The key visual for the TV anime "With You and the Rain" based on the popular manga by Yuki Nikaido currently being serialized in "Young Magazine" (Kodansha) has been released. The visual shows the main character Fuji and "Kimi", a dog (?) that Fuji picks up, looking up at the rainy sky. It was also announced that the anime will be broadcast on TV Asahi's late-night anime slot "NUMAnimation" from July 5th.
It has been announced that Shuhei Sakaguchi, Mitsuho Kanbe, and Yume Miyamoto will appear as additional cast members. Sakaguchi will play Hiura, a classmate of Fuji's from elementary school and an anime director, Kobe will play Hojo, a classmate of Fuji's from elementary school who works with Hiura, and Miyamoto will play Arata, a young female manga artist.
Sakaguchi commented, "It was a lot of fun playing Hiura's eccentric role. That said, there was a unique sense of tension in playing a role with the title of 'anime director' (laughs). Personally, the scene where he meets 'you' when he first appears was the most memorable, and it really shows off Hiura's originality. At the same time, 'you's' behavior at the time was so similar to that of our dog, Tanu, that I couldn't help but laugh. I hope you will look forward to the broadcast!"
Kobe said, "I am very happy to be a part of coloring the gentle and warm days I spend with you. Hojo is a character with an unfathomable charm that draws you in the more you get to know him. I tried my best to express his charm, including the exquisite distance between him and Hiura. He will be there for you when you are feeling a little tired...I look forward to the day when this gentle story will come to life vividly as an anime. I hope you will all look forward to it!"
Miyamoto commented, "The recording location was filled with an indescribable calm and colorfulness, just like the atmosphere of the work. I felt very comfortable with the atmosphere that changed constantly from scene to scene. I've loved this work ever since reading the original, so I'm happy to be involved in it. Also, living with animals has been one of my dreams for many years, and seeing "you" with my very own eyes has stirred that desire even more...! He's so cute...! I'm sure you'll be soothed!"
An advance screening of the film will be held at United Cinema Minato Mirai (Nishi-ku, Yokohama) on June 29th. Saori Hayami, who plays Fuji, Anna Mugiho, who plays "You", Arina Kamakura, who plays Mimi, Satomi Sato, who plays Ren, and Yuzuko Yumoto, who plays Nozomi, will be in attendance.
The story depicts the heartwarming and precious daily life of a person and a pet who meet on a rainy night. The manga, which was published on X (Twitter), became a hot topic and was serialized in Young Magazine. The anime will be directed by Tsukimisato Tomohiro, known for works such as Tanuki to Kitsune and Ueno-san wa Bukiyou, and produced by L'ESPRIT.
