Archive for the TsukuTabe / She Loves to Cook, She Loves To Eat Category


She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat, Volume 5

January 9th, 2026

Cover of She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat, Volume 5 by Sakaomi Yuzaki. On an unadorned background, 4 adult women walk together chatting and eating or drinking. A tall woman in pants and shirt, a shorter woman in woman in a winter jacket and long skirt.Somehow I never got around to review this volume, so I treated myself to a re-read of this fantastic volume of a fantastic series to get myself into healthy headspace for the new year.

Sakaomi Yuzaki’s She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat, Volume 5 covers a lot of territory- in such a gentle and affirming way that it’s only when you are done that you see how much has been addressed.

Nomoto and Kasuga, that is to say, Yuki and Totoko, have committed to moving in together. There are a lot of considerations going in to this – of course, it’s a sign that their relationship is developing, and it makes sense for them to share a kitchen and expenses at this point. We know that Totoko’s family relationship is not a healthy one, and her father is demanding and emotionally…draining, if not outright abusive. So this new place will be a safe haven for her in many ways.

Of course, looking for a place to live isn’t easy in the best of circumstances. And for same-sex couples in Japan bias and discrimination is often insurmountable. This is yet another reason why one party of a same-sex couple adopted the other for so long in Japan. It was, and still is, a tactic that gave them access to inheritance, power of attorney and living together, that was denied to them as a couple. The book takes us through the frustrations, but then once again Kaname comes to the rescue with a reference to a realtor that supports same-sex couples.

May I digress here for a moment and tell you a story?

It was 1984, the woman who is now my wife and I were looking for a place to live. I won’t detail how many awful places and people we met, and how many times we were looked at weirdly. Eventually we found a ridiculously good spot and were there for many years before we moved to our house where we are now. In that time, I discovered a LGBTQ+ friendly services pamphlet/magazine for my state. We ended up consulting an accountant who is himself gay. This was long before we had any legal rights as a couple, so taxes were both simple and complicated. He was with us, as we insisted the state treat us as a couple, even before that was law, and as the laws were so different for state and federal taxes. We are still with his company, 40 years later. My point is – a LGBTQ+ friendly company did, can and will make a huge difference.  The moral of the story is – support your queer community publications and networks! Kaname’s reference made a difference and, out here in the real world, that little booklet made a huge difference to us, as well.

Yuki and Totoko find a place to make their own and we get to enjoy them doing something my wife and I call “playing house.” I will never get enough of watching a happy couple just looking at furniture and appliances. It’s moments like that make a life together.

We also spend some time with Sena, who now has a diagnosis to explain what she has been dealing with her whole life, And again, Kaname comes to the rescue with a look at what “accommodations” look like in daily practice. Asking first, making sure people are all right, not assuming that what is best for us, is right for them. It’s as simple as asking a person first if they need help.

My favorite scene is when the realtor goes on a little rant about the unfairness of trying to find a place for same-sex couples. He didn’t rant, but my accountant had choice words for the inequitable tax situation for same-sex couples for sure. ^_^ 

This series is on hiatus for the moment, although I have seen some shorts and illustrations starring these characters on Yuzaki-sensei’s socials. Yuzaki-sensei also went through a period of illness, so art – especially in the first half – is a bit rougher than in previous volumes.  Even if this should end up our very last volume, it is an excellent place to stop. This found family has covered so many issues for us, the hard and the joyful, that it is an incredible pleasure to read. 

Ratings: 

Art – Due to the creator’s illness, I don’t think rating it is appropriate
Story – 10
Characters – 10
Service – 3, them snuggling in bed, is definitely “service”
LGBTQ+ – 10

Overall – 10

I am still very thankful that Yen Press picked this up and gave it to us in English. ^_^





Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna, Live-Action Drama, Season 2

March 1st, 2024

Two woman stand outside, holding sandwiches. in front of a background of gingko trees.If you happen to catch me grinning today, it’s only because last night the second season of live-action drama of Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna wrapped up. Goodness, this is such a wholesome series. It makes me want to hug everybody in it.

