What Did You Eat Yesterday? Vol. 7

きのう何食べた? [Kinō Nani Tabeta?] #7

by Fumi Yoshinaga

Shiro finally introduces Kenji to his parents, and when a major case forced him to work long hours, he fails to come home for dinner for days on end.

Genres: Manga, LGBT, Comics, Graphic Novels, Food, Slice Of Life, Fiction

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2012

About the author

Japanese: よしなが ふみ

Fumi Yoshinaga (よしなが ふみ Yoshinaga Fumi, born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist known for her shōjo and shōnen-ai works.

Fumi Yoshinaga was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1971. She attended the prestigious Keio University in Tokyo.

In an interview, she said that "I want to show the people who didn't win, whose dreams didn't come true. It is not possible for everybody to get first prize. I want my readers to understand the happiness that people can get from trying hard, going through the process, and getting frustrated."

Little is known about her personal life. She mentions that her favourite operas are those by Mozart in the author's note of Solfege.

She debuted in 1994 with The Moon and the Sandals, serialized in Hanaoto magazine, but was previously a participant in comic markets.

Of Yoshinaga's many works, several have been licensed internationally. She was also selected and exhibited as one of the "Twenty Major Manga artist Who Contributed to the World of Shōjo Manga (World War II to Present)" for Professor Masami Toku's exhibition, "Shōjo Manga: Girl Power!" at CSU-Chico.

Outside of her work with Japanese publishers, she also self-publishes original doujinshi on a regular basis, most notably for Antique Bakery. Yoshinaga has also drawn fan parodies of Slam Dunk, Rose of Versailles, and Legend of Galactic Heroes.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa, Shiro actually took Kenji to have a holiday dinner with his parents! I didn't think that would ever happen (neither did Kenji). Kenji got along surprising well with Shiro's father: apparently father can actually hold a conversation! I guess he just feels awkward with his son? Sad, if so. Also, now mom and dad can rest easy in their minds, knowing that Shiro does not wear ladyclothes at home; apparently this was a worry.

Bonus, the family gathering got them out of another evening with Dai and Gilbert. Honestly, why are they even "friends" with these two? Gilbert is so awful. Why does Dai put up with him?

A couple dishes I want to try:

--What sounds like a granita of Earl Gray, made more sorbet-like by adding condensed milk to the hot tea.

--Kimchi stew with seasoned pork belly over tofu or udon. Seasonings: garlic, ginger, cayenne, soy sauce, sake, sesame oil, red chili paste, kimchi liquid, broth from sardines and/or little neck clams (I was slightly confused by this step and not sure if the sardines were dried or fresh, but I would probably just use vegetable broth or wine anyway).

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the recipes in this series! And the characters and plot are great too.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

That first chapter nearly broke my heart because it's so damn beautiful. I also loved seeing Kenji making the meals in the last chapter. They are so good at taking care of each other in their own way.

[Sho · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a monumental volume in that Kenji is introduced to Shiro's parents finally! It was funny, hartwarming and sad. Great stuff!

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 Stars
Another super cute volume in the manga series. I particularly loved the chapter involving the cafe.

[小さな N (.❛ ᴗ ❛.)⊃ [_|_] ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shiro resolved in a previous volume to take Kenji to visit his parents for New Years' and they were able to do so in this volume. As expected, it was awkward for them because of Shiro's parents' views/behaviour, but seeing how happy Kenji was afterward, was just so heartwarming.
(Just before I picked up this volume, I thought to myself how nice it would be if Shiro made some Karaage soon. And he did! (With his mother). This brought memories back from my days at Fukui University… Karaage was one of my favourite dishes in the canteen.)

2021 sidenote: I decided in January to finally continue reading this series this year and have resolved for myself to point out one thing that I especially liked for every volume. There usually is more than one thing that I enjoy but I want to try to pick out and focus on one and see how it goes for me.

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent volume. Fun and serious look into the life of a gay couple in Japan. Great art. Yummy recipes and entertaining situations.

[Nathalia★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best volume yet. I cried as I read the first two stories in my favorite restaurant. Apologies to anyone who I unnerved at Sipz the other day! ;)

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume had not one, but two episodes that brought me near tears, so it gets full marks from me.

First, the New Year's episode where Shiro brings Kenji to meet his parents for the first time. The initial awkwardness and tension, Shiro's explaining to Kenji how his parents think a certain way about how gay couples interact, and then their hug at the end, which also showed that "being in their own world" is impossible. Both happiness and sadness there.

The other one was the last episode in the book, where Kenji happily makes dinner for Shiro while he's busy at work, and ends up eating the leftovers for a while, and then Shiro finally comes home for dinner, and thanks Kenji sincerely even though he only has five minutes to spare to eat it. Awww.

But really, everything tastes better shared with someone!

Sure, it's a truism or even a trope. But it's true on a level that goes deeper than that. Some of my forever memories are of meals that came from the heart, shared in a loving home.

