We started to watch this anime, "Eternal Boys". Its premise is that a talent agency creates a J Pop group -- that are washed up men in their late 30's to 40's. Okay, maybe they're not all washed up, but I think the implication is that a lot of these men are at a low point at their careers or have retired from sports or whatever else.
But my favorite character, Kentaro is a loser. Like, he worked diligently and loyally at a company since his graduation -- and then they went bankrupt. Just like that, he's out of a job he's worked at 17 years and desperate to get any job. So he jumps at the chance to apply for anything that will take him. Through some misunderstandings, he ends up a member of this boy band.
This, along with "After the Rain", are two stories that have really peeked my interest. I don't have a lot of access to manga/anime that are aimed for adults, so these are really the first two of their kind that I've managed to find. But to be honest, I really like them. I could do without the age gap pseudo-romance of "After the Rain" (because I want to root for the characters to get together without it being skeezy!) but... seeing sad, losers get their shit together and really show their strength through their life experiences is something that really excites me.
However, "After the Rain" really isn't about Masami Kondo; not really. We see him progress but its mostly to push Akira Tachibana to go live her dream. Its really Akira's story. Because "Eternal Boys" is about the men first we can focus on their own characters first and foremost.
Each episode is only 11 minutes, but with the economy of time, they are able to tell short, compact stories that don't linger. This does mean that some of the overarching story seems too quickly paced (like their success seems too easy because the story is moving so quickly). But, a lot of the anime right now focuses on half of the group, but I'm guessing that the latter eps are going to focus on the other three members. So far, all the men are charming in their own ways -- and what I really like is that they're allowed to show their feelings. They don't have to hide behind this macho façade. I'm guessing that's because its written for women but... it's a nice change of pace.
I really want more manga and anime like this; I'm guessing that it exists, but it hasn't hit America's shores because they think that most audiences are teens. What I need is to rub elbows with older fans who know all the good stuff, ha ha!