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Rainy Day Serenade Omnibus 1
Not yet published
Expected 19 Jan 27The much-demanded romantic adventure finally arrives in English! From the creator of Natsuyuki Rendezvous comes a whimsical and exciting timeslip romance where a modern high school girl masquerades as her lookalike in the early 20th century while navigating a complicated web of familial ties and intrigue.
See why Rainy Day Serenade is one of the most-requested Kodansha manga of all time!
By day, Hina is a busy high school student. But in her dreams, she's a little girl playing in a stately garden with a mysterious boy. So, when she wakes up as her teenage self in that same garden, she assumes she zonked out at school...except a well-dressed young gentleman named Takaaki arrives and returns her to her supposed home, insisting she is his fiancee. Even stranger, when Hina is led to her room, she meets her doppelganger (and Takaaki's actual betrothed), a girl named Hinako. After putting everything together, Hina realizes she's been transported back in time to the year 1907. What lies ahead for a modern high school girl as she masquerades as her lookalike while navigating a complicated web of familial ties and intrigue? And what happens when destiny pulls you into another life, and the strictures of time soften into a dream?
This volume contains Japanese volumes 1-2.
Japanese title Namidaame to serenade
See why Rainy Day Serenade is one of the most-requested Kodansha manga of all time!
By day, Hina is a busy high school student. But in her dreams, she's a little girl playing in a stately garden with a mysterious boy. So, when she wakes up as her teenage self in that same garden, she assumes she zonked out at school...except a well-dressed young gentleman named Takaaki arrives and returns her to her supposed home, insisting she is his fiancee. Even stranger, when Hina is led to her room, she meets her doppelganger (and Takaaki's actual betrothed), a girl named Hinako. After putting everything together, Hina realizes she's been transported back in time to the year 1907. What lies ahead for a modern high school girl as she masquerades as her lookalike while navigating a complicated web of familial ties and intrigue? And what happens when destiny pulls you into another life, and the strictures of time soften into a dream?
This volume contains Japanese volumes 1-2.
Japanese title Namidaame to serenade
- GenresManga
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication January 19, 2027
About the author
Haruka Kawachi
55 books37 followersName (in native language) : 河内遙
Zodiac : Virgo
In 2001, Haruka Kawachi debuted in Seirin Kogeisha's AX magazine with the story "Hinemosu Waltz." Afterwards, stories became popular for their peculiar mood and appeal to both men and women, and she came to be called "manga's enfant terrible." She has been featured in many magazines. Some of her notable works include "Sekine-kun no Koi" and "Engawa Gohan."
(translated from Shodensha)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 27, 2026
[Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for a copy of this manga in exchange for an unbiased review.]
This experience taught me that I do not especially like historical dramas if poisoning and mystery are not involved. I appreciated what this is doing more than I enjoyed it, although it picks up by the end.
And, full disclosure, I have been picking away at this for roughly three whole weeks, so when I say this was not engaging me, it’s not with my usual zesty hyperbole. Definitely a me problem, I assure you, but keep it in mind.
Hina is a very normal Japanese girl with a crush and trouble focusing at school, who has long had dreams of a boy in an old house that she suddenly ends up transported to after a rain shower.
Now Hina’s in Meiji-era Japan and faced with Taakaki, who her doppelgänger/relative, Hinako, is engaged to. But Hinako clearly has feelings for a young tutor’s assistant instead. If you don’t think Hina will become infatuated with Taakaki, well…
If you like this sort of period piece, then you will probably have a good time. This talks an awful lot and takes so, so much time and effort to establish the basics before it decides to have a bit more of a plot. It’s a lot of place setting for a meal that isn’t all that exciting.
That plot is tied to Hina’s necklace, which she thinks will take her back to the future/present. The way said necklace keeps eluding their grasp calls to mind old TV shows like The Fugitive, where the resolution was tantalizingly close until yet another wrinkle pushed things on to the next episode. It has never been one of my preferred storytelling devices.
I do like Hina, even if she spends a lot of time worrying about losing her sense of self and becoming subsumed by the time period, which feels a bit odd and more suited for a horror story. It feels a little melodramatic, which is saying something here.
Then again, Taakaki is shouldering the burden of having lost his older brother and the heaviness it has placed on him, plus string instruments are involved, so melodrama is kind of par for the course. Sometimes I like this sort of overwrought sensibility, sometimes not so much.
Once Hina and Taakaki are spending more time together actually doing something, the story does pick up a bit. The side plot of stage magic being replaced by the wonders of motion pictures was a nice inclusion as well.
Really, this is a story made for people who want a historical romance. The time travel angle is just a little extra to lure in other people. It wasn’t that I wasn’t prepared for this, I just wasn’t that bothered. At least we got to see a literal cad and bounder, we don’t get too many of those in shojo.
I wish Hinako had been more of a focus too. Her ‘love for another man’ angle is predictable, but I think Hina’s modern day attitudes coming to influence her decisions would have been much more interesting than several parts of this (and there is some of that, just not enough).