As with Season 1, Higa Manami as Nomoto Yuki and Nishino Emi as Kasuga Totoko, are outstanding. They just play those parts so perfectly that it seems like they have always been those people. Nomoto wears her emotions openly, and Kasuga has little affect, which makes her occasional smile just that much more precious.

In this season we also get Sakurazaka 46 member Fujiyoshi Natsuzu as Nagumo Sena, the young woman who moves into the apartment between Kasuga and Nomoto. Her low-energy character ends up changing the older women’s lives, and they change hers. Also added to the cast is Tomosaka Rie, who is, I think, the very first actress whose name I became familiar with years ago, when she starred in Kimi ga Oshietekureta-koto, about a woman with autism. She plays Yakko, Nomoto’s net friend with whome she discusses topics of sexuality and queer life.

The live action drama remixes some of the manga, so that by the end of this series, we are all but caught up on the 5th volume of the manga (which I reviewed yesterday here on Okazu.) Nagumo begins to address her illness, Kasuga and Nomoto move forward a little with physical intimacy. The finale of this series even includes a kiss which was less bad than most other kisses in Japanese dramas. (Please, J-Drama people, hire someone to teach people to kiss on TV.) The usual slow painfulness of the kiss scene worked for this particular couple as they negotiate consent and intimacy.

There are a few departures from the manga worth noting, because they are very good. At work, Nomoto is offered a project that takes her out of the data entry pool into a team environment. It’s a subtle touch and isn’t presented as “zOMG,” just as, well, a professional development opportunity. I love how that becomes part of the story, and we can see that she and her colleague Sayama really grab on to it. Which leads me to Sayama. In the manga, Nomoto does talk honestly with Sayama, but we don’t see that much more of her. Here, she becomes a regular confidant and work friend to Nomoto. They share dating stories and, crucially, when Sayama goes on rant about how marriage shouldn’t have to be a life goal, she comes back to Nomoto to apologize for not thinking about how Nomoto can’t get married. I want to offer my undying appreciation to screenplay writer Yamada Yuri, who had Sayama say something like, “And why not? It’s ridiculous that gay people can’t get married in Japan.” in that moment. Bless you.

Equally, Kasuga gets an outside character to interact with, Fujita, a middle-aged woman who works at one of the stores Kasuga delivers to. Fujita is divorcing her husband and it gives Kasuga pause to think about how relationships end sometimes. Given her own relationship with her family, it’s an excellent release valve for her to see that it doesn’t have to be the way it was for her mother. And again, the screenplay absolute NAILS the moment when Fujita says she’s read to start her second, no, third life.” I though that a fantastic line. 

In the manga, these interactions are less important, but here, they give Nomoto and Kasuga a richer depth to their “society,” the circle of people with whom one has regular contact and conversation. I’ve talked at length about how important this is for the ideation of female leads, when so many are relegated to speaking only with the romantic partner of the story. These women, like the characters of Amayo no Tsuki, have society. This is the final criterium that sets an amazing story apart from a very good one. And when it is missing, I feel it keenly. This series takes such pains to make sure we understand that the characters’ lives are full and real.

Ultimately, this evening drama has probably put real LGBTQ+ issues in front of more Japanese people than any efforts in activism, or literature. And it’s done so with sensitivity, kindness and a genuine love of food that not only makes me hungry, has actually inspired my wife and I to make several Japanese meals recently. ^_^ The first episode opens with oyakodon, a chicken and egg over rice dish that we had the same night we watched that first episode. Nomoto and Kasuga made cream stew look so appealing that we ran out a few weeks later to get some rue blocks for a cream stew of our own. With carrots, onion, broccoli and chicken it ended up much like the filling for a pot pie.  Very warm and tasty. ^_^ Oh, and let’s not forget anko butter toast. That was really fun, as well.

As live-action adaptations of manga go, Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna is one of the best I’ve ever seen. It does not change or shy away from uncomfortable issues. When it takes a slightly reductive tack on things like systemic homophobia, or Nagumo’s eating disorder, the series is not dismissive, it’s focusing on the power of having allies, and support.  After all, this is a feel-good evening drama, not an exposé. And, let me tell, you, feel-good is something this series does well. People acknowledge each other’s trials without victim blaming, they support each other and they make gigantic cream crab croquettes. It’s quite wonderful.

