ANIME REVIEW | A Furry Comfy Friend Comes "With You and the Rain"
In life, we all need companionship. And sometimes, that companionship comes when we least expect it. For Fuji (Saori Hayami), that companionship arrives in a cardboard box on a rainy day. And whether or not she realizes it, that new companion is about to change her life for the better. No, it’s not because he’s magical, but rather it’s because he offers something far better: a cure for loneliness. It’s that aspect that makes With You and the Rain a relaxing joy to watch.
Based on the manga by Ko Nikaido, With You and the Rain focuses primarily on Fuji and her new tanuki dog named You (Anna Mugiho). Fuji works as a novelist and often struggles with her writings. Fortunately, You just so happens to be a great tanuki dog to unwind with. As Fuji relaxes and takes You for some fun or errands, her creative gears slowly start turning again.
Plot-wise, there isn’t a lot in With You and the Rain. The series takes a slice-of-life approach to showing Fuji and her tanuki dog as they see whatever the world has planned for them. Because of that, this anime works as both a relaxing and intriguing watch. Although not much happens, at the same time, we see how Fuji and You’s bond grows throughout the show.
Of course, it’s what makes You a unique tanuki dog that helps the show stay both fun and interesting. Unlike most dogs, You can write and understand the human language. You also has a keen eye for how Fuji is feeling and does the simplest of things to keep her from being in a rut. The biggest thing You does is bring people closer to Fuji, as her introverted nature makes it hard for her sometimes to bond with others.
For starters, there’s Fuji’s father, Tatsuo (Yoji Ueda), who fawns over You’s fluffiness, to the point where the tanuki dog sometimes can be overwhelmed. But thanks to You, Tatsuo gets a chance to communicate more with his daughter, who often keeps to herself rather than reach out to her parents. Fuji’s neighbor, Ella (Yuzu Yumoto), a Japanese-German first-grader, opens a new perspective on the world for the struggling novelist thanks to both her youth and her mixed background. Even the veterinarian (Chafurin), who often struggles to convince himself that You is a dog, adds a dose of life to Fuji’s often melancholy outlook.
Since With You and the Rain takes a more relaxed means to its storytelling, not much occurs in each of the episode’s 23-minute runtimes.  Thankfully, even when nothing happens, something delightful finds a way to entertain the audience. It takes an approach similar to Non Non Biyori, where characters just observe what’s happening around them, make a witty response, and sometimes interact with what’s going on. While simple, it’s also very effective.
We all need TV shows sometimes that help our brains relax after a long, hard day, and this is certainly one of the best examples of it. Whether it’s thanks to Saori Hayami’s calm performance as Fuji, the warm and light visuals crafted by animation studio Lesprit (How Clumsy you are, Miss Ueno), or the relaxing sounds of Rei Ishizuka’s soundtrack, there’s something in this anime that makes it a snuggly joy to watch. It also helps that each episode is bookended with two truly laidback theme songs, with Mamiko Suzuki’s “Ame to” and Kei Sugawara’s “filled” matching well with the vibes of the anime.
With You and the Rain is a simple anime, but it delivers many delightful moments between human and tanuki dog. Whether you’re a pet owner or someone who just loves furry critters, this series delivers a bountiful amount of warmth, laughs, and comfy eye candy for all to enjoy. If you’re the type of person who needs something to calm themselves before calling it a day, then With You and the Rain is the thing you need. However, it might just convince you to buy a tanuki dog of your own; it’s that effective!
Story:
Script:
Animation:
Voice Acting: (Japanese dub)
Soundtrack:
Final Grade (not an average):
With You and the Rain can be viewed on Crunchyroll, and has been licensed by Crunchyroll. Episodes 1-8 were observed for review. Promotional consideration provided by Crunchyroll.
