A genuinely lovely show, despite its flaws
This series belongs firmly into the "beloved messes" category of media I've consumed - it has some glaring flaws but it also does a lot of things so very right, on top of being damn charming and earnest.I'm a huge fan of food-centered romances in general so I might be a bit biased, but I strongly believe there is a lot more to enjoy about this show than people are giving it credit for.
The editing, visuals, music, and acting are all incredibly solid and the writing is, for the most part, genuinely excellent.
All the characters feel like fully realised three-dimensional human beings and their struggles and emotions are understandable and relatable.
Mahiro's defensiveness and general distaste towards confronting things head-on are almost painfully realistic and his internal struggle and frustration with himself over his shortcomings will likely hit very close to home for a lot of viewers. He's used to preemptively shielding himself from rejection so when his unrequited attraction suddenly turns out to be returned he has absolutely no idea what to do with himself and freezes every time he wants to openly communicate his feelings. How do you deal with suddenly getting what you want when you weren't prepared for it to ever happen?
Souta, on the other hand, has no such problem; he speaks his mind freely and clearly and is actually a pretty good communicator. It just often takes him a while to fully understand his own feelings which, combined with his inexperience, naturally leads to clashes with skittish Mahiro, who isn't interested in being nothing but a convenient opportunity for Souta to experiment with his sexuality.
Over the course of the show these two go through a lot of conflict and misunderstandings which, in a pleasant twist of fate, serve to further plot and character development rather than to string out the story longer than necessary.
Another strong point of the series is its respect and care for its queer characters. Souta's character arc in particular is incredibly well-written, satisfying to watch, and a fairly accurate depiction of discovering and coming to terms with one's sexuality. It's also a very gentle rumination of self-determination vs conforming to expectations and the many different shapes happiness and satisfaction can take, which I personally absolutely love.
Hao Shan is another stand-out character who adds a lot of humour as well as depth to the story.
Specific descriptors like "gay" or "bisexual" may not be mentioned (as is the case with a lot of queer Asian dramas, unfortunately) but the topic of sexuality and identity is explored much more thoroughly and carefully than it is in many similar shows, which is very much a step in the right direction in my opinion.
Unfortunately the writers also make some big missteps which muddle the story and slightly mess up the pacing at times.
The whole sleeping kiss cliche is a good example. At least it's openly addressed and does drive the plot significantly, but it still feels gross and unneeded.
Komachi's role is similarly dissatisfying, in that her story starts off strong but then goes downhill at the end, and certain things, such as the slap, just hugely detract from my enjoyment of her, no matter how important she is to the story.
Likewise the inclusion of Kosuke during the last two episodes just feels unnecessary and adds a weird element to the get-together scene. Don't get me wrong, I don't think a grand gesture or dramatic confession was needed here, but this strange combination of possessiveness and lack of clear communication feels some-what anticlimactic especially considering how much of the story revolves around the importance of honesty and openness in relationships, and the characters growing as people and learning to convey their wants and needs to one another.
The last two episodes are generally a little all over the place, although they do have some great moments and end on a very satisfying note. Personally I found these annoyances tolerable when weighed against the high quality of the rest of the story, though your mileage may very much vary.
All in all, I consider this show well worth your time despite its issues and if you're a fan of tame slow-burn romances with lots of genuine emotion and depth then you'll find a lot to love here.
This may not be the off-beat, raunchy romp the description suggested it might be, but it is an absolute diamond in the rough with a lot of charm, heart, and interesting things to say - and I think it can and should be appreciated just as it is.
Cet avis était-il utile?
Cette critique peut contenir des spoilers
Do not watch when you're hungry...
Honestly, this show (along with other recent BL shows that featured food as a major plot point) makes me want to learn more about cooking in general. Every single thing they made looked delicious and I especially liked how they tied it into the story here. The idea of traveling the world through food is fun, different and challenging, especially when it requires ingredients that are not native to where you live. And the fact that Sota was doing this to honor his grandmother made it particularly sweet.The smaller stories within the overall plot were nothing new.. office worker bored with his day to day, a coworker with a crush, the MC having a link to each other via past school life and unrequited love. What I liked was that Sota wasn't against being attracted to a man but rather he was confused because it had never happened before. I don't know how old he is supposed to be in the story but sexual awakenings can happen at any point and I liked that he wasn't just fighting against it because it was a man.
They had a lot of cute moments together though the parts that were meant to feel more intimate felt a bit flat to me. And the one kiss you get (if it can even be considered a kiss) was so anticlimactic.
