MasterPiece - Absolutely Loved it, but too Short
I absolutely loved this show. I have never seen any series with such a unadulterated conversation.The cast and crew did an incredible job. Only negative thing i would say is its too short especially the last episode and the screen time of them together. I'm craving for more scenes of the couple. Anyway glad that they got a happy ending.
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This review may contain spoilers
IT'S WORTH WATCHING
So .... this drama revolves around two men, both in relationships: Nakarai Sei with a man and Hagiwara Kazuaki with a woman. ........ and both work in the same company, but in different departments. Both have been in their relationships for a long time, one could say stable relationships, but there is no longer sexual intimacy in any relationship, and there goes the frustration.At the beginning, Kazuaki's relationship was normal, his partner still seems to like sex with Kazuaki, but somehow along the way she started not wanting any physical touch, something that obviously frustrates Kazuaki to the maximum (in my opinion, I think it would frustrate anyone). He keeps trying, but she always refuses without saying clearly that she wants a relationship without sex.
On the other hand is Nakarai Sei's relationship with his partner, which from the beginning was established that there would be no sexual contact, which at that time Nakarai Sei agreed to because of the abuses and his situation - him being gay.
And somehow, by a funny coincidence of fate, the two (coworkers and sexually frustrated) start to communicate through e-mails, that's how they discover that the heterosexual does not have sex with his girlfriend, and him, the gay, does not have sex with his partner. After discovering who is on the other end of the e-mail, they accept each other and somehow starts a friendship and continues to talk by e-mail and phone. I liked this moment because it was something very normal, like ... ok ... this is us.
And on a rainy night ... Hagiwara Kazuaki, after being rejected again by his girlfriend, calls Nakarai Sei and they meet ... and went to a hotel where they had sex. Here ... although very normal and expected, but in reality how many heterosexuals would accept so easily to have sex with another man, even out of frustration. Somehow here it seemed to me that Hagiwara Kazuaki really wanted to have sex with Nakarai Sei ... and not out of frustration, but that he simply wanted this. Probably for this reason they stayed at the hotel for 2 days and had sex non-stop. And even if they discuss that nothing will change in their relationship, everything will remain as "one weekend stand" it seems that they develop feelings for each other, from here I wonder how heterosexual the heterosexual was and obviously their partners find out about the escapade. And we have 2 situations:
1. - Hagiwara Kazuaki ' s lover is very forgiving and somehow she tries to reconcile with him, maybe because she realizes that she is the one to blame in their relationship, being the one who refuses sexual intimacy, but obviously he breaks up with her, because he already had feelings for Nakarai Sei.
2. - Nakarai Sei's partner rapes him in a moment of anger and jealousy. And even if everyone was upset that he could do something like that... well rage is surprising ... but in reality something like this is very possible to happen. So Nakarai Sei's partner told him from the beginning that he doesn't want sex, that it's a barrier he can't cross, and Nakarai Sei was ok with this. Soooooo ..... Nakarai Sei's partner didn't have the right to feel lied to, cheated on, angry? (in reality I really think that this was a scene that could really happen between a couple in this situation - and even worse).
The ending was beautiful. Not too syrupy, they took their time, not too little, not too much, exactly as it should be.
Except that obviously we would have needed one more episode in which we could see them together in everyday life as a couple who love each other and have sex and accept each other.
So the beauty of this series, I think, consisted in the realistic description of this 2 different couples and their lives, how non-communication ruins the relationship, how compromises ruin the relationship and that in fact you have to accept what you are, as you are and what you want (from yourself, from the relationship), and that you actually have to communicate to have a successful relationship.
It was beautiful!
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Loads of raw emotions
This was brilliant!It's not a simple story about desire or sex, it has too many layers of emotions and feelings that are lost between lovers.
Characters are too complicated, you feel them and understand the frustration of wanting what you can't have, the feeling of missing a piece of a puzzle and the need to fill it's place.
The two leads were the missing piece of each others life.
Cast was amazing, chemistry was great and the whole thing was perfect.
It's like a sleeping volcano that erupted suddenly after being calm and silent on the surface for ages.
Highly recommended ❣️~
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“Not Everything Are Rainbows and Sunshine” — When It Rains, It Pours Review
Okay, so first off, I’m really sorry for reviewing this late 😭. I was supposed to post this back on February 21, 2025, but I just got busy. Anyway, let’s get into it.Starting with the production — honestly, it’s really well done. The visuals are calm but beautiful, the audio is clean, and the whole mood of the series fits the kind of emotional story they’re telling. So yeah, I liked the production a lot.
Now about the story… whew. This one’s deep. It’s not your usual fast-paced, fluffy BL. It really makes you think about how people feel and how easy it is to be blind to love — especially when you’ve been holding onto someone who doesn’t really care about you anymore.
