Summer Ghost
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
It is said that fireworks can calm the souls of the dead. For Tomoya Sugisaki, Aoi Harukawa, and Ryou Kobayashi, fireworks are what allowed them to meet the Summer Ghost. Believed to be the spirit of a young woman who committed suicide, the Summer Ghost only appears in a specific area and can only be seen by those who are within arm's reach of death. Tomoya is a creative soul being crushed by his academic obligation to get into a good university. Aoi is a meek girl who is relentlessly bullied by her classmates. Ryou is a former basketball star who had to forfeit his passion following a grim diagnosis. The only thing these three have in common is their ability to see the Summer Ghost. The Summer Ghost is said to be able to answer any and all questions pertaining to death—something the three teenagers desperately want to know more about. Dissatisfied with their initial meeting, Tomoya sets out to find the Summer Ghost once again. But the more time he spends with the ghost, the more the mystery surrounding her existence unravels.
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment for Summer Ghost is largely positive, praising its stunning visuals, emotional soundtrack, and thoughtful themes. However, a significant portion of viewers found the short runtime to be a major drawback, leading to rushed pacing and underdeveloped characters. Despite these criticisms, the consensus is that it's a beautiful and impactful film that leaves a lasting impression, though many wished for a longer duration to fully flesh out its potential.
Strengths
- Stunning visuals and artistic direction, particularly the lighting and color tone.
- Emotionally resonant soundtrack that enhances the narrative.
- Evocative storytelling within a short runtime, successfully conveying themes of life and death.
- Unique and polished art style, reminiscent of Makoto Shinkai but with its own refinement.
Weaknesses
- Pacing is too fast, leaving insufficient time for character development and backstory exploration.
- Characters feel underdeveloped and their motivations sometimes lack depth or 'why'.
- The plot, especially the ghost's story and the characters' resolutions, can feel rushed and lack complete satisfaction.
- Some character interactions are described as 'deadpan' or 'drained of emotion', diminishing potential impact.