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Rainbows After Storms #1
Rainbows After Storms, Vol. 1
Nanoha and Chidori are best friends who attend the same all-girls high school—and also share a heart-pounding secret: they’re lovers. Through sunny days and tumultuous storms, they’re always ready for new adventures together.
For Nanoha and Chidori, best friends turned lovers, normal situations for close friends turn into electrifying moments through the lens of love. Between sharing furtive looks and promise bracelets, the pair spend their hectic school days flirting in secret and hiding their relationship from their friends.
For Nanoha and Chidori, best friends turned lovers, normal situations for close friends turn into electrifying moments through the lens of love. Between sharing furtive looks and promise bracelets, the pair spend their hectic school days flirting in secret and hiding their relationship from their friends.
168 pages, Paperback
Published December 10, 2024
11 people are currently reading
2902 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 13, 2024
So, this series is fine. Very little happens for a long time before it gets going. There is nearly no relationship or character development, or any plot to speak of, for the first several volumes. What there IS, would be a lot of embarrassed blushing, stolen glances, and tiny interactions between the protagonists while they are awkward. They are keeping their relationship a secret (which you are reminded of CONSTANTLY) so everything is low-key except its somewhat annoying because the result is them interacting even less than they do with their other friends. Did I mention that you are constantly reminded that they are in a relationship but it’s a secret? Because it’s a secret! To give an idea of the lack of relationship development, they are “dating” but have not gone on a single date or kissed (or anything) until the first date in volume 3 and first kiss MUCH later than that. Its sloooooow.
That said there are cute moments. I will read the whole thing because I am wondering if anything eventually happens, which tells you it isn’t terrible. It’s a fast and easy read for sure, with zero angst or stakes. Did I mention that they are in a relationship, but it’s a secret? I am sure I mentioned it less often than it’s mentioned in the manga. The art is well done.
Update now that I’m done the series:
Eventually the story gets going (I’m talking about volume 5-8+) and there is some relationship development and minor conflicts. Its still quite light and easy to read. There are SO many moments that are very silly, and also borderline inappropriate. I have zero idea what age range this is supposed to be for (everyone is so innocent, and nothing happens, yet there is nudity lmao?). Overall, I can’t say I would recommend this, but I also read the whole thing, and it wasn’t bad at all just underwhelming. If you read the whole thing, eventually there is plotline and payoff. Also, they are dating but keeping their relationship a secret, if you didn’t know that detail.
That said there are cute moments. I will read the whole thing because I am wondering if anything eventually happens, which tells you it isn’t terrible. It’s a fast and easy read for sure, with zero angst or stakes. Did I mention that they are in a relationship, but it’s a secret? I am sure I mentioned it less often than it’s mentioned in the manga. The art is well done.
Update now that I’m done the series:
Eventually the story gets going (I’m talking about volume 5-8+) and there is some relationship development and minor conflicts. Its still quite light and easy to read. There are SO many moments that are very silly, and also borderline inappropriate. I have zero idea what age range this is supposed to be for (everyone is so innocent, and nothing happens, yet there is nudity lmao?). Overall, I can’t say I would recommend this, but I also read the whole thing, and it wasn’t bad at all just underwhelming. If you read the whole thing, eventually there is plotline and payoff. Also, they are dating but keeping their relationship a secret, if you didn’t know that detail.
January 3, 2025
I received a copy of this book from the publisher (Viz Media) for promotional purposes.
This was such a cute and sweet read!
Plot wise, there really isn’t much going on. It’s about 2 girls who are dating but are keeping it a secret from everyone. Most of the story consists of semi-awkward moments of them hiding their relationship. I didn’t mind the lack of plot. The slower pace worked well for the story and made it feel easy and relaxed. Some mangas need to be fast paced and full of excitement, but this one doesn’t.
I also liked the short chapters. It made it feel like you were catching glimpses of moments in their relationship. For example of the chapter, “Behind the Curtain” was solely about one of the girls getting sick at school.
Since this is a manga, I have to talk about the art style. I loved it! The art was adorable and captured their relationship well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this leisurely read and am eager to see where it goes and how their relationship progresses. If you are looking for a slower paced manga to read, consider picking this one up.
This was such a cute and sweet read!
