Stay by My Side after the Rain

Generally good with one major flaw

If you are a fan of Japanese fiction authors such as Junichiro Tanizaki, you appreciate the complexities and nuances of the struggles in the mind that are explored in a slow and introspective way.

This series shares the introspective writing tradition as the characters consider their personal needs and feelings versus the needs of others and of society as a whole. All the while, responding to a changing environment and unwinding whatever misunderstandings that exist in themselves and others.

Some viewers will be bored by this. However, as other Asian reviewers have pointed out, these struggles are fundamental to many Asian identities. "Crying in H-Mart" anyone?

Technically, there is a lot that is good here. I love seeing some of the older seasoned actors who can bring some power to the screen. The cinematography, set design, and sound track are good too. The series would generally be good (for those who like this sort of drama), but for one major flaw: The kissing scenes. OMG... maybe some of the worst I've ever seen. Hori Natsuki (Mashiro) tries, but Ikeda Masashi (Kanade Shinichiro) ... just terrible. These kissing scenes often represent the culmination of some plot point and these BIZARRE kiss scenes just ruin the moment. If this a directorial choice, shame on the director. (-1.5 points)

A more minor flaw is the resolution of the typical parental conflicts. Shinichiro's conflict with this father is resolved adequately, if a little tersely. Mashiro's conflict with his mother is not handled at all. An inexplicable change of heart? Makes me wonder if they ran out of air time and scenes ended up on the cutting room floor (metaphorically speaking). (-0.5 points)

I'm giving this a 7.5 because I'm a fan of this introspective tradition. But a rating of 6 or 7 wouldn't be unfair either given the dreadful kissing scenes.

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Everything could've been better

Honestly it was pretty mid I guess. The build up of their traumas did not have a satisfying resolutions at all. Kanade father's excuse for being an a-hole wasn't a good one and it was just swept under the rug. And I absolutely can't stand passive mothers who let their husbands act that way and expect their children to understand. Like no ma'am. You married him and know him like that, not your children. She is just as guilty. And the resolution of Mashiro's mom wasn't satisfying either. At least she woke up and started to make change, but my man did not get any healing or resolution, he just accepted the decisions others made about his own trauma. I like the couple though, but yeah the kisses were annoying. I rather not have them at all. Times have change and I just can't just accept lip press as a kiss.
I still enjoyed the watch for the most part but the things I listed really knocked this down for me. It really could have been better. The acting was pretty good except the kissing. Not mad that I watched it once, probably wouldn't rewatch it though.

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It’s Actually Not Even That Bad…

I mean I have watched worse BLs and personally I did not hate this one.

It’s just one of those lighthearted JBLs to watch “on a rainy day” (see what I did there? 😉)

Anywayssss, about the story? It’s nothing too intense but slightly intense? I feel like the show would have been better with a simple and ordinary storyline. But it seems the writer wanted the story to be “deep and touching” but that didn’t really happen so the plot kinda fell in between?

None of what I’ve said makes sense to you??? Okay! Okay! Watch it and you’ll see what I mean…

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A Rare Combo

I placed spoilers at the end of this review.

It is very rare to find a BL series that is both super cute and very mature. This script did an incredible job at combining both elements together. Although it’s not perfect, the script was very endearing and addressed some important issues. It’s always very refreshing to watch adult characters act like adults and talk to each other about their problems. This also did a great job slowly giving us the backstory of the main characters. Overall, the relationship development between the main characters had a good pacing with the exception of episode 9. This cast did an incredible job. Although the main leads were cute together, the was one negative aspect that bugged me. The use of cinematography to distinguish Kanade’s negative and positive memories in episode 10 was amazing.

Random Note:

It may not be completely realistic, but it was nice to see very supportive co-workers and family members.


******Potential Spoiler Alert******

The pacing went to a ridiculous speed in episode 9 with Mashiro mentioning they should live together to actually moving in together.

