Stay By My Side After the Rain – Series Review & Episode Guide

Plot

Kanade and Mashiro were once close friends in high school. They spent time together, hanging out in class and after school. Then, Kanade developed a crush on Mashiro, who seemed only interested in girls. Kanade didn't believe he could confess his feelings to Mashiro, who only saw him as a friend. Due to his unrequited feelings and family problems, Kanade found his teenage years incredibly difficult. After graduation, he left his hometown and stopped keeping in touch with Mashiro.

Years later, Kanade works as a salesperson at a publishing company. He's close with his colleague Aizawa. One day, she surprises him with a love confession. Kanade, who only likes men, gently turns her down and lies about having a girlfriend. They try to maintain a platonic friendship, but Aizawa can't move on. Their nosy coworker Kanamori takes her side and starts to meddle. She asks intrusive questions about Kanade's love life, making him feel defensive.

After the rejection, Kanade walks through the rain with an umbrella in hand. He pauses outside a café, captivated by a stray cat. The café owner invites him inside to stay out of the rain. As soon as he enters, Kanade is stunned to see another customer. There's Mashiro, his old friend and former crush, eating a sandwich. Mashiro recognizes him right away and lights up with excitement. He calls it a miracle that they met again in Tokyo after leaving their hometown.

Mashiro is excited to catch up, revealing that he now works as a manager at a construction company. In fact, his latest project is located near the café. Kanade mentions that he lives nearby. As they talk, both reveal they're single, and Mashiro jokes about not having a girlfriend. The topic is uncomfortable for Kanade as his old feelings start to resurface. He makes an excuse to leave, but Mashiro stops him to exchange contact information and suggests meeting for a proper meal next time. Kanade reluctantly agrees.

After their reunion, Mashiro sends Kanade many messages, hoping to meet again for a meal. Kanade never replies. He feels uneasy about his lingering feelings for his friend. Mashiro notices the silence and grows frustrated. One day, Kanade passes by the café again. He plans to avoid going inside but gets distracted by the same stray cat. Suddenly, Mashiro steps out of the café and spots him. He demands to know why Kanade has been ignoring him. Finally, Kanade decides to come out as gay and confess his feelings for Mashiro.

Stay By My Side After the Rain focuses on gay trauma. Many plots are rooted in LGBTQ+ experiences, like the protagonist pining after a straight friend. Later, he hides his sexuality, faces invasive questions, comes out (tearfully), and stresses over being seen in public with a guy. He deals with homophobia, a disapproving father, and suicidal thoughts. Damn, this series serves up a whole banquet of gay suffering! Stay By My Side After the Rain feels like reading an LGBT diary. It's raw and intimate, depicting all the emotional scars.

Typically, I'm drawn to BL dramas that explore gay themes. When written well, they have a powerful impact on me. This series tries its best, but the storytelling can be clunky. The first episode shifts moods too rapidly. Kanade was crying one minute, confessing right after, and arguing a moment later. Excuse me, but I got emotional whiplash! In Episode 3, I wanted to enjoy Kanade's first date. Instead, the awkwardly inserted flashbacks distract from the present moment. These are a few examples of a recurring issue throughout the series. It bothers me because some scenes just don't flow smoothly.

With that said, the writing redeems itself at times. Some moments are handled well, such as Kanade's office politics in Episode 4. Oof, those coworkers gave him a hard time! Likewise, Kanade has compelling family scenes. The estranged son returns and tells everyone he's gay! Less successful storylines include the unpleasant drama with Mashiro's mom. A manipulative parent could have provided interesting conflicts. The constant bickering gets on my nerves instead. For me, the writing quality is a mixed bag. It zigzags between fascinating and frustrating.

After a rocky start, Kanade and Mashiro grow into a sweet couple. They dote on each other in cutesy scenes. While the series explores gay trauma, it also celebrates the positives. Once Kanade lets go of his anxieties, he comes to appreciate Mashiro's love and loyalty. Their relationship covers every milestone, including the first date, the first kiss, and the first time having sex. They move in together, enjoying domestic bliss. Although the couple may argue, they can overcome the drama. With such a complete romance arc, there's no doubt in my mind that these two are in love.

Admittedly, the romance lacks passion during physical intimacy. The couple kisses softly, but not in the intense way that makes fans swoon. When other BL dramas have raised the bar for displaying affection, the actors' mild chemistry doesn't dazzle us. Mashiro's performer (Natsuki Hori) is on the weak side, particularly with emoting. He comes across as too wooden or too eager without finding that sweet middle spot. His co-star (Masashi Ikeda) is natural on screen. He carries the dramatic material and delivers emotionally compelling moments.

Stay By My Side After the Rain can be corny. Kanade looks up at a rainbow and says mushy lines like, "Thank you for this miracle." Ugh, vomit! Oh, who am I kidding? Deep down, I'm into this type of over-the-top sentimentality, even if it's too cheesy for others. Overall, Stay By My Side After the Rain is feel-good enough to make me smile. The friends-to-lovers arc, family drama, and LGBTQ+ themes are all things I like in BL, so it hits me right in the feelings. Is this series my favourite? Hand to heart, not really. I know it has flaws, but it's a positive story with well-meaning messages.