After the Rain, Vol 3 by Jun Mayuzuki

After the Rain, Vol 3 Reviews

• 
  Mina

  The dedication to show the boss’s bald spot in every panel…
• 
  Kayt O'Bibliophile

  Review of omnibuses 1-3 (Japanese volumes 1-6)
  3.5 stars, but I'll round up for Goodreads' system
  After the Rain is not a comfortable series, but I don't think its supposed to be. The main point of the series, the thing that drives the narrative, is 17-year-old Akira's crush on the 45-year-old manager at her part-time job.
  
  I was leery. Fiction is fiction, but I was still wondering, going in, what does the book think is appropriate? Is this supposed to be almost fantasy, where the reader is supposed to almost skim over the major age difference? Are we supposed to acknowledge it and root for them to get together anyway?
  
  (Why pick it up at all, you ask? I found the first 3 volumes at the library. That seems to be how I find most of my graphic novels these days.)
  
  To be honest, after 3 volumes--which are actually 6 of the original Japanese volumes, as Vertical is publishing them as 2-in-1 omnibuses--I still can't tell where this is going. The story definitely acknowledges the taboo (and creepiness) of a high school junior and a divorced middle-aged man, if they got together. Both characters are shown sympathetically as individuals, and any hint of "will they or won't they" isn't titillating so much as an exercise in two people with personal and self-confidence issues who stand to gain different things from the theoretical pairing, and how they are trying to reconcile those feelings with feelings about the other person in particular with feelings about how appropriate the whole thing is. And the story is very clear that such a relationship isn't a good thing, it's not something we should root for or find palatable.
  
  The [potential] relationship is in some ways (or maybe all ways) something for both characters to add some interest to their lives:
  
  Akira, the 17-year-old, was a track star until she tore a muscle and needed surgery, something that she's still recovering from. Her entire social life up to that point appears to have revolved around track, and her best friend of many years is still part of the track team. Now, unable to run, she avoids the team, withdraws from her friend, and throws herself into her part-time job as a waitress.
  
  Into this staid existence--she appears to have no siblings, and a friendly but emotionally-distant family along with a typical kind of of self-centeredness of teens and young adults, where everything is now and feelings are felt very strongly--she has her boss.
  
  Kondo, the 45-year-old divorced manager, has nothing going on. His staff respect his position as boss, but don't tend to think much of him as a person. He shares custody of an elementary son with his ex-wife but doesn't always remember when it's his turn. He doesn't seem to have many friends or much (if any) social life. He thinks of himself as an old person whose chances for an interesting life have passed by. And then he has a teenager not just confess that she likes him, but she continues to pursue him.
  
  Kondo acknowledges the taboo--what would people think if they saw them together, he asks Akira--and alternates between being intrigued and enjoying the attention, and being rightfully uncomfortable.
  
  I saw a review over at Anime News Network posit that Akira and Kondo both get something out of the relationship, even as it stands in limbo: Akira gets a safe crush and something she can not just focus her attention on, but something she can pursue and even hold power in--filling the void that track and its associated socializing had. Kondo gets to feel like he's interesting and not just a washed-up has-been for the first time in years, treated like he's interesting and special in a life when most other people he interacts with are distinctly not communicating that.
  
  And those two things would explain why the non-relationship (and story) continue. Kondo tries half-heartedly to keep Akira at arm's length, but agrees to meet with her "as friends" to visit a book fair, for example. He knows he shouldn't encourage her, but between her unavoidable presence at work and the boost to his low self-worth, he can't seem to bring himself to set a hard boundary. Instead, by book 3 he's decided to emphasize "we're FRIENDS," and you honestly can't figure out who's he's trying to convince more: Akira, or himself.
  
