Sweet Rain

Based on a popular novel by Kotaro Isaka, Sweet Rain tells the story of a death god (or shinigami) who becomes a little less godlike thanks to three particular encounters with humans. Kaneshiro is Chiba, an immortal and supernatural being whose work requires him to show up seven days prior to an unnatural death (meaning a death not caused by sickness, age, or suicide) to judge whether or not to stay the person’s demise. During that seven days, he shadows the potential deceased, and eventually gives his thumbs up or down on their life. Occasionally he bumps into other shinigami who are also doing similar jobs, leading to impromptu shinigami meet-ups where they talk shop and swap stories. Shiba’s liason to his heavenly offices is a black dog that communicates silently via onscreen text (Telepathy, maybe?), and sometimes acts as Chiba’s sounding board. Most of the time, however, the dog just stands around looking silent and adorable. —lovehkfilm.com