What Did You Eat Yesterday? Season 2

A nice break from the hustle and bustle of it all

Whilst most BL's focus on the falling in love and all the intense emotions connected, What Did You Eat Yesterday, allows us to just relax and take a break with some wonderful characters living their low-stakes lives. You won't get the tearful love confession in the rain, but you will get some sweet moments and great recipes. It's just overall a lovely show you can relax to, it's sincere and you can just feel the steadiness of the relationship between Kenji and Shiro, which makes it non-stressful when they bicker at times. If you're looking for some more 'grown up' queer centric stories this is a great one (and might just give you some inspiration for what to cook next).

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another solid entry in the What Did You Eat Yesterday franchise

Overall: Shiro and Kenji returned with a familiar cast of supporting characters. 12 episodes 30 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala. The suggested watch order for the franchise (all on GagaOOLala now) is: What Did You Eat Yesterday season 1, What Did You Eat Yesterday New Year's special, What Did You Eat Yesterday movie and What Did You Eat Yesterday season 2.

Content Warnings: mention of past death

What I Liked
- very similar vibe to the past installments, talked about finances, shopping and cooking food, life issues that they work through
- enjoyed Gilbert's character again (several characters from past installments in the franchise), episode 6 was one of my favorites
- funny parts (like when they first learned about Gilbert's age lmao)
- Kenji's supportive mom and sisters
- that the other parents came around, would have been nice to see a final scene with all 4 of them though
- talked about the partnership system, and difficulty of getting the same rights as other couples

Room For Improvement
- that younger guy at the hair salon irritated me and the owner guy (didn't feel empathy for him)
- wanted to see a tad more explicit physical affection (even a quick kiss on the cheek would have been awesome)
- unrealistic that Shiro's grocery store friend wouldn't have met Kenji in 5 years

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The Best Sequel in 2023

I’m literally in tears because the drama ended too soon and there is STILL so much left to explore!

Have you ever felt this inexplicable connect to a storyline or characters that keeps you coming back for more? If you are an ardent fan of the “What Did You Eat Yesterday?” franchise, you will understand the connection. I have been religiously following this show for almost 5 years now and everytime, they make an announcement, my heart skips a beat. That’s how much I love this melodrama and I’m really invested in each and every character in this show. Starring veteran Japanese actors Nishijima Hidetoshi & Uchino Seiyou in the lead roles, this slice-of-life romance focuses on the daily lives and struggles of a middle-aged gay couple. You ask, what is so special about them? Shiro and Kenji are probably the most realistic depiction of the problems faced by a gay couple, in an idealistic, closeted society. Their renditions are so heartwarming and inspiring, you can’t help but get roped in their lives. For now, join me as we reminisce some of the finest moments from the sequel!

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2023/12/27/what-did-you-eat-yesterday-2-series-review-ep-3-to-12/

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What Did YOU Eat Yesterday?

Every once in a while, when the drama and conflicts feel too much, when you find the need to watch something that feels like a warm embrace, when you want to watch people navigate real issues with grace and sensitivity, I hope you'll think about this series.

I'll keep this short and sweet. Watching two people in love, handling their lives in the best possible manner makes you incredibly happy. Watching them influence the lives of those around them and get influenced by the very same people, watching them grow and evolve as they solve problems big and small, issues important and relevant, all while maintaining the healthiest of relationships is something admirable.

So I'll just say this. If you ever find yourself searching for a drama where every scene feels like a conversation you can witness in real life, where food plays an important role, whether it's to discuss issues or bring people together, or simply satisfy your craving, where you may get the sense that you're somehow part of this huge family, where it's just genuine happiness on screen, I hope you'll think about this series.

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Even Better Than Season 1 - More Please

This is such a heartwarming series and so professional in every way. The second series definitely provides scope for a third season or telemovie, As series 2 approached the end, I started to feel sad and it really did feel like saying goodbye to old friends. The relationship is explored on a deeper level this time and it's very satisfying. Viewers aged over 40 will most enjoy this series but anyone who loves a well written and cast plot about everyday relationships, suburban slice of life and home cooking will enjoy it.

One of the best scenes in this season will have viewers appreciating that ordinary love is beautiful; or realising how empty their life might be without a partner who is caring, creative, stable or mentally present. It's a lovely touch.

