Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru – Movie Review & Summary

Haru is a photography student at Kuri Art University. He is roommates with Aki, his best friend since high school. They have rented a house and lived together for the past two years. The free-spirited Aki is a messy tenant who never tidies up after himself. In contrast, Haru is a neat freak. He gets frustrated and must always clean the mess around their home. Despite their different habits, they tolerate each other's differences and still get along splendidly.

Aki loves cooking. The kitchen is his domain, where he enjoys preparing many homemade meals. Aki exudes a culinary flair and likes experimenting with new recipes. Unlike his roommate, Haru has no idea how to cook. Aki is responsible for preparing meals for both of them. They always eat together around a tiny table in the living room. Haru loves Aki's food and always compliments his roommate's efforts.

Although Aki and Haru study in different faculties, they belong to the same social circle. One of their female friends, Azusa, used to have a crush on Haru. She tried asking him out two years ago, but he didn't reciprocate her feelings. Since then, Azusa has given up on her romantic pursuits and treats him as a mere friend. Azusa observes that Aki and Haru have a close bond. Everyone else agrees, remarking that the two guys seem chummy. No one can come between them.

Haru enjoys photography. Beyond treating it as a hobby, he wants to pursue a career in this field. Haru used to be a still-life photographer. He changed his style for a recent assignment, taking portrait snapshots of Aki in the kitchen. His professor compliments his pictures and remarks on his talent. Haru is thankful that Aki provides the source of inspiration for his photos.

Aki and Haru eat dinner together every night. However, Haru's studies occasionally keep him occupied. He comes home late, only to discover Aki has waited for him to eat their meal. While his roommate seems focused on photography, Aki has no idea what to do with his future. He worries about drifting through life without ambition. Aki also becomes concerned he'll part ways with Haru after graduation. As they embark on separate paths, their plans may not necessarily include each other.

Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru is a cozy movie with a relaxing plot. The sweet, wholesome story aims to be a stress-free experience. It contains minimal conflict, so you won't have to deal with arguments or antagonistic drama. Instead, enjoy a feel-good journey exploring cuisine, camaraderie, and cohabitation. From therapeutic cooking scenes to delightful conversations, this gentle film gives off positive vibes. Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru is the cinematic equivalent of comfort food, providing emotional nourishment for the soul.

My favourite moments in the movie involve the lighthearted interactions between the main characters. Aki and Haru are best friends who share a playful rapport. They joke around, tease each other, and have goofy fun together. These cute scenes showcase their endearing personalities and highlight how much they get along. All the adorable moments come from their everyday routine, like cooking in the kitchen or dining over a homemade meal. The film takes the simplicity of their domestic bliss and transforms it into a charming relationship.

Both leads bring natural charm to their roles, giving their characters warmth and likability. Aki's actor (Ryotaro Akazawa) dazzles with his lively charisma. He captures the protagonist's quirky persona, from animated expressions to giddy mannerisms. Aki is almost like a cartoon who makes me smile with his silly reactions. Similarly, Haru's performer (Kensuke Takahashi) seems sincere and down-to-earth. His calm presence offers the ideal counterbalance to his costar's enthusiasm. Their familiarity strengthens the on-screen chemistry, so every exchange feels authentic.

Despite the genuine connection, Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru hesitates to portray the couple's attraction. Nearly all their friendly interactions are devoid of flirtation. The movie markets itself under the BL genre, yet there's a noticeable absence of romantic content. The story emphasizes how the characters have a special connection and cherish each other. Yet, their bond doesn't resemble lovers. There's no desire, seduction, or physical affection. Even the confession scene is subdued and barely articulated. Some may argue this film is a bromance masquerading as BL.

The lack of overt romantic passion restricts this movie's potential. Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru is outshined by other Japanese BL dramas with pronounced love stories. It gets compared to What Did You Eat Yesterday due to their similar cooking scenes and slice-of-life style. However, that series is funnier, more heartwarming, tackles gay issues, and features a dating couple. Many titles have done the friends-to-lovers trope better than Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru. Unlike this evasive film, they explore the relationships extensively beyond the platonic level.

In the movie's final arc, Haru must make an important decision regarding his future. This straightforward drama resolves quickly without much nuance. Aki also chooses his career ambition, even though the story hardly explains his thought process. I'm frustrated by the lightweight film, which doesn't expand on the plots substantially. It seems preoccupied with cutesy exchanges and culinary adventures rather than a complex narrative. Overall, I still find Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru cheerful and soothing. However, it's a rather mundane movie with little BL material.