Ep. 23 Our Dining Table
Written by Cordelia, edited by Grace
In this episode, in this episode, we are going to delve into a manga and its TV show adaptation that aired this year in the spring: Our Dining Table (Bokura no Shokutaku/僕らの食卓).
Listen to the full episode :
About the Manga
Our Dining Table is a BL (Boys' Love) and slice-of-life manga created by Mita Ori. It was initially published in the BL Manga Magazine ルチル (rutile) from January 2016 to March 2017. It was later released as a single volume in 2017. In April of this year, the manga was adapted into a TV series by TBS, consisting of a total of 10 episodes.
About the Story
The story focuses on food, family, and love. For the young office worker Yutaka, eating with others is a struggle despite his talent for cooking. However, everything changes when he meets Minoru and Tane at a park near his office during lunchtime. Minoru and Tane are two brothers with a significant age difference. Tane becomes enamored with Yutaka's delicious giant-bomb-like onigiri and can't stop talking about it. As a result, Minoru is compelled to ask Yutaka to teach them how to make that delightful onigiri.
Slowly, Yutaka starts eating with Minoru, Tane, and their father, and begins to develop feelings for Minoru. In his own time, Minoru realizes that he has been in love with Yutaka for a while. This deep connection between them is initially formed through food, cooking, and finding comfort around the dining table. However, what matters most is that they always have each other around the table—as a couple, family members, and life partners.
From Intimacy to Healing
What I truly appreciate about this story goes beyond the confession between Minoru and Yutaka. It delves into how this young couple deals with their insecurities and strives to build a healthier relationship together.
In both the manga and the TV show, Yutaka uses a painting by Tane to cover his face as a way to gather the courage to reveal his childhood trauma. As he speaks, Yutaka becomes choked up and breaks down in tears. Minoru, with tears in his own eyes, listens attentively, while Tane enters the scene and bursts into tears as well. It's incredibly heartwarming to see the three of them cry together.
It's difficult for me to express to my listeners just how much I appreciate this aspect of the story. I recognize the value and preciousness of a relationship where Yutaka can be his most vulnerable self in front of Minoru and Tane. He never feels judged, unheard, or uncared for because they genuinely listen and care about what he has to say.
When I was young, my great-aunt once told me something profound. It was during a night at an old hotel in Nara, after she had finished the bath, and lit up a cigarette. Looking at me, she said, "The first level of intimacy between people is physical contact, the second level is doing grocery shopping together and cooking at home, and the third level is sharing past traumas, crying, and breaking down in front of each other unreservedly. The most intimate act is not holding hands or kissing, but shedding tears in front of the other person. Remember, showing vulnerability is a more intimate act than revealing one's body." I still vividly remember how she held her cigarette that night and why she shared those words with me. She was imparting wisdom about compassion and how it is valued in Japanese traditions.
Now, almost 28 years later, I fully comprehend and agree with what she said. After encountering numerous people, touching their lives, and then departing, I must say that showing vulnerability is indeed the most intimate act. In the face of vulnerability, physical contact, kisses, and touches pale in comparison. No wonder... no wonder some individuals yearned for more from their partners.
[No wonder they wanted more from me. I didn't reveal my vulnerabilities, not even a little bit.]
Red Flags
After a passionate confession at a park with the New Year Bell from an old Buddhist temple, Yutaka and Minoru entered the dating phase. Of course, both of them noticed some red flags and had their fears. It's natural for one of them to feel uneasy when happiness is within reach.
But they didn't run away, especially Yutaka. Minoru's dad tells him, "I think falling in love with someone... means also accepting the pain of losing them. That pain is proof that I have loved them. I can endure that pain and be okay. It's all right. You're not alone, Yutaka. I'm glad you met Minoru and Tane. Thank you."
And Minoru says, "Talk to me, Yutaka. Don't bear all of that alone."
Earlier this week, while I was at the studio, a writer shared her perspective on red flags in relationships. She said that instead of simply walking away or blocking the other person when you notice red flags, it's important to start a conversation and discuss what you've observed. If the other person is willing to work on it with you, then great, stay and continue working on the relationship. But if the other person responds negatively or defensively, then it's a good time to walk away and, if necessary, block them.
The writer emphasized the importance of always talking, always expressing your feelings directly if you believe it's worthwhile.
Minoru and Yutaka's relationship is a great example. Their love story and relationship aren't outdated. I appreciate how much they try to overcome their fears. I appreciate people who are willing to talk and work on things together.
Well, I didn't handle it well last time because I was overwhelmed by the number of red flags I saw. I didn't want to have a conversation or couldn't find the right opportunity for it, so I walked away from a friendship. Do I feel sorry? Not really. Do I miss that person? No, not really. But all I've been thinking is that I'll try to do better next time, not in the next life.
Some listeners might find my statement in this podcast a bit paradoxical regarding the topic of eating alone versus eating with others. We do say that eating alone is enjoyable because of the solitude and not having to share. But it's still an amazing experience to share the moment of enjoying the same food and time together with the right people.
In the last few pages of the manga, Yutaka says, "Let's be together like this... from now on. Let's eat together... always. Let's live together." Then Tane responds with "Okay," but not Minoru. Hahaha.
Ending
And in May, Gentosha's Rutile magazine released Mita Ori's Bokura no Shokutaku: Okawari (Our Dining Table: Second Helping) manga, the sequel to Our Dining Table, on March 22. So, there's more story to tell, and maybe more TV shows are coming. Oh well, we already know that What Did You Eat Yesterday? Season II will be aired on TV Tokyo this fall, which I can't wait for! So now, my editor Grace and I are truly hoping for the second season of Old Fashion Cupcake. Even a special episode or movie would make us very happy.
I hope you enjoyed this episode. The manga Our Dining Table is translated into English and published by Penguin Random House in December 2019, so you can find it at many local shops, Indigo, and also on Amazon. But the TV show is not available in English yet. However, I'll include it in the references section. This episode was edited by Grace and written by me, Cordelia.
Talk to you soon in our next ep.
Reference
Manga in Japanese on Amazon jp:
Manga in English on Amazon: https://a.co/d/ieIH8nH
TV Show website in Japanese: https://www.bokuranosyokutaku.com/