I’m very thankful to everyone who has worked on this series, staff and actors and to the advisor to the series on LGBTQ+ issues. And to NHK for making it available both on their main channel and on NHK Plus, which is still the most annoying system, but I get to watch it, so yay! And to whichever genius thought to add the recipes for each episode to the website. Kudos to you, my friend.

Ratings:

Overall – 10

What a terrific series. I sincerely hope someone will license this for an EN release, because the world needs a series about women loving themselves, loving each other and loving food.

 





Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna, Volume 5 (作りたい女と食べたい女)

February 29th, 2024

Four women, walk and eat ice cream, or drink, as they chat. With more than two decades of reading, I am still absolutely amazed at the high quality of Yuri manga we have gotten in the last few years – even more blown away that so much of it has been licensed in English and other languaues.  Of the series I am currently obsessing over, Yuzaki Saakomi’s series about women, food, and queer life in modern Japan is definitely among my top picks for “new  manga volumes I await with baited breath.”

Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna, Volume 5 (作りたい女と食べたい女) begins as Nomoto-san and Kasuga-san continue to navigate the frustrating – and alienating – process of looking for a home to share. It’s hard enough for any couple, but along with the usual annoyances, they are finding that many landlords simply will not accept two unmarried or unrelated people. Thankfully, Yakko recommends a LGBTQIA- friendly agency and they are successful!

They move in and celebrate with their friends. And then, again, Nomoto comes up against the wall of discomfort talking to her peers about her situation. Both Nomoto and Kasuga have only been aware of their sexuality as such for a very short time, so it is unsurprising that there is internal discomfort to address long before they manage to be comfortable telling people they know, but do not know if they can trust. This is handled here a little more harshly than in the live-action series, which I hope to discuss shortly.

Not everything is hard in this volume, however. Nomoto and Kasuga start creating a work rota, and discuss the importance of consent in their relationship. Nagumo decides to see if she can get help for her condition – and the outlook is good. Nomoto and Kasuga go to a large home center and spend the day “playing house,” as my wife and I call it. ^_^ They allow themselves to build more intimacy between them, which is very sweet to see. I love the balance between real-world tension and the joy of found family. The fact that real issues are discussed means it feels firmly rooted in reality, but the story centers growth and love and kindness, as well as a little well-deserved righteous ranting against an unfair society. 

You may remember as you read this volume that last year the manga went on hiatus, due to the creator’s illness. Early chapters here seem to have borne the main brunt in the form of some off-style art. but it was merely a reminder that the mangaka is human and as frail as the rest of us.  Clearly some clean-up has occurred in post and it’s perfectly fine. A few chapters in, one can feel the renewed energy from the art. I am sure we all hope that Sakaomi-sensei remains healthy. Not just because this is a terrific story, but that, too.

Ratings:

Art – Due to the creator’s illness, I don’t think rating it is appropriate
Story – 10
Characters – 10
Service – 3, them snuggling in bed, is definitely “service”
LGBTQ+ – 10

Overall – 10

TsukuTabe is an outstanding story about found family, friendship and a deep, abiding love of food. She Loves To Cook, She Loves to Eat. Volume 1, Volume 2 and Volume 3 is available now in English from Yen Press, and Volume 4 is on the way in May!





She Loves To Cook, She Loves To Eat, Volume 3

October 23rd, 2023

Last winter I reviewed Yuzaki Sakaomi’s Volume 3 of Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna (作りたい女と食べたい女), expressing my delight over the entire volume – even squeeing throughout. Today I was able to revisit those moments of joy with the release of She Loves To Cook, She Loves To Eat, Volume 3 out now from Yen Press.

In Volume 1 we met Nomoto Yuki and her neighbor Kasuga, two women who bond over their use food as a form of escape from stress and entertainment. In Volume 2, Nomoto realizes that her feelings for Kasuga are more than friendship.  Here in Volume 3, Nomoto finds another friend and confidant with her online pal Yako, a woman who loves food, but doesn’t care about cooking.  And Kasuga befriends the neighbor who lives in between then, Nagumo, a young woman with a very fraught relationship with food. The four women build a family together, a space in which every one of them is accepted for who they are and their needs are accommodated. This volume is moving and funny and adorable in equal measure.

