With You and the Rain

With You and the Rain is a slice of life made by Lesprit studios, and it's got a lot of charming features about it, making it a very relaxing and peaceful watch. Positives: Voice actor work: Fuji, as the main character, who's a novelist and voiced by Saori Hayami, one of the most iconic VAs out there, shows off her voice range, making Fuji a very laid-back and calm character, which is perfect for this type of anime, and the raccoon-dog she adopted adds a lot of very wholesome and silly moments throughout by its sounds and expressions. Even the side characters like Fuji's neighbour,her twin, friends, and the vet offer a lot of contrast, making the anime more laid back and relaxing than your usual slice of life Music: The music is very relaxing and gives off a lo-fi vibe, mainly through the Opening and ending themes. It adds to the slice of life elements very well Story: It's straightforward but extremely refreshing at the same time, as you just slowly vibe to all the characters and the goofy pet that causes tons of lighthearted and funny moments as it gives its reactions through a pen and paper. It's also progressing the relationship between Fuji and the people around her, so it doesn't feel static at all. Artwork and animation: In my opinion, this anime's biggest up. From the backgrounds to the character designs, everything looks wonderful and charming at the same time. They've used a fair number of first-person shots, making things more interesting. Overall, it's a genuinely wholesome and relaxing anime perfect for people who enjoy the slice-of-life genre and animal-focused anime.

Another season, another Saori Hayami anime to bless us die-hard fans and welcome more newcomers into the relaxing SoL loop we love and can never have enough of. - So what sets this apart from the other SoL anime and why should you watch this: A "dog" in the form of a tanuki and a very heartwarming, enjoyable and connected to our Fuji side cast to go with it but also the sound and presence of the rain for anyone who likes rain altogether. I was on the "Don't really like rain" team before I started this show. Art/Animation- 9 Lesprit is a not very well known a studiofor taking up SoL series but they have knocked it out of the park with beautiful sceneries and especially the crisp interaction of every rain drop either that is a footstep in the rain, on the umbrellas or the rain altogether. Sound - 9 As predisposed the sound of the rain, the environment but the Lo-fi like OST 100% of the time all work in tandem to deliver a relaxing and pleasant experience. The VAs all did a stellar job. Needless to say a calm and serious Saori for any Saori fan is a treat, but what stood out to me was Ella's voice, since seeing a child VA voice an actual child is always welcome to the realistic factor of any anime; and You's voice, which sounded exactly like what you'd expect a "dog" to sound like. Characters - 8.5 It is quite clear that the author had some personal experience when writing these characters because everyone feels unique and like real people/animals. The cast works very well together with Fuji herself. If anything leaves something to be desired was the latter half of the cast that was realistic yet indifferent and plain. Overall Ame to Kimi to is highly recommended for all SoL fans and for anyone who just wants to have a break from their hectic daily life and watch a chill day to day experience with the best "dog". What do you know, by the end of it you might like rain more if you disliked it like me or you might as well find yourself already at home from the get-go~

Warm. That's the first word that comes to mind to describe this special little series, which has found a place in my heart over the course of these twelve weeks. Animation: 8 Artistic direction: 10 Visually, With You and the Rain doesn't impress with the fluidity of its animation, but with its delicate and soothing aesthetic. Each shot, almost “Instagrammable,” exudes simplicity and tranquility. The art direction, seemingly classic, actually hides a soft and consistent visual identity that enhances the atmosphere. Atmosphere: 10 Music: 10 This is where the series shines the most. With You and the Rain is an anime to be savored like a hot cup of tea onan autumn evening, curled up under a blanket with a sleeping cat on your lap. The music, discreet but captivating, accompanies this atmosphere of serenity. I remember a melody from episode 12, both simple and moving, which left a lasting impression on me. Story: 10 Development: 10 I know that many will disagree with me here. But for me, behind a seemingly simple and anecdotal plot, With You and the Rain hides a real treasure: a love letter to those little moments of twilight peace. Those moments when the sunlight gently warms your skin, when the smell of rain soothes you, when everything seems strangely light. The series is built around small scenes from everyday life between Fuji and You. Nothing spectacular, nothing dramatic. Just two people who are complete opposites, and who, together, find a form of serenity. Fuji, initially cold and distant, gradually reveals a great sensitivity, brought out by You, this expressive and terribly endearing “dog.” Their strange duo manages to move and soothe the soul in a way that only very rare stories are capable of. With You and the Rain is a series that won't appeal to everyone: some will find it too slow, too minor. But for those who are willing to let themselves be carried away, it offers a gentle, touching, and unforgettable experience. If you're looking for a story of cuteness, warmth, and gentle rain, look no further. As for me, I'll read the sequel if the opportunity arises, while hoping for a new season. In the meantime, I'm going to miss Fuji and You terribly...