ETA: my 100th manga read this year. It's a good one to celebrate that minor occasion with. :)

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first volume that has others cooking that’s not the mc. A character lists a bunch of reasons why she doesn’t want to be a parent then says they’re not good enough to get a abortion. Any one of those reasons is good enough to get a abortion. Just not wanting to be a parent is a good enough reason to have a kid. Then she’s getting married only because she’s pregnant, that’s a terrible reason to get married. Then the mc’s parents thought he was the ‘woman’ in his relationship, that he wore ‘womens’ clothes at home, which was funny, I never even heard of that and apparently it’s a old way of thinking that some straight people used to think gay couples had one of them be the ‘man’ or woman’ in the relationship. When the mc and his boyfriend are having a sweet moment some homophobes scream at them to die and it didn’t even phase them. This manga seems older sometimes, like it’s something from the 80’s, but this only came out ten years ago and it’s amazing how much more obvious the homophobia was.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume included some of the plotlines that featured prominently in the New Year's special of the TV series, which I had only seen recently. And I wouldn't rule out my love for this particular volume with the recency of that experience because the core stories remain very strong even if the interpretation on TV was a little different from the source material. Both work in their own way, but also remain distinct from one another at the same time.

My favorite bit is still when Shiro gets very busy at work and is unable to share meals with Kenji. The fact that this affected both of them so much was a great way to illustrate the depth of their affection for one another despite how much Shiro resists showing this. And that's some subtle but powerful character development right there.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, with this volume there's so much more depth all of a sudden! There are a number of super sweet moments (the café!), and the rivalry between Kenji and Wataru is kind of funny (although I don't totally get it?), but there are also some serious things that happen. Shiro takes Kenji home to meet his parents for New Years and I really love how that went. And afterwards is probably the most painful thing in this whole series so far, as Shiro and Kenji are walking along and get some nasty comments from strangers about their relationship. You can really see how much Shiro has grown over the course of the series from his response! So good.

[Luce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I’m just hitting my stride with this series but this volume was my favourite yet, from the gay-off with Kenji and Gilbert at the beginning to Kenji and Shiro’s first meal together in weeks at the end, it was all so good. Shiro continues to come out of his shell about his relationship in small ways and it’s so satisfying to see him loosen up more and more.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The contrast between how Kenji acts when he's cooking for Shiro versus how Wataru (Gilbert) acts for his boyfriend was quite clever. It really seems that in the chapters where Gilbert appears, he always comes off as a villain some way or another. Or if not really a villain, just not a nice guy. Kenji, on the other hand, has really grown on me. I feel that he's matured over all of the volumes, being less whiny and more of a partner to Shiro than he was in the beginning.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay for Kenji winning I guess? Ha. But really, loved the sweet (and ugly) moments in this one and glad the parent visit went so well. Also, glad we got to see Kenji cook again. I love how his emotions are always involved.

[kutingtin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shiro and Kenji’s relationship goals are on point 🎯 i love seeing them grow both individually and as a couple, which also then extends to the people around them. 💞

*praying for the speedy recovery of Shiro’s dad 🙏🏻

[Moriah Venable · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one more than the other one though I am still curious why Kenji is not fond of Wataru.

Seeing Dai and Gilbert at home just makes me wonder why they are even together.

I did enjoy Kenji meeting Shiro's parents. I hope he sees them more often.

[nitya · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love that we have hit the moment in the series where shiro finally becomes a good boyfriend and partner to kenji. fuck my baka life the moment at the end of the meeting-the-parents chapter 😭😭 fuckkk it makes me so emotional

[Bee (BacchusVines) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love foodie manga, and this one was just so cute! Shiro and Kenji are like my OTP. Watari is a little shit, I would never put up with the likes of him!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

this series makes me want to cook and eat.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good.

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Still not a big fan of the main couple; I just don’t see how they stay together. Oh well.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed this book in the series. The relationship between Shiro and Kenji is becoming more clear and relatable.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite so far, Shiro & Kenji. I adore watching their relationship develop.

[Fiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapter where Shiro took Kenji to visit his parents made me cry <3

I really love seeing Kenji cook the meals for a change

Also i need to try the tea sorbet

[Muhammad Rajab Al-mukarrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not me crying in almost every chapter of this volume??? Heartwarming and beautiful. :’)

[Sofy]

this volume made me cried

[Carina Stopenski · Rating 5 out of 5]

now THIS is how you do realistic slice-of-life, an excellent volume with believable conflicts and some really tender moments

[Mauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yoshinaga has been sneaking more and more character development in as these go by, which is nice. In this volume Shiro takes Kenji to his parents’ house for New Year’s, which is a pretty big deal; Kenji has a revealing and heart-warming conversation with Shiro’s dad. (Shiro’s parents are a mix of supportive and puzzled...and relieved when Kenji tells them Shiro doesn’t wear women’s clothing.) Shiro is getting more and more comfortable being seen with Kenji in public. Legal issues continue to come up in the plot via Shiro’s job, with a focus on wills and taking care of financial affairs before death.

There’s two chapters with the odd couple introduced in the previous volume, including one where the annoying young one makes himself lunch. And then is a jerk to his partner about the dishes and the leftovers. Boo.


Warnings for homophobic language (Shiro comforts a crying Kenji on the street and some passerby express their disgust, calling them f*gs), marital infidelity (Kenji and Shiro are not participants), discussion of miscarriage and infertility, as well as unwanted pregnancy and someone considering abortion.

This last bit actually really annoyed me - the couple in question didn’t want children for both personal and economic reasons, but when the woman becomes pregnant, those reasons “aren’t good enough” for an abortion. People are certainly welcome to change their mind when the circumstances change, but the dialogue frames it as “not good enough reasons for people in general” rather than for this couple in particular. Also, her mother tells her that being a stay-at-home mom will be fine...from what I’ve seen of my friends, being a stay-at-home parent is an experience that can fall on a continuum from “fine, but exhausting” to “extremely deleterious to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.”