The upcoming anime adaptation of Kō Nikaido’s heartwarming manga, “With You and the Rain” (Ame to Kimi to), has unveiled exciting updates, including additional cast members, a new key visual, and the official premiere date. Anime lovers can mark their calendars for July 5th, when the series will begin airing in Japan on TV Asahi’s “NUMAnimation” programming block. For international fans, Crunchyroll will be streaming the series, bringing this touching story to audiences worldwide (excluding Asia, but including India and Southeast Asia).
A Rainy Encounter Turns Into a Lasting Bond
“With You and the Rain” tells the story of Fuji, a young woman who encounters an unusual animal on a rainy day. This creature, who insists on being called “You” (Kimi), is found waiting in a box and even offers Fuji an umbrella to persuade her to take him home. Intrigued by this clever and endearing “dog-like” companion, Fuji adopts him, and their life together begins. The series follows their daily lives as they experience the four seasons, sharing meals, going on outings, and forming an unbreakable bond. But as Fuji keeps telling herself, this is “just for a little longer.”
New Faces Join the Cast
In addition to the previously announced main cast, “With You and the Rain” has revealed three new voice actors who will be bringing life to supporting characters.
- Shuhei Sakaguchi as Hiura: A classmate of Fuji’s from elementary school and an aspiring anime director. Sakaguchi describes Hiura as an “eccentric role” and found the experience of playing a character with the title of “anime director” to be uniquely tense. He hopes audiences will enjoy Hiura’s originality, particularly in the scene where he first meets “You.”
- Mitsuho Kambe as Hojo: Another of Fuji’s elementary school classmates, Hojo works alongside Hiura. Kambe describes Hojo as a character with “an unfathomable charm” and hopes to express the delicate distance between Hojo and Hiura.
- Yume Miyamoto as Arata: A young female manga artist. Miyamoto found the recording location to be filled with a calm and colorful atmosphere, mirroring the tone of the series.
These new additions join the already stellar cast:
- Saori Hayami as Fuji: (Known for her roles as Yor Forger in “SPY x FAMILY”)
- Anna Mugiho as You (Kimi):
- Yuna Kamakura as Mimi: (Known for her role as Louisa in “Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy”)
- Satomi Sato as Ren: (Known for her role as Wendy in “Fairy Tail”)
- Yuzu Yumoto as Kii Ella Krause:
- Yoji Ueda as Tatsuo:
- Mie Sonozaki as Michiko:
- Kikunosuke Toya as Teru:
- Yumiri Hanamori as Wako:
- Chafurin as Veterinarian:
A Glimpse into Their World: The New Key Visual
The newly released key visual offers a glimpse into the heartwarming world of “With You and the Rain.” The visual depicts Fuji and “Kimi” looking up at the rainy sky, capturing the essence of their出会い(deai – meeting) and the gentle atmosphere of the series.
Production Details
The “With You and the Rain” anime is being brought to life by a talented team:
- Director: Tomohiro Tsukimisato (known for “Tanuki to Kitsune,” “How Clumsy You Are, Miss Ueno”)
- Series Composition: Touko Machida (known for “Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan,” “Smile Down the Runway”)
- Character Design: Ayano Owada (animation director on “Black Butler: Book of Circus,” “Teasing Master Takagi-san 3”)
- Animation Production: Studio Lesprit (known for “How Clumsy You Are, Miss Ueno,” “Tanuki to Kitsune”)
- Music: Rei Ishizuka
From Manga to Anime: A Beloved Story
“With You and the Rain” is based on the manga by Ko Nikaido, which has been serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine since August 2020. The manga has gained popularity for its heartwarming story and endearing characters. Kodansha USA Publishing is releasing the manga in English, describing the story:
“If it looks like a dog and acts like a dog and insists it’s a dog, it’s…a dog? Probably? She adopted it anyway, and her life with this ‘dog’ will never be boring!”
The manga currently has seven volumes.
Where to Watch
“With You and the Rain” will premiere on July 5th on TV Asahi and other affiliate channels in Japan. Crunchyroll will stream the series worldwide (excluding Asia, but including India and Southeast Asia).
A Tanuki Tale?
While Fuji believes “You” is a dog, there are hints that he may be something else entirely. Some sources suggest that “You” is actually a tanuki, a Japanese raccoon dog often associated with folklore. This adds an element of mystery and intrigue to the story.
Final Thoughts
With its heartwarming story, endearing characters, and talented production team, “With You and the Rain” is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated anime of the Summer 2025 season. Be sure to tune in on July 5th to experience the touching bond between Fuji and her unusual companion.
