OP
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SYNOPSIS
"Have you heard of Summer Ghosts?" Tomoya, Aoi, and Ryo are high school students who met through the Internet. The urban legend of the Summer Ghost is that it is a ghost of a young woman who appears when fireworks are lit. Tomoya is unable to step out into the life he wants. Aoi is unable to find her place in the world. Ryo's bright future is suddenly closed to him. Each of them has their own reasons for meeting the Summer Ghost. On a summer night when life and death intersect, where will each of their thoughts go to?
All four of them are at different part of their lives...
Tomoya - basically our POV character. He is someone who has a future but too scare to face the future. He's someone who doesn't want to look ahead and rather stand behind. Which was illustrated nicely in the beginning.
Ryou - someone who has so much ahead that he looks for but have so little time. Someone who wants to move forward but knowing he is limited on time.
Aoi - someone who is dealing with the present, being bullied and wanting to commit suicide. She is someone who is trying to overcome her everyday hardship.
Ayane - someone who has neither a future or a present, she is someone who is already gone.
The basic of the plot is simple really, it's about learning to face what's ahead no matter how tough. That we just have to look up and see that there are those who knows our pain and there to share it with us. That those who are gone, those voices we can no longer hear. As someone who has lost a friend at a young age, this hits pretty close to home.
It's really focus mainly on Tomoya learning to face that he needs to not be afraid to step forth to the future. And with Ayane help along with Ryou and Aoi, he learns to take that step. To not hate his life and seek the future. Each of them faces their own problems.
The ending is bittersweet... I won't spoil it but it's pretty simple really to pick up on it. It's a nice overall anime and I will say the music was gorgeous. What is it's biggest flaw and lacking? I didn't really like the coloring and character design at times. Since I had a hard time trying to figure out was that Tomoya or Ryou.
It's a short movie, if you have time, it's worth an watch. If you enjoy these type of simple theme anime like me, you'll enjoy it. If you don't, then it isn't really for you. It got it's message across nicely and simply. So as they say... "Seize the Day"
Because eventually... summer will end... those who once were here will someday be gone. So cherish the time we have with those around us. You never know how long these moments will last.
ART
Art is the first thing an impression is made from in any movie/anime.
The art here is quite unique as in that it is different than most other anime movies.
The linework of characters is quite simple at times and not too pronounced, sometimes it is almost invisible. However, most animes tend to have a "visible" linework when it comes to their characters.
The color palette is a tad dull and gives off an old-ish vibe, making it seem "starched". This factor makes the characters really stick out from the background. The background contains normal 3D graphics with a palette that is cleverly blended to make shadows and lighting. It really seems like a normal piece of art.
What especially makes the characters stand out is the lighting. It is sharp and very pronounced at times although it gives a lot of depth to the art. But this also clashes with the soft style used in the background. It gives off a feeling that the characters were drawn onto a picture.
Mind you, this only occurs during some scenes and not all.
It is done as a solo by the director-artist who also owns the studio. Considering that, It really does seem to be amazing.
ANIMATION
The animation isn't special and can't be compared to that of other movies.
It is smooth when there isn't much variables to move. However when a lot of movement is required, it appears to "break". Considering it came from a solo artist, this can already be considered good.
Another especially amazing thing is the fact that the scenes with serious animation without characters are really amazing. The background art is already really good and somehow the animation for these scenes are also very smooth. It makes for a truly incredible scene.
STORY
Plot - it is very unique. Although the genre matchup is common, the premise is very distinctive. We have seen many stories about people who are pushed to suicide or death, and rarely, may also include a ghost. However, adding a plot twist to it and not making it a mystery is of SSSR level. Not to mention moving the plot well with it as an element but not as something which is meant to change the genre or make it more interesting.
Storytelling - Good. It gives equal importance to the backgrounds of all the characters as well as their circumstances. Although at one point it starts to focus on the relationship between Ayane (the ghost) and Tomoya, it is part of the plot development. The climax
Just as those who are gone can no longer seek the future or live in the present, they are a thing of the past. Those of us who are still here, the sky is the limit as they say. Learn from your past, live in the moment, and run towards your future.
