY?!
. . .
Did I mention there's rare Ace rep?
Just go watch it, you fool! I will be over here, crying over my coffee, blessing Furritsubs for allowing me to watch this with subs.
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Soft, warm and kind
This series just felt like a nice cup of tea in the spring sunshine. Every character was well written and handled with such care, every single woman on this show felt real and seeing them flourish in different ways never failed to make me smile. There is no drawn out drama or breakup tropes or backstabbing, just kindness and good vibes.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Mature Depiction of Lesbian Relationships
Love, Friendship and Delicious MealsAdapted from the manga of the same name, this drama is very down to earth, close to the real life journey of two women experiencing love, friendship and growth together while cooking delicious meals. Similar to Season One, this season also focuses on relationship between Nomoto (Higa Manami) and Kasuga (Nishino Emi), how they have this really heartwarming relationship that started on basis of sharing delicious meals. In the sequel, new secondary characters were introduced that made the season more interesting, not adding anything negative or cliche but making the show more realistic and endearing.
Read the complete article here-
https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/04/18/she-loves-to-cook-and-she-loves-to-eat-season-2-series-review-ep-5-to-20/
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Promising yet bland dish
'She loves to cook, she loves to eat' season 2 started out somewhat strong, but fizzled out towards the end because of it's repetitive structure. Even the side characters that took us away from the main narrative for a little while didn't add much needed seasoning to this rather bland dish. Yako was the most interesting introduction in season two, but she didn't add anything besides being Nomoto's confidant and creating an environment solely for the purpose of serving more communal dishes. Her asexuality wasn't explored at all besides her being adverse to touch? Wierd way to explain someone's asexuality. There are also arguments to be made that one can't be a asexual AND a lesbian, but that's a discussion for some other time.Nomoto is an endearing character and very relatable, you can't help but want to root for her and succeed in her quest for love. She IS the show and the only reason why I kept tuning in, though I did find the storyline about her coming to terms with her sexuality and interest towards women a little mismatched for her age. The way she goes about it and the lack of self-knowledge feels almost juvenile and as if she didn't have a sexuality before the start of the story. I also can't help but feel that Nomoto and Totoko feel a tad... mismatched? Besides their love for food, what do they have in common? It's almost difficult to imagine how Totoko could have ignited such a flame within Nomoto, because she's truly one of the most boring love interests i've ever witnessed on screen. There, I said it. It was even worse when she had scenes together with Nagumo, it was like watching a tennis match between two individuals that couldn't hit a ball over the net. And again, their conversations also had a juvenile touch to them; two 12-year-olds talking about a first crush. I'm not saying things had to be more ''steamy'' or ''sexual'', but their actions could have matched their age a bit better. I am sure you guys know what I mean.
Nomoto and Totoko finally closeing the gap physically happened a little late and was something that should have happened earlier in the season to keep up the pace and create a more playful dynamic between the two. The veggie picking scene was bit of a let down in that regard. Though I suppose the ending did leave us with a promise for something more, something which hopefully comes to fruition in season 3 (if there is ever going to be another season). Japan rarely does multiple seasons of a show and them moving in together and touching lips (wouldn't even call it a kiss lmao) could be seen as a nice way to end things.
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Completely head over heels in love with this show
I cannot overstate the extent to which I adore this show. The first season was already fantastic, but season two has exceeded all of my expectations.Without ever taking away from the comforting, delightful bond between Nomoto and Kasuga, this season introduces a range of new characters who each serve to further the story in their own unique ways.
In addition to further explorations of the importance of female friendship and the power of good food, season two also focuses on the exploration of queer identity and community, the difficult realities of living as a queer couple in modern day Japan, as well as the social and societal pressures and challenges women face in their day to day lives.
All told through the medium of bubbling hotpots and adorable desserts. Truly, it's magic.
I also greatly appreciate Nagumo's character and the different perspective on food and humans' complex relationship with it she provides.
Oh yeah, and did I mention there's ace rep now??
In short, just go watch the show already if you haven't, I'll be here on my hands and knees, begging and pleading for a season 3 in the meantime.
