Welcome to The Makanai Cooking for the Maiko House ending explained where we will tell what’s next in the lives of Kiyo and Sumire. Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, a Palme d’Or winning filmmaker, the series is about two young best friends who aim to become a Geiko. Adapted from Aiko Koyama’s Manga, the series’ original Japanese title is Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san. The other notable directors of this series are Megumi Tsuno, Hiroshi Okuyama and Takuma Sato. The series has 9 episodes in total, each about 40 minutes.
The official Netflix description of the series is,
TWO INSEPARABLE FRIENDS MOVE TO KYOTO TO CHASE THEIR DREAMS OF BECOMING MAIKO, BUT DECIDE TO PURSUE DIFFERENT PASSIONS WHILE LIVING UNDER THE SAME ROOF.
The entire cast of the series includes Nana Mori as Kiyo, Keiko Matsuzaka as Chiyo, Natsuki Deguchi as Sumire, Mayu Matsuoka as Yoshino, Aju Makita as Ryoko, Takako Tokiwa as Azusa, Kairi Jyo as Kenta Nakanowatari, Momoko Fukuchi as Tsurukoma, Kotoko Wakayanagi as Kikuno, Kotona Minami as Kotono, Lily Franky as Ren, Yukiya Kitamura as Takeshi Ishida, Kanji Furutachi as Kanjiro Furutachi, Keiko Toda as Kimie Sakurai, Kayoko Shiraishi as Kiyo Nozuki’s grandmother and Arata Iura as Masahiro Tanabe.
The Makanai Cooking for the Maiko House Ending Explained
After Kiyo gets rejected as a Maiko, she cooks for all the people in the Maiko house. While she initially takes this up to stay with her best friend, Sumire, she soon realizes that her cooking skills are top-notch, just like her grandmother. She realizes that her purpose is to be a cook than a Maiko.
On the other hand, after crossing so many barriers, Sumire becomes the best Maiko apprentice among the rest. She finishes her training earlier than the other apprentices as the senior Maikos believe she has a unique glow. Soon, she becomes a full-fledged Maiko and starts performing alongside Kyoto town’s best Maiko, Momokoko. Sumire also gets the title of Momohana. In fact, her father, who once despised her dream, proudly smiles when she succeeds.
Ultimately, when both best friends figure out their purposes, they passionately work towards it. They do not get jealous of each other or quarrel. In fact, Kiyo, who also wished to be a Maiko, never got disappointed with her cook life but rather appreciates it. She also supports Sumire wholeheartedly. Similarly, Sumire also roots Kiyo and her cooking skills, helping her and making her proud. Even when Sumire likes Kento though Kento seems to have feelings for Kiyo, Sumire doesn’t get jealous of her.
Both friends stay honest with each other, work for their passion and, in the end, succeed. Sumire shines as a famous Maiko in the town with cameras flashing around her, while Kiyo becomes the youngest Makanai of Kyoto with exemplary culinary skills. Additionally, not only do Kiyo and Sumire have a revelation, but also other characters, like Tsurukoma. Tsurukoma, decides to quit the Maiko training as she believes this isn’t where she belongs.
Final Thoughts
The series is definitely a good watch, as it doesn’t have too much drama going on there. The cinematography, art design, locations, cast and other film aspects are really well done. The series is super aesthetical and can be watched in one go. All nine episodes made sense and carried weight to the ultimate victory of Kiyo, Sumire and the other supporting roles. Moreover, the soundtrack was also efficient, making the series seem both visually and aurally pleasing.
If you haven’t watched The Makanai Cooking for the Maiko House, you can stream it now on Netflix.
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