With You and The Rain Episode 1 has now been released. The episode opens with a quiet, rainy day. We see people walking with umbrellas, and the sound of raindrops blends perfectly with the soft piano background music. It sets the mood really well, leading into the introduction of the main character, Fuji. On her way home, she gives her umbrella to a kid and her grandmother, even though it’s still pouring.
Without an umbrella, she continues walking in the rain and comes across a strange animal. At first, she thinks it’s a dog—but there’s clearly something unusual about it. It doesn’t talk, but it uses cue cards to communicate, and it acts way too smart for a normal dog.
Once they get home, the animal behaves like a regular pet at first. But then, out of nowhere, it folds its own cardboard box and starts writing on cue cards. That really threw me off. Like, how does this thing even know how to write Japanese and have better handwriting than me?
What’s even more surprising is how Fuji reacts. Or rather, how she doesn’t. She doesn’t seem bothered at all. That made me wonder if maybe she’s just super chill, or maybe she’s a bit of an airhead. I get the feeling it’s more of the first one. She gives off this calm, go-with-the-flow vibe. Even the vet and the guy from the park seem to know there’s something strange about the animal, but they don’t make a big deal out of it either. They just go along with it, which adds to the show’s laid-back tone.
Still, the animal does act like a dog in some ways. There’s this scene where it looks up at Fuji while she’s eating, just like a dog would. Her response, telling it that the food isn’t for him was very relatable. But one of the oddest things about the animal is its love for water. Unlike most dogs, it has no problem with getting wet or taking a bath. It even seems to enjoy it and wants to be drenched. Maybe this ties into the rainy theme of the show somehow or maybe this animal is the cause as to why the weather in the series is always gloomy, but I don’t think the mystery is meant to be the main focus.
This episode sets the tone for what I think will be a very cozy series. It feels like a calm slice-of-life story about a girl and her weird but funny pet. Even though the pet is clearly not normal, its quirky personality adds charm rather than chaos.
One thing I really want to highlight is the music. The score adds a lot to the episode and it quietly carries the scenes, helping build that relaxing, rainy-day atmosphere. It’s a big reason why I’m looking forward to the next episode.
If you’re into shows that are slow, soft, and comforting, and especially if you like the sound and mood of rainy days, this one’s definitely worth checking out. With You and The Rain Episode 1 is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Anime Corner was given an advanced screening for review.
©Ko Nikaido / Kodansha / With You and the Rain Production Committee
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