Let’s talk about Sei. I don’t think he’s a bad person at all. He’s just… stuck. Like, when you’ve been with someone for years and you’ve convinced yourself they’re your only hope, you start to block out any new love that comes your way. That’s what I felt with him — it’s sad, but real.
And that roommate? Nah. That guy is toxic 😩. He didn’t want Sei to move on, didn’t want him to be happy with anyone else. It took me until like episode 3 or 4 to really understand what was happening there. But when it clicked, it hit hard.
Then there’s Kazuaki. His situation is a whole other thing. I think deep down, he knew his girlfriend didn’t love him anymore, but he kept lying to himself. Like he was forcing it to work even when all the signs were there. And when he started falling for Sei? That felt real. It wasn’t loud or dramatic — it was soft and gradual, and that made it more emotional for me.
So overall, I’d say the story isn’t for everyone, but if you watch closely and pay attention to the quiet emotions, it really hits. I had to watch it twice to fully get it, so if it confused you at first — you're not alone 😅.
Really good series. Emotional. Quiet. But meaningful.
Still thinking about it 🌧️❤️
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This series did not disappoint me at all.
I wasn't sure about watching this series or not but now I'm happy that I started. this series have a good vibe and made me feels good. the actors are good and I really loved this series. This series is progressing slowly, so when I watched it It made me feel like time didn't move. It was very relaxing to watch. The environment and colors of the series convey a good feeling.I don't think I'll ever forget Hagiwara Kazuaki.
At least it deserves to watch.
of you want a series that won't disappoint you you should watch this.
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Recommended
Honestly, I still don’t know how I feel about this drama. It was amazing—something I can’t say for most of the shows I watch. The plot was interesting and felt kinda fresh, not something that’s been done a million times before.That being said, I do have some issues with the cheating aspect. It’s not something I agree with, but at the same time, I can’t say I fully disagreed with it in this context… which makes me feel like a terrible person. The whole show exists in this morally gray area—what the characters do is something I’m completely against, yet I still found myself sympathizing with them and understanding their perspective.
Honestly, I loved and hated this show because of that. It really messes with your emotions, but in the best way. Definitely a must-watch.
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Well Worth 2.5 Hours!
If you enjoy Japanese story-telling (thoughtful, nuanced, and deliberate) with a mix of solid acting with real-life examples and situations (especially of sexless relationships) - you'll find this 2.5 hour well spent. While it will leave you frustrated and you may not agree with the choices (and the indecision or at times emotionless approach) - the actors and the story do a pretty good job of balancing relationships that for one way or another feel like a cage, no matter how much love there is.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Great Adaptation Indeed!
Relationships are complex. They aren’t perfect, but they require communication, trust, and understanding.In the Japanese BL drama When It Rains, It Pours, Hagiwara Kazuaki (Muto Jun) leads a life devoid of intimacy with his girlfriend—until a small mistake alters his path. An email, mistakenly sent to his coworker Nakarai Sei (Iti Asahi), sparks an unexpected connection. What begins as a simple exchange soon blossoms into a raw and liberating bond between two individuals yearning for the love, desire, and intimacy they’ve been missing.
At first glance, When It Rains, It Pours might seem like a story about infidelity, but as the drama unfolds, it becomes clear that it’s about much more. It’s a deep exploration of four people and the personal truths they’ve clung to so tightly that their relationships have suffered as a result. The fundamental bonds that sustain a relationship were never truly formed, leaving each character struggling to move forward.
Read the complete article here-
https://the-bl-xpress.com/2025/02/28/when-it-rains-it-pours-series-review-ep-3-to-7/
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When (lack of) communication gets a drama adaptation.
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: review #11 ♡When it rains, it pours is a drama that kept me eager to watch it until I binge-watched it in one day. The story, characters, pace, emotions: everything was in the right amount. And I couldn't be happier to have all the episodes to watch at once.
This drama embodies the (lack of) communication. There's so much hinted, so little made clear and expressed to the people around. In this regard, one might think this drama is boring or lacks a proper pace to keep things interesting. I think this was the precise intention of the scriptwriter: everyday life gives a sense of boredom and a feeling of emptiness when it comes to situations and events.
So, what happens when the boring day-to-day life meets a scriptwriter? A drama like When it rains, it pours comes to life.
Japanese dramas hit differently: certain stories can only be told in Japan. The ability to portray such complex yet simple at-glance stories is somewhat incredible. And this one is no exception.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the quiet and silent fall of a relationship is so uneventful yet so profound that neither Kazuaki nor Sei gets to understand its meaning until a mail sent by mistake appears in the inbox folder. What could be labeled as a mistake by many is the sparkle that ignites a life change.
