Comfort food is a term used to describe a type of cuisine that is specially made to soothe the soul. Dating back to the 1960s, the purpose of such a meal is to put the person into a calm-like trance and fix any ailments that they may have. This relaxed state is obtained from the warm and nurturing feeling that comes from eating the food. While a television show that is broadcasted from a streaming platform obviously cannot be consumed physically, a new show called The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House that premiered for Netflix on January 12 easily shows that high-intensity action and riveting suspense like seen in HBO’s The Last of Us and Disney’s The Mandalorian aren’t always needed to make a show entertainingly digestible for viewers.

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Enter the gleeful and bright female characters of Sumire Herai and Kiyo Nozuki, who are played by Natsuki Deguchi and Nana Mori, respectively. These two teenage best friends move from the city of Aomori to Kyoto in order to chase after their lifelong dreams of becoming maiko, which is the first step towards becoming a geisha. The cheerful tone of the show quickly sweeps the audience up into an emotional journey where they are introduced to other personalities featured at the Maiko house.

Rather quickly, events unfold showing that Kiyo is not as naturally skilled as Sumire when it comes to learning the dances and rituals of becoming a geisha. But by chance, the head mother and all the other residents become infatuated with Ms. Nozuki’s cooking skills. After some pondering, Kiyo ends up becoming the in-house cook of the Maiko house, commonly called a makanai. From this point on, the show seamlessly follows two main points of interest: Kiyo and the making of her many dishes as well as the cultural history behind them and Sumire’s constantly growing popularity as a maiko and all the many significant traditions that follow.

The Wonderful World of Maiko and Geisha

     Netflix

As The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House ran for nine episodes with a runtime of about forty-five minutes each, the audience was not only introduced to many remarkable and unique characters but also scenarios that would only be found within the rich historical significance of the Japanese geisha movement.

There are the mothers or authority figures of the household, Ms. Azusa and Ms. Chiyo. They consistently guide aspiring geishas in the right way of doing things and prepare them for their future aspirations in this distinguished line of work. Right below them are the experienced geishas, Momoko and Yoshino. Even though Yoshino has been retired from being a geisha for some time, the two females seem to still have a rivalry embedded into their friendship. While the former is a loose cannon with her actions, the latter is quite reserved and disciplined, which lends the pair to be the fun and odd couple of the show. Fellow maiko in training include Tsurukoma, Kikuno, and Kotono, who all provide extra depth to the show’s emotional plateau.

Fans of the show are crossing their fingers that The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House does not end up like Netflix’s recent cancelations of Warrior Nun or The Midnight Club. In the meantime though, some theories are already popping up describing what could happen if and when Sumire Herai and Kiyo Nozuki return to the small screen. After all, there are several unresolved stories that still have to be settled in the Maiko house so let’s dive into a few of them and see if we could set up the future of the show ourselves.

A Wedding for Miss Azusa?

Dispersed throughout the entire first season, Miss Azusa, who is played by Takoko Tokiwa (who stars in the Japanese version of the hit CBS drama The Good Wife), has a growing romantic relationship with Arata Iura’s Masahiro Tanabe. While he seriously thinks about marriage with Miss Azusa and talks it over with others including her daughter, the actual proposal never actually takes place. This impending marriage is something that could be brought to a conclusion in just the first episode of the next season.

An interesting but yet-to-be-fully explored part of main character Sumire Herai’s past is her friendship with Kenta Nakanowatari. Even though he and Kiyo’s grandmother are isolated for the time being back in Amori, the show continuously reminds viewers about Kenta and Sumire’s connection through flashbacks and jump cuts. Sumire even brings Kenta’s name up while talking with Kiyo at the Maiko house numerous times. While this could easily turn into another romantic ship just like Miss Azusa and Mr. Tanabe, the reunion between the two friends will be a sight to see in itself.

Yoshino’s Mystery Man?

     Netflix 

Of course, the main focus on people’s minds is how Sumire will continue to ascend as an official maiko. While that is a fair concern given she is the newest rising star in Kyoto, another question mark left unanswered is Yoshino’s mystery suitor. When her husband asks about her ongoing presence at a restaurant, the waitress responds by telling him that sometimes she attends with another man. Even though the meeting would be separated by a screen, fans would surely be exhilarated to come across a man who can match Yoshino’s over-the-top and high-spirited charisma.

As of this writing, a second season of The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House has yet to be announced, but hopefully, we get to see the continuing triumphs of Sumire Herai, Kiyo Nozuki, and the other girls soon. It is safe to say that while geisha have a place in Japanese history, makanai have also certainly found a home with the Netflix audience.