When the Rain of Youthful Love Falls: Review of 'After the Rain' – A Romantic Anime That Makes Your Heart Swell

In a world where love is often viewed through the lens of reason, 'After the Rain' is an anime that dares to challenge norms with a story of a heart that beats out of sync with age. From Studio Wit, known for works like Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga, it takes the life of Akira, a gloomy-eyed high school girl, and Kondo, a seemingly unambitious 45-year-old restaurant manager, and intertwines them with feelings as bittersweet as black coffee without sugar.

Plot Summary (No Spoilers)

Tachibana Akira, a star runner at her school, has to stop competing due to a foot injury. She starts working part-time at a family restaurant, where she meets Kondo Masami, the 45-year-old manager who is simple and honest. Akira feels something strange in her heart. She begins to observe him in every gesture, from his deft handling of teacups to the warm smile he gives customers.

But this love is not easy. Akira is a quiet and reserved girl, while Kondo himself cannot believe that this young girl could be interested in him. Akira's seemingly cold demeanor makes him think she is just annoyed by an old man like him. The story unfolds with small misunderstandings and the efforts of both to communicate their true feelings, set against the backdrop of falling rain.

Performance and Characters

Although it is an anime voiced by professional voice actors, the emotional delivery of the characters is surprisingly good. Sayumi Watabe as Akira brilliantly conveys the outer strength hiding inner sensitivity. Every time she speaks of Kondo in a flat tone, her eyes hide a sweet sparkle. Hiroaki Hirata as Kondo is equally impressive. He communicates the confusion of a middle-aged man who doesn't understand how he caught the interest of this young girl, along with dry humor that keeps the atmosphere from becoming too heavy.

Supporting characters like Haruka Kiyan, Akira's best friend, add color to the story. She is cheerful and always supports Akira, even if she doesn't understand her friend's love. Meanwhile, Akira's father represents a concern that sometimes oversteps, but also shows the perspective of parents on age-gap love.

Direction, Visuals, and Music

Studio Wit proves once again that they excel at creating delicate atmospheres. The visuals in this story primarily use blue and gray tones, conveying sadness and the constant rain, but there are also scenes where sunlight breaks through the rain clouds, giving a sweet, soft feeling. The use of symbolic imagery like raindrops, puddles, and umbrellas cleverly conveys the characters' emotions.

The soundtrack by Ryo Yoshimata is classic and warm. The main song "Ref:rain" by Aimer is beautiful and perfectly matches the theme. The hook repeating "I love you" makes the audience feel both pain and hope at the same time.

Editorial Analysis

Many may view the love between a high school girl and an adult man as inappropriate, but 'After the Rain' does not glorify such a relationship. Instead, it is the story of two humans searching for themselves. Akira is lost because she lost her identity as a runner, while Kondo is stuck in a monotonous life. Their love is like the rain that washes away confusion and leads both to a fresh start.

The editorial team believes this anime portrays love in its purest form: two people bringing out each other's potential without necessarily ending up as lovers. It is a lesson that love doesn't always have to be fulfilled; just meeting and changing each other is enough.

Verdict

If you're looking for a romantic anime that is different, not overly sweet, and offers good insights, 'After the Rain' is the answer. Although the theme may not appeal to everyone, its delicate storytelling and high-quality production make it a work worth watching at least once. Suitable for those who enjoy life dramas and complex love stories.