While most of my works are very tame, sometimes I go into some mature territory. I will make sure to mark any pages as such!
WHAT IS "TSUKUTABE?"
Tsukutabe seems simple at first glance, and that's because it is! It's a story about a woman who really loves cooking (Yuki Nomoto) but doesn't have the stomach or the audience to really make the meals she dreams of making. Meanwhile, a quiet neighbor (Totoko Kasuga) really loves to eat but has trouble eating the level of food she would love to eat and explore. A fateful encounter on an elevator kickstarts this tale where they make an offering of helping each others' wishes come true, leading into a friendship that develops into something even more...that's right! Romance!
Along the way, the story tackles some interesting topics, ranging from gender discrimination/bias, family issues, eating disorders, and even queer issues that go beyond the usual same-sex-dom (our leading ladies are acearospecs, and one of the supporting characters is a touch-repulsed asexual lesbian). It's really fascinating to see these topics covered while still keeping the warm tone of the story.
The story started out as a manga then became a live-action drama that spans 30, 15-minute episodes, between two seasons. I love both versions and how they explore the lives of these two ladies and the relationship that blossoms over time~
FOR THOSE THAT "WANT MORE"
This page is a Tsukutabe fansite, yes, but it's not going to sugarcoat it. I don't hide anything in spoilers here! All my essays are written for those that have already caught up to the story thus far - manga, drama, or even both! I even briefly mention moments that haven't been translated yet (as of Jan 2026) as I have read up to Chapter 52 of the manga and have been following Yuzaki-sensei's occasional postings since then. At least, with the latter two things, I try not to heavily reference them, but if it happens, it happens. You've been warned~
Now, why don't you click on one of the handy links back up top, eh?