But besides that, I enjoyed the series very much and would suggest it to anyone who enjoys BLs on the lighter, cutesy side of things.
Cet avis était-il utile?
Hmmm maybe better with another pairing?
The main premise of the show is described to be centred around Souta's love for “naked dining”, and how another person comes to learn about his secret. But the series doesn’t dwell on this too much throughout the episodes.Perhaps, in reality, the nakedness is intended to be far more profound, going beyond this silly imagery.
As Souta spends more time cooking the recipes in his grandmother’s book, he discovers his grandmother’s world – a world beyond the colourless and dreadful universe of a salaryman, filled with endless potential.
He also discovers another facet of 'nakedness': being honest with one's feelings and learning to live an authentic life.
Zenra Meshi’s point is this: You should be taking chances and introducing adventure into your life, even if you don’t know whether you will like it or not. And yes, this nifty little metaphor applies not just to cuisines, but also extends to love.
Unfortunately, the romance, with its standard share of misunderstandings and jealousy, came off as superficial and formulaic. While some kind of character development was hinted at for Souta, the storyline couldn’t quite capture why or how the change was meaningful.
The questionable chemistry between the male leads – but perhaps this is an issue with the casting rather than the actual premise of the show – also explained why some scenes fell flat.
Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/07/23/zenra-meshi-2023-bl-review/
Cet avis était-il utile?
Cette critique peut contenir des spoilers
Poderia ser bemmmm melhor
Sinceramente, achei esse plot um pouco estranho, com pontos positivos, mas a coisa de tudo girar na problemática de comer pelado é demasiado sem nexo, tendo em vista que Ichijo vive sozinho. Fora isso, a série é interessante até a página 2... tudo é bem fofo, fácil se apegar aos protagonistas, aliás, fiquei muito feliz com a presença de Yutaro, ele é um excelente ator em todos os papéis que se propõe a fazer. A avó era uma maravilhosa, até triste saber que tudo aconteceu por ela ter morrido, se ela estivesse viva com certeza shiparia o casal rsrsrs. A questão da culinária sempre me pega, acho maravilhoso, cultural e respeitoso quando se mostra a culinária de um lugar numa série.Se eu for procurar pontos negativos, digo que a presença da garota é totalmente desnecessária e foi colocada apenas para criar um enredo de separação do casal como conflito final, mas não faz sentido Ichijo simplesmente depois de ter se declarado e até beijado Mahiro propor um relacionamento a ela, e mais vergonhoso ainda foi ela aceitar, pois sabia que seu rival era outro homem.
Enfim, o plot poderia ser melhor, mas todos os demais aspectos técnicos são ok, inclusive cenários e ambientação me surpreenderam pela qualidade e beleza. É uma série que eu indico, mas não assistiria de novo por não ter me prendido tanto, mas com certeza não é das piores histórias que já vi.
Cet avis était-il utile?
Cette critique peut contenir des spoilers
Started good. Got muddled in the middle. Ended on an okay note.
When I started this series, I told myself that 'Maybe this was going to become my first ten for BL's this year!' This was my thought as it started off on an excellent note. But then, the middle happened.I have said this numerous times- I HATE miscommunication. And that is what happened in this series. When I thought that they were actually going to get together- you get miscommunication upon miscommunication. They see things, but never fully approach one another to clear it up. They (or mostly I guess Souta), takes things at face value and just believes what he sees until it is cleared up later. And by then, it's a wee bit too late for me to feel as happy as I did when I started watching this series for the two ML's. Honestly, I was personally getting annoyed with them.
But hey! They got thier happiness in the end and to see that Mahiro accepted Souta for the way he relieves his stress after working overtime, that's a plus for me.
So! Because of all of that, I am going to give this series a 7. I truly wished it was higher, but I just can't.
Cet avis était-il utile?
It started off strong...
It started off strong, but when it came to them communicating and confessing their feelings, it started to fall apart a bit because too many episodes were used on the miscommunication trope and it felt like it wasn't tied up neat enough by the end. One was always confused and the other was always mad. So it wasn't as good as it could've been.I adore the actors and this is worth watching at least once! It was entertaining and funny, but also angsty! The concept was humorous and i thoroughly enjoyed the bonding over cooking.
Cet avis était-il utile?
Cette critique peut contenir des spoilers
HAVE SOMEONE WHO WILL LOVE YOU AT YOUR WEIRDEST
The Whole show gives a message that, you should have someone for your life a person who will accept and love you even at the weirdest part of your life.In my Opinion , there is nothing really special about the story, Sota has just this habit of eating naked and Mahiro founds out and lately knows that all the way anyways. I expected something exciting about that eating naked part but it is just Sota's habit.
