← Back to explore

The Garden of Words

2013 · Movie · PG-13 · 46 min · ★ 7.6 · 59% critics

AnimationDramaRomance

A teenage aspiring shoemaker skips school on rainy days to draw shoes in a Japanese-style garden, where he meets a mysterious older woman. Rain becomes the backdrop for repeated meetings that deepen their bond and help both open up, even as the rainy season nears its end.

Also known as The Garden of Kotonoha · Kotonoha no Niwa

IMDb

Where to watch

Not currently available to stream in the US.

< 1 hour to watch.

Not currently available to stream, rent, or buy in the US.

Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.

unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.

More value for your money

Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.

Details
Original title
言の葉の庭
Years
2013
Release date
2013-05-31
Language
Japanese
Rated
PG-13
Runtime
46 min
Critic score
59/100
TMDB rating
7.6/10 (2,238 votes)
About

Enjoy slow, bittersweet rain-filled encounters and beautiful scenery; Not for you if you want fast character development or a more eventful plot, and if you prefer broader-feeling stories like Weathering with You or 5 Centimeters per Second.

Pros: breathtaking rain visuals; touching rainy-season romance; cozy melancholic mood | Cons: short runtime; character growth feels rushed; payoff may feel uneven

Themes

  • chocolate
  • age difference
  • garden
  • rain
  • alcoholism
  • coming of age
  • tokyo, japan
  • park
  • cityscape
  • high school student
  • teacher student relationship
  • high school teacher
  • +7 more

Awards & recognition

  • Animation Kobe Theatrical Film Award · 2013

Cast & crew

Directed by Makoto Shinkai