Summertime Rendering is the final anime to have a major spring premiere. While the season is filled with romantic comedy shows like Spy x Family, Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie, and Komi Can't Communicate, Summertime Rendering stands out as a mystery and supernatural anime. That being said, is Summertime Rendering good or worth watching?
I watched the first episode of Summertime Rendering with no prior knowledge of the show. I didn't even bother reading the anime's synopsis. I was just looking for a new show to fuss around with in my spare time.
I decided to try Summertime Rendering after some encouragement from my cousin, who is currently living in Japan. Fortunately, I made the right decision.
I've always enjoyed supernatural and mystery anime shows. To name a few, some of my favorite shows are Steins Gate, Wonder Egg Priority, Serial Experiments Lain, and Paprika. This is one of the reasons I am overjoyed to learn that Summertime Rendering is based on one of my favorite anime genres.
Surprisingly, Summertime Rendering has received a lot of attention on social media. Anime fans adore the anime's twisted nature. There has also been a lot of buzz surrounding the first episode of the anime.
What am I going to lose if I watch the first episode? It's a good thing that my peers enjoy this kind of anime. After all, a little mystery and the supernatural can never go wrong.
The only issue I'm having is the platform where I'll watch Summertime Rendering. At the time of writing, the anime is only available on Disney+ Japan and TVer Japan, with no English subtitles. There is no word yet on when international platforms will license the anime.
Is Summertime Rendering Good or Worth Watching?
Summertime Rendering has only three episodes so far, but the anime delivers. If you're not a big fan of mystery and supernatural thriller shows, you should pass on this one.
On the other hand, if you're an open-minded anime fan, give Summertime Rendering a half-hour of your time. Most likely, you'll look forward to new episodes like everyone else in MAL, who has given the anime a solid 8.25 rating.
In case you’re also a manga reader, Summertime Rendering is already completed. You can binge-read the series while waiting for Crunchyroll or HIDIVE to pick up the series with available English subtitles.
The anime is also set to run for a total of 25 episodes, with two cours on the way. Summertime Rendering does not have a large fan base in the community, so this is a grand move from the producers.
Regardless, the anime is directed by one of the industry's top directors. Ayumu Watanabe is the man behind popular anime shows such as Space Brothers, Ace Attorney, Major 2nd, and Komi Can't Communicate.
However, it is important to note that the series is still in its early stages, which is very important in this genre. As the anime comes to a close, it can always be a hit or a miss.
Notably, Summertime Rendering contains some fan service. I'm not sure if it's just me, but the anime's panty shots seem off. Summertime Rendering, in my opinion, can function just fine without unnecessary fan service that slaps you in the face. In any case, it's just a little bit of fan service from the female lead.
Here are some of the reasons why Summertime Rendering is good and worth watching. From an anime fan with two decades of experience, I highly recommend Summertime Rendering as a must-watch!
Summertime Rendering’s Plot Narrative
Summertime Rendering feels like a slice-of-life anime with a comedic and wholesome narrative from the start. As the story progresses, however, one may become engrossed in a surprisingly interesting and compelling narrative that is unlike any other.
We are confronted with an endless loop of Shinpei's narrative. It's almost like Haruhi Suzumiya's infamous Endless Eight Arc. In the case of Summertime Rendering, however, the loop is not monotonous. It is, in fact, one of the anime's strongest points. Without the loop, the narrative of the anime will not be effective.
Furthermore, the premise contains a lot of mystery, thriller, and supernatural elements, all of which are well-integrated. While there is a lot of build-up in the first half of the anime, viewers will be unable to predict what will happen in the latter sequence.
The logic of the anime's enigma also feels natural. The show also does an excellent job of conveying the crucial facts so that viewers are not confused without giving away the plot.
Summertime Rendering’s Animation
Summertime Rendering's visuals are reminiscent of anime films. OLM has worked on massive anime adaptations like Komi Can't Communicate, Berserk 1997, and Pokemon, as one would expect from a company that has produced iconic films like Ni no Kuni, A Letter to Momo, and innumerable Pokemon movies.
The anime's background is full of ocean backdrops, lush sceneries, and rural structures, having it set on Hitogashima Island. OLM has done an excellent job of framing and detailing the anime.
Not to mention the design of the characters. The anime eyes, in particular. The studio's use of color gradients makes it visually appealing. Aside from that, the color palette of Summertime Rendering is both warm and calm to the eyes.
Summertime Rendering’s Drastic Tone Shifts
Don't be deceived by Summertime Rendering's soothing aesthetics. If you grow used to watching the anime's lovely landscape and background sequences, you're in for a nasty surprise.
In the first half of the anime, Summertime Rendering feels like a breath of fresh air. However, as viewers immerse themselves in the anime's story, they will discover a show full of dismal vibes, regret, grief, longing, and sadness. And that's not the end of it. Brutal violence, sickness, and murder will greet viewers towards the end of the anime.
The anime's dramatic tone shifts will be difficult for the average anime viewer to grasp. Summertime Rendering is not an anime for novices, as it combines several genres into a single story. Despite this, it is the anime's strong point, and it has served the viewers well thus far.
At the time of writing, I'm very convinced to stay with Summertime Rendering. I just hope that the show will continue to deliver an experience worth watching.
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