I really didn't know what to expect when I started Ame no Yume to Ato ni. I just found the description interesting so I checked it out. What I got was a well acted, different, slice of life drama that just jumps into you. It's difficult to find subs for Ikki Sawamura's dramas unless he's the support, which is a shame because he's wonderful (and not bad to look at it). In Ame he plays a single father who tries to support and raise daughter the best he can without her being disturbed by anything unfortunate. There are some fantastic scenes one of which is imprinted on my brain and goes down as one of the most emotional scenes ever filmed between 2 male actors (Sawamura & Borther Tom). It's been a few years since I first watched it (and rewatched it), and I can see the scene like it's running now. Just have your tissues ready for it. The cast is a fantastic ensemble that have chemistry that works well.

Production wise it's eh, but it's comparatively old. The film quality is obviously different like it is between daytime and nightime programming. That is quite probably it's biggest flaw. The editing could have been better as well. Yeah it's a bit kitchy, uneven, and at times slow, but the heart thatnpours out of it makes up for it's flaws.

I have watched a few older J-dramas, but none stand out as much as this one. It's a classic and a favorite.