In the heartwarming slice-of-life anime “With You and the Rain” (Ame to Kimi to), viewers are invited into the quaint, often rainy, world of novelist Fuji and her enigmatic, talking “dog,” Kimi. As the series progresses, it delicately explores themes of companionship, understanding, and the subtle ways our relationships open us up to the world. Episode 9, a recent installment in this gentle narrative, continues this trend, offering deeper insights into Fuji’s evolving social comfort and Kimi’s endearing, if still mysterious, nature.
The Heartwarming Premise of “With You and the Rain”
“With You and the Rain” began as a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ko Nikaido, serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine since August 2020. Its popularity led to an anime television series adaptation, produced by Lesprit, which premiered in July 2025. The story centers on Fuji, a reclusive novelist who, one rainy evening, encounters an abandoned animal in a cardboard box. This unusual creature, which communicates by writing on a sketchpad and insists it is a dog, is named “You” (Kimi) by Fuji, and thus begins their unique cohabitation. Despite occasional questions from acquaintances about Kimi’s true nature, Fuji consistently introduces it as a mixed-breed dog. The anime, streamed by Crunchyroll, captures the manga’s essence of a heartwarming adventure filled with friendship and shared seasons.
Meet the Central Duo: Fuji and Kimi
The dynamic between the two main characters is the core of the series.
- Fuji: A novelist with a relaxed and introverted demeanor, Fuji possesses a deeply sensitive nature and a particular fondness for rainy weather. She regards Kimi as a gifted mutt and finds great pleasure in their companionship, which gradually encourages her to engage more with the world around her.
- Kimi (You): The enigmatic, dog-like creature exhibits a curious and guileless disposition. Demonstrating notable intelligence, Kimi comprehends human speech and communicates by writing words on flip charts. Kimi’s primary affinities include food and the company of Fuji, with whom they share a close bond. While often appearing dog-like, Kimi’s behavior sometimes mixes traits of both cats and dogs, and even includes fantastical elements like vomiting flowers and sparkles after eating grass.
Episode 9 Recap: “Kii Wants to Know!”
Episode 9, which aired around August 30-31, 2025, depending on time zones, continued the series’ episodic, slice-of-life format, delving further into Fuji and Kimi’s daily lives and interactions with their extended social circle.
The episode opens with Fuji meeting someone at a café, where she discovers the establishment is dog-friendly. Upon returning home, she finds Kimi asleep, only for it to cry upon her entry, prompting Fuji to ponder the depth of Kimi’s emotions. This moment highlights Kimi’s strong attachment to Fuji and her increasing awareness of Kimi’s inner world, building on a previous episode where Kimi’s sadness at Fuji’s absence was notable.
Later, Fuji’s friends, Mimi and Ren, along with her neighbor, the inquisitive first-grade student Krause Ella Kii, visit her home. While enjoying food and wine, they show affection to Kimi, and the three friends engage in conversations about love and life. A significant development in this episode is Kii-chan’s persistent curiosity about Fuji’s profession. After much probing, Kii-chan finally discovers that Fuji is a novelist, a detail Fuji has always been somewhat awkward discussing, even with her close friends. This interaction underscores how Kimi acts as a “gateway” for Fuji, helping her feel more comfortable in social settings and providing a “safe topic” for conversation.
The episode also features a segment where Fuji takes Kimi for a walk after dinner, making bunnies out of snow to entertain her companion. Another memorable moment involves Kimi’s “adventure” under a vending machine, where it retrieves something and confirms it has visible eyes—a detail that sparked fan discussion. Kimi’s antics, such as eating grass to the point of sickness but then “barfing flowers and sparkles,” continue to add a whimsical layer to their ordinary life.
Crucially, Kimi makes a promise to Fuji: one day, it will reveal its origins and the reason it came to her. This long-awaited hint suggests that while “With You and the Rain” is largely a serene exploration of companionship, it still holds a deeper mystery at its heart.
Themes and Significance in Episode 9
Episode 9 further solidifies the central themes of “With You and the Rain.” The series often uses rain as a metaphor for unavoidable interactions, and Kimi’s presence in Fuji’s life acts as a gentle, persistent drizzle of social engagement. Through Kimi, Fuji is subtly pushed out of her reclusive shell, becoming more comfortable interacting with her friends and neighbors.
The episode showcases the evolving bond between Fuji and Kimi, with Fuji gaining a deeper understanding of Kimi’s emotional range. Kimi’s promise to eventually reveal its truth adds a layer of anticipation, enriching the simple, heartwarming narrative with a touch of profound mystery. The interactions with Mimi, Ren, and particularly Kii-chan, highlight how Kimi acts as a catalyst for Fuji’s social growth, making conversations easier and adding a layer of safety to her interactions.
Where to Watch “With You and the Rain”
For those eager to follow Fuji and Kimi’s enchanting journey, “With You and the Rain” is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. New episodes typically premiere weekly, ensuring fans can keep up with the latest heartwarming adventures of this unique duo.