The whole show flows well, when the right actor is cast in even the smallest roles. I enjoyed the guest appearance of Oikawa Mitsuhiro, one of my personal favourite Japanese actors. He often plays villains with total perfection, was brilliant in Fermat No Ryouri aka Fermat's Cuisine, and here he fills a few minutes here so very well, as the @sshole ex we'd all prefer to forget (!).
Special note also to the regular appearance of Tidano Miako, the supermarket assistant who always points out a good bargain to Shiro in a hugely comedic fashion. It's not the size of the role, but the talent of the actor that makes a difference.

Season 3 could explore several concepts: Shiro's mother finally agrees to meet Kenji on a regular basis, or both sets of parents meet, more mature development of Wataru (and perhaps slightly more background on that relationship, but not too much), Shiro finally comes out at work, bumping briefly into the awful ex who is either miserable or moved on and of course will never admit or apologise, Kenji permanently becomes salon manager, Shiro and Kenji take on the role of quasi grandparents to the neighbour's young grandson (that would be nice, I can see Kenji shopping for tiny jeans and toys) ... there's a number of possibilities.

I encourage the production team to consider creating another telemovie or series, and also the prospect of contracting to Netflix so the rest of the world loves Shiro and Kenji, too! There are strong possibilities for remakes in other cultures.

THANK YOU FOR READING! Please also read my review on Season 1 and feel free to "Follow" to be notified of my other reviews! ~ FW

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Delightful!

Season 2 outdoes itself in allowing us, the audience, to watch from the sidelines as their day to day activities play out. The details are where we feel the love between these mature men who have been a couple for around 8 years.

Slowly permitting more of the outside world to interact with them and acknowledge their cohabitation. we are given insights into the Japanese societal norms and lack of legal support for same sex couples.

Meeting each others parents, discussions on retirement, death and funerals is refreshingly explored in their shy way.
This season gives us dialogue around commitment and the last episode is extremely touching.

Love is demonstrated in action rather than emotive displays of affection and their mutual caring and respect is heart warming.
Hopeful for another season XXX

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I want Them, All of Them As Friends

I watched these stories in totem and would recommend you do so as well, if possible. One can then grasp the full understanding of what transpires. It is not possible to summarize these stories simply; all one can do is give an impression of its impact on you, the watcher. I now feel lost and a bit melancholic; like I have lost a circle of friends. I have gotten to know these characters and feel sad now that they will not be a part of my watching milieu anymore. This is one of the few series that has a real longitudinal character development. A study not just for the main personalities but for all the supporting characters as well. It truly is a beautifully crafted and filmed anthology. I hesitate to call it a ‘BL’ but it really is; it is of a much older couple and obviously not meant for the mass audience in the BL world. Too bad. They would learn a thing or two about living and about love if they watched this as it ponders and deals with the topic we never want to hear in BL and that is – aging. And how it affects and changes and defines and, in this case, strengthens love.

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idk

Maybe is one of the best of 2023, I won't rewatch but was a good one to watch, I mean the story is awesome I can't deny, they address numerous pertinent topics in the daily lives of gay couples, Shiro is really a incredible man and Kenji is a star, we have a lot of simple points that we can feel good about, like they individuals lifes, they eating together are so fun and how they care for each other was so warm to watch. But 2 seasons and not even touching hands, or hugs and kisses, thats not fair. I don't even know how much times they touch each other, or maybe love is not just about touch, I really don't know about this, the soundtrack was mid, but the act was amazing.

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They're back, baby!

Even though this review is late and won't probably add much to the already present lineup of recommendations, if there's one drama I will go back to for seconds (pun intended) is this one.

After a bit of a letdown with the movie (I reviewed it as well), this story came back to its drama format, which I think is the best vehicle for it. The episodic nature allows the vibe of it to be as it is, without it dragging and without plot points going around in circles.

This season finds Kenji and Shiro with a common thread of looking for permanence (at work, at home, with friends, with family, especially with each other), which was hinted in the movie but gets well developed here. I do think the movie is a necessary viewing between the two seasons (and special), a bit of a stepping stone into the themes of this season, even though the narrative of it isn't as tight as in this season.

Conversations about middle age problems, about how to find a permanent family with someone you can't legally name as such, about parents and their perceptions of their sons' lives, plus the side characters we know and love coming back, makes this one a great season and a very well written step forward for these two.