  The series is more than halfway done, but I still find it impossible to guess whether the endgame is them getting together or not (and, to be perfectly frank, I hope it's not).
• 
  Sarah 🥀⛓️

  Surprisingly this book wasn’t a dud compared to the others?! After the Rain finally starts to explore relationships, fears, ambitions.. Plus,this one didn’t contain like 70% empty filler content, so this was refreshing. Although, I don’t think it deserves a
  4 star rating despite the improvements. I still feel like a lot more could be done with the story altogether - or is that just me?
  There’s a disconnect with majority of the characters, making it hard to relate on a personal level. I think the general appeal falls behind the “slice of life” vibe still ongoing. Aside from that, there’s not a whole lot going for this one. It still baffles me with how many fans this manga has..
  The over sexualization with previous volumes has calmed down, putting more emphasis on the story. Wish all of the books were more story oriented, but I’m guessing it’s supposed to be an intentional slow burn.
  
  Only 1 more book to go, & I’m quitting this series!
  (Purchased a bunch in advance)
• 
  Katey Flowers

  This volume didn’t have any of the gross and unnecessary sexualisation of the second volume. I liked how this one ended. It’s clear how much Akira is losing (friends, interests, passions) as she overly invests in her infatuation of Kondo, and I think he is starting to realise that, too. Still all very slice of life, but I much preferred this one to the previous.
• 
  Fyre.Katz

  This is the real version I read!
  
  Cute story about an injured ex-track runner/ student that is now working in a restaurant and falls for an older man- her boss.
• 
  Izybella Granado Finley

  I would recommend this series! It’s really wholesome and a slice-of-life story that’s really enjoyable to read! 💗
• 
  Shae

  I AM FREAKING SOLD ON THIS SERIES!!!!!! GAH!!!!!!!!! I DIE!!!!!!!!!!!! It continues to get better and better!!! Give it all to me! I need more Jun Mayuzuki titles STAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
• 
  Aaron

  In a moment of idleness and loneliness, a pinprick of hope.
  
  AFTER THE RAIN #3 is a slow and pensive adjudication of the annoying and difficult uncertainties that numb the elbows, poke the backs of one's knees, and tickle the hair on the back of one's neck.
  
  Kondo allows himself the mild pleasure of imagining he may not be as uninteresting a guy as he thinks he is; Akira Tachibana indulges in the whimsical idea that even if she settles for being a friend, she can yet be a close friend to the middle-aged man; and so on. Part of the joy of this manga is how it's assessment of romance's twists and turns are always in far greater bloom than one imagines.
  
  For example, Yui Nishida, the short and spunky co-worker whom Akira typically chats with, expands her crush on Yoshizawa, an energetic know-nothing. Yui's excitable nature pulls up short when the girl decides to declare her affection with a gift (a knitted scarf), and it's a curious and charming adventure for the girl (and for Akira) to disassemble all the motions and emotions wrapped inside Yui's "What should I do?" question as it concerns navigating a fledgling romance. And yet, as with every character in this series, Yui refuses to remain idle. . .
  
  Kondo with his now-distant literary career. Mizuki Kurata, a rival schoolmate of Akira's, who returns to track and field following an achilles injury. Kase, the distant playboy who works as a cook, and his simmering affection for his adoptive sister. Idleness always threatens to devour the better desires and wholesome affairs of these characters. As for Akira, she learns, slowly but surely, that if she truly wishes to get close to Kondo, then she must be mindful. She must take action. She must move forward. But before all else, AFTER THE RAIN #3 teaches that she must first be patient.
• 
  James DeSantis

  I like how this is evolving more into a story about being at peace with yourself and proud of yourself with the love story sprinkled in.
  
  We now have Mizuki trying to be okay with working and being in love with Kondou. The thing is Kondou is still living a past life, still unsure of himself, still not being too proud of who or what he is. But Mizuki is breaking through that little by little. We are introduced to a new character who is upset that Mizuki has quit running as well which brings up interesting storyline. Also the fact nishida gets some love and her quest to find her happiness.
  
  Overall, a really exciting volume watching some great moments of characters trying to better themselves. It is not everyday get to see people wanting or trying to be better. I also love Mizuki's conviction and her goals.
  
  Overall, another great volume. A 4 out of 5.
• 
  halfcupoflife

  This was a quick read and after this volume I keep wondering why she won't pick up running anymore??? Like, she is able to if she does the PT. Is she scared that she won't be as fast anymore? Or is she genuinely not trying to get into running because she's scared to get hurt?
  
