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Heartfelt Moments with a Few Missed Opportunities
What I Like
After Episodes 1 and 2, and my heart is so full right now 🥹💖. The way these two communicate is everything, honest, sweet, and straight to the point. There’s no drama or unnecessary games, just pure connection. The pacing of the first two episodes is fast, but it’s got me hooked; I love how quickly things develop. The chemistry between the two leads is off the charts, like, it’s almost too perfect to handle! Both actors are drop-dead gorgeous and ridiculously cute, making every scene a joy to watch 🥰.
I also really appreciated Episode 9, where we finally see them move in together as a couple. It’s so heartwarming, especially because the dynamic feels so real. You know the kind, one is neat, the other’s messy, and it’s just a perfect example of opposites attracting. The small arguments they have are realistic too, but what stands out the most is how they deal with things. They apologize and work through everything with raw, honest communication. It’s real life in its truest form, and I couldn’t love it more.
Kanade Shinichiro’s family situation was also something that hit me hard. His reluctance to go home because of his father’s expectations feels so relatable, especially in Asian cultures where family honor, expectations, and shame often loom over every decision. He’s terrified of being rejected for being gay, even though society has shifted. This is so much more than just a coming-out story, it’s about the emotional toll of living under the weight of generational pressures and fear. The way this was portrayed was poignant and made me reflect on how deep those family dynamics can run.
Episode 11 was a standout, where the whole family dynamic was brought to the forefront. Kanade's mom and sister offering their unwavering support was deeply moving, it's a reminder that sometimes, the people we fear rejecting us the most can end up being our greatest allies. It’s a beautiful portrayal of hope and acceptance, especially in cultures where the fear of disappointing loved ones can be overwhelming. The scene with Kanade and his father walking and talking together was so emotional—it felt like a real breakthrough.
What I Dislike & Room for Improvement
I absolutely loved Episode 6, honestly, the jealousy moments were peak cuteness 💕. But Japan… it’s 2025, and we need to talk about that kiss. It was, like, 0.5 seconds. A blink. A peck. A goldfish kiss lasts longer. 😅 Please, Japan, we need a real kiss! I’m all for teasing, but by this point, these two have known each other for years, their love is deep, and when the moment finally comes, it’s a total letdown. I was expecting passion, fire, but it felt so restrained, almost hesitant. For a couple that’s been through so much, this was the moment we’d been waiting for, and it just… fizzled.
The lack of emotional payoff here was frustrating. I get that there’s a fine line between restraint and giving fans what they want, but after eight episodes of building tension, this was a huge missed opportunity. The chemistry was there, and we’ve seen them grow into their love—so why hold back on the most important moment in their relationship? I’d rather have no kiss at all than a scene that feels half hearted and rushed. It wasn’t about fan service; it was about respecting the emotional journey we’ve all invested in, and delivering a moment that was worthy of everything they’ve been through. They earned it, and so did we.
Final Thoughts
Despite my frustrations with that kiss (honestly, Japan, come on), Stay by My Side After the Rain is still a beautiful series. The honest, raw portrayal of love, family, and personal struggles in a Japanese BL setting really makes this show stand out. The pacing, the character development, and the chemistry between the leads have all been incredibly strong. The series handles some heavy topics with care, and even though it’s not perfect, it’s genuinely moving. I’m looking forward to the finale, but I can’t help but wish for just a little more passion where it counts.
Rating: 8.5/10 Solid, emotional, but with room to improve on those key moments!
After Episodes 1 and 2, and my heart is so full right now 🥹💖. The way these two communicate is everything, honest, sweet, and straight to the point. There’s no drama or unnecessary games, just pure connection. The pacing of the first two episodes is fast, but it’s got me hooked; I love how quickly things develop. The chemistry between the two leads is off the charts, like, it’s almost too perfect to handle! Both actors are drop-dead gorgeous and ridiculously cute, making every scene a joy to watch 🥰.
I also really appreciated Episode 9, where we finally see them move in together as a couple. It’s so heartwarming, especially because the dynamic feels so real. You know the kind, one is neat, the other’s messy, and it’s just a perfect example of opposites attracting. The small arguments they have are realistic too, but what stands out the most is how they deal with things. They apologize and work through everything with raw, honest communication. It’s real life in its truest form, and I couldn’t love it more.
Kanade Shinichiro’s family situation was also something that hit me hard. His reluctance to go home because of his father’s expectations feels so relatable, especially in Asian cultures where family honor, expectations, and shame often loom over every decision. He’s terrified of being rejected for being gay, even though society has shifted. This is so much more than just a coming-out story, it’s about the emotional toll of living under the weight of generational pressures and fear. The way this was portrayed was poignant and made me reflect on how deep those family dynamics can run.
Episode 11 was a standout, where the whole family dynamic was brought to the forefront. Kanade's mom and sister offering their unwavering support was deeply moving, it's a reminder that sometimes, the people we fear rejecting us the most can end up being our greatest allies. It’s a beautiful portrayal of hope and acceptance, especially in cultures where the fear of disappointing loved ones can be overwhelming. The scene with Kanade and his father walking and talking together was so emotional—it felt like a real breakthrough.
What I Dislike & Room for Improvement
I absolutely loved Episode 6, honestly, the jealousy moments were peak cuteness 💕. But Japan… it’s 2025, and we need to talk about that kiss. It was, like, 0.5 seconds. A blink. A peck. A goldfish kiss lasts longer. 😅 Please, Japan, we need a real kiss! I’m all for teasing, but by this point, these two have known each other for years, their love is deep, and when the moment finally comes, it’s a total letdown. I was expecting passion, fire, but it felt so restrained, almost hesitant. For a couple that’s been through so much, this was the moment we’d been waiting for, and it just… fizzled.
The lack of emotional payoff here was frustrating. I get that there’s a fine line between restraint and giving fans what they want, but after eight episodes of building tension, this was a huge missed opportunity. The chemistry was there, and we’ve seen them grow into their love—so why hold back on the most important moment in their relationship? I’d rather have no kiss at all than a scene that feels half hearted and rushed. It wasn’t about fan service; it was about respecting the emotional journey we’ve all invested in, and delivering a moment that was worthy of everything they’ve been through. They earned it, and so did we.
Final Thoughts
Despite my frustrations with that kiss (honestly, Japan, come on), Stay by My Side After the Rain is still a beautiful series. The honest, raw portrayal of love, family, and personal struggles in a Japanese BL setting really makes this show stand out. The pacing, the character development, and the chemistry between the leads have all been incredibly strong. The series handles some heavy topics with care, and even though it’s not perfect, it’s genuinely moving. I’m looking forward to the finale, but I can’t help but wish for just a little more passion where it counts.
Rating: 8.5/10 Solid, emotional, but with room to improve on those key moments!
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