Only exception were the kissing scenes. It is often very common that we get the typical dead fish lip kiss once or maybe twice. However, this series has multiple kissing scenes with this which does not make sense. At least Korean BL series only force the leads to kiss once or twice.

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Sweet and adorable

I love this show. Both leads are so sweet and adorable. They didn’t go with the standard of one partner being cocky and self assured while the other is insecure and unsure, and I think it worked well. Both seem more honest. I also love the cafe owner. He always stays so calm and collected while the two are working through their insecurities. And I do appreciate that they are both communicating, even though it’s not easy. I’m not a fan of the overly nosy coworkers, though. I’ve enjoyed it from the start, but today may have locked it in as a favorite when Kanade stood his ground and protected Mashiro. I rewatched that a few times. I would like to see longer episodes so they could get deeper into some of the backstory. I’ll definitely be rewatching.

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Wholesome Fluff with Heartfelt Depth

This drama really surprised me in the best way. From the very first episode, I was hooked by the raw emotions—the lead’s struggle with confessing his feelings and coming to terms with being gay was so powerful and relatable. When his love was reciprocated, it truly felt like the “miracle” the story describes.

The show deals with identity, insecurity, and family issues, but it does so in a light and heartwarming way. I like how we can see the main characters grow and resolve their issues maturely. The side characters are also kind and uplifting. Instead of heavy drama, the overall tone stays fluffy, cute, and healing.

The acting was solid, especially in the emotional scenes, and the main couple had adorable chemistry. Even though the kisses weren’t very passionate, they fit the tone of the story—I found myself grinning at their sweet moments. As someone raised conservatively, the way their intimacy was handled felt wholesome, almost like first-timers learning how to ride a bike—innocent yet deeply meaningful. And while I also enjoy steamier kiss/sex scenes in other BLs, this gentler approach felt refreshing and relatable in its own way. The music and cinematography complemented this softness beautifully, adding to the gentle atmosphere.

If you’re looking for a BL that’s wholesome, light, and full of warmth, this is definitely worth watching. It’s the kind of drama that makes you feel comforted and hopeful. It's the kind of romance I would like to have in real life.

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ADORABLEEEEEE??

📚Spoiler Alert🖇️

When I first saw the teaser for this I was so excited because I knew both of the main lead especially the actor who plays Mashiro, who is in a boy group which I am a fan of. ✨

💙A little fun fact, Natsuki Hori (Mashiro) is in the same group as Yusei Yagi who plays Kiyoi Sou in My Beautiful Man and Keito Kimura who plays Onoe Satoshi in Candy Color Paradox. Please check their group if you have the time💙

Okay now back to the series. At first I was not expecting much with the plot since japanese BLs tend to go very soft and vanilla with their plot but this one surprised me with the unexpected character depth for both main leads. Both of them have very different personal conflicts and the series portrays perfectly how they help and need each other sorting their conflicts.

Kanade and Mashiro dynamic as a couple is very weird and surprising to see as they actually became a couple in episode one as they actually knew each other but not so much as they were highschool friends who had crush on each other. The journey of them discovering those feelings again and facing problems together is really cute to watch as a viewer and for me the actors really portray the characters’ behaviour really well that I just can’t help but to be intrigued for what comes next. I do also appreciate how they give each conflict fair time to be explored and resolved.

Of course there is some plot or character I am not really fond of. For example, the older female colleague of Kanade who is Kanamori, personally, she is too invested in other Kanade’s personal life for my liking and they did not really call her out for that but I do not mind much. Of course Mashiro’s mother plays the “Villain” here but I can’t complain about her character because if she makes me mad then she is actually doing a great job. And I do think her character get redeemed too fast. 💔

Overall, this is a fresh new idea for a reunion trope by involving the office environment. Sure there is some improvement that could have been made. I do enjoy this a lot than I expect and if you’re looking for a cute japanese BL with a little bit of drama, this is for you. ☔️🌧️

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A Sweet Romance Between Two Long Lost Friends!