The art is fine; I do think it gets better as it goes on and it has some nice shots of historic Tokyo as it slowly grows into the giant metropolis that we know and love today.
That said, I wish that Hina and Hinako looked more alike as well; they’re clearly supposed to be indistinguishable, yet they’re also clearly very different on the page. I can see why they’d do that from a reader perspective, but I found it confused me even more and made everybody seem really myopic.
3.25 stars - a story for somebody else, I think, with more interest in history and seeing somebody living through it. An okay genre story, but not one that I found appealing much beyond that.
This experience taught me that I do not especially like historical dramas if poisoning and mystery are not involved. I appreciated what this is doing more than I enjoyed it, although it picks up by the end.
And, full disclosure, I have been picking away at this for roughly three whole weeks, so when I say this was not engaging me, it’s not with my usual zesty hyperbole. Definitely a me problem, I assure you, but keep it in mind.
Hina is a very normal Japanese girl with a crush and trouble focusing at school, who has long had dreams of a boy in an old house that she suddenly ends up transported to after a rain shower.
Now Hina’s in Meiji-era Japan and faced with Taakaki, who her doppelgänger/relative, Hinako, is engaged to. But Hinako clearly has feelings for a young tutor’s assistant instead. If you don’t think Hina will become infatuated with Taakaki, well…
If you like this sort of period piece, then you will probably have a good time. This talks an awful lot and takes so, so much time and effort to establish the basics before it decides to have a bit more of a plot. It’s a lot of place setting for a meal that isn’t all that exciting.
That plot is tied to Hina’s necklace, which she thinks will take her back to the future/present. The way said necklace keeps eluding their grasp calls to mind old TV shows like The Fugitive, where the resolution was tantalizingly close until yet another wrinkle pushed things on to the next episode. It has never been one of my preferred storytelling devices.
I do like Hina, even if she spends a lot of time worrying about losing her sense of self and becoming subsumed by the time period, which feels a bit odd and more suited for a horror story. It feels a little melodramatic, which is saying something here.
Then again, Taakaki is shouldering the burden of having lost his older brother and the heaviness it has placed on him, plus string instruments are involved, so melodrama is kind of par for the course. Sometimes I like this sort of overwrought sensibility, sometimes not so much.
Once Hina and Taakaki are spending more time together actually doing something, the story does pick up a bit. The side plot of stage magic being replaced by the wonders of motion pictures was a nice inclusion as well.
Really, this is a story made for people who want a historical romance. The time travel angle is just a little extra to lure in other people. It wasn’t that I wasn’t prepared for this, I just wasn’t that bothered. At least we got to see a literal cad and bounder, we don’t get too many of those in shojo.
I wish Hinako had been more of a focus too. Her ‘love for another man’ angle is predictable, but I think Hina’s modern day attitudes coming to influence her decisions would have been much more interesting than several parts of this (and there is some of that, just not enough).
The art is fine; I do think it gets better as it goes on and it has some nice shots of historic Tokyo as it slowly grows into the giant metropolis that we know and love today.
That said, I wish that Hina and Hinako looked more alike as well; they’re clearly supposed to be indistinguishable, yet they’re also clearly very different on the page. I can see why they’d do that from a reader perspective, but I found it confused me even more and made everybody seem really myopic.
3.25 stars - a story for somebody else, I think, with more interest in history and seeing somebody living through it. An okay genre story, but not one that I found appealing much beyond that.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to the author and publisher for my arc.
I enjoyed the story and the artwork is stunning, it’s a little bit slower paced and at times it can be confusing when time jumps but once you get the hang of the back and forth it’s super enjoyable!
I enjoyed the story and the artwork is stunning, it’s a little bit slower paced and at times it can be confusing when time jumps but once you get the hang of the back and forth it’s super enjoyable!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Unfortunately the pace was just too slow for me. By the beginning of volume 2 I was already losing interest, and I doubt I will continue with the series.
The weirdest thing for me was Hina and Hinako. They are supposed to look identical, or at least similar enough to pass as the same person, but in the manga they look different: different hair color, different posture, different mannerisms. Like, is everyone else blind or am I?
The timelines also felt kind of blurry. Sometimes you had to stop and think about which period a scene was set in.
And the Meiji era setting only looks like Meiji era. It looks purely cosmetic, because somehow everyone speaks in a pretty modern way. That bothered me quite a bit.
At least the art was gorgeous. It kind of reminded me of that older shojo manga style, and that probably was my favorite part about reading this.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The weirdest thing for me was Hina and Hinako. They are supposed to look identical, or at least similar enough to pass as the same person, but in the manga they look different: different hair color, different posture, different mannerisms. Like, is everyone else blind or am I?
The timelines also felt kind of blurry. Sometimes you had to stop and think about which period a scene was set in.