I was a bit irritated of Mahiro he is so choosy and sensitive and Sota so numb ! If I were Mahiro, I would always choose to be with Sota even if that he has no serious intention to me, coz why would you choose to run away from the person you love when you know they always choose to be with you just like Sota ? right ? The show was good , it was not bad to the point of me having it dropped, I like the spice of life shown in this drama, I liked the characters , it was beautiful in some ways all in all, somehow this is not a waste of time show
Cet avis était-il utile?
Cette critique peut contenir des spoilers
Кулинарная книга мира я бы сказала
Немного накрутили, но все равно хорошо и я с удовольствием добавлю в любимые. Огромный минус (шутка, если что) это смотреть голодным строго запрещено, тем более если вы как я любите ароматную и острую восточную кухню. Сначала вкусно поешьте. и так о дораме. Самое не любимое мной в сюжетах - это недопонимание. ненавижу я это, а тут оно есть и много. Только они видят какие-то предпосылки к чувствам друг друга, тут же начинают отдаляться и не прояснять ситуацию. Все ситуации додумывают, молчат и когда хотят прояснить, бывает поздно. В конце концов они будут счастливы и наконец-то один четко даст понять, что все - прекращаем бегам и живем в полном единении. Особенно концовка. Я смеялась. "Голый ужин" это, как сказано в описании, всего лишь снятие стресса после работы, но тут, по сюжету, я задаюсь вопросом, зачем он раздевается каждый раз в выходные и за едой. Что снимает? Какой стресс? Об актерской игре. Тут выделю только Ютаро. Другие очень слабо. В основном здесь общение через приготовление блюд. Больше похоже на "Кулинарная книга мира". Но не смотря на что в моем отзыве кажется, что я больше не довольна, смотреть стоит. В любимые из-за Ютаро и первых пять серий и заключительных.Cet avis était-il utile?
EymiLaritzaJorgeCastillo
0 personnes ont trouvé cette critique utile
Muy bonita
La verdad esta serie me sorprendió mucho, amo que pueda transmitir tanto estos personajes sin necesidad prácticamente del contacto físico, no hubo prácticamente ni un beso entre los protagonista y aun así esta serie te hace suspirar enamorada y con ganas de seguir viendo la interacción que tendrás los protagonistas. Realmente es increíble, no todas las series pueden lograr eso, y es una hazaña las pocas que pueden hacerlo.Obvio hubo momentos en los que decía, en serio porque haces esto!! por amor a dios nooo!! pero eso n quita lo buena serie que es, la química tan linda de los personajes principales y el desarrollo de los protagonistas, especialmente de Sota, paso de ser el no se nada en temas amorosos a bueno ya lo entiendo y estoy ejerciéndolo XD. Quisiera ver otra serie de ellos dos, la química es muy linda y tienen potencial para cualquier cosa. Japón me sorprendiste tan gratamente, gracias por esta bella serie. esta super recomendada, sentarse a verla es pasar una tarde divertida gozando y enamorándose de los personajes y con los personajes. Si aun no la vez dale una oportunidad, se la comenzaste y no la has seguido, tambien terminada de ver, vale la pena, confía.
Cet avis était-il utile?
this isn’t as bad as people made it out to seem
I’ve watched this twice now, a few months apart form eachtoher. maybe because I like food shows and whatnot but I really enjoyed this. and the concept of the show was pretty unique. traveling the world through food.plus there were some great life lesson lines in this, “try it is the best ingredient most of the time it doesn’t turn out horrible” and I really appreciate that.
I will say the woman annoyed me to no end from episode one. if she isn’t the walking definition of “pick me” I don’t know what it. like seriously read the dang room. I could have done without her in the series but other than that I loved this travel the would through food. it’s worth a shot to watch it and see for yourself.
Cet avis était-il utile?
Waiting for it to get better honestly
The premise sounded funny yet the delivery falls short so far. There's nothing funny, nothing different about the story —I know it doesn't even need to be, but the way it is presented like it expects the audience to laugh at the funi.The acting of the leads are average at best, and since there aren't any side characters that really affects the storyline in a challenging way, it only underlines the two leads' lack of chemistry.
I will keep watching to see where it will be going but I don't have a lot of hope for this series. If you do not go expecting too much, maybe it will be a quick short watch for those who enjoy an easy story.
Cet avis était-il utile?