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This review may contain spoilers
(─‿‿─)
I can say without fear of being mistaken that almost all Japanese dramas revolve around two main themes: family abandonment (in all its forms) and food. In films, it's common for someone to be dying of an incurable disease. While the first theme implies separation or abandonment towards a person, a group, or the family nucleus itself, the second implies the opposite: the birth of new bonds or the strengthening of existing ones.For a country as rich in gastronomy as Japan, food serves as a second mother tongue—more native and deeply rooted in the essence of the Japanese people. Trying to replicate Japanese curry with tablets sold in supermarkets won't bring you any closer to understanding their culinary culture, unfortunately. There are tons of dramas and films centred around food: from classics like ‘Tampopo’ to more recent shows like ‘Shinya Shokudo’. These stories, even though they consider food as the main point of the narrative and character development, vary completely in genres: While 'Tampopo' defines itself as a 'noodle western', films like 'Little Forest' take a more contemplative approach. Food also jumps back and forth between media; a few months ago, I read the novel 'The Kamogawa Food Detectives', which is set in a restaurant/detective agency that recreates dishes from the past through the testimony of customers.
Is it possible to fall in love through food? Well, according to otaku knowledge, Japanese women give chocolate to the men they love on Valentine's Day, and if the men reciprocate their feelings, they return the gesture on White Day a month later. Technically, the answer is yes. ‘Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna’ (She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat) picks up the gastronomic baton to tackle current and vital issues such as love, the way we feel and express it, sexuality, and gender roles.
If you watched the first season, you will have tasted the broth of this soup. Yuki Nomoto loves to cook, but she eats little and has no one to cook for. Coming home one night, she meets her neighbour, Kasuga-san, who will later become the main spectator of her passion for cooking. Thus, a close ‘friendship’ blossoms between Nomoto-san, who cooks and observes, and Kasuga-san, who tastes and devours. As the story unfolds, we discover that Nomoto is feeling drowned by the family and social pressures she is under to meet and marry a man, while Kasuga is dealing with a family past that is directly linked to her relationship with food. Eventually, Nomoto starts to have feelings for Kasuga and the first season ends. However, its short duration and that cliffhanger make you feel like you want to repeat it, like a good plate of food. Fortunately, earlier this year NHK delivered a double portion of episodes about this story.
The second season is not only longer but also better, expanding on what has already been explained with the introduction of two new characters: Naguno Sena, a new tenant in the building who suffers from deipnophobia (irrational fear of eating in public) to such an extent that it affects his daily life, and Miss Yako, a social network mutual of Nomoto, an Aroace, who helps Nomoto to find herself in search of her true identity. The social spectrum has expanded compared to the previous season.
She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat is so special to me, not only because of its courage to address sensitive issues in Japan, basically because of sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, and all sorts of phobias fostered by poor sexual education and the culture of homogeneity, but also because it's about women. Empowered women who decide about themselves and their destiny, while supporting each other to move forward. It is an open story that never falls into the queerbaiting to which the Japanese are so accustomed, and one that connects women of different backgrounds through food in a subtle and respectful way.
She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat has become my refuge and comfort zone over the past few months. Whether it's the warmth of Nomoto's apartment, the preparation of the food, the way she watches Kasuga while she eats, or that little music that relaxes the body and mind. I'm looking forward to the third season.
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La cuisine des sentiments
Peu connue, pour ses talents d'actrices, Nishino Emi est une pianiste hors pair dont j'ai eu cette chance de la voir accompagner sur scène des artistes comme Reona ou Aimer. C'est donc par pure curiosité que j'ai regardé l'an dernier la première saison de Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna. Et comme beaucoup, je me suis laissé happer par cette série qui sous ses airs de courtes récréations culinaires, après une journée de bureau harassante, parvient à toucher au cœur, comme à l'esprit. Sa réflexion sur la solitude et les problèmes qui touchent aux genres, de surcroît au Japon, nourrira votre âme et réchauffera votre cœur comme un bon Oden.La NHK continue inlassablement sa quête de normalité pour la communauté LGBT+ en proposant régulièrement, notamment dans sa case Yorudrama de 22h45 des questions de sociétés. Un horaire qui permet d'aborder des faits majeurs loin du regard des plus jeunes et qui permet également de toucher un grand nombre de personnes. Des étudiants aux retraités, en passant par les célibataires qui croulent sur les heures sup obligatoires et qui se verront, en mangeant seuls leur cup ramen du soir, en miroir face à ce drama. Car avoir un grand nombre de spectateurs devant l'écran devient une gageure aujourd'hui et aborder de tels thèmes, un risque de les faire fuir. Seule, donc, la télévision publique peut prendre ce risque. Maîtrisé quand même, puisque le format de 15min, entouré donc de 3 séquences pub, permet une rentabilité à la japonaise. Un format qui rappelle nos shorts-séries, style "un gars une fille", mais qui sont souvent le miroir de notre société, même sur le ton de l'humour.
