This one actually managed to surprise me. It was relaxing and nice to watch. When I first saw the title I wasn't expecting the plot to be something like this. It felt like stolen moments in a secret place with the rain as cover from the rest of the world.
The animation was really good. Lots of details on everything and the character appearances were solid as well.
The story perfectly reflected the hopes and dreams of a high school boy. An unexpected friendship in an unexpected place on rainy days changed a few things for him. Seems like both of them were looking for something more from their everyday lives.
It's amazing how things that are seemingly not connected in any way end up being connected in the most unusual ways. People certainly can find love in the most unusual places and encounters.
The Garden of Words is a beautiful movie full of emotions, mysteries of love and undiscovered potential.
Don't miss this one, it's really good ^^
Plot:
Takao Akizuki is a 15 year old student who lives with his
melodramatic mother and adult older brother. He yearns to be a
shoemaker, having being enraptured as a child by a pair gifted to his
mother, though his immediate friends and family think little will come
from his goal.
One morning commuting to school during the rainy season, Takao opts
to skip his first class and head to the park to sketch shoe designs, and
encounters Yukari Yukino, a well-dressed young woman drinking beer in
the early morning drizzle. They do not speak to one another, but as the
rain clears she notes the school crest on his vest and decides to bid
him farewell with a tanka, leaving Takao puzzled as to its origin and
meaning. The two continue to encounter each other in the park on rainy
mornings and grow closer in each other's company, but never formally
introduce themselves to one another. When Yukari expresses an interest
in Takao's shoemaking, he decides to make a pair of shoes in her size.
As her foot is being measured, Yukari admits that she needs to learn how
to walk on her own, hinting at her deep personal troubles. The rainy
season ends, and whilst Takao and Yukari tell themselves that it's
better for the other to go back to their normal lives, both sincerely
wish that it would rain so that they could meet again.
Returning to school after working for the entire summer break, Takao
heads to morning class when he suddenly spots Yukari, who is greeted by a
group of anxious and relieved students. Takao's friends inform him that
her name is Miss Yukino, and that she has been absent from school due
to stress and anxiety. Due to a male student developing a crush on her,
Yukari found herself the target of rumours and bullying started by
Aizawa, the student's girlfriend. Out of kindness and in a bid to avoid
more confrontation, Yukari opted to avoid work and retreat to the park
where she met Takao, hoping she would learn to overcome her loneliness,
her fears and be able to 'walk' again. Angered by the cruelty shown to
Yukari, Takao confronts Aizawa, who expresses that she is happy that
'Miss Yukino' is quitting teaching at the school and that she deserves
the torments and rumours. In retaliation, Takao strikes her across the
face, but is soon beaten by Aizawa's companions who mock him and accuse
him of falling for Yukari.
Takao heads to the park and meets Yukari by the waterfront, where he
greets her with the correct response to her tanka. She congratulates him
for finding the answer and apologises as she believed that he would
figure out that she was a literature teacher. Unfazed by her revelation,
Takao and Yukari converse as normal, and as she expresses concern over
his injuries, the two are disturbed by a loud clap of thunder,
signifying the beginning of a rain storm. Finding themselves soaked,
Takao heads to Yukari's apartment, and the two spend the afternoon
bonding, realising that they both have never felt so happy before.
Whilst having tea, Takao confesses to Yukari that he thinks he is
falling in love with her. Blushing, Yukari corrects Takao and tells him
to address her properly as Miss Yukino before informing him that she is
moving back to her home town. Confused and hurt by her rejection, Takao
abruptly leaves, leaving Yukari to cry alone and reflect upon their
interactions.
Realising her mistake, Yukari runs after Takao and finds him in the
stairwell outside the apartment block. Still reeling from Yukino's words
and with tears welling in his eyes, Takao angrily tells her that he
should never have opened up to her, and demands the she tell him that
his dreams are worthless. Shouting that she'll live her life alone,
Takao strikes home, and Yukari runs to throw her arms around him. The
two weep openly as they embrace and Yukari cries that she was once so
scared and that Takao saved her, as the rain clears and the sun shines
through the clouds around them. The credits and epilogue show the two
characters lives, apart from one another; Takao failed his final exams,
but is still working at his part-time job and other goals, whilst Yukari
is happy teaching at her new school. Takao visits the park again in the
wintertime, reading a letter from Yukari, and reveals the completed
shoes for Yukari. As she stops in class and looks out the window,
seemingly thinking of him, Takao vows that one day, when he himself can
walk greater distances, he'll come and find her.
Directed: Makoto Shinkai
Produced: Noritaka Kawaguchi
Screenplay: Makoto Shinkai
Music: Daisuke Kashiwa
Cinematography: Makoto Shinkai
Editing: Makoto Shinkai
Studio: CoMix Wave Films
Release date: May 31, 2013
Running time: 46 min
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Produced: Noritaka Kawaguchi
Screenplay: Makoto Shinkai
Music: Daisuke Kashiwa
Cinematography: Makoto Shinkai
Editing: Makoto Shinkai
Studio: CoMix Wave Films
Release date: May 31, 2013
Running time: 46 min
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
