: The series handles the age difference with remarkable tact . It isn't a "romance" in the traditional sense; rather, it’s about two "broken" people providing the inspiration needed to face their respective futures.

: Akira Tachibana, a former track star sidelined by injury, falls for Masami Kondo, a gentle but self-deprecating restaurant manager.

( After the Rain ) is a masterfully directed slice-of-life drama that transcends its potentially controversial premise. While it begins with a 17-year-old girl’s crush on her 45-year-old manager, it evolves into a poignant exploration of healing and rediscovering lost passions. The Story: Beyond the Age Gap