Ame to Kimi to

Animation and story: 10

This is a notably calm and easily digestible anime that can be enjoyed without any real effort. While the story does not aim to be highly original or complex, it works very well within its genre, and its predictability never detracts from the enjoyment.

The pacing and overall atmosphere make it ideal for relaxation, and the art style fits the tone of the story perfectly. Visually, it stands out as a high-quality production: the artwork is detailed, clean, and aesthetically refined, which is rare to see at this level in this genre.

The characters are simple but likable, reacting naturally to the situations they ... face, which helps maintain the calm and immersive experience. This series is especially recommended for viewers looking for a relaxing, feel-good anime rather than intense drama or plot twists.

At present, there is no official information regarding a continuation, but based on what has been shown so far, the series would clearly deserve further installments.

At first it was strange everyone seemed to accept that the creature Fuji finds on the side of the street, is a dog. And somehow they accept the dog carries a notepad where he writes what it's thinking? And nobody seemed to question there is a leaf on the creatures head, which sometimes changed form. Its strange because the world the story takes place is not a fantasy world but our world. Anyways I didn't find the creature "referred by 'With You' in the anime title" very interesting. Yet the world is very realistic and soothing. I like the visuals and how the show looks. ... I just think its a good slice of life show even if you ignore the uninteresting creature.

I think the group that will like the show the most is single young ladies who are working or pursuing a career. Fuji is a young novelist who lives alone. They can relate to her the most.

With You and the Rain is a quiet, charming SOL that finds its warmth in simplicity. The story begins on a rainy day when Fuji encounters a peculiar animal asking to be taken in. What follows is not a grand tale of transformation, but a series of soft, whimsical moments shared between a woman and her unusual companion.

Is it a dog? A cat? A raccoon? None of the above—it’s a tanuki, though Fuji stubbornly insists otherwise. Much of the humor stems from this ongoing confusion and the tanuki’s ability to communicate through writing, which elevates the comedy even further; its observations are often unexpectedly sharp, ... dry, and genuinely funny, making it the emotional and comedic centerpiece of the series.

Narratively, the story remains surface-level. There is no complex overarching plot, and if there is an underlying theme, it lies quietly in companionship, routine, and the comfort of being understood without words. Fuji herself hints at something deeper—creative stagnation, loneliness, or emotional detachment—but these ideas are only lightly touched upon. Her work as a novelist occasionally surfaces as a framing device, suggesting inner conflict or reflection, yet it remains more atmospheric than exploratory.

What adds subtle texture is the way rain, silence, and daily repetition are used. The constant presence of rain mirrors Fuji’s emotional state—gentle, subdued, and withdrawn—while the tanuki’s presence slowly fills that quiet with warmth rather than disruption. There’s an understated suggestion that healing doesn’t always come from dramatic change, but from small, consistent companionship. It’s not a message the anime spells out, but one it allows viewers to feel.

That said, this restraint feels intentional. The anime never aims to be profound. It knows exactly what it is: cute, funny, and soothing. Its limitation is also its identity. It doesn’t evolve beyond its charm, and while that prevents it from becoming something more impactful, it also ensures it never loses its comfort.

Ultimately, this anime is best appreciated for what it offers rather than what it lacks. It’s a gentle, feel-good series that thrives on small interactions, understated humor, and a surprisingly expressive tanuki who effortlessly steals every scene. If you’re looking for depth or narrative payoff, this may not fully satisfy—but if you want something calming, cozy, and quietly endearing, it does exactly what it sets out to do.