Summer Pockets

The setting is nice and the story seems promising, but I couldn’t really connect with the characters. The pacing is oddly both slow and rushed — it lacks the depth and reflection you’d expect, yet plot points unfold too quickly. There’s very little character development. I actually liked the cast; they all had potential, but it feels like they weren’t given enough space to grow.

Compared to titles like Kanon, Clannad, or Angel Beats, where I got attached to the characters naturally and their arcs felt subtly built, Summer Pockets comes across as lazy in that department. We only get surface-level glimpses of each character, and ... the story hints are dropped too early — definitely not subtle either. I found myself predicting the plot by the first episode of each arc.

At first I thought maybe I’ve just seen too many stories in this genre. But no — it’s not that. Maeda doesn’t have to hit the mark every time, and that’s okay. Not everything has to be a masterpiece.

Currently streaming this on Animyne, and Summer Pockets delivers a poignant, if uneven, slice-of-life story brimming with Key Studios' signature blend of warmth and melancholy. Adapted from the beloved visual novel, the anime follows protagonist Hairi Takahara as he spends a summer on a rural island, uncovering its mysteries and forming bonds with its quirky residents—each carrying their own emotional baggage.

The Strengths:

Atmosphere & Aesthetics: The island setting is gorgeously rendered, with lush backgrounds and a dreamy, sun-drenched color palette that perfectly captures the nostalgia of endless summers.

Character Charm: The core cast—from the enigmatic Shiroha to the energetic Kamome—are endearing, with backstories that gradually unravel in ... satisfying ways.

Emotional Payoff: When the show leans into its dramatic beats (particularly in the second half), it delivers Key’s trademark heart-tugging moments with grace.

The Weaknesses:

Pacing Issues: The adaptation condenses multiple VN routes, resulting in rushed arcs and underdeveloped relationships. Some emotional beats don’t land as hard as they should.

The story was interesting. I thought it would be light and chill, but I didn’t expect it to be so sad. Even though the anime tries to give a good ending and not a sad one, it’s clearly a sad ending in reality. I couldn’t handle this kind of story, so if you’re someone who can’t deal with sadness, I wouldn’t recommend watching it.

The characters were portrayed in an interesting way, but that’s the thing. I don’t like the idea that a story has to be sad to be good. I wish they focused on making it interesting without needing sadness. Because many people don’t ... expect a sad ending, but believe me, most viewers hope to feel happy at the end.