What Did You Eat Yesterday?, Volume 18

きのう何食べた? [Kinō Nani Tabeta?] #18

by Fumi Yoshinaga

Shiro and Kenji are now approaching their sixties, and to Kenji's horror, Shiro has started making plans for the end of his life. Meanwhile, unforeseen circumstances at work mean that Kenji may have to give up his position as the manager and even leave the salon for good...

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

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2021

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

[Eressea · Rating 5 out of 5]

主角們也奔六啦
還跟上新冠時事
這套要完結在史朗和賢二住進安養院嗎XD

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet (but not TOO sweet) slice of domesticity, as always. This volume addresses some less pleasant realities, such as end-of-life planning, the fact that marriage equality STILL is not recognized in Japan, and the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in a very gentle way.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the converstations in this volume! Death rights, gay marriage in Japan, financially supporting your partner, the woes of work and the closeness of friends. In contrast, most of the dishes in this volume sounded gross! Granted, I am vegan so I'm not interested in a whole fish, but warm avocado? Yuck!

[Aidan]

Again a great volume, and there was some hinting at the pandemic, never directly stated, but it was implied. I thought it was a nice little bit to add to the story. I'm very excited for Vol. 19, and I don't know if I can wait for December.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a while since I've last revisited this series and it's nice to be back in such a cozy story world. The sheer mundanity of these comics are what make them shine as the book does a tremendous job of celebrating the smallest moments.

Like the other books, this volume features a variety of recipes that I wish we could try. The biggest challenge would be some of the more specialized ingredients local to Japan. They're still the highlight of each issue - not that the surrounding story doesn't shine as well.

What is notable by the stories in this volume is how we're really seeing Shiro softening up and really trying to make sure that Kenji feels loved and valued. He's still not the best at it and he tends to view things very cerebrally (hence the adoption discussion), but it's still clear that the truly is trying to follow his heart in these matters.

[Sol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shiro thinking to himself that he still wants to leave everything of his to Kenji, even if they were to break up and Kenji were to start living with another man....!!! OHHH GODDDD MY HEARTTTT I CAN'TTTT

So damn touching... the way these two care about each other so deeply that it sometimes even leads them to arguing just touches my heart.

Also, that avocado toast just looked so yummmmm... I swear this series is a huge proponent of eating healthy but it's also the thing that makes me want to snack in the middle of the night!!!!

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might be biased, but as an attorney who is getting close to 60 years old and in a long-term relationship with my partner, I love reading the gentle stories of Shiro, an attorney who is getting close to 60 years old and in a long-term relationship with his partner.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s good but it promised drama and it happens but it doesn’t feel as dramatic as I want it. Maybe wait for the last page before the answer is given or a dreadful cliffhanger. I mean I was mad about that boss returning but I didn’t feel like he was going to take the shop back.

[LaShana Claude]

"Fumi Yoshinaga's What Did You Eat Yesterday? is notable for filling a niche within a niche. Not only is it a cooking manga, but it's a cooking manga starring a gay couple. Even beyond that, it's specifically about a middle-aged gay couple."-AIPT

[Rozarka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is my happy place.

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how we're just....following these sweethearts as they age. Here for it.

[Becky]

史朗要見賢二的家人了～～

[jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

this volume was so sweet ;____;

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love hanging out with my babies, and seeing them have serious conversations about the mundane and tedious aspects of life. But also, what do you mean Shiro is pushing 60?! I need to lay down.

[Carina Stopenski · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love my silly little husbands (going to try all the recipes in this volume too)