And the Meiji era setting only looks like Meiji era. It looks purely cosmetic, because somehow everyone speaks in a pretty modern way. That bothered me quite a bit.
At least the art was gorgeous. It kind of reminded me of that older shojo manga style, and that probably was my favorite part about reading this.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As much as I loved the anime of Natsuyuki Rendezvous, I can’t say I loved this one of Kawachi-Sans work. The main leads are boring and bland af like it feel like I was reading two sets of cardboards. I just felt they hadn’t much personality and they were meh. Too speechless to share more…
Got this volume 1 and 2 for free via Netgalley and publisher…
Got this volume 1 and 2 for free via Netgalley and publisher…
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A really charming read with a cast of characters who are incredibly easy to like. I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so slow-paced, though, the story takes its time getting where it’s going, which worked for the character development but occasionally tested my patience.
That said, I enjoyed the characters and the overall vibe enough that I’d definitely keep reading. A sweet, easy-to-enjoy series that’s worth picking up if you don’t mind a slower pace (and being personally victimised by a cliffhanger).
That said, I enjoyed the characters and the overall vibe enough that I’d definitely keep reading. A sweet, easy-to-enjoy series that’s worth picking up if you don’t mind a slower pace (and being personally victimised by a cliffhanger).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of Rainy Day Serenade, Vol. 1–2 in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a little while to get into this story. The beginning felt quite flat to me, and the interactions between the characters were very polite and restrained. As the story developed, however, I started to appreciate the setting and the characters more, and I gradually became much more invested.
I really enjoyed the time-travel element and watching the relationship between Hina and Takaaki develop. There is also a mystery surrounding Hina's situation that becomes more interesting as the story progresses. The second volume especially pulled me in, and by the end I was genuinely invested in the characters and very curious to see where the story goes next.
The artwork was another highlight for me. The drawings are beautiful, and I particularly appreciated that the manga doesn't rely on chibi-style drawings for its humorous moments. The consistent art style suited the historical and romantic atmosphere really well.
Overall, this started a little slowly for me, but it grew on me considerably as I read. By the end of volume two, I was fully invested and definitely want to continue the series.
It took me a little while to get into this story. The beginning felt quite flat to me, and the interactions between the characters were very polite and restrained. As the story developed, however, I started to appreciate the setting and the characters more, and I gradually became much more invested.
I really enjoyed the time-travel element and watching the relationship between Hina and Takaaki develop. There is also a mystery surrounding Hina's situation that becomes more interesting as the story progresses. The second volume especially pulled me in, and by the end I was genuinely invested in the characters and very curious to see where the story goes next.
The artwork was another highlight for me. The drawings are beautiful, and I particularly appreciated that the manga doesn't rely on chibi-style drawings for its humorous moments. The consistent art style suited the historical and romantic atmosphere really well.
Overall, this started a little slowly for me, but it grew on me considerably as I read. By the end of volume two, I was fully invested and definitely want to continue the series.
Read
October 14, 20264/6 stars
So I think the age difference is like 4 years between our leads. I think this is sci-fi, historical, and romance. The beginning feels a bit slow I don't think a ton happen in this volume. All we really know is the necklace is important. But I do feel hooked, I want to know how this plays out. What's up with the dream, the woman she looks like, how do they get a HEA? I really feel like I need to know and I never felt annoyed with any of the characters. I don't like admitting it but the ML is the most interesting to me right now with his relationship with his brother.
I think the art is okay but it is enjoyable as it doesn't look like current manga.
So I think the age difference is like 4 years between our leads. I think this is sci-fi, historical, and romance. The beginning feels a bit slow I don't think a ton happen in this volume. All we really know is the necklace is important. But I do feel hooked, I want to know how this plays out. What's up with the dream, the woman she looks like, how do they get a HEA? I really feel like I need to know and I never felt annoyed with any of the characters. I don't like admitting it but the ML is the most interesting to me right now with his relationship with his brother.
I think the art is okay but it is enjoyable as it doesn't look like current manga.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The art was good and the storytelling was interesting. I did think it was stupid for that one character to accidentally take something then have the nerve to give it to someone else, who ends up going missing. I'm guessing this was just done for the plot since the necklace is a way for Hina to get home (my guess). I am interested to know what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Beautiful artwork drew me in, but the mystery kept me turning pages.
The artwork was a pleasure to look through, from the colored pages opening each volume to the black-and-white illustrations throughout the story.
The story does get off to a slow start, and it took me a little while to really get into it. Still, I was impressed by how the author gave me very little information while keeping me curious. As the story picked up, I became more invested and wanted to see how everything would unfold.
The story also has a smooth, reader-friendly flow. Sometimes manga can become confusing or difficult to follow, but I didn’t have that problem with these volumes. Once I settled into the story, I realized I had reached chapter ten without even noticing. I love when I get that lost in a story!
