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The Garden of Words

2013·Movie
46min·PG-13
77
GreatGoodWatch score

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The Garden of Words fingerprint

Stunning style, big heart, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Spectacle5
  • Tension4
  • Fast Pace3

Heart

Deeply romantic and profoundly sad

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Romance9
  • Melancholy9
  • Pathos8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Absurdist Humor2
  • Situational Comedy1

World

Growing up and everyday modern life

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and dialogue

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Standout cinematography, score, and visual style

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Cinematography9
  • Music Composition9
  • Music Centrality9

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking

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You want fast pacing

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

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.
Melancholic RomanceComing-of-AgeVisually StunningEmotional ResonanceIntrospectiveThoughtful DialogueRainy Day AestheticJapanese AnimationSlow-BurnBittersweet

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Garden of Words

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Garden of Words legally?

The Garden of Words is included with a subscription to HiDive in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Garden of Words worth watching?

77
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 78/100 (IMDb 7.4). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Garden of Words rated?

PG-13

It's rated PG-13 in the United States.

How long is The Garden of Words?

0 h 46 min

The Garden of Words runs 0 h 46 min.

What language is The Garden of Words in?

Japanese

It was made in Japanese. Produced in Japan.

In how many countries can I watch The Garden of Words?

22ATAUCACHDEESFRGBGGHKIEINITJP+8

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Garden of Words in 22 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Garden of Words use?

I Will Find You"Where Are They Now?" EpilogueFlyaway ShotReal-Place BackgroundInternal HomageBittersweet EndingTime-Compression MontageMaybe Ever AfterFalse Camera EffectsHair Color DissonanceThe StingerThey Call Me MISTER Tibbs!and 33 more

TV Tropes lists 45 storytelling tropes for The Garden of Words, including I Will Find You, "Where Are They Now?" Epilogue, Flyaway Shot.