Bokura no Shokutaku (2023)

One of the most wholesome BL series out there

Bokura No Shokutaku serves you great dose of wholesome and heart-warming plot. This series is full of elements that makes it an entertaining watch. We have characters with amazing back stories and their journey of changing each other for the better.

This series is about Yutaka who suffers from a childhood fear of eating in a group. He meets Tane and his older brother Minoru and every week he visits their place to cook them a meal. During his weekly visits he learns about Minoru and slowly opens himself up to new experiences including getting over his fear of eating with others. Minoru on the other hand learns to enjoy his life as he is looking forward to his weekly cooking sessions with Yutaka.

This series beautifully showcases the contrast in the family life of Yutaka and Minoru. Yutaka comes from a family who adopted him after his parents death, where his brother dislikes him causing him to distance himself from everyone. Meanwhile Minoru has a younger brother and father who love him. The loss of his mother has had an impact on his life and he has shut himself up. Together, Yutaka and Minoru learn to embrace life through the different delicacies they cook for Tane. While we see the friendship between Yutaka and Minoru slowly developing in to something far more, we also get to witness Yutaka’s apprehensions and his fear of losing something so precious.

Other than the support Yukata and Minoru give each other, we also get an ensemble of other characters that guide the main characters. We have Tane who is the cause of Yutaka and Minoru constantly meeting each other, Minoru’s dad who is caring and understanding, Yukata’s female colleague who indirectly dispenses some good advice to him and Minoru’s boss who is always available to guide him.

In conclusion, this series boasts some great performances from all the actors, a strong story-line, an entertaining plot that will keep you hooked and asking for more.

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"A warming hug whenever you need, a heartful show that heals your heart"

Since this one doesn't have many things for RFI (Room For Improvement), so I'll list the cons first, then end it with what I like about it:

+ First, it was too many flashbacks scenes, even though the show was more than enough length to contain them
+ Second, the talk to solve Hozumi's family problem near the end of the show wasn't satisfying enough
+ Third and last, the slowing pace, which usually saw in dramas that have life genre in it, could cause easy to boring feelings when we watch it -> Luckily, this one knows how to solve the plots before it came to boring

Here's what I loved about this show:
+ No twist, no pushy plots, no cringy. Just a peaceful, slow pace life genre drama, and you find love inside it
+ Although this one is adapted from manga, this one splendidly follows the original, even filling the lacks that the original was unable to do that
+ The interactions between the two MLs: based on their respect between them, peacefully and slowly came to each other, especially how Iijima made those eye-contact scenes and Inukai nailed emotional scenes. Most of all, the realistic day-to-day interactions, I truly love romance shows that use day-to-day interactions methods to bring two lead roles together
+ The OST, Andante ni Sunadokei and Tooi Kuni, perfectly fit the show, but the highlight truly belongs to Tooi Kuni, the ending song that roots me every time I watch it
+ Tane, the kid that brings Yutaka and Minoru together. I usually have an anxious feeling whenever I saw shows that use kids as a major part of the show, but Maeyama plays it perfectly, that I really think that this kid was the real-life Tane and he doesn't even need a try to act, he really plays it flawlessly lol

Overall, this one is a perfect show whenever you need something to refuel your heart, but don't overwatch it so many times, you'll find yourself bored watching it due to the slow pace.

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Home cooked meal

Jan. 29, 2023

Our Dining Table is a very cute and fluffy Japanese BL. The story is simple but the way the story unfolds is so pleasing. There are obviously some critiques that I personally found with this show.

To start off, I think they could have chilled down and tone down the amount of flashbacks. I understand that flashbacks are essential in delivering the plot and moving the storyline. However, I feel like some of the flashbacks itself are repetitive. It could have been less, it bothered me a bit so I had to fast forward those scenes.

However, in terms of everything else, I am at ease and amaze with the series. I think that the leads are very green flag coded couple, they know how to handle things. There are times where they might be slow with each other, but I love how they really emphasize on promoting positivity with each other. Definitely a breather given how toxicity is romanticized in many dramas. I am glad with how the writer took the wholesome approach. It definitely made me love the series more.

