After the Rain, Vol 1 by Jun Mayuzuki

After the Rain, Vol 1 Reviews

• 
  Jenny

  *deep breath* Ohhhhh boy, I am probably going to piss off a FUCK TON of people with this review, but I have to be honest: I didn't like this volume and I definitely will not be continuing with this series.
  
  To start off, I bought this volume because the anime adaptation was really popular and I had seen a review that piqued my interest. Then the first volume went on sale and I said, "Fuck it, no better time then now to try it."
  
  And then I read it. And now I want my money back.
  
  Look, I don't think this is a terrible series. I can totally understand why it could be so popular: beautiful artwork, a simple story with a strong central conflict, great paneling and use of shadows to convey emotion, and so on. Also, to make it clear now, I have nothing against the taboo potential relationship between Boss and Tachibana because it is made clear several times that it's a doomed relationship and that it's inappropriate. I just don't give a flying fuck about Tachibana's love for him or a potential relationship between the two.
  
  Romance is one of my favorite genres when it comes to manga because, depending on the story, the characters are fun, the romance (when done right) can be sweet or heartwarming or charming, and the artwork really captures the feelings characters are expressing (usually). The problem with this series is that, as stated earlier, I don't give a fuck about Tachibana and Boss's potential relationship, and to elaborate, because I don't give a fuck about THEM. Tachibana's honestly pretty boring; she's reserved most of the time, when she's isn't reserved she's unusually bright and energetic, and her obsession with her boss kind of took over anything that could have made her interesting. Boss (sorry, I don't remember his name and I can't be bothered to look it up) is just straight-up boring. He's a wimpy, milquetoast, overly apologetic guy who's dialogue DROVE ME UP THE FUCKING WALL BECAUSE IT WAS SO DAMN GENERIC. He literally talks like that overly polite person who seems to only know how to make small talk and generic nice platitudes. I don't think Mayuzuki had to cave my skull in getting this "he's a wimpy, nice person" point across, but I can't fathom continuing the series if THAT'S what I have to deal with.
  
  My dislike for the characters was not just reserved for those two, though. I honestly didn't like a single character in this manga. They were either obnoxious and annoying (like Yui and Tachibana's school friends), trying to get with Tachibana (like Kase and Yoshizawa), or forgettable (like the other chef and the older waitress). Speaking of Kase, his whole section was the main reason why this volume got bumped down to two stars. Why was it necessary to have such a creepy, rude guy hit on Tachibana and is currently blackmailing her into dating him? Seriously, what does that add to the story? More drama? The fact that Tachibana's in love with a man 28 years older than her isn't dramatic enough? Mayuzuki needed to add in a creepy, slightly older guy who fantasizes about getting her drunk and sleeping with her to add...I don't fucking know, tension? Stakes? Whatever the reason was, it was gross and unnecessary and solidified my dislike for this series.
  
  Aside from the gross section with Kase, this manga was just BORING. I know that doesn't adequately explain it, but the fact of the matter is that while I was reading this, I barely felt anything. I may have chuckled once and admired the artwork during Tachibana's flashback scene, but the rest of the time I didn't feel anything. Not to mention, it's not like this is a small volume, this tome's 320 pages (I think) and that's a LOT of pages to read and be FUCKING BORED reading.
  
  I'm sure more people are going to enjoy this and considering the relative popularity of the anime, I have no doubt many people do. For me, it was a disappointing, boring read with either unlikable or unmemorable characters, admittedly beautiful artwork, and a romance that you couldn't pay me to get invested in. Pick this up if you want to, but I wouldn't recommend it.
• 
  James DeSantis

  Man I am just eating up these Romance Slice of Life stories. Keep giving me more. Any recommendations list below!
  
  Anyway, this is the story about Akira Tachibana. Who is that you might ask? Well once she was a all star track runner but eventually got hurt badly and couldn't run anymore. This leads to her taking it easy and working at a diner after school. In doing that she begins to form feelings for Masami Kondou, who is a 45 year old manager at the diner. How old is Akira...well...she's 17.
  
  Now I know, I know, this sounds gross. Why would you read about a 45 year old dating a 17 year old, right? But somehow, this story turns out to be actually really sweet.
  
  I guess it helps Masami Kondou isn't a pervy, creepy, dirty 45 year old with a crush on Akira. In fact it is Akira who really likes him. And she's the one who confesses it even, which is a nice change of pace. The fact they make Akira have different taste than others is a nice twist too. I also love the fact when everyone goes to her, she has this almost resting bitchface but in fact she's mostly super shy and cute. Reminds me of the prototype for Komi can't communicate series.
  
