The Garden of Words

2013 • 0h 46m •

Animation Drama Romance

MOVIEVIBE Rating

★ 7.6/10

2,289 reviews

Your Rating

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.

Top Billed 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)

Detailed Critic & Audience Reviews

T The Movie Diorama Verified TMDB Critic

2020-01-16

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 social...

N Nathan Verified TMDB Critic

2023-05-16

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...