What Did You Eat Yesterday? Vol. 21

What Did You Eat Yesterday? Vol. 21

“A story that is by turns sweet, fascinating, and bitter, seasoned with all of the skill of a talented author and worth your time.” – Anime News Network

From the James Tripee Award Winning author, Fumi Yoshinaga, comes a casual romance between two 40-year-old men and the many meals they share together.

A trying day at court, the aches and pains of aging, and the rising cost of living put Shiro through quite the wringer. Kenji is also in for a few surprises, as discussions about the future and an unexpected New Year’s visit to his family’s home lead to some shocking revelations and an unforeseen proposal. Fortunately, the two always have the comfort of a meal made with love to see them through. Good thing, too, because when a premarital quarrel threatens to torpedo Gilbert/Wataru and Kohinata’s wedding plans, it’s up to Shiro and Kenji to find a way to save their friends’ happiness—without putting their own relationship at risk.

Biographical Notes:

Over the past decade few female comic artists have been as beloved as Fumi Yoshinaga. Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1971, Yoshinaga is a graduate of the prestigious Keio University of Tokyo. A lifelong comic artist and story teller, she made her perfessional debut in 1994 with her short series, The Moon and the Sandals, serialized in Hanaoto magazine, but was previously a participant in many indie comic and fanzine conventions.

Since her debut Yoshinaga has made 16 series, a few of which have been adapted into motion pictures and animated TV series. Her work on Antique Bakery sent her into international fame and she has been nominated for the Eisner Award for her titles – Flowers of Life and Ooku-The Inner Chamber. Of Yoshinaga’s many works, several have been licensed internationally. She recently exhibited her work in the United States with the touring gallery “Shōjo Manga: Girl Power!” (Vancouver, Sacramento, New York, Chicago, Boston).

Title Notes:

Considered one of the biggest names in Japanese comics today, Fumi Yoshinaga has also achieved tremendous success in the United States. She was awarded the Japan Media Arts Award in 2006, since then she was awarded the Sense of Gender Award, The Osamu Tezuka Award, the Shogakukan Manga Award, the James Tripee Award for Gender in Science Fiction and has been nominated for the Eisner Award three times. Her books are regularly listed on YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

Not only does it incorporates food into the narrative, it actually goes through the process of preparing meals in great detail. At the end of most chapters full recipes are listed for the dishes that are not prepped in frame.

While gender and sexuality tend to not be politicized in Japan, sex in general continues to be a very private matter. And thus, media tends to often scandalize romances for ratings. What Did You Eat takes a different approach.

More details on Fumi Yoshinaga:

More works by Fumi Yoshinaga

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