  There is one weird storyline of a older boy who finds out Akira likes her manager and basically blackmails her. It's weird, overly creepy at points, and I don't love it. Luckily it isn't in a lot of this but I hope doesn't go too much further.
  
  So far, this is a charming story, funny when it needs to be, and drawn wonderfully. I'll be grabbing the next volume. A 4 out of 5.
• 
  courtney ♡ librarycutie

  yesssss! i really wanted to read a manga that wasn’t a contemporary based in junior high or wasn’t too cutesy but was still interesting. i picked this up on a whim, and liked the fact that there was an age gap in the romantic interests and i’m hooked. i need volume two nooow! tachibana is a chill character and her bangs are so cute, i love how this someone makes her blush when she’s seen to just brush everything off, and it’s so cute honestly.
• 
  nyla ʚ♡⃛ɞ

  cute cute!! the age gap worried me at first but i hear the relationship doesn’t go anywhere so that’s a relief. love the art style also!!
• 
  Iqra M.

  First and foremost, I haven't seen the anime. However, this was such a quick and fun read - it's hilarious BUT the premise weirds me out a bit.
  I love the artwork though. It's really gorgeous. Still considering if I should get the second volume. We shall see.
  
  [re-read] 6/3/2021
  I’ve decided to give this another chance because of the good reviews on the anime adaptation. (I even bought the second volume) It is true that in the beginning, I felt that the plot was off-putting due to the huge age-gap but many reviewers mentioned that there’s nothing disturbing happening in the series; the manga seems to be centred around the passion of the characters, rather than their
  “relationship”. Apparently, the development & build-up is good so I can’t wait to see how the story progresses!
• 
  Nicola

  Bellissimo, che altro dire? Shoujo/Seinen senza le menate del primo e senza la pesantezza cliché del secondo. Lo stile dell'autrice è superbo, ricorda molto quello dei manga di fine anni '80 inizio '90, un po' la Takeuchi dei tempi migliori.
• 
  connie

  My full review of this can be found
  on my blog!
• 
  Jen13

  I watched the anime last summer and I just loved it. I decided to pick up the manga, and from what I have read it seems that the anime is a faithful adaptation. This is not an age-gap romance, but a slice of life story about two people who help each other during a difficult time. Tachibana definitely has a crush on her boss at the beginning of the series, but I was ok with how this was handled. I haven't finished the entire manga series, but I'm hoping it ends in the same way that the anime does.
  
  The art is lovely, there are interesting side characters, humor, and touching moments. I love how Kondo (the manager), isn't a sexy 45-year-old man. He is a realistic guy, who wears dorky dad clothes and has a bald spot. I recommend this to people who enjoy slice of life stories and unique friendships.
• 
  Katey Bellew

  A slice of life with a 17 year old high schooler who’s in love with her 45 year old manager. There are uncomfortable elements to this age gap story, but that’s kind of the point. It’s clear the ‘romance’ is inappropriate and doomed to fail, which allows for an interesting exploration of youth, desire and dreams.
  
  I’ve heard positive things about the handling of this age gap situation, and I hope the story continues in the direction I think it’s going.
  
  The Kase blackmail arc feels unnecessary tho…
• 
  skylar lokota

  cw // adult/minor relationship, injury, depression
  
  Okay but Akira Tachibana my heart bleeds for you pls get help lmao
• 
  B!!!

  YOSHIZAWA!!!!!
• 
  Rin

  Ahh its been a while since I felt the raw romantic feeling pouring out from a manga
• 
  Aaron

  Masami Kondo is firmly rooted as a middle-aged man in middle management going nowhere fast. He doesn't seem to mind it either. Work is okay. His kid seems happy. Life, broadly speaking, moves at its own pace. Sounds nice.
  
  Akira Tachibana is on the cusp of . . . something. The attractive teen steadfastly avoids gossip and is keen to support any friend in need but she's having trouble finding a new interest after an injury sidelines her from track and field. How about work? How about succumbing to the generosity of a quirky 45-year-old man? How about a young love that is awkward and impossible and illegal . . . but just might work out if she gives it her all? AFTER THE RAIN is a charming manga that does what a handful of Japanese comics (and animation) have done so remarkably with the taboo: provide context.
  
  This is a comic whose dutiful application of self-deprecating whimsy and sarcasm goes a long way toward ingratiating readers to the misfortunes (or inopportune fortunes) of its cast. Kondo is disbelieving of young Tachibana's crush ("Maybe this is a practical joke on me?") . . . but every so often, the old man bitterly acknowledges how great it is to feel young again ("How long has it been since I've experienced something like this?"). And while Tachibana is young and resilient, she also has a reputation for being off-putting ("Chill for her age. Usually expressionless."). Thrown together the two characters devise for readers the "flavor of youth": all that is sweet and bitter and confusing and energizing about meeting a world of unknowns head-on.
  