Plot wise, there really isn’t much going on. It’s about 2 girls who are dating but are keeping it a secret from everyone. Most of the story consists of semi-awkward moments of them hiding their relationship. I didn’t mind the lack of plot. The slower pace worked well for the story and made it feel easy and relaxed. Some mangas need to be fast paced and full of excitement, but this one doesn’t.
I also liked the short chapters. It made it feel like you were catching glimpses of moments in their relationship. For example of the chapter, “Behind the Curtain” was solely about one of the girls getting sick at school.
Since this is a manga, I have to talk about the art style. I loved it! The art was adorable and captured their relationship well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this leisurely read and am eager to see where it goes and how their relationship progresses. If you are looking for a slower paced manga to read, consider picking this one up.
October 18, 2025
This is very adorable and sweet! I found myself giggling at some parts, but overall I’m still waiting for something bigger to happen. A very cute and cozy high school romance!!
December 10, 2024
Enjoyable, but unessential, this tells the tale of the dating life of Nanoha and Chidori. Chidori is busty, yet serious, while Nanoha is tall and more fun-loving. Despite being opposites, they love one another very much.
This is incredibly slight and I wouldn’t say it’s especially exciting, but the cozy feel of these two dating, yet trying to keep it a secret, is just cute enough to get the job done. There is no waiting for the big confession - honestly, as we see, their confession was kind of a messy sort of thing anyway.
I went back and re-read Kobachi’s entries in the two Eclair anthologies she contributed to and they are very much in the same sort of ‘okay, but not exemplary’ lane. Even with more space here there isn’t a ton of growth, a feeling that isn’t helped by the reiteration of the premise every single chapter.
But I like the friend group, as undeveloped as they are, and there are little details like who wears their scarves and such, that show that it has more than it seems under the hood, just not necessarily enough. It’s a harmless time with little that leaves a bad taste, but not quite enough that leaves a good one.
Fun little things like Chidori bailing out Nanoha when the latter does a group chat fail, or Nanoha adjusting Chidori’s scarf, for example, are the small bits it does best. The strongest part is probably when Nanoha wants to get matching accessories and Chidori says no, but then does a really cute thing with that idea that persists in the subsequent chapters.
If you’re after the best yuri ever, no, this isn’t it by a long shot. Still, it’s got a pretty relaxed vibe and the cast is a good hang. I wouldn’t clamour for it, but I’ll enjoy it as a minor confection going forward.
This is incredibly slight and I wouldn’t say it’s especially exciting, but the cozy feel of these two dating, yet trying to keep it a secret, is just cute enough to get the job done. There is no waiting for the big confession - honestly, as we see, their confession was kind of a messy sort of thing anyway.
I went back and re-read Kobachi’s entries in the two Eclair anthologies she contributed to and they are very much in the same sort of ‘okay, but not exemplary’ lane. Even with more space here there isn’t a ton of growth, a feeling that isn’t helped by the reiteration of the premise every single chapter.
But I like the friend group, as undeveloped as they are, and there are little details like who wears their scarves and such, that show that it has more than it seems under the hood, just not necessarily enough. It’s a harmless time with little that leaves a bad taste, but not quite enough that leaves a good one.
Fun little things like Chidori bailing out Nanoha when the latter does a group chat fail, or Nanoha adjusting Chidori’s scarf, for example, are the small bits it does best. The strongest part is probably when Nanoha wants to get matching accessories and Chidori says no, but then does a really cute thing with that idea that persists in the subsequent chapters.
If you’re after the best yuri ever, no, this isn’t it by a long shot. Still, it’s got a pretty relaxed vibe and the cast is a good hang. I wouldn’t clamour for it, but I’ll enjoy it as a minor confection going forward.
October 17, 2024
I think this can be a cute story but the repetition of "we're dating but keeping it a secret from everyone" was honestly super annoying. I'll give this a few volunes though to see if it improves.
August 21, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
This was okay. Nothing really happened, you were just reminded plenty of times that them dating is a secret. It had a few cute moments but that was about it.
This was okay. Nothing really happened, you were just reminded plenty of times that them dating is a secret. It had a few cute moments but that was about it.
May 14, 2025
Cute story and characters. I enjoyed the art, too. Great start to the series!
June 15, 2025
a little bland but cutesy
November 23, 2025
3,75
Randomly dropping info that one of the characters got F cup tits?? Poor girl, the back pain must be atrocious
Randomly dropping info that one of the characters got F cup tits?? Poor girl, the back pain must be atrocious
March 17, 2026
I don't have anything good to say about this one. Zero substance and extremely unengaging.