As I read, I became more interested in the characters. I appreciated the moments that showed their emotions and gave me a better understanding of their actions. There were situations where I could understand someone’s frustration, and others where I really felt for what a character was going through. Those moments helped me become more invested.
One small detail did catch my attention: the number of glass beads on a necklace changes in the artwork. Some pictures show three, while others show two—even within the same page. Because I was paying close attention, I found that a little distracting. It didn’t spoil my enjoyment, but I would have liked to see more consistency in that detail.
I also loved the extras included in these volumes. The index and glossary were welcome additions, and I enjoyed the author’s note and the pages featuring other works. Including an explanation of how to read manga was a thoughtful touch, especially for someone picking one up for the first time.
Overall, despite the slow start, I thought these two volumes were a really good introduction to a story I absolutely fell in love with. The artwork was beautiful, and once I became absorbed in the mystery, I wanted to keep turning pages. Would I pick up the next volumes? Probably! There’s still plenty I want to discover.
Thank you to the author for providing a digital advance review copy through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own and reflect my honest reading experience. This review is unpaid and unsponsored.
The artwork was a pleasure to look through, from the colored pages opening each volume to the black-and-white illustrations throughout the story.
The story does get off to a slow start, and it took me a little while to really get into it. Still, I was impressed by how the author gave me very little information while keeping me curious. As the story picked up, I became more invested and wanted to see how everything would unfold.
The story also has a smooth, reader-friendly flow. Sometimes manga can become confusing or difficult to follow, but I didn’t have that problem with these volumes. Once I settled into the story, I realized I had reached chapter ten without even noticing. I love when I get that lost in a story!
As I read, I became more interested in the characters. I appreciated the moments that showed their emotions and gave me a better understanding of their actions. There were situations where I could understand someone’s frustration, and others where I really felt for what a character was going through. Those moments helped me become more invested.
One small detail did catch my attention: the number of glass beads on a necklace changes in the artwork. Some pictures show three, while others show two—even within the same page. Because I was paying close attention, I found that a little distracting. It didn’t spoil my enjoyment, but I would have liked to see more consistency in that detail.
I also loved the extras included in these volumes. The index and glossary were welcome additions, and I enjoyed the author’s note and the pages featuring other works. Including an explanation of how to read manga was a thoughtful touch, especially for someone picking one up for the first time.
Overall, despite the slow start, I thought these two volumes were a really good introduction to a story I absolutely fell in love with. The artwork was beautiful, and once I became absorbed in the mystery, I wanted to keep turning pages. Would I pick up the next volumes? Probably! There’s still plenty I want to discover.
Thank you to the author for providing a digital advance review copy through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own and reflect my honest reading experience. This review is unpaid and unsponsored.
October 3, 2026
Review of advanced copy received.
I had to DNF this manga. I made it about 47% through and just couldn't keep going which is very rare for me when it comes to manga. Maybe because this was an Omnibus so I was reading more than just 1 volume, I felt like I couldn't bear to power through anymore. I was expecting more and I'm not 100% sure exactly what I was expecting because I went in with a very open mind. But reading the description is what made me interested in the manga and request to read it because I love reading about Japanese history and historical pieces, this didn't feel like a historical piece. It felt like they claimed it's a historical piece just because the artist can draw things from that time. But no one spoke differently, the way she acted wasn't of the same nature as someone from that time. All of it just didn't make sense. The two girls are supposed to look identical but they're not even drawn identically, why would anyone have thought they're the same person?! Their hair color isn't even the same. And if the artist did that so we the reader would tell the two of them apart then that's just bad design. I also thought the translation note about the Fahrenheit to Celsius was weird and then there was no translation note about Paisen which definitely felt like it needed it. I haven't seen that word used in any other manga I've read nor anime I've watched, to where it came off to me like she was being disrespectful to her Senpai by changing the word around and making fun especially given his response for him to cut it out. It wasn't until I did my own googling to find out that it's supposed to be some cute playful speech instead. That was a big miss in my book which just added to the whole sense of this manga not having any kind of footing or knowing where it's going.
Thanks to Netgalley, Kodansha Comics, and Haruka Kawachi for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I had to DNF this manga. I made it about 47% through and just couldn't keep going which is very rare for me when it comes to manga. Maybe because this was an Omnibus so I was reading more than just 1 volume, I felt like I couldn't bear to power through anymore. I was expecting more and I'm not 100% sure exactly what I was expecting because I went in with a very open mind. But reading the description is what made me interested in the manga and request to read it because I love reading about Japanese history and historical pieces, this didn't feel like a historical piece. It felt like they claimed it's a historical piece just because the artist can draw things from that time. But no one spoke differently, the way she acted wasn't of the same nature as someone from that time. All of it just didn't make sense. The two girls are supposed to look identical but they're not even drawn identically, why would anyone have thought they're the same person?! Their hair color isn't even the same. And if the artist did that so we the reader would tell the two of them apart then that's just bad design. I also thought the translation note about the Fahrenheit to Celsius was weird and then there was no translation note about Paisen which definitely felt like it needed it. I haven't seen that word used in any other manga I've read nor anime I've watched, to where it came off to me like she was being disrespectful to her Senpai by changing the word around and making fun especially given his response for him to cut it out. It wasn't until I did my own googling to find out that it's supposed to be some cute playful speech instead. That was a big miss in my book which just added to the whole sense of this manga not having any kind of footing or knowing where it's going.