  AFTER THE RAIN is a marvelous exercise in narrative restraint. The comic doesn't rely on innuendo or presumptions of the inevitability of adulthood to propel the story forward. Instead, Mayuzuki, the author, insists each character speak with his or her own voice and own the consequences. Kondo is "so old [he] can hardly stand it," and so wars with himself over the prospect of finding emotional satisfaction so late in life. It's not up to the reader or the author to determine whether Kondo is a creep for entertaining the thought of romance with a 17-year-old young woman . . . that decision remains with Kondo's quest to remain true to the sovereign will of a good man ("I don't want to hurt her.").
  
  Manga like this are tiny treasures because of their sharpness. Mayuzuki's art is the perfect exposition of jubilant confidence, whether via inset panels harkening to a long-lost memory or positing consecutive panels that zoom in on Tachibana's increasingly intense facial features, AFTER THE RAIN, visually, is every bit as polished as the story is sharp.
  
  There are plenty of titles whose attempt at contextualizing the taboo fall into obsequious male-gaze territory or contrive, exhaustively, a way to focus too intensely on characterization and thereby gift readers with too much seriousness far too soon. AFTER THE RAIN plays it smooth from start to finish.
• 
  Erik

  I finished this tonight as I saw that it had finally been completed.
  My review of this book counts for the entire series.
  
  This is my type of book, I expect that many will have a difficult time reading this due to age difference and the idea that since this is a manga about romance the main characters will end up together. I will not be presenting any spoilers here but I will say this: for all books and comic which intended to portray a serious story and not to focus on a single element, a story that that is meant to reflect our world and thus offer a suggestion, a "what if these characters were real..." the story would have to be complex. It would have to have depth. It cannot be predictable by using stereotypes. This story does use stereotypes. It shows them of and tells the reader why one creates stereotypes and why they aren't real.
  Maybe nothing of this makes sense to whoever besides me where anyone to read this far but that is fine. The author wanted to create something, I don't know what or if he succeed in creating what he sought to create but he did create Something. He created Art, he created Literature.
  I will not spoil but for whoever actually reads this far, whether you've read parts of the story or none at all and you're wondering if this manga is worth your time, the end is unpredictable. It's fucking frustrating to the point that swearing is necessary for me to convey the experience. Read it and tell me you predicted the ending and I'll tell you why and how you're wrong. Let's argue. This work is a piece of literature that you CAN argue about. We can have discussions, theories, opinions. As I finished this I'm just so sad that I'm in the middle of a forest no able to have a good talk and argument about this wonderful piece of frustration.
  What emotions did the ending distill from you?
• 
  Maisie Dickson

  Actual Rating: 3.7/5
  
  After The Rain was a fun, quick read. the characters felt fleshed out and I'm excited to see where the story goes.
• 
  Leandro

  Serie manga que consiste en 10 volúmenes. Para no arruinar mi conteo en GoodReads solo subiré el tomo 1 de las colecciones manga en lugar de subir toda la serie.
  Publicado de Junio 27, 2014 a Marzo 19, 2018 en la revista Gekkan! Spirits
  Género: Romance, Seinen
  Autor: Mayuzuki, Jun
  
  Con esta historia estrenare una forma nueva de reseña. Tratando analizar cada detalle de la obra. La cual consistirá en 13 rubros a reseñar. Cada rubro es calificado con:
  0= No me gusto.
  0.5= Meh, no sobresale.
  1.0= Me gusto.
  Esto con el fin de que sea un tabulador genérico para cualquier tipo de historia. Ya sea Shonen, Shojo, Seinen etc.
  
  
  Historia inicial.-
  Esta historia trata sobre una chica de 17 años llamada Akira Tachibana, ex integrante del club de atletismo. Forzada a dejar de correr por una lesión en el tobillo. Vemos como Akira encuentra distracción en un trabajo de medio tiempo en un restaurante familiar y como ella esta enamorándose de su jefe Masami Kondou, un hombre de 45 años.
  
  Diseño de personajes.-
  Este es hermoso. Muy delgados y estéticos. Cuando son dibujos alejados son de trazos simples.
  
  Expresiones faciales.-
  Aquí es donde brillan los personajes. Las diferentes expresiones que se usan están muy bien estilizadas. Akira es difícil de entender para otros personajes ya que su expresión no refleja su sentimiento, ya que ella es muy introvertida. Pero eso es el deleite para el lector.
  