The world often feels much smaller than it is, especially when it brings people together in the most surprising ways.

In the Japanese BL Stay By My Side After the Rain, fate intervenes with the softest touch, reuniting two childhood friends in a quiet, nostalgic café on a rainy day in Tokyo. What starts as a simple catch-up over coffee becomes something far more tender when memories resurface and long-buried feelings slip out into the open.

Adapted from the web manga Ameagari no Bokura ni Tsuite by Rakuta Shoko, the series stars Ikeda Masashi as Kanade Shinichiro, a quiet office worker who’s tucked his sexuality, and his past, away in a box he’s no longer willing to open. That is, until he runs into Mashiro Kosuke (Hori Natsuki), the best friend he’s been trying not to remember.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2025/07/09/stay-by-my-side-after-the-rain-first-impressions-ep-1-2/

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Eu não liguei para as críticas das resenhas com avaliações bem baixas. Eu gosto de dramas japoneses, isso não tenho dúvidas. Gosto do ritmo, da intensidade e melodrama envolvidos na história e gosto que geralmente, não há ex-namoradxs insuportáveis enchendo as paciências e que seja mais uma questão de descoberta, cura e florescimento de relacionamentos.
Foi muito bonito acompanhar o desenvolvimento do casal sob a perspectiva do primeiro amor, o primeiro relacionamento e todas as inseguranças que este momento nos reserva.
Gostei da maneira que o arco da mãe do Mashiro foi mostrado, ela realmente era sufocante e o Kanade foi essencial para que houvesse a mudança. Gostei também do confronto do Kanade e seu pai, acho que foi realista e adorei a maneira em que sua mãe e irmã o acolhem, me fez lagrimejar. Assim como a sutileza da reaproximação do pai e filho, ao enviar as batatas ao Kanade, e a mãe e o filho ao irem prestar homenagem ao falecido pai do Mashiro.

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fofa

assiti esse em conjunto com outras obras japonesas que estavam saindo ao mesmo tempo. no começo, essa era a que menos me agradava, mas conforme os episódios foram avançando, se tornou minha favorita da leva.
acho que o motivo do meu carinho tão grande é pelo fato de como eles estão constantemente dialogando sobre os sentimentos que atravessam os personagens. eles falam abertamente que são gays e o modo como isso 'afeta' as pessoas ao redor deles fez com que eu ficasse empolgado conforme os episódios iam lançando. apesar de achar que trama é morna, foi uma trama boa de se acompanhar. acho que o fato de ser um drama mas com muitos momentos reconfortantes adicionam um toque esepcial a série.

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Un scénario où des enfants de 8ans sont incarnés par des adultes. Insupportable

1/10 pour cette merde et je suis encore gentil. J'abandonne à l'épisode 9 et je souffre depuis le 1er.
Je ne comprends pas comment on peut trouver mignon une relation entre "adultes" qui ont le cerveau et le comportement d'enfant de 8ans.

Tout est réalisé comme si on voulait nous faire découvrir les tout premier sentiment chez des enfants, mais qu'au final ça avait été récupéré par l'industrie BL mais sans rien modifier de l'histoire.
Jusqu'à la mère qui essaie d'être compréhensive avec son "c'est mignon et de votre âge de tester des découverte"
Ils ont pas 10ans, ce sont des adultes. Grrrrrrrr
Mon fils à 8ans qui raconte qu'il a tenu la main de sa copine c'est mignon et de circonstance. Pas là.

Le pire c'est les pseudo bisous où ils jouent les super gêné. Puis d'un coup... "j'ai envie qu'on couche ensemble". Et dans la foulée ils sont de nouveau gêné par un bisous ou un torse nu.

J'avais vraiment hâte de voir cette série et je suis extrêmement déçu,
Rien ne m'a plus.

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