Thanks to Netgalley, Kodansha Comics, and Haruka Kawachi for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC!
Rainy Day Serenade is a manga series that follows a girl who has been travelling in her dreams back to early 1900s Japan and meeting a young boy around her age. One day at school, she’s fully transported to the past and faced with her doppelgänger - the girl currently engaged to the boy from her dreams!
While the premise sounds fun and cute, I found that the focus of the book was all over the place. Rainy Day Serenade laid little groundwork for the relationships between the two romantic leads before the time travel happens, making Hina’s intense focus on him over getting home feel like it came a bit out of nowhere (especially since she has a crush back home who just asked her out on a date). Both of the doppelgänger girls accept their fate quite easily; so far there hasn’t been much confusion or hijinks done with this concept.
Lastly, the plot beats in this volume felt quite random.
Overall, this manga doesn’t necessarily stand out art-wise or narratively from the first few volumes, but it has an interesting premise that could be promising as the series continues.
Rainy Day Serenade is a manga series that follows a girl who has been travelling in her dreams back to early 1900s Japan and meeting a young boy around her age. One day at school, she’s fully transported to the past and faced with her doppelgänger - the girl currently engaged to the boy from her dreams!
While the premise sounds fun and cute, I found that the focus of the book was all over the place. Rainy Day Serenade laid little groundwork for the relationships between the two romantic leads before the time travel happens, making Hina’s intense focus on him over getting home feel like it came a bit out of nowhere (especially since she has a crush back home who just asked her out on a date). Both of the doppelgänger girls accept their fate quite easily; so far there hasn’t been much confusion or hijinks done with this concept.
Lastly, the plot beats in this volume felt quite random.
Overall, this manga doesn’t necessarily stand out art-wise or narratively from the first few volumes, but it has an interesting premise that could be promising as the series continues.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m always on the hunt for historical manga, so I was curious to see how Haruka Kawachi would tackle a time-slip setup in Rainy Day Serenade Omnibus 1. To be completely honest, I didn’t love it, but it was still an amusing, breezy read that kept me entertained throughout.
The story follows Hina, a modern high school student whisked back to Meiji-era Japan in 1907. She is quickly mistaken for her wealthy high-society doppelgänger and thrown into a world of aristocrats, family drama, and a broody love interest. What really sets this apart is its execution. It offers the fun dynamic of an isekai, but completely stripped of magic or fantasy elements, grounding the drama entirely in historical fiction. Paired with Kawachi’s soft, charming art and a lighthearted tone, it moves along at a pleasant pace.
That said, it does lean heavily on well-worn romance tropes, and the central dynamic between the leads is fairly predictable. Because these first two volumes focus mostly on establishing the identity mix-up, the actual plot stakes stay relatively low.
Ultimately, it’s not a manga for me, but if you love time-travel romance with a vintage feel and an isekai vibe without true fantasy, it’s a fun, cozy read.
The story follows Hina, a modern high school student whisked back to Meiji-era Japan in 1907. She is quickly mistaken for her wealthy high-society doppelgänger and thrown into a world of aristocrats, family drama, and a broody love interest. What really sets this apart is its execution. It offers the fun dynamic of an isekai, but completely stripped of magic or fantasy elements, grounding the drama entirely in historical fiction. Paired with Kawachi’s soft, charming art and a lighthearted tone, it moves along at a pleasant pace.
That said, it does lean heavily on well-worn romance tropes, and the central dynamic between the leads is fairly predictable. Because these first two volumes focus mostly on establishing the identity mix-up, the actual plot stakes stay relatively low.
Ultimately, it’s not a manga for me, but if you love time-travel romance with a vintage feel and an isekai vibe without true fantasy, it’s a fun, cozy read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story seems to work with two different time periods that reflect each other. On one side there is a more contemporary setting. On the other, there is an older world with arranged marriages and strict rules. The settings are very detailed, and the architectural artwork is especially beautiful.
I think what I liked the most was having volumes 1 and 2 together. If I had only read the first volume, I don't think it would have kept my interest. The story is written and illustrated in a beautiful, nostalgic, calm and emotional way, with a lovely historical atmosphere.
It is not a thriller, but there is still mystery because the main character seems to remember things, music and photographs connected to another time. By the end of the manga, we still do not know exactly how they are connected. This makes the story slow, but never boring. It keeps you questioning what is happening without giving you all the answers.
The strongest point is the atmosphere surrounding the protagonist and the way everything revolves around her, making you pay attention to every small detail. It is an interesting mix of historical romance, family drama, music, temporal mystery and slice of life.
I think what I liked the most was having volumes 1 and 2 together. If I had only read the first volume, I don't think it would have kept my interest. The story is written and illustrated in a beautiful, nostalgic, calm and emotional way, with a lovely historical atmosphere.
It is not a thriller, but there is still mystery because the main character seems to remember things, music and photographs connected to another time. By the end of the manga, we still do not know exactly how they are connected. This makes the story slow, but never boring. It keeps you questioning what is happening without giving you all the answers.
The strongest point is the atmosphere surrounding the protagonist and the way everything revolves around her, making you pay attention to every small detail. It is an interesting mix of historical romance, family drama, music, temporal mystery and slice of life.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hina has very vivid dreams of the far past, befriending a boy in those dreams throughout her young life. One day, while wearing a necklace gifted to her by her grandmother, she passes out and wakes up in that dream world, early 20th century Japan. Only this time, it doesn't feel like a dream, and the people in this world know her name. With time, she realizes that she has somehow time-traveled to the past, and meets her ancestor who could be her doppelganger, Hinako. The dreams of the past seem to hold weight, as the boy she would dream of just so happens to be Hinako's fiance whom she doesn't wish to marry.
This was such a fun read! Hina is an interesting main lead and I'm interested to learn more about Hinako, Taakaki, and the interesting triangle they find themselves in. I'm also interested to figure out the mystery of how Hina found herself here, so I'll definitely continue reading this. Definitely a must-read for shoujo fans! Thank you to Kodansha and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was such a fun read! Hina is an interesting main lead and I'm interested to learn more about Hinako, Taakaki, and the interesting triangle they find themselves in. I'm also interested to figure out the mystery of how Hina found herself here, so I'll definitely continue reading this. Definitely a must-read for shoujo fans! Thank you to Kodansha and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rainy Day Serenade Omnibus 1 (Vol. 1-2) by Haruka Kawachi was the unexpected and whimsical timeslip I didn't see coming.
Here are some things I loved about this manga:
1) I loved the illustrations of the settings and characters. I could clearly see where they are in time and their little details on their clothing/emotions.
2) I loved the plot of the story where Hina (FMC) remembers playing with a boy on a rainy day. With this core memory, it translates to her being in a time slip back to the year of 1907 where she finds herself in the same garden and sees a young man, Takaaki Hongo, who thinks Hina is his financee, Hinako Kitamine.
As for things I didn't enjoy as much about this manga is truly nothing. If anything I would want to read more about this developing plot and what happens between Hina and Takaaki!
Overall, I would highly recommend this manga to anyone who enjoys time slips and a complicated romance story. Thank you NetGalley, Haruka Kawachi, and Kodansha Comics for the arc manga copy!
Here are some things I loved about this manga:
1) I loved the illustrations of the settings and characters. I could clearly see where they are in time and their little details on their clothing/emotions.
2) I loved the plot of the story where Hina (FMC) remembers playing with a boy on a rainy day. With this core memory, it translates to her being in a time slip back to the year of 1907 where she finds herself in the same garden and sees a young man, Takaaki Hongo, who thinks Hina is his financee, Hinako Kitamine.
As for things I didn't enjoy as much about this manga is truly nothing. If anything I would want to read more about this developing plot and what happens between Hina and Takaaki!
Overall, I would highly recommend this manga to anyone who enjoys time slips and a complicated romance story. Thank you NetGalley, Haruka Kawachi, and Kodansha Comics for the arc manga copy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this story.
I do think reading this as an omnibus is a good choice. The pacing in this is rather slow so after reading the first I'm not sure I would have picked up a second but after reading both in this I do say I'd be interested in a 3rd volume. The FMC and her lookalike have different hair shades so it does seem weird no one had noticed anything. Especially since they also have different personalities. I did enjoy the story for this even though it was slow and I really liked the art. Especially the scenes with them in the garden. I really liked the 2 MCs interactions and being able to see a bond grow between them. With this being a time travel manga I feel like any really romance between them will lead to heartbreak but I would read another volume of this to see how it turns out. I do hope the author builds up the characters a little more though. While I did like the characters they do come off a little bland.
I do think reading this as an omnibus is a good choice. The pacing in this is rather slow so after reading the first I'm not sure I would have picked up a second but after reading both in this I do say I'd be interested in a 3rd volume. The FMC and her lookalike have different hair shades so it does seem weird no one had noticed anything. Especially since they also have different personalities. I did enjoy the story for this even though it was slow and I really liked the art. Especially the scenes with them in the garden. I really liked the 2 MCs interactions and being able to see a bond grow between them. With this being a time travel manga I feel like any really romance between them will lead to heartbreak but I would read another volume of this to see how it turns out. I do hope the author builds up the characters a little more though. While I did like the characters they do come off a little bland.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley, Kodansha Comics and Haruka Kawachi for a copy of the eARC.
