The Garden of Words

Even though the age gap is wild, this movie isn’t a romance in the typical sense. It is very hard to look past the age difference, but I think the point of the movie is in spite of it. I’ll say this now and always but Makoto Shinkai will always be my favorite animation director

UNCOMFY. When I watched it a few years ago, I was looking forward to it, but a wet towel was quickly thrown on all the interest when it became clear what the premise was. Teacher/student romances put me off REAL bad, especially with an age gap like this one.

7/10 I honestly don’t know why I’m not rating this lower as the story is just not sad or interesting at all especially because it’s between like a kid and a teacher and they make it so deep and philosophical when it’s just not that. Animation is beautiful though. Way overhyped.

a short movie but it delivers

THAT TEACHER IS A PREDDDDDD

Makoto Shinkai's The Garden of Words is a breathtakingly beautiful and intensely intimate anime drama that solidifies his reputation as a master of visual storytelling and poignant romance. Written, directed, and edited by Shinkai himself, the film focuses on the unlikely bond formed between 15-year-old aspiring shoemaker Takao Akizuki (voiced by Miyu Irino) and the mysterious 27-year-old Yukari Yukino (voiced by Kana Hanazawa), who meet only on rainy mornings in Tokyo's Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. My initial reaction was one of being utterly captivated by its stunning animation and subtle emotional depth. My overall impression is that The Garden of Words is a profound, melancholic, and visually exquisite film that explores loneliness, connection, and the awkwardness of maturity with remarkable sensitivity, leaving a lasting impression of its unique beauty and emotional sincerity.

Rating:
8/10 ⭐️ (★★★★ - Excellent)
An excellent rating for a visually stunning and emotionally resonant animated film that masterfully explores themes of loneliness, mentorship, and unrequited feelings with poetic beauty and profound honesty.

The Good:
* Narrative & Story (Strengths): The film's premise is deceptively simple: two lonely souls finding solace and connection in a rainy park. Shinkai crafts a deeply personal and introspective narrative, focusing on the quiet moments of conversation, shared vulnerabilities, and unspoken desires. The story builds slowly and deliberately, allowing the emotional bond between Takao and Yukari to develop organically and authentically. Themes of loneliness (koi), longing, healing, and the awkward journey of maturation (where adults can feel as lost as teenagers) are explored with remarkable honesty. The motifs of rain (making the world more vivid), shoes (as a metaphor for life), and Man'yōshū poetry are beautifully integrated, enriching the narrative's symbolic depth.
* Characters (Strengths): Takao and Yukari are wonderfully complex and relatable characters. Takao's earnest passion for shoemaking and his quiet maturity are endearing. Yukari's mysterious allure gradually gives way to her vulnerability and pain, making her incredibly sympathetic. Miyu Irino and Kana Hanazawa deliver phenomenal voice performances, perfectly capturing the nuanced emotions and internal struggles of their characters. Hanazawa's portrayal of Yukari's intense emotional release in the final scene is particularly powerful.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Strengths): Makoto Shinkai's direction is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling and visual poetry. He utilizes the confined setting of the Japanese garden to create a world that feels both intimate and expansive. His signature visual style, characterized by meticulously drawn scenery and vivid backgrounds (often based on thousands of his photographs), is at its peak here. The use of lighting, particularly the way light refracts on skin in rainy scenes, is a "new innovation" that makes the animation stand out. The pacing is deliberate, allowing emotional moments to breathe and resonate.
* Technical Aspects (Strengths): The animation by CoMix Wave Films is breathtakingly beautiful. The rendering of rain is incredibly realistic, almost photorealistic, making it a central visual motif. The backgrounds are stunning, vibrant, and meticulously detailed, immersing the viewer completely in the world of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. The characters, while drawn with slightly less detail than the backgrounds, are expressive and realistic. Daisuke Kashiwa's musical score is unique and unconventional for anime, perfectly complementing the film's melancholic and reflective tone. Motohiro Hata's remake of "Rain" is a poignant and fitting theme song that captures the film's essence.
* Enjoyment & Engagement: The Garden of Words is an incredibly engaging and emotionally powerful film. Its sheer visual beauty is captivating, and the tender, nuanced portrayal of the central relationship draws you in completely. It's a film that resonates on a deep emotional level, prompting reflection on personal experiences with loneliness, connection, and growth.

The Not So Good:
* Narrative & Story (Weaknesses): The film's short runtime (46 minutes) means that some aspects of the characters' lives outside the park, particularly Yukari's bullying situation, are explored with less depth than one might desire. The resolution, while emotionally impactful, is concise, leaving some questions open.
* Enjoyment & Engagement (Negatives): Viewers accustomed to more action-driven anime or those who prefer overt plot progression might find the film's deliberate pacing and introspective focus less immediately engaging. Its "lonely sadness" tone, while beautiful, might not appeal to all audiences.

The Verdict:
The Garden of Words is an exquisite and deeply moving animated film, a true testament to Makoto Shinkai's singular artistic vision. It's a masterwork of visual storytelling, showcasing breathtaking animation, meticulous detail, and an incredibly poignant exploration of loneliness, connection, and the awkward journey of human maturity. Anchored by two superb voice performances and a unique musical score, the film is a beautiful, melancholic, and ultimately hopeful experience that resonates long after viewing. Despite its short runtime, it delivers a profound emotional impact. Highly recommended for fans of introspective anime, character-driven dramas, and anyone who appreciates cinema as a form of visual poetry. It's an unforgettable cinematic gem.

Optional Additional Categories:
* Genre & Tone: The film is a drama and romance, with strong slice-of-life elements. Its tone is consistently melancholic, contemplative, and visually poetic, embracing themes of "lonely sadness" while finding beauty in everyday moments.
* Target Audience: It appeals to older teenagers and adult audiences who appreciate nuanced character studies, artistic animation, and subtle romantic narratives.
* Originality & Innovation: The film's originality lies in its unique focus on the transient, yet profound, connection formed solely during rainy mornings in a specific location. Its visual innovation, particularly in depicting rain and integrating character coloring with backgrounds, is groundbreaking.
* Themes & Messages (Further Discussion): The film richly explores themes of emotional vulnerability, societal pressures, the healing power of connection, artistic passion, and the non-linear path of maturity. It subtly suggests that sometimes, the most significant personal growth comes from unexpected sources.
* Comparison to Other Films: It shares thematic and visual DNA with other Makoto Shinkai films like 5 Centimeters Per Second (in its exploration of distance and longing) and Your Name. (due to its stunning realism and focus on human connection), but The Garden of Words stands out for its intimate scale and intense emotional focus within a very confined setting.