With You and the Rain [Season 1 Episodes 1-12]

“With You and the Rain”: The Summer’s Coziest Surprise

If you’re scrolling for something to watch while curled up with snacks on a rainy afternoon, let me save you the search: With You and the Rain (Ame to Kimi to) is exactly that vibe. Lesprit’s 2025 adaptation of Kou Nikaido’s manga isn’t here to blow your mind with plot twists or flashy fights—it’s here to wrap you in a blanket of calm, one adorable tanuki (don’t call it a dog) and rainy-day scene at a time.

The series kicks off with Fuji, a soft-spoken woman voiced by the always-charming Saori Hayami, finding a stray “dog” huddled in a box during a downpour. Spoiler: It’s not a dog. It’s You, a tanuki with a knack for writing polite notes and a penchant for causing low-stakes chaos (like using Fuji’s laptop to order snacks). Their dynamic? Pure magic. Fuji’s deadpan reactions to You’s antics (“Cats don’t use cue cards!” she deadpans when You scribbles a response) pair perfectly with the tanuki’s wide-eyed curiosity, making every interaction feel like a warm hug.

Fans on MyAnimeList are already calling it their “chill-pill” of the season—and for good reason. The animation leans into iyashikei (healing) aesthetics: soft pastels, slow pans over rain-slicked streets, and close-ups of You’s fluffy tail that’ll make you want to reach through the screen and pet it. Even the soundtrack, with Mamiko Suzuki’s gentle opening theme, feels like it’s been designed to lower your heart rate. As one viewer put it, “Ahh warm harming, soul soothing, and body relaxing. Simply chill and let the healing through weird cat/dog shenanigans begin.”

But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows (well, mostly rainbows). Some fans are side-eyeing Fuji’s lack of concern over her “dog” being able to write. “Is she really that oblivious?” one user joked. Others worry the slow pace might wear thin over 12 episodes. But honestly? Who cares? In a summer packed with high-stakes shonen and drama-heavy rom-coms, With You and the Rain is a breath of fresh air. It’s the kind of show you put on when you’re done with homework, when you’re sad, or when you just need to remember that life’s small joys—like a tanuki who brings you coffee in the morning—are worth savoring.

The supporting cast adds to the charm too. Fuji’s dad, who can’t finish a sentence without panicking over the “dog,” and the hyper vet who’s convinced You is a rare breed (“That’s quite the weird looking dog lol”) deliver quick laughs without stealing the spotlight. And let’s talk about the rain: It’s not just a setting here. It’s a character. The pitter-patter on windows, the way it makes everything glow at dusk—it’s like the show is saying, “Hey, sometimes staying in is better than going out.”

Sure, it’s not for everyone. If you need nonstop action, this’ll put you to sleep faster than a lullaby. But if you’re into shows like Flying Witch or A Whisker Away—stories that feel like hanging out with a friend—you’ll fall hard for Fuji and You. As one fan gushed, “This is so charming and cute. Both You and Fuji are adorable.” Another summed it up best: “Just vibes. This anime could be the hidden gem of the season.”

So grab your favorite blanket, make some hot cocoa, and let With You and the Rain wash over you. It’s not trying to be the next big thing—it’s just trying to make you smile. And honestly? That’s more than enough.

Final Verdict: 9/10. Perfect for rainy days, bad moods, or anyone who needs a little more fluff in their life. Just don’t tell the tanuki I called it a dog.

— A viewer who now wants a pet tanuki (don’t worry, I know they’re wild)