After the Rain: The moving and critical reviews of everyone's songs

The appeal and evaluation of "After the Rain" - Ameagari

"After the Rain" is a short 2-minute animated film that was broadcast on NHK Educational TV in December 2019. Although the original work is said to be "other," its unique worldview and beautiful visuals left a deep impression on viewers. In this article, we will take a closer look at the appeal and evaluation of "After the Rain," as well as its background and behind-the-scenes stories.

Overview

"After the Rain" was produced as part of NHK's "Minna no Uta" series. "Minna no Uta" is a long-running program that has been on the air since 1961 and is loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults. "After the Rain" is one of the works that has attracted particular attention.

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

others

■ Broadcast period

December 2019

■Broadcasting station

Broadcast: NHK Educational TV

■Frequencies

2 minutes

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■ Production

・Animation/Makiko Tanaka

■Works

©NHK

Story and Themes

"After the Rain" is a work that depicts the world after the rain has stopped. The story is set in a town after the rain has stopped, and revolves around children playing freely. The refreshing air after the rain and the innocent smiles of the children intertwine in the scene, giving the viewer a comfortable sense of peace.

The theme of this work is "coexistence of nature and humans." The puddles that form when it rains and the fresh air after the rain symbolize the blessings of nature. At the same time, the image of children playing in the natural environment depicts a state of harmony between human life and nature. This theme makes us think about environmental issues in modern society and how we should interact with nature.

Visuals and Music

The visuals of "After the Rain" are drawn with the distinctive touch of director Makiko Tanaka. The soft watercolor-like colors and detailed background art realistically recreate the world after the rain. In particular, the reflections in the puddles and the depiction of the moment when the raindrops fall can be said to be the result of a pursuit of visual beauty.

The music was chosen to bring out the refreshing atmosphere of the day after the rain. The gentle tones of the piano and the children's voices combine to give the whole piece a warm feeling. This music also draws the viewer into the world of the piece.

Behind the Scenes

Director Makiko Tanaka's attention to detail can be seen throughout the production of After the Rain. To depict the scenery after the rain, the director actually went outside on a rainy day and made repeated sketches. Also, to realistically reproduce the children's movements and expressions, she interacted with many children and observed their natural behavior. It can be said that such steady efforts were one of the factors that contributed to the high level of completion of the film.

The production team also used special filming techniques and CG to recreate the scenery after the rain. In particular, it took a lot of trial and error to portray the reflections of puddles realistically. These technical challenges give the film's visuals depth.

Evaluation and response

"After the Rain" was highly praised by many viewers immediately after it was aired. In particular, the beautiful visuals and the innocent appearance of the children captured the hearts of many people. In addition, the theme of the work, "the coexistence of nature and humans," resonated with many viewers and became a hot topic on social media.

It has been highly praised by experts, and has led to a reevaluation of director Makiko Tanaka's talent in the animation industry. After the Rain is highly regarded as a work that is able to convey a profound message in a short period of time.

Recommendations and related works

If you enjoyed After the Rain, we also recommend the following works, which are also beautifully animated works that depict nature and children's perspectives.

• "The Wind Rises" - A masterpiece anime produced by Studio Ghibli. It depicts the relationship between nature and humans.
• "Spirited Away" - A Studio Ghibli production. Its fantasy world is depicted from a child's perspective.
• "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day" - a moving anime about youth and nature.

summary

Although "After the Rain" is a short animation of only 2 minutes, it has captivated many viewers with its visual beauty and profound theme. It is the culmination of director Makiko Tanaka's attention to detail and the production team's technical challenges, and it makes viewers think about the coexistence of nature and humans. Through "After the Rain," viewers will be able to experience the refreshing air after the rain and the innocent smiles of children, and gain a comfortable sense of peace.

This work was produced as part of the NHK "Minna no Uta" series, but its influence has spread far beyond the series. After the Rain is a work that reaffirms the possibilities of animation, and will continue to be loved by many people for a long time to come.