I just finished watching the anime entitled Summer Time Render (サマータイムレンダー). And I recommend you to watch this anime!
If you're into mystery, a little bit of action (or maybe more..?), little bit of romance, this anime is definitely for you.
Lately my mood is into mystery shows. I came across this anime because in one of the websites I use to watch anime, I saw an update of the series and I think that was the last one. How lucky I was to find this anime that suits my mood!
Summer Time Render just concluded last September 30 on the television networks in Japan. I would have known about this anime if we have a TV at home but nah, we didn't have one. This anime is also not on Netflix and also not on Amazon Prime. I usually watch anime on Netflix so I would never have found this if I didn't open the anime website I'm always using.
You can also find this anime in Disney+, I don't know about your location but in Japan's Disney+, it's there. Though, if you want to watch it in Disney+, you may notice that only episodes 1-19 have the english subtitles. Episodes 20-25 don't have it yet. I guess they're still working on the subtitles for those remaining episodes. So if you give it time, for sure, the english subtitles will be added.
Enough talking about other stuff witty and get on with business
About The Plot
will try my best not to give away spoilers
Ajiro Shinpei, the name of our main character in Summer Time Render, came back to his hometown, Hitogashima after being away for 2 years.
Hitogashima is an island in Wakayama Prefecture. It's a small island and has a small town with around 700 residents. The island's source of income is from tourism and fishing.
Shinpei was in Tokyo after leaving the island and his friends. Unfortunately, his comeback is not exactly a happy one. He came back to the island because Kofune Ushio died.
The first scene from the first episode will show you a conversation between Ushio and Shinpei on the ferry. However, Ushio disappeared all of a sudden, leaving Shinpei the words Find me and Take care of Mio. Shinpei woke up shouting Ushio's name and in the boobs of another important character, Minakata Hizuru.
After that, the next scenes were kinda normal. Kofune Mio, the younger sister of Ushio, picked Shinpei in the port. The funeral took place. Shinpei met his friends.
However, people around Shinpei have been giving hints that Ushio might not have died of accident but of murder. As he tried to investigate, he got caught up with a series of mysterious events like people disappearing and seeing an exact duplicate version of oneself.
Then, he got aware of a sickness called shadow sickness which is a disease known only to the island. If you have seen your shadow, most likely you'll die.
The story revolves around these shadows and how Shinpei will be the savior. He will die multiple times but eventually will be able to come back - a loop.
How is he able to die and be alive again? Is Ushio really murdered? Or is she alive somewhere? How will Shinpei defeat the shadows? What is the shadow sickness and why is it only known in Hitogashima? Will he be able to find Ushio and protect Mio?
Watch the trailer on Youtube from Jump Comics Channel (sorry it's in Japanese)
My Thoughts
It was pretty obvious that Shinpei has feelings for Ushio, so let me just spoil you that. Who wouldn't come back and travel for many hours to see a loved one one last time?! But the anime didn't really focus on the romance part, which I like so much.
Every end of every episode, I'm faced with more questions and more mysteries to unravel. I like it too. It gets me curious to see what's next and why that happened. Even the second half of the series made me more and more hooked to it that I couldn't sleep on my usual schedule. 😅
The fight scenes are incredible to watch. With every loop, you would think the same scene will happen but it's not. I think it started when Shinpei died for the 3rd time? Or 2nd? I forgot already but I assure you that the fight scenes will be different every time Shinpei enters a loop.
My favorite would probably be when they fought in the school. Seriously, schools are an important venue for fight or important violent scenes in most animes I watch. 😅
The anime also talked about some history - like about a war but I don't know about that war in real life. It would have been nice if I have read about that war but you don't really need to know about it. It's just nice if I can relate it to real life.
They also mentioned something about Ebisu, the God of Fishing in Japan. I was so happy I can relate to Ebisu which I shared in my previous post.
The last few episodes are definitely a feast to my eyes. My heart's pumped up! If you can, please watch the last 5 episodes consecutively. The ending is definitely a peaceful one after all that chaos. And I like it. I think it's a very nice and appropriate ending.
Conclusion
If I would rate this anime, I'll give it a 9/10. Summer Time Render has a good story and a good show to tell that story. Definitely one of the anime shows I would recommend you to watch this year. And summer just ended here in Japan too, so it's kinda timely to watch it. 😅
If you are still not convinced, try watching the first episode and maybe it change your mind. Who knows, maybe you'll watch everything and get hooked with this anime same as me.
By the way, I heard in Wakayama, they set up a some sort of gallery featuring this anime. Apparently, Hitogashima exists in real life - but not in this name. I heard the town is also not as lively as shown in the anime but there are really people living in the island. Maybe I can tour on that island and relive the scenes from the anime.. someday.
Thanks for reading!
See you around! じゃあ、またね！
All photos are taken from the official website of the anime Summer Time Render.