  Diseño de Fondos.-
  Se usa viñeta para mostrarnos donde se desarrolla cada capítulo y luego hace acercamiento a las caras de los personajes. Lo clásico con historias sobre relaciones humanas.
  
  Arte dinámico.-
  Nulo, puesto que casi no tiene escenas de acción o de movimientos bruscos.
  
  Diálogos.-
  Kondou es un divorciado que alguna vez quiso ser escritor, por lo que muchas veces saca frases de la literatura japonesas que provocan ganas de leer eso libros.
  
  Desarrollo de trama.-
  El desarrollo es algo lento, pero cada capítulo es muy cálido. El enemigo a vencer es la mente interna de cada personaje
  
  Desarrollo de Personajes Secundarios.-
  Son muy pocos, sobresalen Yui Nishida, Takashi y Chihiro Kujou.
  Tienen muy pocas historias ellos. Sin embargo si crecen durante los escasos 10 volumenes.
  
  Desarrollo de Personajes Principales.-
  Adoro a Akira, me encantan sus caras y sus preocupaciones. Su seriedad me encanta.
  De Kondou admiro que es un adulto muy “ligero” al menos en el inicio. Ya luego se explica porque esta tan desmotivado.
  
  Desenlace.-
  Con el desenlace uno comprende que realmente no es una historia de amor. Es una historia de superación ante la depresión. No tiene un final “hollywoodense”, tiene un final muy muy muy responsable.
  
  Valores.-
  Abarca el amor propio, la aceptación, la entrega a tus convicciones y sobre todo a que nunca es tarde para retomar los sueños de juventud.
  
  Portadas.-
  En los 10 volúmenes se nos presenta a Akira con diferentes coloreados en los ojos. Y en fondo blanco. Me gustaron.
  
  Universo/mundo creado.-
  Pues es en el Japón convencional de hoy en día. Así que no hay nada nuevo en este apartado.
  
  Matemáticamente esta historia alcanzo para mi un 10.5, me encantaba leerla cada que salia un capitulo.
• 
  Moriah Venable

  I am honestly just sure what to rate this. I have been trying to find this for a long time. SearchOhio only had the first two volumes so I thought if I could not find the rest, what would be the point of me starting it?
  
  Akira Tachibana is a 17 year old girl who used to be run track before an injury. One day while walking in the rain, she stumbles into a restaurant and gets a coffee from the manager. Sometime later, she starts working there. We slowly get to see their interactions from each point of view.
  
  The manager, Masami Kondo, is a 45 year old divorced father. The people who work for him are constantly saying how spineless he is. When Tachibana confesses initially, it is unclear if he took her seriously because he laughs and thank her, thinking that she did not like him at all, when from her point of view, we see her constantly watching him.
  
  One of the workers there, Takashi Yoshizawa, has a crush on Tachibana but she pays him no attention. Another worker, Yui Nishida, has a crush on Takashi but I don't know if he pays her attention. Though I wonder if Akira will start to have feeling to Takashi (mostly because this kinda reminds of Daytime Shooting Star because of the age gap).
  
  I really did not like Ryosuke Kase, who blackmails Akira into going on a date with him in order for him to tell about her crush on the manager. He even fantasizes about giving her her first sip of alcohol and having sex with her...then thinks that the date wont go that far. WHAT IN THE WORLD! Reading that at work, made me physically ill. Is he just going to keep blackmailing her for dates?
  
  The date between the manager and Akira was so different then the one with Kase mostly she was more into it. I thought them seeing the same movie was a little funny. I can understand that Akira brings out his youth a little, but even he knows that this can't do anywhere because her age.
  
  I am going to read the next volume and see what happens. I know this can't go anywhere and I don't think I am invested though I do want to know what causes Akira to move on her feelings of the manager if that even happens.
• 
  Kat To

  Writing my thoughts for this read has been nothing short of a challenge.
  
  It's a story of two main characters falling for each other.
  
  Pretty basic. The problematic part is that the man is in his mid 40s and the girl is 17 and still in highschool.
  
  I dislike everything about that, and admittedly, I didn't read the synopsis before buying this book. It was recommended to me, so I bought it.
  
  That being said, separately, these characters have very great depth to them, and getting to know them and how they develope has been great.
  
  They both have tremendous struggle, and getting to witness them work through these struggles and triumph over these struggles has been nothing short of many beautiful moments.
  
  Their lives are difficult. They do meet each other. They do subsequently help each other. It's just very difficult to get past the huge age issue. Which is a conversation that doesn't need to be had. It's bad. Grown men and women should not continue to persue teenagers. Period. Even if it isn't via grooming.
• 
  Val

  I didn´t think i would like this manga so much. When i read that there was such a big age difference between the protagonist, I didn´t know how to feel about it, I was afraid they were going to design a story in a toxic environment and unconscious, but it wasn´t like that.
  
