English Dub Season Review: With You and the Rain Season One

Based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ko Nikaido, this charming story follows Fuji, a novelist whose life takes an unexpected turn on a rainy day. While returning home during a storm, she encounters a peculiar animal resembling a dog, one that politely offers her an umbrella and a written plea to be taken in. Though hesitant at first, Fuji finds herself drawn to the creature’s gentle, intelligent nature and decides to welcome it into her home. What begins as an odd encounter soon blossoms into a heartwarming companionship, as the mysterious little being communicates through writing and brings unexpected warmth and laughter into Fuji’s everyday life. Whether sharing quiet moments alone or spending time with her family and friends, Fuji’s new companion turns the ordinary into something quietly magical tender tale of friendship, comfort, and the simple joy of unexpected connections.

On the technical side, this series was produced by Lesprit and directed by Tomohiro Tsukimisato, with series composition by Touko Machida, characters designed by Ayano Ōwada, animals designed by Ryo Yatate, and music by Rei Ishizuka. The opening theme song is “Ame to” (雨と; ‘Rain and’) (also known as “Chuva”), performed by Mamiko Suzuki, while the ending theme song is “Filled”, performed by Kei Sugawara.

In an age where most anime chase intensity and spectacle, *With You and the Rain* offers something quietly rare. It follows Fuji, a reclusive novelist whose solitary world changes one rainy evening when she discovers a peculiar animal in a cardboard box. The creature, soaked and trembling, insists through written notes that it’s “a dog” and “easy to take care of.” Amused and intrigued, Fuji takes it home, naming it “You.” What unfolds is a tender, introspective story about two lonely souls finding companionship in one another. Through their soft, unspoken interactions, shared meals, walks in the drizzle, and quiet exchanges of understanding, the anime transforms everyday moments into something deeply moving. Blending gentle surrealism with grounded realism, *With You and the Rain* paints a portrait of solitude, creativity, and quiet connection, showing how even the simplest acts of kindness can ripple into profound emotional healing.

At its core, the show is a serene, introspective slice-of-life anime that distinguishes itself through its mature sensibility, understated humor, and quiet emotional resonance. Rather than relying on grand drama, it unfolds through small, meaningful interactions that gradually reveal the layers of Fuji’s reclusive personality. Her days with the mysterious, note-writing creature are marked by gentle absurdity and emotional authenticity, blending magical realism with the grounded rhythms of everyday life. Though the series occasionally falters with its limited supporting cast and Fuji’s distant social behavior, yet those imperfections add to its honesty, reflecting a portrait of isolation that feels deeply human. Crunchyroll’s lack of integrated English subtitles for You’s on-screen text can sometimes hinder the experience, resulting in me having to sometimes turn on the Sub setting. Through soft pacing, tender writing, and a quietly whimsical tone, by transforms the mundane shared meals, walks in the drizzle, moments of silence into something profoundly soothing, reminding viewers that connection often begins in the smallest, most unspoken gestures.

Beyond its surface tranquility, *With You and the Rain* offers a quietly profound reflection on human isolation, self-expression, and the slow, uncertain path toward emotional healing. Fuji’s awkward social habits. As her reluctance to engage with others and her tendency to seek connection on her own terms reveal a woman whose solitude is both self-imposed and quietly painful. Through her bond with You, she learns to embrace empathy and openness, finding unexpected comfort in moments she once overlooked. The supporting cast, though minimal, acts as gentle mirrors to her growth, each interaction subtly nudging her toward connection without breaking the story’s intimate focus. What makes the series so resonant is its ability to find emotional truth in the ordinary quiet baths on rainy nights, lazy morning conversations, or the simple rhythm of shared companionship. Infused with touches of magical realism and understated humor, it transforms the mundane into something quietly transcendent. 

From a production standpoint, *With You and the Rain* is a quietly stunning achievement that captures tranquility in every frame and note. Studio Lesprit’s soft pastel palette, painterly backgrounds, and gentle lighting evoke the serene rhythm of rainy days, with each droplet and reflection rendered with intentional care. The animation’s simplicity enhances its expressiveness. Fuji’s faint smiles and You’s playful gestures speak volumes without a word. The sound design amplifies this calm, using the steady patter of rain and the rustle of everyday life as emotional punctuation. Musically, the series shines through Mamiko Suzuki’s cozy bossa nova opening and Sugawara Kei’s jazz-infused ending, both of which perfectly encapsulate its introspective tone. The score itself is an elegant mix of lo-fi piano and acoustic warmth that never overpowers but gently guides the viewer into reflection, and helps in terms of atmosphere when it’s necessary.

Overall, With You and the Rain is a tender and quietly profound work that finds beauty in simplicity, sincerity, and the quiet rhythms of everyday life. It forgoes spectacle and drama in favor of stillness, capturing the healing power of companionship through the small, wordless exchanges between Fuji and her mysterious “dog.” The series moves at an unhurried pace, inviting viewers to slow down and simply exist within its soft world of rain, reflection, and gentle humor. While its minimal plot, occasional pacing lulls, and the lack of integrated subtitles for You’s written dialogue may deter some, these flaws hardly diminish its emotional resonance. With graceful direction, heartfelt performances. Especially Alexis Tipton’s tender portrayal of Fuji, and a warmth that lingers long after the credits fade, the series stands as a quietly complete experience. While there’s currently no word of a continuation, it thankfully also works as a self-contained story that concludes like a passing shower, peaceful, cleansing, and full of quiet light.