The Perfect Rainy Day Discovery
Promotional Still for With You in the Rain ©Ko Nikaido, KODANSHA/With You and the Rain Project. North American License Holder: Crunchyroll. Used for editorial purposes.
On the type of rainy day that she loves, an author known to us only by her family name of Fuji discovers an animal that declares itself a dog. One would think that an animal’s ability to identify itself as a dog would raise some reaction—fear, excitement, or wonder. Yet Fuji seemingly takes it in stride in this delightful iyashikei (癒し系) anime. In fact, the creature known to us only as “You” convinces her to adopt it by first assuring her that it will be easy to care for, and then by saying it wants to go home with her.
With You in the Rain is a wonderful gem from the Summer 2025 anime season. Unfortunately, this type of anime often gets buried under the weight of trash isekai and action anime. In this particular season, With You in the Rain also had to compete against the second seasons of anime titans like Dan Da Dan and My Dress-Up Darling. Unless you were familiar with the source material—which I was not—you wouldn’t have been looking for this delightful anime. I discovered it the day after its final episode aired and binged the entire season in one sitting.
Why This Iyashikei Anime Stands Out
An Adult Protagonist Worth Following
There are several reasons I enjoyed With You in the Rain. First, the anime features an adult protagonist. As a 50-year-old, it’s unsurprising that I find it increasingly challenging to identify with high school-aged characters. Fuji’s mature perspective and quiet lifestyle resonated deeply with me.
The Healing Power of Iyashikei
Second, the anime is, as I stated, an iyashikei anime. As the translation of that word reveals, it is a “healing type”—a subgenre of slice-of-life. There’s no mind-numbing action or drama. It’s relaxing. The emphasis is on ambiance rather than dramatic storylines.
Supporting Characters That Shine
Third, there’s a fantastic array of supporting characters, including a half-Japanese, half-German grade school-age neighbor. Her inclusion seemed like a polite nod to those of us who are international fans of anime.
A Fresh Take on Tanuki in Anime
Fourth, it presented tanukis in a unique way for anime. I apologize to those who feel that disclosing You’s true identity is a spoiler, but it’s obvious from promotional imagery that You is a raccoon dog. Other tanuki-themed anime, such as Poco’s Udon World or The Eccentric Family, have shown tanukis that shapeshift into human forms. If You has this ability, it’s never revealed. The conversations between Fuji and You take place not through speech, but through You’s ability to write.
The Significance of Names (Or Lack Thereof)
I found it odd that we learn the first names of all of Fuji’s family members, yet Fuji is only known to us by her family name. In Japanese culture, one typically doesn’t use given names unless afforded a more familiar relationship, such as with a good friend. This reflects a deeper cultural emphasis on hierarchy, respect, and social roles.
In the case of With You in the Rain, the rationale is likely because Fuji’s cute pet is only known to us as “You”—that’s right, Fuji never gives the tanuki a name. Yet there are other possible reasons:
- Emotional Distance: A recurring theme is Fuji’s quiet and isolated life before meeting “You.” Using only her family name, which is more formal and distant in Japanese culture, highlights her reserved nature and the emotional distance she maintains from others.
- Universal Relatability: This is a healing-type anime. By not giving Fuji a first name, her identity is simplified to her defining characteristics as a quiet novelist. This allows viewers to project their own feelings of loneliness and quiet companionship onto her, making the story more universally relatable.
Crunchyroll’s Misleading Content Warnings
Once again, there’s a disconnect between the content advisory provided by streamer Crunchyroll and reality. Crunchyroll rates With You in the Rain as 12+ for alcohol use and nudity.
The Alcohol “Issue”
Yes, there were a couple of scenes where Fuji and her friends enjoyed adult beverages, but unlike other anime I’ve watched, there was no emphasis on drunkenness. It wasn’t like Fuji was drinking beer after work each day. The alcohol was a minor addition to a couple of episodes and faded into the background without disrupting the story.
The “Nudity” Controversy
However, the claims that the anime contains nudity are ludicrous. Japan is a bathing culture, and including non-fan service bathing scenes is common. Fuji and You bathe together, yet the only flesh we see is Fuji’s bare shoulders and the legs she lifts out of the water. Nothing is titillating. The only reason you know she must be without apparel is that one doesn’t bathe while clothed. When you declare that an anime has nudity, it makes newcomers unnecessarily wary and makes veteran anime viewers think it must be ecchi and full of fan service.
Visual Excellence: Simplicity as Sophistication
Leonardo da Vinci is said to have stated that “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” The animation’s clean look doesn’t come from a lack of detail, but from a deliberate, refined approach. A great deal of skill was used to achieve such a polished final product. Every element on screen—from the colors to the camera angles—is intentionally placed to contribute to the mood and storytelling rather than just filling space. The animation uses its visual resources sparingly but with maximum effect, like a concise, well-written sentence. That latter aspect is especially fitting given Fuji’s novelist occupation.
Music That Matches the Mood
The anime’s opening song is okay—it sounds like a jazz tune. But I really enjoyed the anime’s ending song, “filled” by Kei Sugawara. It perfectly matches the nice, laid-back vibe of this iyashikei.
Final Verdict: A Perfect Five Stars
I give With You in the Rain a full five stars out of five—three-tenths more than its current rating on Crunchyroll. It’s evident that those who have discovered this anime, like me, have fallen in love with it.
This hidden gem deserves far more attention than it received during the crowded Summer 2025 season. If you’re looking for a peaceful, healing anime experience with an adult protagonist and beautiful animation, With You in the Rain should be at the top of your watchlist.
Your friendly old otaku at Old Otaku’s Notebook