The acting is always *chef's kiss*, but this season really goes to emotional territories that allow Shiro to show more vulnerability and Kenji becoming more mature. All of this, of course, with amazing food, as always.

This adaptation came back to where it shines best and I hope this isn't the last we see of them!

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Love that ages like fine wine

This is one of the few J dramas I have watched that has little dramatic conflict but relishes in the slow realness of everyday life. It showcases how the ritual of cooking, eating with a loved one, and going through the daily activities and the seasons of the year can be experienced in a beautiful way. Coming back to this cooking and mealtime ritual as a grounding part of their relationship, Shiro San and Kenji San strengthen their unforgettable bond day after day. Even as they go through the ups and downs of their outer life, like with Kenji becoming a manager at his salon or Shiro becoming a manager at his law firm, the dinners, the thoughtful bentos really define the quality of the relationship. In this season Shiro San is a lot less reserved about his feelings and it is revealed that he talks and thinks about Kenji a lot which he expresses to his grocery buddy (forgot her name). Kenji get to bask in the love that Shiro has for him and while it’s not overt and flamboyant like Kenji often hopes for, he starts to realize and feel the love Shiro San has for him through his actions, concern for Kenji’s health and retirement, and understanding that unique love language that his partner has for him is important, otherwise it could be easily overlooked. It shows a mature love that is silent or what the world would call boring, hidden in the mundane, and non-dramatic, even secretive. The more “boring and slow” the relationship and ordinary life is, the more I see the spirit shining through like a sunrise glowing through the trees or feeling the most sweet and pleasant nostalgic breeze. Shiro San’s daily dedication of cooking and making Kenji happy with his food, and bringing Kenji to his grocery buddy’s house for a visit, and deciding to give his inheritance to Kenji after death all show his love for him beyond what words can convey. In the end, Shiro San’s love is actually more potent than any flamboyant expression could ever be- it is contained like a fire that burns strong throughout their relationship and lives on. Most of the episodes end with the song “Shiawase no mawarimichi” (roundabout road to happiness)- each relationship is a unique expression of love and happiness need not look any certain way to be true.

The last episode left a lump in my throat, a bitter sweetness - as Shiro San’s parents talk about wills and inheritance, they plant the idea in Shiro San to think about Kenji and what he will leave on after he passes away. Even though it was the last episode, it didn’t feel like “The End” because the whole show is a slice of life, and each episode easily goes in and out of their every day life… It feels so real, because even though it’s “just a show,” something about it and the feeling it evokes is very real. Their talks about inheritance and how they thought of each other- Shiro san wanting to give his whole heart and inheritance (which he would prize greatly since he’s so frugal) to Kenji even while admitting that he doesn’t know if they’ll be together forever, but deciding in his mind that he would be ok even if Kenji lives with someone else after he is gone, and Kenji replying out loud that he would be with Shiro San till death… these are beautiful moments in their relationship. The show ends on a note that leaves me wanting more- like a wonderfully tasty dish that is so satisfying and yet I want to come back over and over again. It’s really hard to put into words what this series evokes in me. It seems like the mundane every life but there’s something so beautiful born into it- a love and happiness in the air. So warm and heartwarming. Almost like watching “the good old days…”

This is the frequency where the "Mundane" dissolves and the Sacred begins. In the West, "boring" is a slur used by infantile bots to describe anything that doesn't provide a cheap dopamine hit of drama or performance. But in the world of Slow Realness, "boring" is simply the Ma (the space) where the Spirit breathes.

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From Budgets to Bickering: The Delectable Dance of 'Kinou Nani Tabeta?’

Ever tired of the same old high school BL tales or fantasies dreamt up by fervent fangirls? Dive into the mature, warm embrace of 'Kinou Nani Tabeta?' – a refreshing blend of love and reality. Season Two delves into a global conundrum – inflation – and our hero Shiro's meticulous budgeting is not just about money. It's his silent declaration of love, offering a safety net for their retirement and ensuring Kenji's health. Speaking of Kenji, his flamboyantly expressive demeanor adds the right pinch of humor. Their playful bickering? It'll remind you of that aunt and uncle squabbling at every Thanksgiving dinner. A treat for those who cherish the subtle intimacies of life. And if you're game for some unique Japanese recipes, Shiro's got you covered – just be prepared to Google a few ingredients if you're from the West! Delightfully relatable and humorously heartfelt – a comedic gem for the sincere soul.

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