February 12, 2025
cute little snapshots of a cute sapphic relationship. has a lot of potential to turn into something amazing. looking forward to volume 2
February 9, 2025
This is cute but I was a little disappointed because even though they’re dating at the start they’re still super shy around each other. Like girls you don’t have to hide it from your friends, they’re clearly supportive of wlw relationships 😭 Hopefully things will progress a little more in the second volume.
February 27, 2025
This slow-moving love story brings readers into the hearts of two girls who are hiding their romance from the world. The book's repetitive nature can get a little tedious, but the sweetness of the romance makes it worth reading.
Thanks to Netgalley and Viz Media for the eARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and Viz Media for the eARC.
September 30, 2025
This year, I had to catalog like 200 YA manga books for the library, and it did include some yuri. I was last into manga back in junior high and high school, circa the early/mid aughts, so readily available yuri was not a thing-- and if it had been, I probably would not have been brave or self-aware enough to seek it out (at least maybe. Honestly it's hard to say nowadays. I would have been interested, probably.). So I figured I would pick up one whose description sounded decent and see what the landscape is like now.
This was... fine? The premise is that they're best friends who are secretly dating but need to hide it at school-- pretty typical plot for this age level, though a little outdated. But after reading two volumes, I'm forced to ask... what do they actually mean when they say they're dating? I assumed it meant that they would act like a couple outside of school, but from this, I don't think they actually see each other outside of school? And then at school they pretend to be just friends, with intermittent panic about that. So like... does that count as dating? Even in high school? I assume they must do more dating-like things as the story continues, but two volumes in, nothing resembling a plot or character development has happened. The closest they came was a few scenes from the week they first started dating.
The best I can say is that junior-high-aged me probably would have enjoyed it. It may have been groundbreaking in like 2003. But I don't necessarily think it's what I was hoping for. But manga are quick to read, so who knows, I may flip through a later volume just to see.
This was... fine? The premise is that they're best friends who are secretly dating but need to hide it at school-- pretty typical plot for this age level, though a little outdated. But after reading two volumes, I'm forced to ask... what do they actually mean when they say they're dating? I assumed it meant that they would act like a couple outside of school, but from this, I don't think they actually see each other outside of school? And then at school they pretend to be just friends, with intermittent panic about that. So like... does that count as dating? Even in high school? I assume they must do more dating-like things as the story continues, but two volumes in, nothing resembling a plot or character development has happened. The closest they came was a few scenes from the week they first started dating.
The best I can say is that junior-high-aged me probably would have enjoyed it. It may have been groundbreaking in like 2003. But I don't necessarily think it's what I was hoping for. But manga are quick to read, so who knows, I may flip through a later volume just to see.
February 15, 2025
Cute and cozy and a little slow paced. I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next volume. No particularly high stakes arc in this volume, just a slice of life about Nanoha and Chidori navigating the transition of being friends to lovers and keeping it a secret from their other friends.
It made me a little sad in the chapter about them becoming girlfriends, how it ended with them agreeing to keep it a secret because their friends were going to tease a different girl-girl couple in their school. While it reads to me as just childish girls teasing other kids about a new romance rather than outright homophobia, it still makes my heart a bit sad for the leads. I'm sure when they are ready to come out of the closet, their friends will love and support them and only tease them the normal amount for any teenage relationship (gay, straight, or otherwise. I remember being a teen and affectionately teasing my friends over the boys they liked).
I like the leads, their personalities already shine a lot especially for an introductory volume. It can be hard for first volumes to make me care about the characters, but Kobachi did a great job. I also liked the chemistry of their relationship, I appreciated Chi explaining to Nanoha that they don't have to be the same to work perfectly together.
It's a really good book to read to relax before bed. I hope the secondary cast gets more fleshed out, but i can't wait to hang out with Chi and Nanoha again.
It made me a little sad in the chapter about them becoming girlfriends, how it ended with them agreeing to keep it a secret because their friends were going to tease a different girl-girl couple in their school. While it reads to me as just childish girls teasing other kids about a new romance rather than outright homophobia, it still makes my heart a bit sad for the leads. I'm sure when they are ready to come out of the closet, their friends will love and support them and only tease them the normal amount for any teenage relationship (gay, straight, or otherwise. I remember being a teen and affectionately teasing my friends over the boys they liked).