Also, the kid really puts flavour in the series. He is so cute and amazing. I love how his character added more dynamic to the couple. The family vibe was oozing. It was done so well. When I first saw the poster of this show, without reading the synopsis, I really thought he was the son.

Please, give this show lots of love that it deserves.

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шедевр не иначе

Ну что же, разомнем пальчики и приступим к написанию отзыва об этой истории. Как всегда, драгоценная Япония вкладывает смысл даже в название. По сюжету, может показаться, что нас обманули в названии, а нет. Тонко, по-японски тонко подмечено именно как многие проблемы можно решить. Кто дети тех далеких 80-х, 90-х.... Помните наше правило поведения за столом? Да, то самое, глупое на мой взгляд: когда я ем, я глух и нем. Мы за столом не общались, мы не наслаждались процессом, а просто выполняли ежедневный ритуал для галочки. Я забираю эту дораму в любимые за все. За игру актеров, за сюжет, за адаптацию такой же нежной манхвы, за культуру и искусство Японии (жизни вообще). Музыкальное сопровождение тоже отличное. Милый ребенок очарователен и актер играющий папу - простой, но очень мудрый. О главных актерах. Ну Инукай. Его необычная внешность этого мало для хорошей игры. Инукай бесподобен и очень талантлив, поэтому это взрывное сочетание необычной внешности и таланта, дает нам просмотр его игры как человека с сотней лиц. Его игра лицом, эмоции - все проигрывается прекрасно и даже кто не знает язык, может не читать сабы, а понять все с игры Инукая лицом. Идзима. Я знаю его игру. Увидев тут осветленного, не была уверена какой будет персонаж. Думала будет оторва, хотя я читала манхву. Сюжет не прост, ой не прост. Эта тема не на "пожрать". Это счастье и покой вместе, это исцеление всех от их прошлого, это общение и психологические приемы - как лучше выговориться когда страшно или стыдно. Япония просто уникальна в такой подаче материала. Рекомендую к просмотру. И, великие критики, не цепляйтесь за жанр, здесь не об этом. Здесь о жизни.

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cuteness overload you cant get enough of it

this is one of the best shows already, when i started with ep 1 i was hesitating, and it turned out to be so good
the plot doesnt have to be fast in order to enjoy this, as i see both MLS relationship develop over the time,its realistic serie where you watch how 2 people fall in love, they share their happiness and their dark times together..
i usually get annoyed about kids, but even this kid is adorable and im enjoying seeing those 3 together having fun and getting closer..
this is like a comfort show to me, i will probably watch it again in the future, i highly recommend this to you guys

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Restored my appetite for food and life

If you are ever in need of a healing/comfort drama, this is the series for you. Calling this a BL does not feel very fitting, as the romance aspect took the backseat, allowing other themes to shine. This is the ultimate found family, hurt/comfort, and slice of life drama to me, with the added bonus of a warm love story.

If you're used to the fast-paced romance centric series, you might see this as an extreme slow burn. However, please stick through and finish this, I promise you won't regret it.

Yutaka and Minoru are just two very earnest and lovely individuals who are both fighting their own demons. Tane, the little angel, brought Yutaka into their family and each member of the family made it so easy for Yutaka to feel a sense of belonging. Every meal invite is very genuine and intentional. Yutaka's love for his newfound family is so heart warming - the way he goes out of his way to make sure he can make the best bento for Tane is just so tender. Minoru, Yutaka, and Minoru's dad became each other's safe space, and I love that they showed the gradual trust they built between the three of them.

I also love how they presented food in this series. Both Minoru and Yutaka have their struggle with food and eating - Yutaka just eating the easiest thing he could find/make just for survival, and Minoru losing his appetite in life which extends to his food too. However because they met each other, Yutaka became more intentional in his cooking to provide the best meal for Tane and Minoru, while Minoru started to found passion in his life again which showed in him starting to cook more of his late mother's recipe. The whole food aspect was presented so well that it inspired me to cook for the first time in a month - they helped me regain my appetite for food and life.

