Then You Try Making It! (2025)

Best drama of the year and one of the best ever made

Just finished watching ep 10 on TBS stream (watched it with Japanese sub, the Viki English sub should be released some time next week, usually on Tuesdays) and I can confidently say Jaa, anta tsukutte miro yo ("Then, you try making it" on Viki) is my best drama of the year.

At the core of drama, the message is, everyone can change. The degree to which one can change is dependent on a variety of factor, but I love the encouraging message that no matter how old you are, or how rigid you were previously, change is possible if you put in the effort, and with the help of friends and family.

Jaa, anta is not a rom com, it's only labeled as such. I'd call it more a true slice of life. It is so much more than a rom com (nothing against rom com, and it's rather hilarious, especially ep 1-8). Rather than focusing on the initial fluttery, exciting part of dating, it entirely focuses on the relationship building part after the initial excitement has worn off. Even if Katsuo's changes are rather quick and probably unrealistic in real life, many issues the drama mentions are real life issues, be it gender roles (Katsuo's family and Ayumi's preconceived notion of what a woman should do), workplace dynamics, or (in)compatibility in a relationship. And it brings up these issues in such a lighthearted manner, not once does it feel preachy. Katsuo's family members appear briefly but each has an episode dedicated to themselves, it doesn't feel like they just appear to "make a point".

After breaking up, Katsuo and Ayumi have to learn to be alone, and I think this is such an important concept. Sure, it's exciting to guess who they "end up with", but that entirely defeats the purpose of the drama - which is learning about yourselves and those around you, your family, building friendships, not just romantic relationships, and being ok with just yourself/not settling with a partner just because it's convenient.

Highly recommend this drama to anyone. In fact, for me it's a quintessentially Japanese drama. It is comforting yet bittersweet and realistic. It is ordinary yet daring. It does not need fanservice via physical affection to make us fall in love with the characters and their relationship (though sometimes I do crave it, haha). It does not need plot twists, dramatic moments and reconciliations, hot people showing their hot bodies (save that for Ryoma's other works lmao). Japan did it again, ever so well. For those who keep yapping about how "over-acting" Japanese actors/actresses are, I challenge you to find one instance of over-acting in this drama. Kaho and Takeuchi Ryoma are both very established actors so we know they're capable, but even amongst the supporting cast, there's no overacting here.

This has been a good year for Jdramas for myself, with Hot Spot, Tokyo Salad Bowl, A calm sea and beautiful days with you being my top contenders for the top spot. Even so, Jaa, anta ga tsukutte miro yo, a Tuesday TBS drama not in a "hot" time slot with not a ton of promotion has taken everyone by surprise, myself included. It shows that you DO NOT need a big budget and an all star-studded cast, all you need is a good story. And that is why Jdramas will always have my heart, as long as they prioritize a good story.

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Avec toi, le jour où ta cuisine s'arrêtera

Deux de mes acteurs préférés reprennent un manga où la cuisine est centrale. Je sens que je vais me régaler. D’autant plus qu’on est ici dans la comédie pure, et c’est bien là que Takeuchi Ryoma et Kao excellent le plus.

Non contents d’être beaux, jeunes ( et ils le resteront sans doute toujours ), ils sont aussi formidables dans la comédie. Ryoma, déjà irrésistible dans Overprotect Kaoko, et Kao, si décalé dans Hot Spot, ne pouvaient que faire des étincelles dans les rôles d’un couple « fuis-moi, je te suis ; suis-moi, je te fuis ». Le principe est éculé, certes, mais peu importe : ici, tout part du refus de Kao d’épouser l'homme idéal, par dédain pour sa cuisine ! S’ensuit alors une remise en question du beau Ryoma, amoureux autant de sa compagne que de la gastronomie, mais incapable de comprendre ce qu’elle ressent lorsqu’il lui fait des remarques, qu'il pense futiles.

Contrairement à beaucoup de dramas culinaires, il y a finalement peu de scènes de cuisine pure. Exit donc les longs plans sur les plats en préparation : on suit plutôt la vie de nouveau célibataire de Ryoma, enchaînant les passages au supermarché et les repas à préparer pour tenter de comprendre ce que vivait et ressentait sa compagne. Celle-ci, en pleine crise de la trentaine, a consacré sa jeunesse à Ryoma, comme au temps de l’ère Shōwa. Fin cordon-bleu, il cherche, à travers la reproduction de ses plats, les souvenirs des dix années passées avec Kao. Ryoma excelle dans les scènes d’émotion et vous touchera certainement. Mais le cœur du drama, c’est bien l’humour, et on se délecte des situations comiques.

Travaillant dans le milieu des toilettes (un comble pour un fin gourmet), Ryoma enchaîne les mésaventures, tandis que le nouveau petit ami de Kao, caviste, fait couler la téquila, comme de l'eau. Mais ne regardez surtout pas cette série avec modération ! Elle a un côté feel-good indéniable, avec une écriture inspirée et une mise en scène élégante, alliant humour et tendresse. Les caméos, comme l’apparition de Nakajō Ayami en presque petite amie de Ryoma, parleront aux fans des deux acteurs, et rendent les scènes encore plus savoureuses.

Clairement, la dose de joie et de bonne cuisine dont on avait besoin pour illuminer cet automne maussade.

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