The Garden of Words (2013)
Director: Makoto Shinkai · Writer: Makoto Shinkai
Takao, who is training to become a shoemaker, skipped school and is sketching shoes in a Japanese-style garden. He meets a mysterious woman, Yukino, who is older than him. Then, without arranging the times, the two start to see each other again and again, but only on rainy days. They deepen their relationship and open up to each other. But the end of the rainy season soon approaches.
Where to watch
HiDive
Trailer
Director
Makoto Shinkai
Cast
Miyu Irino
Takao Akizuki (voice) 
Kana Hanazawa
Yukari Yukino (voice) 
Fumi Hirano
Takao's Mother (voice) 
Takeshi Maeda
Takao's Brother (voice) 
Yuka Terasaki
Takao's Brother's Girlfriend (voice) 
Takanori Hoshino
Teacher Itou (voice) 
Suguru Inoue
Matsumoto (voice) 
Megumi Han
Satou (voice) 
Mikako Komatsu
Aizawa (voice) 
Yuki Hayashi
Moriyama (voice) 
Wataru Sekine
Young Takao (voice) 
Risa Mizuno
News Announcer (voice) User Reviews (2)
The Garden of Words poetically symbolises the tranquility and loneliness of rain. “A faint clap of thunder. Even if the rain comes not, I will stay here, together with you”. Walking the path of life is no easy feat. The appropriate metaphysical footwear must be utilised for every type of emotional terrain we encounter. Sandals for joy. Wellies for sadness. Sneakers for rage. Yearning to overcome our rational, or irrational, fears so that we can “walk” again. Teenage student Takao, an aspiring shoemaker, attempted to perform such a generous offer for Yukari. A mysterious woman he socialises with in the dense thickened foliage of a Japanese garden experiencing torrential downpour. Two souls of differing youth encompassing an identical level of maturity. Yukari avoiding her career to snack of delicious chocolate and consume canned beer, whilst Takao solidly working throughout his su…
Beautiful animation. A slow pace and lack of character development limit this film slightly, but it is still a touching story that is a good addition to Shinkai's filmography. I really do not know why his films are always so focused on characters with such big age gaps... Score: 70% 👍 Verdict: Good