One thing this drama could improve is the fleshing out of Yutaka's family issues and its resolution. It feels half baked and I didn't feel like his sense of abandonment and exclusion was properly addressed.

Despite its flaws, this series will remain one of my healing series and I am so grateful to have watched this.

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heartfelt and very sweet (minor spoilers)

Our Dining Table is a great mix of fluffy and emotional. The way their relationships (Yutaka and Minoru, and also Yutaka and Tane) grew from strangers to friends to honestly family was so touching. I loved all the hints we got of the relationship between Yutaka and Minoru growing, and getting to see them figure out how to be there for each other and communicate was really nice. The angsty moment they had was delicious too

Tane was such a bright spot, I loved every scene he was in. He was acted really well, not just when he was happy but when he was sad and sick too. I also really liked Mr. Ueda, he was funny and such a matchmaker, but when he did have more serious scenes he really nailed them. The memories of Mrs. Ueda were really touching too

I really loved everything about this show except that the actors had no chemistry when they kissed.... That one part was super awkward lmao and kind of disappointing! But everything else was so good that it didn't really hinder my experience much

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Another solid adaptation in the always welcoming intersection between cooking delicious food and queer stories. Which seems a specific niche, but we're getting a bunch of them, and I'm thankful for it.

I read this manga a while ago and re-read it when I found out it was being adapted because it's such a cute, heartfelt, sweet short manga and the adaptation is successful in representing all of that. Both tell the story of a reserved and taciturn young man who meets a little boy and his scary looking older brother, a meeting that will prompt them to connect and learn what it means to develop a found family.

The adaptation of the story isn't exactly beat by beat, the drama expands on some things the manga doesn't get involved in and changes some things from their manga order, but does so in a way in which it feels organic for the new format and doesn't take away from the story.

The biggest change from source material to live action, I think, is the perspective in with Yutaka's family is seen. The manga doesn't have much of an intention for Yutaka to mend any bridges with his family and instead focuses on his newfound one with Minoru, but the live action changed that view and goes into Yutaka's family more in order to have a different take on that relationship. That is more of a choice of what kind of story you want to tell, I don't think either is better, it's just a matter of narrative intent for each one.

I have to commend them on finding a little kid who could be as adorable as Tane is in the manga, which seems impossible but they did it.

Another solid entry in the cooking adaptations and totally recommended for those who seek some cozy warm feelings and the story of people finding where they belong.

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Healing for the tarnished souls ❤️

Where do I even begin. Literally made an account just to review this and that's how good it is. The story, the acting, the improvisations, everything is perfect. I've read the manga and it was amazing. But this is the first time that the serialisation is even better than its original manga version. Usually improvisations to a manga just makes it worse but oh my God!! The makers nailed it on this one!!! It's literally is perfect. You can really feel the emotions portrayed by each one of them. No overacting, no unnecessary story stretch. The main leads nailed every single emotion they had to show. I loved everything single character. Yutaka, Minoru, Tane, their dad, the coworker, even Minoru's shop manager; all of them have my heart ❤️. I wish they get the recognition they deserve. The Thai BLs haven't been upto mark since a long time but still get a lot of hype. But BLs such as this one remain underrated which is so disappointing. I hope I got my point through that it's perfect in every way. I wish I could explain more but I'll end up giving spoilers away. So if you plan on watching this, grab yourself your favourite drink, get cozy and be ready for the most soothing ride you'll have in a while. You'll be happy and satisfied by the end. Just go for it.❤️❤️100/10!!
Just wanted to add that Minoru and Yutaka are the greenest flags you'll find. Their communication and understanding is absolutely beautiful 💚

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It was such a cute show.

It was exactly what you expect in a Japanese bl. It was so cute!!!! I loved it!! It had it's up's and down's but defiantly worth watching. The way that they involve all the different characters in a way that you wouldn't expect. Or the problems that the individuals face. It had a good story line and overall a great and enjoyable show! I loved it. Defiantly watch. Amazing. Super. The best. Just to cute to handle. Ok now i need 500 charecters and have no idea what else to say without spoilers? So i'll just repeat watch it until i reach the right amount of words! Watch it! Watch it! Watch it!

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