The Makanai is a really cozy TV series from Japan that is mostly about the friendship of all these different characters who come together in this school for young geishas, the food that they share and Japanese traditions that many western people have an inaccurate view of.

This is an true slice-of-life Japanese drama, which is actually a certain type of story that Japan has developed over the years through formats like anime and manga where this type of story doesn’t necessarily have it’s origins there, but seems to be a very popular way of telling a story. And this drama is only nine episodes so time flies by while watching it.

The Makanai has a somewhat random storyline, although each character actually gets their own part of the narrative as they are followed through the day, but all the stories are a bit without a plot, or a big conflict that the character necessarily has to solve. It’s about the character and their life and dreams, but there’s no specific goal with the stories in particular. They just are. And in the end everyone gets together, people are friends and enjoys the food and their connection to the food that is served them.

The food in the series has its own meaning to the lives of the characters, whether it evokes memories or soothes them in some ways, gives them a warm hug and perhaps a little the importance of tradition, but also the conflicts that some traditions have with modern times. But this is always told without specific answers for the character. They are just there pondering these things while the narrative slowly passes us by.

This quiet narrative style isn’t for everyone, and many would without doubt want there to be more of a purpose to the story, or more tension and feel that our time with the characters doesn’t provide enough immersion. In general some might want or yearn for more story, but in my opinion this was just enough. The characters are all alive and doing their own thing. That cozy, easy-going feel is kind of the point of the story and this slice-of-life style of telling a story. It’s okay to just be cozy and enjoy good food in the hustle and bustle of everything.

Not everything needs tension. It doesn’t all have to be high-stake drama or action. And this sweet little story just lets you do take things easy and just be present, in a way. To be with these people, even if it’s just for a little bit. Not all TV content has to be big and bold. There is plenty of room for this kind of calmness too. The only downside that I can really point out about the shows is that it’s really impossible to watch these episodes without something to snack on, or stopping to google all these different recipes, because it’s all very appetizing and delicious to look at.