▶︎ The fall of a relationship ◀
Both Kazuaki and Sei progressively grew "comfortable" in their relationships, to the point of ignoring the massive impact on their happiness and mental health. After all, they got what they wanted. Or not? A dream might transform into a nightmare in a split second, so which form may assume in a few years? What started as love or affection became a habit. But habits don't necessarily make people happy.
▶︎ The spark of change ◀
A trivial event can make a difference. An e-mail not meant for you. Even a meaningless e-mail gives you the freedom to choose, so why not reply? Mail after mail, you start to realize you're not the only one stuck in a dull life, in a pointless yet painful relationship. You need the escapism this brief moment gives you. And so, you develop a pen pal friendship. Neither of you know each other personally, but that's for the best. The relief of knowing that the other person has no way to pinpoint you in a crowd makes it ten times better. After all, your conversations focus on the sorrow and the discomfort of being frustrated and unseen in a relationship with a significant other.
But what if you and your pen pal happen to be coworkers?
▶︎ The moment of truth ◀
Revelations mark the second half of the drama. Kazuaki and Sei now confront each other. No more screens to conceal their identities. Their relationship is getting real, and so are their feelings. But embracing one's feelings takes courage; both of them are terrified of breaking out of their private status-quos, the warmth of a familiar place. This stall was, for me, a focal point of the drama. After all, Kazuaki and Sei are scared to embrace their feelings for each other. Taking this step would mean destroying the life they built, even if it is taking a toll on them as individuals.
What was born as a physical relationship should stay that way. What was born as a coping mechanism should not develop into a sincere desire to change.
▶︎ Once wishful thinking, now reality ◀
The finale dissatisfied many viewers. Truth be told, the portrayal of the growing relationship between Kazuaki and Sei felt that way for many. But not for me.
Two grown adults, with social expectations and their emotional baggage, must come to terms with what they want and what they think they should want. What should they pursue? The beaten but unsatisfactory path? Or a new road full of possibilities and unknowns?
The focus is on the choice. And for that to be effective, time and a slower pace are required.
If you are expecting blatant signs of love, over-the-top drama, and plot twists, this drama is not for you. Instead, if you're looking for an intimate and morally gray story with a decent, solid plot and believable character growth, give this drama a chance.
PROS:
- Morally gray story
- Believable characters and character growth
- Slow-burn
- Nice OST
- Solid performance by the two actors
- Pen pal to friends/lovers trope
CONS:
- The finale might dissatisfy some viewers.
- The slow pace might be a turn-off for some
- Communication most of the time wasn't aju nice > still, not a major con for me, as it's part of Sei&Kazuaki personalities and struggles.
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rain is so peaceful (kinda)
Starting with an email sent at the wrong address two men start talking on a daily basis about everything, even about their sex life, without knowing that they are co-worker. One is in an hetero relationship and the other one in a gay relationship. Both relations are sexless and they talk about it in their mail.From an asexual POV (me) it made me want to apologise for not having sex, even if I know I'm not in the bad... I can get that people want sex but not everyone want it and on top of that libido vary from one to another, and people don't get it apparently. that's mainly why I lowered my ratting. And btw for those who don't know: yes you can love someone and still be asexual. As soon as you COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PARTNER (thing they obviously don't do in the serie).
That put aside it's a really great serie! Full of red flags, not gonna lie, but still good. Between the non communications, the cheating, the 🍇(not fully shown), the grooming... there is a lot of problems but still this show is good. I just didn't really liked the explanation from Fujisawa to Sei about their relationship and why he always had rejected his advenced, but only because i was projecting my asexual experience on how he was reacting when he was actually emotionally breaking Sei, not fully on purpose tho but still...
The end felt a lill rushed to me and should have loved an other episode whith Sei and Hagiwara really together and not just the final kiss (UNDER THE RAIN!! 😭)
The whole episode 5 is cheff kiss 🤌🏻 "YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY THAT I'LL BREAK!!" 🫠🫠 followed by some really soft sex and the kiss the next morning with "we're both crazy" 🫠🫠🫠
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This review may contain spoilers
Exploration of intimacy in relationships
I really enjoyed the storytelling. The dynamic between him and his best friend felt incredibly realistic because, in the end, betrayal often comes from someone you love and trust. When that trust—and your body—are violated, it leaves a heavy, disgusting feeling, yet love for that person can still linger. Their relationship was fascinating because the line between friendship and romance was blurred, yet at the same time, it remained distinctly present.Although the two leads’ relationships with their partners vaguely mirror each other, they are in very different predicaments.
Kazuaki's relationship with his girlfriend was another aspect of the show I truly appreciated—it’s a difficult situation, and the way intimacy and sex were explored as more than just physical acts, but as expressions of love, was good. I felt for both him and his girlfriend, and the conversation during their breakup scene was long overdue. It was a necessary and cathartic moment.
In the end, I’m glad the two main characters found each other.
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