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| Then You Try Making It Ending Explained: Ayumi & Katsuo’s Not-So-Simple Final Choice (Photo: TBS/Screencap) |
TBS’s 10-episode rom-com Then You Try Making It! (じゃあ、あんたが作ってみろよ) has officially wrapped, leaving viewers feeling a mix of “aww”, “eh?”, and “wait—so that’s where we’re heading?”
Directed by Fukuda Ryosuke, the drama adapts Taniguchi Natsuko’s award-winning manga and turns a domestic comedy into a surprisingly reflective story about gender roles, self-worth, and learning to meet your partner halfway.
Quick Recap of Then You Try Making It Final Episode
The finale picks up after Yamagishi Ayumi (played by Kaho) recovers from being scammed and starts grinding through job searches at restaurants.
Meanwhile, Ebihara Katsuo (Takeuchi Ryoma) is stuck at home on company suspension, pouring his energy into chores… quite the reversal from the old Katsuo.
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When he finally returns to work, the welcome is cold. Colleagues whisper. Seniors stare. Yanagisawa (Hamao Noritaka) keeps his frosty attitude, reminding Katsuo that redemption won’t come easy.
Ayumi, on the other hand, is moving forward. With encouragement from Taihei (Raiku), she plans to start her own food space inside his bar. She’s bruised by her past but no longer lost. She’s finally cooking for herself, not for anyone else’s approval.
At Taihei’s Mexican festival, Ayumi prepares her signature Mexican-style spring rolls.
A renowned food producer tastes them and immediately offers her a chance to open a restaurant together. It’s the first clear sign that Ayumi’s future is expanding beyond Katsuo.
Katsuo sees all this—her glow, her confidence—and realises how much she has grown. With a push from Tsubaki (Nakajo Ayami), he tries to gather the courage to tell Ayumi how he truly feels now, not as the “perfect man” he once pretended to be.
Meanwhile, drama brews in the side-characters corner. Minamikawa (Kyoka) and Tsubaki have a sharp but heartfelt chat about love, while speculation online explodes after viewers notice Minamikawa’s subtle looks toward Katsuo.
But the tension everyone is waiting for arrives:
Ayumi and Katsuo finally confront their relationship—everything they learned, everything they lost, and whether they should reconnect as equals or part ways for good.
No big melodramatic blow-ups. No teary shouting. Just two adults learning that love without growth isn’t love at all.
Then You Try Making It Ending Explained
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The ending of Then You Try Making It is deliberately understated—and that’s exactly its strength.
Here’s what it represents:
1. Ayumi chooses herself first
Ayumi’s arc is about reclaiming identity. After years of over-giving, she finally builds a dream that’s entirely hers. The offer from the food producer represents a new chapter: she no longer relies on Katsuo’s validation.
2. Katsuo learns the value of emotional labour
Katsuo’s journey is one of late growth. He realises relationships aren’t sustained by assumptions or “roles”, but by effort. His suspension forces him to confront everything he avoided before.
He changes, yes—but the drama chooses realism over fantasy. Growth doesn’t instantly erase past mistakes.
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3. Their reunion is not a romantic reset
Unlike typical rom-com endings, Ayumi and Katsuo don’t run into each other's arms. Instead, the finale shows a quiet, mutual understanding:
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They were good for each other once.
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They hurt each other unintentionally.
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They needed space to become better versions of themselves.
The ending suggests a possible future, but not a guaranteed one. It’s hopeful rather than definitive. They’ve started healing individually, and maybe—maybe—that leaves room for something healthier later.
4. “Then you try making it” shifts meaning
At the start, the phrase is Katsuo’s excuse.
By the end, it becomes their shared lesson:
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Make your own choices.
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Make your own growth.
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Make your own life.
Whether they make a relationship together again? That’s left open on purpose.
Cast & Characters Wrapped
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Kaho – Yamagishi Ayumi
Ayumi ends the show stronger, more assured, and ready to build a food career on her own terms.
Takeuchi Ryoma – Ebihara Katsuo
Katsuo finally understands partnership. His growth is ongoing, not complete, which keeps his arc relatable.
Nakajo Ayami – Kashikura Tsubaki
The friend who pushes everyone toward honesty. Calm, smart, and well-loved by fans.
Aoki Yuzu – Minato
Steady support character who keeps Ayumi afloat emotionally.
Raiku – Yoshii Taihei
His bar becomes the birthplace of Ayumi’s independence. Kind, chill, quietly vital.
Kyoka – Minamikawa Amina
The unexpected wildcard of the finale, sparking heated fan theories about her feelings for Katsuo.
And of course, the Ebihara family—messy, nosy, comedic, but ultimately grounded the show’s domestic side.
TLDR + Short Review
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Rating: 3.8/5
A breezy rom-com that quietly hides commentary on gender roles, emotional maturity, and self-worth. The finale avoids clichés and opts for something more nuanced, although viewers wanting a firm romantic conclusion may feel teased.
Best parts:
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Ayumi’s character arc
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Katsuo’s slow-burn growth
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The realistic, non-dramatic ending
Weaker parts:
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Some subplots feel undercooked
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Romance payoff is intentionally subtle
Still, it’s warm, thoughtful, and genuinely funny in its own awkward, domestic way.
FAQ
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Is the ending sad or happy?
It’s bittersweet but hopeful.
Not fully happy, not sad — more like “we’re both growing, let’s see where life takes us”.
Do Ayumi and Katsuo get back together?
Not explicitly.
The show hints at the possibility, but the focus is on individual growth rather than rushing a reconciliation.
Is a Season 2 possible?
Yes — surprisingly, the production team recently hinted they’re open to it if fan support is strong. The manga also has a sequel, making continuation entirely feasible.
What could happen in Season 2?
Potential directions include:
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Ayumi opening her own restaurant and facing new challenges
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Katsuo navigating his new career phase and workplace dynamics
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A more mature, slow-burn second-chance romance
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Minamikawa’s hinted feelings causing new tension
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Taihei becoming a more central character in Ayumi’s new journey
There’s plenty of material left.
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Final Thoughts
Then You Try Making It ended not with a fairytale, but with grounded hope — and that’s why it resonated. The characters still have growing to do, and viewers clearly want to follow them further.
If you loved the show, make noise online. Season 2 genuinely depends on fan enthusiasm, so your comments, views, and support could push TBS to green-light the next chapter.