The heartwarming slice-of-life anime, With You and the Rain (Ame to Kimi to), continues to charm audiences with its gentle exploration of companionship and the quiet intricacies of daily life. Episode 10 delves deeper into the inner world of its protagonist, Fuji, as she navigates the often-anxious landscape of creative work, further solidifying the indispensable bond she shares with her enigmatic, dog-like companion, Kimi. This installment beautifully captures the pressures faced by a professional writer and highlights the subtle yet profound ways Kimi provides emotional support.
Episode 10 Plot Summary: A Writer’s Block and Deepening Bonds
With You and the Rain Episode 10, titled “A River That Can’t Be Crossed” (渡れない川), centers on Fuji’s professional challenges and personal reflections. The episode portrays Fuji wrestling with a significant new project: an animation script requested by her elementary school classmate, Hiura. This task proves daunting, leading to writer’s block and audible sighs of frustration from the usually composed novelist.
Fuji’s Writing Anxieties and Societal Expectations
The narrative intricately details the psychological burden of professional writing. Fuji finds herself caught in a “carousel of anxiety,” admitting her worries to her friend Ren over cake. She reflects on the common, yet often misguided, assumptions people make about being a writer—such as the notion that loving books automatically translates to loving writing, or that having flexible hours makes the job inherently easy. Fuji grapples with the disconnect between reading for pleasure and the arduous task of writing under pressure, even questioning if she should have ever published her first book. Her embarrassment about letting acquaintances read her work, a sentiment touched upon in Episode 9, is further explored as she struggles to meet the demands of her new animation script.
Kimi’s Growing Presence and Canine Charm
Amidst Fuji’s creative struggles, Kimi’s character continues to evolve. The mysterious animal, who communicates by writing on a sketchpad, displays increasingly dog-like behaviors, from romping and carrying balls in his mouth to playfully snatching food, specifically hot milk with honey, from the table. This shift in Kimi’s demeanor, from his initial uncertainty about whether to act like a dog or a cat, signifies his adaptation and growing joy in his life with Fuji. His nonjudgmental presence becomes a crucial source of comfort, helping Fuji navigate her stress and anxiety. It’s suggested that without Kimi, she might have even turned down the animation script request entirely.
Exploring Past Connections: Fuji Meets Ella
Episode 10 also incorporates a flashback sequence detailing Fuji’s first encounter with Ella. This flashback reveals Ella’s excitement upon learning Fuji is a novelist, with Fuji requesting that Ella keep her profession a secret. Later, Fuji’s friends invite Ella to eat with them, and Ella, after getting permission from her mother, continues to press Fuji about the type of novel she writes. The episode highlights Fuji’s secretive nature regarding her novels, even with close friends and colleagues. The significance of rainy days, already a recurring motif, is underscored as both Ella and Kimi entered Fuji’s life on such days, with Fuji offering them umbrellas.
Key Themes and Character Development
Episode 10 profoundly explores themes pertinent to creative professions and personal well-being. The struggles of a writer, including the pressure of deadlines, the elusive nature of inspiration, and the stark contrast between the love of reading and the demands of writing, are vividly portrayed through Fuji’s experiences.
Fuji’s character demonstrates subtle but meaningful growth. While still largely quiet and reserved, this episode shows her engaging in a playful trick on old classmates, enjoying activities with Kimi, and openly acknowledging her stress-eating habits. This newfound expressiveness suggests a growing comfort and self-awareness, fostered by Kimi’s steadfast companionship. Kimi, in turn, reflects this growth through his increasingly confident and affectionate “dog-like” actions, showing that he too is adapting and thriving in their shared life.
Release Information and Where to Watch
With You and the Rain Episode 10 premiered on September 6th or 7th, 2025, depending on the viewer’s time zone. New episodes of With You and the Rain are typically released on Saturdays.
Viewers can stream the series with English subtitles and same-day English dubs on Crunchyroll. In Japan, the anime is broadcast on the NUMAnimation programming block on ANN affiliates, including TV Asahi and BS Asahi. Audiences in South, Southeast Asia, and Oceania can also stream the episode on Ani-One Asia’s YouTube channel.
Production Insights
The With You and the Rain anime adaptation is produced by Studio Lesprit. The series is directed by Tomohiro Tsukimisato, with Touko Machida handling the series composition. Rei Ishizuka is responsible for the music, which helps to set the soothing and reflective tone of the series. The anime is based on the popular manga series written and illustrated by Ko Nikaido, which has been serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine since August 2020.
Episode 10’s script was also penned by Touko Machida, with storyboard and direction by Tomohiro Tsukimisato, ensuring a consistent creative vision for the episode’s thematic depth and character exploration.
Conclusion
Episode 10 of With You and the Rain offers a compelling look into the often-unseen struggles of a creative professional while emphasizing the powerful, unspoken support found in companionship. Fuji’s journey to overcome her writing anxieties, coupled with Kimi’s endearing development, reinforces the central message of the series: that sometimes, the most profound comfort and growth come from the simple, shared moments of life, particularly during a quiet afternoon with you and the rain.
