The Garden of Words cover art

The Garden of Words

Kotonoha no Niwa言の葉の庭Koto no Ha no NiwaThe Garden of Kotonoha

2013 · Movie Finished

AniList average score
75%
On AniList users' lists
250,198

What is The Garden of Words about?

The Garden of Words is an anime film animated by CoMix Wave, based on an original story written for the screen. It was released in May 31, 2013. AniList classifies it as drama, psychological, romance and slice of life.

Some people revel and play in the rain; others dread it and hide at the first drop. For high school student Takao, a summer shower is a source of artistic inspiration… but when he skips school in order to sketch in a rainy garden, Takao finds an even greater muse in Yukino, an older woman who seems adrift in the world. Despite the difference in their ages and lives, they strike up a comfortable relationship that slowly evolves as they randomly meet in the same garden whenever it rains. But with the rainy season coming to a close, Takao wonders if there's enough time left to put his feelings into actions and words.

Synopsis from AniList, which credits Sentai Filmworks. The summary above it is written by FreeAnime.xyz from AniList's data.

Themes AniList users associate with it: Coming of Age, Heterosexual, Male Protagonist, Urban, Drawing.

Your list

Sign in with your email (free, no password) to track this anime: plan to watch, watching, completed, on hold or dropped, with episode progress.

Where to watch and learn more

Official destinations only. FreeAnime.xyz does not host or embed episodes and is not affiliated with these services.

Streaming rights differ by country and change over time. A listed title page means AniList records it for this entry; it does not confirm the title is available in your region today.

Other official links listed on AniList

Official trailer on YouTube

Main characters

Characters AniList lists in a main role, with spoiler-free notes.

  • Takao Akizuki 秋月孝雄

    Main character

    A 15-year-old in his first year of high school. He hopes to become a shoemaker and practices on the side while he works his part-time job. His family circumstances have given him maturity beyond his years. He skips the first half of school on rainy days to think up new shoe designs in the garden.

    Japanese voice: Miyu Irino

  • Yukari Yukino 雪野百香里

    Main character

    The mysterious woman Takao met one rainy day in the garden. She spends her days with chocolate in one hand and a beer in the other. Their rainy morning meetings begin after she responds to Takao's greeting in classic verse.

    Japanese voice: Kana Hanazawa

Supporting characters

  • Shouko Aizawa 相沢硝子

    Supporting character

    A proud girl in her third year of high school. She is never seen without company. (Source:makotoshinkai.wikia.com/wiki/Shōko_Aizawa)

    Japanese voice: Mikako Komatsu

  • Matsumoto 松本

    Supporting character

    A classmate and close friend of Takao. He is dating a second-year girl named Satou. (Source: official site)

    Japanese voice: Suguru Inoue

  • Satou 佐藤

    Supporting character

    In her second year of high school and Matsumoto's girlfriend. She has friends aplenty and is always well-informed about the latest bits of talk flying around the school.

    Japanese voice: Megumi Han

  • Reimi Akizuki 秋月怜美

    Supporting character

    A free-spirited divorced woman who, despite loving her family dearly, finds herself giving more attention to her romantic pursuits. (Source: Makoto Shinkai Fandom Wiki)

    Japanese voice: Fumi Hirano

  • Shouta Akizuki 秋月 翔太

    Supporting character

    Like Takao, he's not sure what to make of his free-spirited mother. He has plans to leave the house and move in with his girlfriend. (Source: official site)

    Japanese voice: Takeshi Maeda

  • Rika Teramoto 寺本 梨花

    Supporting character

    Naturally cheerful, she is on good terms with Takao. She is from Kansai. (Source: official site)

    Japanese voice: Yuka Terasaki

  • Souichirou Itou 伊藤宗一郎

    Supporting character

    Souichirou Itou is a gym teacher at Takao's High School, He is Yukari Yukino's colleague and former boyfriend.

    Japanese voice: Takanori Hoshino

Related works

Prequels, sequels, side stories and source material, as linked on AniList.

If you liked The Garden of Words

Titles AniList users most often recommend alongside this one.