Letting go of someone who had been part of your life is hard, I mean you have already gotten used to that person and at some point you become dependent on that presence—thinking that everything lasts forever when good things and people usually disappear first. It's really a tough and challenging feat to overcome loneliness even with other people who love you. Some of them took them months, years, or even almost a lifetime to accept the loss. Even if someone new arrives, you can't help but look back at the past, but does that help?
So enough with my musings, this anime that I'll share with you is connected with what I've rambled on. There's the man who's gone, a woman who can't move on and a new man who fell in love with the woman—all of them desperately clinging to memories that had passed. Their relationship sounds so complicated because how can you make a woman who's still stuck with her past envision a future with you? Also, her past isn't willing to let her go for the man who's gone never left her. Be with me as we take a peek at their story where summer and snow meet in Natsuyuki Rendezvous.
About the Anime
Natsuyuki Rendezvous (A Summer Snow Rendezvous) is a josei anime that premiered in the summer of 2012. It aired from July 6, 2012 to September 14, 2012. This 11-episode anime series was animated by Doga Kobo. Since it is a josei, of 'course its theme revolves around the adult cast. It also has drama and romance, but this anime has quite a twist because it also involves supernatural stuff. This is an adaptation of a completed manga written and illustrated by Haruka Kawachi.
In love with Rokka Shimao, a widowed florist, Ryousuke Hazuki had been frequently buying something from the flower shop to see and interact with her every day. He was contented with those little interactions until one day something winds up in his way, and it's an opportunity to get closer to her. Months passed after he decided to work as a part-timer in Rokka flower shop and even though he's now closer to her, there's still so little improvement in their relationship. But giving up isn't an option for him so when another opportunity came, he immediately decided that he would start making his move on her only that this time something came up or rather someone—and it was the ghost of his deceased husband!
Ever since the day he died, Atsushi Shimao never left their house. For years he had been watching over Rokka and was contented doing that not until Hazuki came into her life. Hazuki can see him, however even though he tries to drive him away, Hazuki is determined to pursue Rokka and with that, they immediately find themselves at odds. Both of them refused to give way and let go of their goals and that soon led up to a peculiar connection. Even with differences, both of them share a common desire and that's to see Rokka happy. But the important question lies in who can do that. Will it be the man she once loved or the new man she's starting to fall in love with?
My eyes are still a little swollen up until now. I thought those tear-jerking scenes would end before the last episode—but man, I cried til the ending song ended. I already anticipated that it would end that way, but ahhhhh it still caught me off guard. I really felt the emotions—especially Shimao's sentiments. It's supposed to be a satisfying end, but I don't why I still feel sad about it. Maybe because deep inside I'm expecting an alternate end—an end where no one gets lonely.
Moving on from that, I noticed that there are only a few characters throughout this series. Also, there aren't any solid supporting characters which really affects the plot. I know you'll probably think it's bland because a story with few characters would just revolve mainly on the main characters' side again and again, but that's what this anime really needs. Honestly, at first, I had doubts about watching this because how are they supposed to resolve that conflict with just 11 episodes? Apparently, that's the reason why this anime has few characters because if this had a lot of other characters and backstories, it would be bound to deviate from the main plot.
Fortunately, this anime was able to portray and discuss grief and romance deeply with its introspective way of narration. Also, aside from its introspective tone, there are times when retrospective narration is used. I really enjoyed watching those parts because it made me absorb more of the characters' emotions, perceptions, and sentiments, and I think through this way of narration and also its pacing, this anime was able to portray the story and as well and resolve the conflict. The characters were definitely relatable and most likely realistic because they portrayed well how a person can change over time. People are bound to change, and even those who have passed away aren't exempted from that change.
As for its art style, I like how they draw the flowers. Their vibrant colors contrasted with the often subdued colors in the background. The flowers were really the pop of colors that this anime needs. I'm not saying that the colors were dreary, it's just that the story of the anime is quite heavy and somehow the subdued colors amplify the heavy mood of the plot. So the flowers were really important to balance out the heaviness that the story gives off. Also, its character design wasn't one of a kind, but anyway it fits well with the personalities of the characters.
Aside from Shimao's off-timing gags, I have no qualms about its animation. It wasn't that flawless, but it was decent enough to portray well the emotions that they wanted to convey. Like how few the characters were, the background music was also minimal in this anime. They utilized the absence of background music and minimal background noise in some scenes to emphasize the dialogues and as well the gestures of the characters. Although its tune is really nostalgic and its lyrics is nice, its opening song is not that memorable compared to its ending song. The first time I heard it, a sense of familiarity immediately hit me, and when I discovered who sang it—my hunch was indeed right and it's Aimer! Her song fits with this anime, for like the story, its lyrics were heartbreakingly beautiful. Its tune was also mesmerizing and even now and then it suddenly pops out of my mind.
Overall, my rating for this anime is 8/10. The end was supposed to be satisfying—yeah, it's satisfying if you look at it unbiasedly. However, I know that I'm yearning for something—I expected that it would end that way. I know what I'm blabbering now is quite confusing, so if you're interested in knowing about what really happened to these ill-fated people, then this I guess would be your sign to watch and discover their—a story of upcoming grief, experiencing romance and finding happiness in Natsuyuki Rendezvous.
Before I end this review, I'll share with you its trailer, so—
Have you encountered this anime before? Or is this your first time seeing it? If you have thoughts about this anime feel free to share it in the comments. That's all for now, minna-san! I hope you enjoyed reading my review.
Arigatou and tanoshinde ne~
The pictures that didn't have source were screenshots from the anime while the last picture was edited in Canva.