Yako gives Nomoto a primer in sexual diversity, freeing Nomoto up to stop comparing herself to other people and find her own story. Yako’s light-heartd acceptance and casual speech really blasts barriers away, so it’s an especial delight to have Caleb Cook’s outstanding translation here. In this volume we also get to see the core issue between Kasuga and her family, which is, simply, lack of respect. This is echoed by Nagumo, so they become close over the shared experiences of dealing with family that blames them for not being compliant. I don’t think I have to tell Okazu readers how powerful a message that is. When Kasuga comes to understand how she feels about Nomoto, there are layers and layers being addressed.

In this month, where we have I’m In Love With The Villainess in anime, with heartfelt discussion of queer experience, this manga is the perfect pairing for even more discussions of diversity within sexual and gender minorities. ILTV is a great ice-breaker for folks unused to these conversations in their entertainment, but She Loves To Cook, She Loves To Eat, Volume 3 is rooted in real experiences and reflects the kind of community that we as queer fans create for ourselves.

An outstanding volume of one of the best LGBTQ manga of the last few years.

Ratings:

Art – 9 Yako and Nagumo give Yuzaki-sensei a chance to ramp up expressions to 11
Story – 10
Characters – 9 (only to give them room to be even more wonderful)
Service – 0  Unless, like Nomoto, you consider watching Kasuga eat “service.”
LGBTQ+ – 10

Overall – 10

I was also pleased that letterer Phil Christie get to retouch S/Fx, at least on some pages, where it wouldn’t affect the art. More of that, please!

There is one more volume available right now in Japanese, but since Chapter 40 of the manga, the series has been on hiatus due to the manga artist’s health. Were’ all wishing Sakaomi-sensei a safe recovery.





Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna, Volume 4 (作りたい女と食べたい女)

June 19th, 2023

A large woman with long hair in a ponytail, wearing sweats carries fresh greens, a shorter woman in cream blouse and long, green skirt carries a box of groceries. They are smiling gently at one another.There are so many reasons that Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna, Volume 4 (作りたい女と食べたい女) is an amazing volume of manga, that I’m hard pressed to pick one thing. That said, the best thing about this volume of manga is that it is extremely queer even as the characters basically just sit around eating food. ^_^

I don’t want to spoil anything about this volume because it is just so good, but I will tell you that it includes Valentine’s Day, important backstories and a huge decision that will change everything. I just love how everything in this series is rooted in reality. The story acknowledges trauma, but does not wallow in it. In fact, it offers a clear – and kind – path forward.

In the mean time, Nomoto and Kasuga have developed a family. Nomoto’s friend Yako hosts wonderful food parties, so we can enjoy them making takoyaki. New member of the family, Nagumo, begins to find her own self because of Kasuga’s and Nomoto’s kindness. That, in a word is why this series has become important to me – it is rooted in women taking care of each other, of accepting one another as they are. There is so much pressure even – often, especially – by other women, to conform to certain norms, that a series based around women caring for one another is exceptionally wonderful.

Because so little happens, and the story mostly revolves around people talking and eating, the expressions carry a lot of narrative weight. Yuzaki-sensei’s art is lively and fun, especially when the four are all together having a food party.

I will also tell you that Valentine’s Day is, typical of this manga, more to that than just shared chocolates. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 10 It’s not perfect but the expressions are fantastic
Story – 10
Characters – 10 Ahhhhhh!
Service – 0
LGBTQ+ – 10

Overall – 10

This volume just came out – I bought a print copy, but that wasn’t going to arrive until today, so I also bought this on Bookwalker so I could read it on the 15th. ^_^ Now, having written this review, I’m heading over to get caught up on Comic Walker. ^_^ Not obsessed much.

We’ll be getting She Loves To Cook, She Loves To Eat, Volume 3 in October from Yen Press.