 | |
|
Welcome to my first blog series: Something New, Something Classic—Part 1! In this series, I'll explore both newly released and timeless anime, sharing my thoughts and recommendations.
To kick off, the first anime I want to introduce is With You and the Rain. The television series was written by Touko Machida and directed by Tomohiro Tsukimisato. The manga was written by Ko Nikaido. I first came across this anime while browsing Crunchyroll. I noticed the word "Rain." Since living in a warm climate, I decided to take a break from the heat and check out this anime in anticipation of seeing the rainfall. Not only the rain, but also my curiosity about the woman and the tanuki under a single clear umbrella.
 |
| Image Source: Official site, anekimi-anime.com |
With You and the Rain, released on July 6th, 2025, on Crunchyroll with a single episode titled "Rainy Day." At the beginning, the anime created a sense of comfort and joy. My first reaction was, "Wow, the scenes are so beautiful." In the corner of my couch, my body leaned deeper into the cushion. Once again, my thoughts sprang from my mind: "It's so chill."
Here's a trailer that illustrates the emotional landscape of the first episode. The trailer speaks to the audience through the sound of the rain and takes a moment to share the visual art created by the animators.
Opening Scene—A Pleasant Approach to Slice of Life
The first few minutes of the opening scene are of a gray landscape of raindrops, followed by a lovely introduction of calm music. There is something beautiful about the rain over the large city, I thought to myself. The scene shifts to a crosswalk from an above perspective as colored umbrellas glide across the street. Crossing paths is a strong theme that gives the viewer a pleasant experience and a willingness to be part of the character's world.
The visuals feel magical and real, which hints at how unexpected encounters can become a fantastic beginning to understanding oneself and others.
What is With You and the Rain?
First, my apologies. I probably should have introduced the main characters earlier in this post. Let's start with Fuji. Fuji is a young woman who stumbles across You (the tanuki) sitting in a box while walking home. Fuji gazes at You with wonder. You scribbled onto a cue card and wrote D-o-g. Fuji decides to take You home and accepts You as a dog. However, You is a Tanuki, which can be identified by the leaf on its head.
 |
| Image Source: Official site, anekimi-anime.com |
Crossing Paths, Changing Form
Earlier in my blog, I mentioned that "Crossing paths is a strong theme." I want to explore the theme of crossing paths as a symbol of transformation, as the green leaf on top of You's head could symbolize that change will continue. Although the transformation from scene to scene, person to person, and person to animal isn't instant gratification, the change is gradual as it impacts life through growth, like water to a plant.
What I could remember about the tanuki, based on "The Japanese myth of the trickster raccoon," is that the tanuki can transform into objects (TED-Ed). In the myth, a salesman helps a tanuki escape from a trap. In return, the tanuki wanted to help the salesman by transforming into a tea kettle. The salesman was able to sell the tea kettle for currency. The tanuki understood that he would not have been set free from the trap without the help of the salesman. The tanuki used its transformation skills to return the favor. Another anime to consider checking out when considering tanuki is Pom Poko, a 1995 Japanese animation written and directed by Isao Takahata. In Pom Poko, transformation is a skill called "art of transformation" (Takahata).
Let's consider transformation as changing form through exchanges. Transformation can also be an act of trade through giving a gift from one's good deed and a return of kindness. For example, the exchange between Fuji and You. You (the tanuki) physically demonstrate the magical exchange of kindness by exchanging kind acts through items that can benefit humans and animals. I'd even connect good acts with the solace of rainfall. There's an exchange happening with the rain, humans, animals, and the landscape. The comfort of the rain brings a charitable relationship.
How Does Kindness Relate to Fuji and You?
Kindness is taking others into consideration. In episode one, "Rainy Days," Fuji offers an umbrella to an older woman at the crosswalk. As the rain continues, Fuji's compassion for others travels with her. After giving away her umbrella, Fuji continues to walk home and runs into You, who says, "Please take me home" ("Rainy Days"). I crumbled into my emotions with this scene of how cute it was. I don't want to spoil the surprise, but You (the tanuki/dog) gave Fuji an umbrella within his small paws in exchange for her kindness. The scene demonstrates how compassion comes full circle for Fuji.
After watching one episode, I'm hooked and excited to see how this series develops. There are so many captivating connections; I wish I had read the manga before the release of the anime series. I hope you, the readers, enjoyed this blog. I am happy to be able to write about what goes on in my mind with all of you.
Thank you for taking the time to read my first blog in this series. Next blog. I will dive into a classic anime and can't wait to share my thoughts.
Until next time, stay cozy.
࣪ ִֶָ☾. Merlin Luvs Anime
References
Crunchyroll. "With You and the Rain | Official Trailer." YouTube, 3 June 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUd3sDJOipY.
Madman Anime. "Pom Poko—Official Trailer." YouTube, 17 Sept. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?tv=_7cowIHjCD4.
"Rainy Days." With You and the Rain, directed by Tomohiro, season 1, episode 1, Lesprit, 2025. Crunchyroll, https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GW4HM7WDV/with-you-and-the-rain.
Takahata, Isao, et al. Pom Poko. 2-disc set., Walt Disney Home Entertainment, 2005.
TED-ed. "The Japanese Myth of the Trickster Raccoon—Iseult Gillespie." YouTube, 25 Jan. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=dALZLB_W8Lc.
Very informative blog! Can’t wait to see more✨
ReplyDelete