I like the leads, their personalities already shine a lot especially for an introductory volume. It can be hard for first volumes to make me care about the characters, but Kobachi did a great job. I also liked the chemistry of their relationship, I appreciated Chi explaining to Nanoha that they don't have to be the same to work perfectly together.
It's a really good book to read to relax before bed. I hope the secondary cast gets more fleshed out, but i can't wait to hang out with Chi and Nanoha again.
December 6, 2024
This. Was. So. Cute.
I love sapphic stories; they bring me so much joy and warmth. I'm so glad I was able to receive an ARC of this manga.
The art was very well done. The story was super cute. At first, I wasn't sure if it would progress at all (it reminds me a bit of I Think Our Son is Gay with each chapter beginning and ending with the same words (we're best friends and girlfriends) but there is some story progression. I know that this manga has already finished so I'm glad we finally get an English translation.
Which brings me to why I gave this four stars and not five. The translation was somewhat lacking. Granted, this is an ARC so not everything was finalized but parts of the translation were off, as in some sentences felt weird to read or didn't flow off the tongue very well or were just plain wrong. I hope that a re-look at some of the translations were done before they publish it. However, that didn't detract from my overall love of the story and I definitely plan on collecting this story as it's published.
I love sapphic stories; they bring me so much joy and warmth. I'm so glad I was able to receive an ARC of this manga.
The art was very well done. The story was super cute. At first, I wasn't sure if it would progress at all (it reminds me a bit of I Think Our Son is Gay with each chapter beginning and ending with the same words (we're best friends and girlfriends) but there is some story progression. I know that this manga has already finished so I'm glad we finally get an English translation.
Which brings me to why I gave this four stars and not five. The translation was somewhat lacking. Granted, this is an ARC so not everything was finalized but parts of the translation were off, as in some sentences felt weird to read or didn't flow off the tongue very well or were just plain wrong. I hope that a re-look at some of the translations were done before they publish it. However, that didn't detract from my overall love of the story and I definitely plan on collecting this story as it's published.
February 9, 2025
Rainbows After Storms is a very cute and wholesome slice of life yuri with lovely illustrations.
Unfortunately there was not much of an overarching plot; or a plot at all if I’m being perfectly honest. The main characters (outgoing Nanoha and stoic Chidori) are best friends who are dating; but it's a secret. A fact that is constantly stated throughout this manga just in case you forget (I wish I could say I was able to). This felt like a collection of one shots, which in this case made the story seem disjointed in parts. A bit of cohesiveness (and storyline) would have been greatly appreciated.
More depth to the story and characters themselves is definitely required. It took me days to read this volume, as I kept putting it down out of sheer boredom.
Although I would love to see more sapphic stories this one was a bit of a bust.
Unfortunately there was not much of an overarching plot; or a plot at all if I’m being perfectly honest. The main characters (outgoing Nanoha and stoic Chidori) are best friends who are dating; but it's a secret. A fact that is constantly stated throughout this manga just in case you forget (I wish I could say I was able to). This felt like a collection of one shots, which in this case made the story seem disjointed in parts. A bit of cohesiveness (and storyline) would have been greatly appreciated.
More depth to the story and characters themselves is definitely required. It took me days to read this volume, as I kept putting it down out of sheer boredom.
Although I would love to see more sapphic stories this one was a bit of a bust.
November 13, 2024
Best friends Nanoha and Chidori are dating! This opposites attract romance follows two young women that navigate keeping their relationship a secret from the rest of their friend group. The ever outgoing Nanoha is ecstatic about her new relationship, while the shy yet confident Chidori is equally happy. They just run into problems, flirting in secret and attempting to get to know each other without making it obvious to the rest of the group. An interesting first volume as we learn more about the young couple and their feelings towards one another. 3.5/5 stars
October 31, 2024
This was good yuri manga. It wasn’t exceptional, but i still enjoyed it. The main issue I had with it was that quite literally every 2 seconds you were reminded that the main characters are best friends and are secretly dating. after the first chapter we get it. you don’t need to constantly remind us. there were some cute scenes, but they weren’t unique or crazy heartwarming. i wish we watched them fall in love instead of them starting off already dating.
December 12, 2024
Adorable slice of life yuri manga. The artwork is good, there's no real overarching plot to critique, and all of the stories are very sweet and made me smile. I would like to see something a bit more cohesive come out of future volumes, but for this volume I think it worked very well. I look forward to more from this series and I immediately was ready to read the next volume when I finished this one.
