Synopsis-

Cooking is how Nomoto de-stresses, but one day, she finds herself making way more than she can eat by herself. And so, she invites her neighbor Kasuga, who also lives alone. What will come out of this impromptu dinner invitation?

Adapted from the manga of the same name, “Tsukuitai Onna to Tabetai Onna/She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat” is a queer drama which focuses on the relationship of two women. More than relationship, it focuses on how a neat and genuine bond can be developed by friendship that progresses to a romantic inclination.

I have always admired the Japanese way of showing any relationship with so much simplicity yet leaving a message so deep that it affects you genuinely and this is not the first Japanese queer show that revolves around food as we all know. We all have already loved and watched “What did you eat yesterday?” and this show is on the same level as it. Because it is not too flashy or filled with unnecessary or complicated situations. No, the show is rendered with a fine simplicity that is heart-warming and adorable. Watching two grown women overcome their loneliness by developing friendship which results in deeper feelings is just so beautiful to experience. The show talks about many things- how a woman has to be in a societal viewpoint, how they are forced to live with the stereotype levied by society on them. It focuses more on issues faced by women or anxiety of not able to accept your own sexuality than on romantic parts; I think that is best because lots of shows that I have watched just jump from meeting to just falling for each other and miss out on depicting the development in their dynamics. “Tsukutai Onna to Tabetai Onna” wins in getting into the depth and root of what a healthy or maybe deep relationship is.

Higa Manami as Nomoto Yuki and Nishino Emi as Totoko Kasuga were simple but efficient in the role. Their characters felt closer to real life, the story is really fantastic, no comments about it. I will recommend everyone to watch it to understand the depth of LGBTQ relationships, their struggles. Though it is not on the heavier side, it is rather lighter, comes out cute and adorable but is filled with messages.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars