"My Normal Temperature is Your Slight Fever" — "After the Rain" | 2025: Film Record vol.163

Opening with Polkadot Stingray!!
(While soaking in nostalgia about going to the Budokan and my youth. Setting that aside...) It's a very fast-paced opening, and I thought it was a great tie-in with lyrics that perfectly convey a love that is by no means impulsive (always thinking of the other person)!

The development and direction centered on music are interesting
Even after that, music is always at the center of the development, and there are many long takes, such as the family restaurant scene after the opening. I thought it was an interesting work that uses expressions relying only on music and visuals without depending on language, much like a commercial or music video (leaving aside whether that is a compliment in film).

Concise story and screenplay
Out of the 10 volumes of the original work, the focus was properly narrowed down to Akira and the manager, making it easy to watch. Even though I haven't read the original (or perhaps because of that?), I was able to grow quite fond of it in a short time. I found it charming that the supporting and minor characters, while unique, were dedicated to supporting the appeal of these two characters.

The flashbacks were especially good, and I think it was beautifully summarized how Akira met the manager at the family restaurant and how important that place is to her!

A small aside
I wonder why the movie Akira watched twice was the live-action version of "Parasyte." It's not connected by the director, and it seems it was "I Am a Hero" in the original work. If that were the case, I thought it would have been even more perfect (?) since the lead actor is Yo Oizumi.

Also, it's a very interesting choice that the family restaurant, which is the key to the work, is a Fujiya Restaurant among the many family restaurants out there. Although the number of stores has decreased recently, I thought it was a quintessential family restaurant, and I want to go there again.

So, that was "After the Rain."
And, I also posted an article the other day about the latest live-action adaptation by Jun Mayuzuki, "Kowloon Generic Romance," so please check that out as well.

Thank you for reading until the end!
Day 299