December 20, 2024
A collection of cute moments between two gals who are secretly dating. It very much wants to tell you they’re secretly dating. Like repeatedly.
Ones a stoic girl. Ones a bubbly outgoing one. They don’t really have backstories or super prevalent traits but it’s easy to understand the dynamic after the first ‘story’.
Not a huge fan of the facial artistry as it feels very 2005 style but that’s just a personal taste.
Ones a stoic girl. Ones a bubbly outgoing one. They don’t really have backstories or super prevalent traits but it’s easy to understand the dynamic after the first ‘story’.
Not a huge fan of the facial artistry as it feels very 2005 style but that’s just a personal taste.
March 8, 2025
Thanks NetGalley and Viz Media for this arc
2/5 stars
This has potential to be good, but the chapters were each so short and dealing with different things it didn't really flow at all. Also, WE GET IT they're dating and keeping it a secret, did it really need to be repeated so often?! Like, use those spaces for content not repeating things lol. I was bored so I'm glad this was a fast read. Two stars bc the art is cute.
2/5 stars
This has potential to be good, but the chapters were each so short and dealing with different things it didn't really flow at all. Also, WE GET IT they're dating and keeping it a secret, did it really need to be repeated so often?! Like, use those spaces for content not repeating things lol. I was bored so I'm glad this was a fast read. Two stars bc the art is cute.
Read
November 4, 2024Rainbows After Storms's slice of life yuri makes for light reading, which is a good thing. If you're looking for something deep, dramatic, and/or angsty, this isn't it. The relationship IS a secret, so there is still potential for things to get heavy later on. (I received an ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley.)
December 9, 2024
When reading the book in one sitting, each chapter repeating “we’re dating but keeping it a secret from everyone else” is a bit much considering how short the chapters are. Nonetheless, the book features a sweet couple and lighthearted fun scenes that will make readers smile and laugh. (Ex. when they cannot agree on multiple This or That style questions)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2025
Absolutely wonderful SoL about closeted best friends dating. The plot hasn’t felt ‘heavy’ but it’s enjoyable if you’re in the mood to read something chill and sweet — and that feels like a continuation of a Milk Morinaga story that starts up after one of those “and we secretly started dating” endings.
This hit the spot perfectly, and I’m really looking to the next volume!
This hit the spot perfectly, and I’m really looking to the next volume!
June 5, 2025
They are soooooo cute. There's less story than I would prefer and I hope that the next volumes will move their story along a bit and that they'll get to spend more time together. But this volume was really adorable and serves as a great jumping on point to their story INCLUDING a super sweet story on how they got together.
July 8, 2025
Let's go lesbians let's go!! A wholesome yuri, with no dubious consent or fetishized bullshit? Hell yeah!! ❤️🫶🏻🏳️🌈
I love the laid back, slice of life feel as well. For me, not everything has to be dramatic or high stakes. You just get a glimpse into their high school life and relationship, and how they navigate that together. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
I love the laid back, slice of life feel as well. For me, not everything has to be dramatic or high stakes. You just get a glimpse into their high school life and relationship, and how they navigate that together. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
September 17, 2025
Decent, and was cute through, and through.
Though the first couple times they talked about how they were best friends, and dating were fine it got annoying to have them say it pretty much every chapter.
Overall cute slice of life manga start, and I'll pick up the next volume eventually 75/100.
Though the first couple times they talked about how they were best friends, and dating were fine it got annoying to have them say it pretty much every chapter.
Overall cute slice of life manga start, and I'll pick up the next volume eventually 75/100.
December 13, 2025
"The two of us are dating and we are keeping it a secret from everyone" will drive you mad every bloody chapter of this first volume. I was so tired that i kept hearing this same line or variation of this quote, every chapter which is not even a joke. Such a bland book ontop of it. I was truly bored. Cute artstyle tho but will pass on reading the rest of the series.
November 20, 2024
This is such a cute read. Nanoha and Chidori kind of remind me of Nana and Hachi from NANA.
I can't wait to see where their relationship will go, in future volumes.
The only issue is that, in every chapter it reminds you that they're best friends and lovers. It got a little annoying.
I can't wait to see where their relationship will go, in future volumes.
The only issue is that, in every chapter it reminds you that they're best friends and lovers. It got a little annoying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews