Rainbows After Storms, Vol. 3

Rainbows After Storms #3

by Luka Kobachi

Genres: Manga, LGBT, Yuri, Romance, Young Adult, Slice Of Life, Graphic Novels

168 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This just keeps growing on me. It leans a little heavy on its title as metaphor by showing Chidori’s bleak prior year that became better when she started dating Nanoha. And bringing it up again at the end just as that past returns to haunt her.

Beyond that, however, it is a lot of fun. It’s still got some problems; that premise repeats so often it’s distracting, for example, and it isn’t presently interested in being anything but a ‘cute girl’ yuri title.

That’s okay if you like cute girl yuri titles though. And I do. I guess that having them already dating means we lean into the ‘keeping it secret’ side instead, but I like that Chidori addresses her misgivings about that at one point too.

It’s amusing more than funny, but it bops along at a solid enough level. There’s a ton of Chidori and Nanoha sending one another into fits of furious blushing that I liked. The double take over the marriage line was really well executed in particular.

We even get a yuri classic in the form of an aquarium date, quickly ruined by the appearance of Nanoha’s little sister who has better perception than the entire friend group of our duo (although I also won’t be shocked if they turn out to have known all along; subtle these two are not).

There are some nice touches like Chidori’s secret skills and that aforementioned flashback. Plus a sleepover that’s just a minefield of potential disaster, which leads into a very service-y omake that still had a great gag about the difference between Chidori and Nanoha.

It was enough. This is the sort of thing that grows on me given enough time and, while I suspect next volume may have a rockier time, this one gets a lot right and squeezes in both yuri content and wholesome female friendship.

3.5 stars - it’s not necessarily going to change your mind on the series, but I think it made my mind up about it and I’m looking forward to the next one.

[Dara · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute cute cute, i can’t wait for them to be open with their friends!! and finally a storm is coming, a bit of dramaaaa

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first two in this series were a little lackluster. They were fine, but nothing really to recommend. I grabbed the next two, and things do improve a bit. There are a few more interesting character moments, and the girls feel more like they're actually dating (though the "they're dating and it's a secret" tagline at the beginning of every chapter gets old FAST).

Given how quick they are to read, this makes me a little more likely to recommend the series, but I'm holding off my final judgment until I can check out the next few. We only have up to Vol 5 at my library, and we won't be able to get any more until the Baker & Taylor fallout is over, which may take a few months at least. But I'll check out the next few when I get a chance and see if my opinion continues to improve.

[Kayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Scarlette Josie (scarlettereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌈🌈🌈🌈 Four rainbows

Volume 3 of Rainbows After Storms has got to be my favourite instalment in the series so far. It's super cute and I can finally see the story taking shape. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes from here.

[Larakaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's still cute and all but by I know I would have liked to know why they keep it a secret from their friends

[Hollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty cute, it would be nice to see some alone scenes between just Chidori and Nanoha without their friend group present. It's a little slow but I'm going to read the next one.

[Luce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, it's so cute! I really love the art, some of the big panels are so striking. Eagerly awaiting the next volume!