  I also still can't really get into the added plot point between the track friends, I feel like we still do not know much yet besides little glimpses of Akira's past. However, not enough context to care about their relationship and the track team.
  
  In regard to the romance, I like the maturity that Jun Mayazuki adds to their relationships and the friendships around Akira. I still think the age difference is weird and I like that her love interest has been responsible enough to understand the age difference and that being friends is what's best given the moment.
  
  I give this volume a 3.75/5
• 
  Yuri

  It was great!! I liked how the author “changed” a little the pacing here by adding different point of views and news interesting plots. I understand why people would be uncomfortable with how Tachibana and Kondo’s relationship have been play out so far, but I think the author isn’t try to do something romantic. Instead, portraying struggling with the same issues but dealing with it in a different way. I see Akira and Kondo more like a mirror of each other than lovers. Especially because, even though we don’t know exactly what choices Kondo made to end up like this, it’s implicit that Akira maybe going through the same path he did, though with a different setting.
• 
  Taun

  Much less sexualized than the previous two, with more character development & a much more realistic look at interpersonal relationships.
  
  Slow paced, slice of life, the series looks like it’s turning a much more mature corner in regards to Tachibana’s realization that infatuation cannot take the place of the things (running track, competing, high school friends) she has effectively shunned.
  
  Kondo, her boss, is also beginning to realize his own feelings and what they may entail.
  
  Better than the previous two, still with unnecessary scenes.
  
  
  Content Notes: implied nudity, age gap, infatuation, physical trauma (sports injury)
• 
  David Doel

  I continue to enjoy this series for reasons I have mentioned in my reviews of the earlier volumes.
  
  I want to comment on the relationship between Akira and "the Boss." Thus far, there is no lust or erotic substance to this relationship. I know not what the final two volumes will bring, but the relationship in volumes 1 through 3 is one of mutual giving, not unlike that of a parent and child. It will be interesting for me to see how this plays out in the final two volumes.
• 
  Valleri

  Summer rain turns to autumn wind but the romance doesn't cool off between Akira and Kondo. As his feeling deepen, Kondo ponders what it would mean for a grown man like him to be involved with a 17-year-old like Akira even if Akira is the persistent pursuer. 3 books down, 2 to go!
• 
  Gabe

  Mayazuki is finally starting to divert from the typical one-sided melancholic romance setup in favor of mixing and matching character interactions. Tachibana and Boss were in noticeably less chapters together especially in the second half of the volume, but it works to expand the world of the cast.
• 
  Kaley

  Going in an interesting direction.
• 
  yaritza

  3.5/5
• 
  Adrian Bloxham

  Just gets better
• 
  Hange Zoe

  Right, so if you've already seen the anime, you would know that volume three is basically non-existent in the anime.
  
  If you haven't, at least there are a lot of surprises for when you read it!!!
• 
  Nicole

  This was...fine. I don't know...definitely not a favorite series for me but I'll finish it. Glad I got this through the library though. It's ok but so far it just hasn't really done it for me.
• 
  mint🍵

  yoshizawas lil chapters are my fav <3
• 
  Yuley Infante

  4/5✨
• 
  Megan

  Okay, so if Tachibana ends up giving up track completely when she clearly wants to get back into it just because of her interest in some 40 odd year old man I'm gonna be pissed.
• 
  Avery

  3.75
  
  I'm extremely curious about how this will end considering how well the main plot lines have been handled.
• 
  Laura

  This series just gets more and more relatable.
• 
  Kim Lily

  THIS IS REALLY GOOD, I JUST GOT JT FROM A DISCOUNT BUT ARGHH I LOVE IT
• 
  Maria Castillo

  Such a cute plot and the way the characters are built into the story can't wait to continue reading it overall a five out of five stars
• 
  Donna

  Akira and her boss/crush go to a Book Festival as friends.
  
  This was another sweet addition to the series. Akira and Nishida decide to knit scrarves for their crushes for Christmas. It will be interesting to see how each of those is received. Akira is quiet, misses track, and is drawn to her 45-year-old manager at the restaurant she works at. And the author is able to carry this off without it seeming creepy.