L'humour sera très léger ici. Le manga shosei d'origine et son adaptation prennent le parti de la légèreté de l'être, plutôt que celle des propos. Les propos semblaient justement très légers dans la première saison. Avec une apprentie influenceuse culinaire publiant ses plats sur Insta pour tuer l'ennuie. Et comme beaucoup de gents qui publient, pour chercher une reconnaissance de ceux qui les lisent (ben, oui, je parle de moi, encore...). Même si j'adore Higa Manami, la voir cuisiner l'adaptation japonaise du chou-crime, ou du monts-blancs dans un four de chambre d'étudiant, pendant même seulement 15 min, me paraissait insurmontable. Et pourtant la première saison d'uniquement 10 épisodes m'a subjugué au point que j'attendais la suivante, bien plus que celle de Yu Yu Hakusho ou One Piece. Il faut dire qu'on court à l'indigestion d'adaptation de Shonen, sur les plateformes en ce moment.
Car la grâce touche cette série de toutes parts. Si dans la première saison, la relation entre nos deux voisines reste que suggérée, cette nouvelle saison rentre directement dans le sujet de l'amour et de la vie pour les couples LGBT. La série est si bien faite, comme le manga certainement, que tout est en subtilité. Les questionnements sont réels, dans une chronologie qui laisse le temps aux personnages, comme au spectateur de réfléchir. La famille, les amis, les collègues de travail, tous sont interrogés. Ce drama ne se précipite pas, déroule ses propos et ses doutes dans la vie réelle avec réalisme et bienveillance, mais même pour les personnages moins "open". Je pense au père de Kasuga san qui représente tellement le patriarcat à la japonaise, accompagné d'une mère qu'on ne voit jamais, mais qui raisonne comme la petite voix de la société qui demande de se conformer aux règles. Car l'injonction de rentrer à la maison doit se comprendre comme celle de rentrer dans le moule demandé par la société. Hautes études, exploitée au travail, mariage, enfants, femme au foyer. Voilà encore ce qui attend la femme japonaise en 2024. Plus que la préférence de genre, c'est la liberté et l'indépendance des femmes qui font peur aux patriarches et ce drama exacerbe les propos.
Le calme apparent des personnages principaux n'est qu'une façade face au bouillonnement intérieur. Bouillonnement des sentiments étouffés par le regard des autres. Un écrasement dans cet univers qui peut sembler rose bonbon à grands coups de Cup Cake ou de Parfait au chocolat, mais qui transpire la chape sociale. Comme les sourires de façade dans cette boîte de pub trop cool qui ne sont là que pour demander toujours plus d'heures sup en plus à la jeunesse célibataire. Et cette prestation époustouflante de la part de Nishino Emi qui habite ce personnage dont les sentiments sont cadenassés depuis si longtemps.
Seul bémol pour notre pianiste, alors que le drama prône la liberté de choix face aux conventions, il faut souligner le paradoxe. L'auteure originale à chercher quand même à masculiniser son personnage de façon un peu trop grossière. Manutentionnaire, toujours en jogging, ... j'en passe dans le cliché. Mais surtout, on est face à un couple en devenir, où une femme après une longue journée de travail met encore le tablier et regarde amoureusement (comprendre: attendre son "umaï" en récompense comme une caresse pour un chien) sa bien-aimée avaler en deux secondes le bon petit plat qu'elle lui a cuisiné pendant des heures. L'égalité des sexes ne serait pas possible même dans un couple homosexuel ? Pourquoi vouloir reproduire encore une fois ce schéma de soumission, même consenti ?
Mais ne vous y trompez pas. Même dans cette saison, vous apprécierez le temps pris par la série, son calme, ses longs silences et non-dits vous apaiseront de votre journée harassante. Et vous ressortirez une fois de plus grandi, comme après un long moment de méditation prôné par un influenceur basé à Dubaï. Je suis sûr que vous pourrez mettre en pratique dans votre vie les recommandations de ce drama prodigué de manière si subtiles et pas seulement pour faire un Oden dans votre 4m² d'étudiant.
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