The art style of this manga brought me back to my childhood, which felt really nice. However, the time jumps as well as the slow pace really confused me quite a bit. We already have Hina getting stuck in the 1900s and then we have a bunch of timeskips where we see Takaaki's childhood with his brother, Takaaki remembering a younger Hina, and then Hina remembering her high school life etc. Also... I guess it's the author trying to help us differentiate Hinako and Hina but they have different hair colors (depicted with different shades) - what do you mean that the others cannot tell the difference.
I still have high hopes for this manga, as it is quite intriguing. However, I do hope that there will be a smoother transition between all the time skip/memories that happen.
The art style of this manga brought me back to my childhood, which felt really nice. However, the time jumps as well as the slow pace really confused me quite a bit. We already have Hina getting stuck in the 1900s and then we have a bunch of timeskips where we see Takaaki's childhood with his brother, Takaaki remembering a younger Hina, and then Hina remembering her high school life etc. Also... I guess it's the author trying to help us differentiate Hinako and Hina but they have different hair colors (depicted with different shades) - what do you mean that the others cannot tell the difference.
I still have high hopes for this manga, as it is quite intriguing. However, I do hope that there will be a smoother transition between all the time skip/memories that happen.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars 🌟
Yay! I really like this one. Rainy Day Sernade is a beautiful time travel romance manga. Hina was just a busy high school student when she suddenly wakes up not in her classroom but in 1907. She meets a guy that insists she is his fiance and when she is brought to her supposed home she meets her doppelganger that everyone mistakes her for.
So as you can see there is quite a bit of twist and turns. To be honest though it was a little hard to get into this book, and sometimes it didn't hold my attention. But I loved Hina and Takaaki's relationship and would definitely like to read on and see what happens.
The art style is so pretty to look at. I tried to admire it as much as I can. I haven't read a Manga set in this time period yet, so this was such a fun experience.
Feel free to give it a try too!
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc!
Yay! I really like this one. Rainy Day Sernade is a beautiful time travel romance manga. Hina was just a busy high school student when she suddenly wakes up not in her classroom but in 1907. She meets a guy that insists she is his fiance and when she is brought to her supposed home she meets her doppelganger that everyone mistakes her for.
So as you can see there is quite a bit of twist and turns. To be honest though it was a little hard to get into this book, and sometimes it didn't hold my attention. But I loved Hina and Takaaki's relationship and would definitely like to read on and see what happens.
The art style is so pretty to look at. I tried to admire it as much as I can. I haven't read a Manga set in this time period yet, so this was such a fun experience.
Feel free to give it a try too!
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A girl finds herself in 1907, where she meets a man named Hongo—the very same man she has been seeing in her dreams since childhood…
I really liked the characters, and these two volumes did a great job of setting up what looks like an intriguing story. I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes from here, especially the romantic aspect of it.
The only element I found confusing was the use of the time jumps. The different timelines weren’t always clearly distinguished, so I often struggled at the beginning of a scene to figure out which timeline we were in. I think clearer transitions between the different periods would have made the story easier to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley and Haruka Kawachi for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the characters, and these two volumes did a great job of setting up what looks like an intriguing story. I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes from here, especially the romantic aspect of it.
The only element I found confusing was the use of the time jumps. The different timelines weren’t always clearly distinguished, so I often struggled at the beginning of a scene to figure out which timeline we were in. I think clearer transitions between the different periods would have made the story easier to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley and Haruka Kawachi for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've seen this series around and wanted to read it, especially since an anime adaptation was announced.
It was fun following a protagonist who finds herself in a historical era and meets a girl who looks just like her. As readers, we can tell them apart by their hair, but the characters can't seem to distinguish between them. When they switch places, no one suspects anything aside from the differences in their behavior.
I also think she's the girl Takaaki met when he was young, rather than the Hina he's engaged to. The dreams she keeps having seem to hint at this possibility. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm looking forward to finding out more!
The pacing is a little slow but I look forward to continuing the series and watching the anime.
It was fun following a protagonist who finds herself in a historical era and meets a girl who looks just like her. As readers, we can tell them apart by their hair, but the characters can't seem to distinguish between them. When they switch places, no one suspects anything aside from the differences in their behavior.
I also think she's the girl Takaaki met when he was young, rather than the Hina he's engaged to. The dreams she keeps having seem to hint at this possibility. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm looking forward to finding out more!
The pacing is a little slow but I look forward to continuing the series and watching the anime.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this ARC!
I love the art, story, characters and the pacing so far. A girl who after the rain, gets transported to another era and meets the boy she sees in her dreams.
Hina has been transported to the year 1907 to the place that appeared once in her dreams; her and a boy playing after the rain. The boy, now a young man meets her again, this time she's in high school and his memories of that little girl have faded. Together they are entangled in a series of events, trying to solve mysteries, dealing with family issues and the search for a precious item from grandma that might hold the key to everything.
