Stay By My Side After The Rain Vol. 1 - Manga Review

Kerstin (lostinmanga.de) Manga Reviews
08/21/2024 12:00pm 3 minute read

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With Stay By My Side After The Rain, a new short series in the boys' love genre has recently been released by Seven Seas. The series consists of two volumes, and in Japan, a sequel titled Ameagari no Bokura ni Tsuite: Sono Saki was recently published.

The manga, by mangaka Shoko Rakuta, was serialized from 2019 to 2020 in the web magazine comic POOL, which does not target a specific demographic and also hosts titles like The Yakuza’s Bias and Wotakoi. How was it?

How was "Stay By My Side After The Rain"?

Stay By My Side After The Rain is a boys' love manga that tells the story of Kanade, an office worker dissatisfied with his life and who keeps his homosexuality a secret. His everyday life changes dramatically when he runs into his old school friend Mashiro—the boy he was secretly in love with during his youth. Mashiro's return brings light into Kanade’s gloomy life and offers him a new chance to find love.

The manga unfolds an emotional love story between two men who have harbored unrequited feelings for each other since their school days. As adults, they meet again and must confront their long-suppressed emotions. At its core, the story is realistic and reflects a wide range of emotions, including pain, sadness, joy, and happiness.

A central theme of the manga is self-realization and the inner struggle that comes with the need to meet others' expectations. The character development is deep and complex, with compelling character arcs. The romance in the story is subtle and restrained, focusing more on the sincere emotional support the characters offer each other rather than physical intimacy. This emphasizes the authenticity of their relationship and the deep emotional bonds they share. The main characters are carefully and detailedly drawn, and their interactions with the supporting characters are well thought out and add depth to the plot. The second half of the story is particularly impressive, as it focuses on Mashiro's relationship with his emotionally controlling mother. This relationship is depicted in an uncomfortable but realistic manner.

One criticism worth mentioning is the portrayal of female characters in the manga. They often come across as rude, bold, and insensitive. The colleague and her friend are especially portrayed negatively, as they inappropriately meddle in Kanade’s private life and out him in an uncomfortable way. In my view, these scenes do not contribute positively to the narrative.

The artwork by Shoko Rakuta suits the tone of the story. The focus is on the characters, while the backgrounds are more simply drawn. Additionally, the emotions of the characters are portrayed intensely by the artist. Seven Seas is publishing the manga in a large format. The volume also includes a color page featuring the two protagonists.

Is it worth reading?

Stay By My Side After The Rain may not be the most memorable story, but it is very well written. The manga stands out for its realistic depiction of emotions and relationships, making it a rewarding read. Fans of quieter, deeper boys' love stories will especially enjoy the manga.