So I’m starting to reblog Koi wa Ameagari no You Ni (Love is like After the Rain) content
And I just wanted to put that out there in case people were uncomfortable about it, since Tumblr can be a bit of a sensitive place.
The ongoing manga (which is now starting an anime) created by Jun Mayuzuki explores the story of Akira Tachibana, a 17 yo high school student who has a massive crush on her restaurant manager boss, Kondou Masami, age 45. Things haven’t really happened so far (like any full-on kissing or real dating), because Masami is trying to resist the relationship and such in fear of legal consequences.
This story is interesting because, and forgive me for my very limited Japanese knowledge, it mainly tackles the issue of “compensated dating” and such in Japan (when an older man hires an escort like a younger woman, and even school girls, for sexual favors and such), but it’s the student chasing the older man, and not the other way around. Despite me rooting for their relationship at times, I feel like it will not end up that way. I personally think it’s going to end with the two having a close friendship, after her feelings calm down and the characters have been developed more.
I can understand that this story would be seen as "problematic" and potentially even controversial in Western culture to our black and white perception of these topics, especially with a majority of countries' age of consent being around 16-18, while Japan's is lower. It's important to experience the story and consider its context. I do not condone manipulative age-gap, employee-employer relationships, but this story has been nothing but positive and thought-provoking at times.
Overall, the anime is of a very high quality, despite it having only released its first episode last week. The manga also has a very appealing "normal" artstyle, and is not at all sexualised and does not have fanservice. I think there are a few odd parts, but I think they are potentially tongue-in-cheek for cheap anime tropes used nowadays for fanservice. It is slice of life, and it also focuses on other characters. I think each character has been getting their deserved time in the spotlight and are also developing, as well as the protagonists Masami and Tachibana.
Also I’m looking around Tumblr, seems we all agree Masami is a DILF. I’m glad he’s the main thing we’re all loving.
TLDR: I'm enjoying Koi wa Ameagari no You Ni and feel free to unfollow me if it makes you feel uncomfortable. I will be sure to tag it appropriately, and since its Romanji title seems to alternate between everybody, I’ll tag them with Kwayn.
