I used to hate eggplants until I ate some eggplant agebitashi in a Japanese restaurant. My reaction was pretty much like how the manga portrays the feeling of discovering something amazing with your taste buds lol. The flavour, texture, delightful smell, and lightness of it just makes it so irresistible and ever since then I started to cook more eggplants. Grilled, baked, tempura, stir-fry... Just so good and the deep purple colour is so attractive. Makes me respect veggies more. I realised I didn't like eggplant because my family tends to overcook it (the way they prefer). Now I'm even growing mini eggplants in a big pot!