Tour of Tokyo

As the story progresses, we delve in deeper into the typical life in Japan. "When It Rains", while being childish and fun, is supposed to represent Japanese life and everyday culture through the eyes of a little kid. Similar to how I used to view Japan.

When I was younger, I visited Japan during the summer time very often. Some of these sights and sounds in the film are similarly based on my past experiences in Japan as well. The sound and chirps of cicadas during a hot summer day, the relentless flurries of summer showers, and of course, a few of the stray cats that wandered around the streets were all a part of the daily life in Japan.

(The video below is what a semi or cicada looks and sounds like. Ah, the sound of my youth)

Delving into the research of Tokyo itself will help better paint a picture of what Japanese culture is really like, in comparison to what most people are used to seeing. 

(An example of what I mean presented below)

This also works to help break the typical norms and stereotypes that most people in Western culture believes to be true about Japan. Rather than living in the big city, surrounded by outrageously dressed people and constant jokes and pranks, I chose for "When It Rains" to be located in suburban Tokyo, which in comparison is much quieter, much more subdued, and very casual. In a way, it's truly like a tour of Tokyo and the life I was so used to when visiting Japan.