I love the art, story, characters and the pacing so far. A girl who after the rain, gets transported to another era and meets the boy she sees in her dreams.
Hina has been transported to the year 1907 to the place that appeared once in her dreams; her and a boy playing after the rain. The boy, now a young man meets her again, this time she's in high school and his memories of that little girl have faded. Together they are entangled in a series of events, trying to solve mysteries, dealing with family issues and the search for a precious item from grandma that might hold the key to everything.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you netgalley & publishers for the arc of this book 🌸⏳️🤍
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I've been waiting to read this ever since the announcement this series will be released in English and i was not disappointed at all, I loved everything about the story so much, I know the time travel aspect is going to be painful but i really hope the main couple somehow end up togather but she deserves to go back home as well so let's see how the story plays out, i will be catching up with the story as it goes !!!
»»——— ᢉ𐭩 ———««
I've been waiting to read this ever since the announcement this series will be released in English and i was not disappointed at all, I loved everything about the story so much, I know the time travel aspect is going to be painful but i really hope the main couple somehow end up togather but she deserves to go back home as well so let's see how the story plays out, i will be catching up with the story as it goes !!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and to Haruka Kawachi❤️🔥💥 This was my first ever Manga,and it set the bar up so high for future Mangas. The fact that it took a year to create this is so astonishing and shows the love that went into this book! The illustrations are a chef's kiss🤌🏼. It took some time to really understand what's happening and I am really intrigued to read what happens next. I did not expect the egg👀🤣I almost dropped from the couch reading that scene. The way this story is going is super cool, and I wonder where the next book might lead.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for providing a copy of this manga!
I really enjoyed this one. I love the mystery factor of the story. I was fully invested and wondering what was going to happen next. I also just really like Hina and Takaaki. They balance each other well and I also just like them on their own as well. I love an Isekai, so I was already invested in Hina's story. I also was invested in Takaaki's story as the replacement son. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume!
I really enjoyed this one. I love the mystery factor of the story. I was fully invested and wondering what was going to happen next. I also just really like Hina and Takaaki. They balance each other well and I also just like them on their own as well. I love an Isekai, so I was already invested in Hina's story. I also was invested in Takaaki's story as the replacement son. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC of Rainy Day Serenade Omnibus 1 and leave this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed Rainy Day Serenade. It had the perfect number of hints at romance and the time travel. I loved the characters, especially Takaaki, the male main character. I also really liked the relationship between Hina and Hinako. I can see a lot of character growth in the future of these characters. I cannot wait for the next one!
I really enjoyed Rainy Day Serenade. It had the perfect number of hints at romance and the time travel. I loved the characters, especially Takaaki, the male main character. I also really liked the relationship between Hina and Hinako. I can see a lot of character growth in the future of these characters. I cannot wait for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I can see the appeal of Rainy Day Serenade, but it was a bit of a miss for me. The pacing was very slow, which made it difficult for me to get fully invested in the story. I also found myself pretty confused by the various time skips throughout the manga. However, that could just be a me problem.
That said, I really enjoyed the art style. There is something really lovely about the way the manga is drawn.
That said, I really enjoyed the art style. There is something really lovely about the way the manga is drawn.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The premise of this series is really interesting, however the execution is a bit underwhelming. The dialogue feels awkward and some of the things that happen are sudden and don't make any sense. For example, when Hina encounters Hinako for the first time, they're surprised and then in the next season everything is all good and Hina is secretly living with Hinako. Overall, I somewhat liked it, but I will likely not be continuing this series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As much as I would have liked to continue this, I decided to stop reading at 43%. I think it’s an interesting concept, and while it does deliver on its premise, it’s executed in a way that makes it hard to stay engaged with the narrative. It feels like it jumps from scene to scene, never giving the reader time to breathe or settle into what’s happening. And while the artwork is beautiful, it’s simply not enough to carry me through the rest of the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved the lush historical atmosphere and the irresistible chemistry between the leads! The time-travel element adds drama, while the doppelgänger identity swap creates delicious, slow-burn romantic tension. This manga is a rich mix of mystery, family drama, and emotional depth that elevates this story far beyond a standard romance.
Highly recommended for fans of time-slip romance, historical manga, doppelgänger identity swaps, and slow-burn romantic tension!
Highly recommended for fans of time-slip romance, historical manga, doppelgänger identity swaps, and slow-burn romantic tension!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At first, I was just as confused as the protagonists regarding the characters and the timeline. However, as the story progressed, I fell completely in love with Takaaki-sama and everything clicked into place.
The artwork is beautiful and expresses a wide range of emotions—even on a closed-off character like our MMC. Full of mystery and intrigue, it’s a story that keeps you hooked and eagerly wanting to read more.
The artwork is beautiful and expresses a wide range of emotions—even on a closed-off character like our MMC. Full of mystery and intrigue, it’s a story that keeps you hooked and eagerly wanting to read more.
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