  The story is really beautiful. it touches on topics like selflove, fears, bravery and more.
  reading the story can sometimes become a bit slow but this only gives the story even more realism because everything happens at a real time and not from one moment to another; the characters, the dialogues, the setting, everything is without a doubt incredible.
  
  I read that many people are not happy with the ending, it seemed very beautiful and real to me; How Tachibana and Masami helped each other without really knowing it, how each one becomes a source of inspiration for the other makes the journey of history a gift for the reader.
  
  I really like it,
• 
  Hazelle

  It’s not for me.
  
  I liked the manager, and I wished he had more backbone, but I felt terrible for him as he reflected on his past life, the opportunities he once had when he was young, and the feeling of struggle he thought because he felt stuck. I wish nothing but the best for him since he seems like a genuine guy.
  
  In the section about Kase (the cook) 🤢🤮 I got pissed off with the scene, and honestly, I thought I would be okay with this manga, but I wasn’t. I’m not OK with the age difference at all.
  
  Akira Tachibana sounded like a great character at first because I thought she’d be able to explore her life a bit more and find a different passion. Perhaps in other volumes, she would have. It wasn't enjoyable, to be honest, and I’m not interested in finishing the other books.
• 
  Ris

  Rain in Japanese art, with its yūgen n. a profound, mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe – and the sad beauty of human suffering, is meant for pluviophiles.
  
  
  After the Rain, Vol 1 is a whimsical, yet emotionally complex novel that explores the tender connection between a high school girl who has lost all meaning in her life and a middle aged man who is embarrassed by all the circumstances in his life. Waiting for the sunshine to follow after the rain in the coming volumes~
• 
  E.J. Powell

  Read from cover to cover. I was expecting more out of this. Zero character development. Too much of an age gap where it was more creepy then anything else. The main character Akira was too boring in general but we don't really see or get even a clue as to why she has a crush on her manager. She's oblivious to someone her age crushing on her. Akira has apparently zero friendships so it made little sense.
  
  Honestly not worth the price when all I managed to get out of it is a 17 year old girl stalking pretty much a 45 year old man. Still creepy regardless of which way it goes.
• 
  Daniel

  Started reading this because there's a new manga by this author coming out that seems cool and I wanted to see what she's all about. Despite its EXTREMELY THORNY subject matter I actually think this is really good - very sweet, not creepy, mostly a chill character study with some funny gags. Cannot stress how impressed I am with how normal the whole thing is, which you would not gather from the plot description. I am reserving space for it to get gross and bad as it develops but for now it's looking good.
• 
  The Blerdy YA

  I have to mention first that the age gap is very concerning. After reading vol. 1, 2, and so on, you will build an understanding how of Tachibana and Kondou both need each other’s company to heal from current difficulties/past traumas. Kondou reminiscences his younger years that Tachibana reminds him of when he was at his best and most confident. While Tachibana gains reassurance and security from Kondou’s genuine care and attentiveness. It is a relationship with moral obstacles. For the art and emotional storytelling, I’ll give it 5 stars, but the age gap is a red flag for me.
• 
  Keely Ferrara

  The summary for this series just doesn’t do it justice. I think at its heart it’s a story about overcoming depression - and how anyone at any age can fall into it. Depression looks different for everyone and we all deal with it in different ways. A person can change your life without staying in your life forever and that’s okay and that’s the beauty of life. This series was funny, sad, beautiful, strange, and ends on a very hopeful, nostalgic note. Loved it from start to finish.
• 
  Megan

  I surprisingly don't absolutely despise this, but I also don't like it either. I've heard this touted as an age gap that isn't creepy and is more about the characters as individuals, but no matter how you look at it he's still in his fourties, she's seventeen, and it's creepy no matter what. Depending on how this continues to develop and how it ends, it could go either way, but it definitely wasn't a strong start.
• 
  Gabby S.

  After the Rain, Vol 1 by Jun Mayuzuki is a remarkable book! Akira Tachibana is a 17 year old student, who broke her leg in track six months ago and she hasn't ran since. Now she has a slight crush on her boss despite the age difference. Is you like graphic novels and high school crushes than this is the book for you!
• 
  Sophie Byers

  A beautiful and heart warming manga about a 17 year old girl named Akira who is mature for her age and has depression. She developed feelings towards her 45 year old manager, Masami. Now, I don’t fully support people with huge gaps to have a romantic relationship but this series executes it so well.