Solitude and loneliness are often mistaken for the same thing. Both describe a life spent alone, but emotionally they carry very different meanings. Solitude can feel peaceful, even comforting, such a calm space where one’s thoughts can settle without interruption. Loneliness, on the other hand, is the subtle absence of connection, the feeling that something in those silent moments remains unshared. Ame to Kimi to (also known as With You and the Rain) builds its entire atmosphere around this delicate distinction. Rather than presenting loneliness as a dramatic struggle, the series explores how even an unexpected companionship can transform solitude into something warmer. The storyfollows Fuji, a woman whose life moves along in a calm and somewhat solitary rhythm. One rainy afternoon, she encounters an unusual stray animal that insists on coming home with her. The creature, later known as Kimi, behaves in ways that are strangely human, communicating through written notes and displaying an uncanny awareness of its surroundings. The series never rushes to explain this oddity. Instead, it allows the situation to unfold naturally, letting the absurdity of the premise coexist with the grounded realism of everyday life. The real appeal of the story lies not in the mystery of what Kimi truly is (though that is interesting too), but in how the relationship between the two characters gradually evolves. Fuji never appears deeply unhappy living alone. Her life already carries a sense of calm independence. Yet Kimi’s presence reveals how companionship changes even the smallest aspects of everyday life. A shared meal, a walk together, or simply another presence in the room transforms what was once solitary routine into something gently communal. The series therefore suggests that solitude and loneliness are not identical states. A person may live comfortably alone, yet still discover a different kind of warmth once someone (or something) begins to share those spaces. Tonally, the series leans heavily into a reflective slice-of-life atmosphere. The pacing is gentle and often deliberately slow, allowing everyone to settle into the rhythm of Fuji’s quiet world. Many scenes linger on ordinary details, like the sound of rainfall against pavement, the stillness of a tiny apartment, and the peaceful awkwardness between two beings learning how to share space. In this sense, the series almost feels like a visual diary, capturing fragments of life that might otherwise go unnoticed. Visually, the anime embraces simplicity to support this mood. Backgrounds are calming, often filled with overcast skies and muted colors that mirror the reflective tone of the story. The rain itself also plays a more meaningful role than it might initially seem. Rather than symbolizing sadness, it functions almost like an emotional filter for the story. Rain softens the world around the characters, slowing down the atmosphere and making quiet interactions feel natural. Within that muted environment, even Kimi’s unusual nature never feels disruptive. The rain allows the series to maintain a delicate balance where gentle absurdity and everyday realism can coexist without clashing. The music follows the same philosophy of subtlety. The opening and ending themes complement the tranquil tone of the series, while the background soundtrack supports emotional moments without trying to dominate them. The result is a soundscape that feels natural and unobtrusive, blending into the story like the steady rhythm of rainfall. Although the series is technically categorized as a seinen work, its appeal can feel surprisingly universal. As someone who simply enjoys the atmosphere of rain, watching this anime can be incredibly soothing. The gentle pacing, soft visuals, and quiet interactions create a mood that almost resembles listening to cozy nature lo-fi in the background. The rain becomes a constant presence throughout the story, not as a symbol of melancholy but as something calming and familiar. Combined with the soft narration and everyday conversations, the experience begins to feel less like following a conventional plot and more like spending time inside a peaceful rainy afternoon. Despite its charm, the series is not without flaws. Considering the story prioritizes atmosphere and gentle interactions over dramatic progression, some poeple may find the pacing a little too subdued. Episodes often revolve around very small events, which can occasionally make the narrative feel light on momentum. Additionally, the world outside Fuji and Kimi’s daily life remains relatively understated, though this intimacy strengthens the emotional focus of the story, it can also make the broader setting feel somewhat limited in scope. Even so, the appeal of With You and the Rain sparks precisely in its calmness. It is not presenting companionship through intense emotional turning points, instead the series portrays connection as something that grows naturally through shared routines. It gently suggests that comfort does not always come from fully understanding someone, but sometimes simply from choosing to sit beside them while the rain falls. In the end, the story feels less like a traditional narrative and more like a soft reflection on solitude, companionship, and the small coincidences that bring people together. The rain may fall gently throughout the series, but beneath that calm atmosphere leaves a simple realization that even the most peaceful solitude can feel warmer once it is shared and sometimes the quietest moments in life are the ones that lowkey remind us we are no longer alone, or even never really. Anyway, keep in mind that no opinion is ever purely objective, and every perspective remains open to discussion. Even so, each viewpoint still holds its own value. If you happen to see things differently, simple mutual respect is more than enough. That same respect is the spirit behind this reflection as well. Wishing everyone a peaceful day ahead, and thank you for taking the time to read.