Summer Ghost: An Indie Anime Film Worth Watching

Summary

Summer Ghost is a 2020 short film that explores the story of three troubled teens who summon the ghost of a woman who died by suicide. The ghost offers them insight into death, but only those with a grim future can see her. The film's melancholy atmosphere is complemented by understated voice acting and beautifully crafted animation. While the character dynamics are compelling, the short runtime limits the depth of the secondary characters. The film is a thoughtful, atmospheric piece on loss and existential struggle, with a unique production history from the small studio behind it.

Takeaways

• 😀 The film *Summer Ghost* (2020) is a 40-minute short about three kids who summon the ghost of a woman named Ayane at a specific airfield to ask questions about death.
• 😀 The story explores themes of melancholy and death, focusing on characters who are in 'death's grasp'—Tomia, Ryu, and the ghost Ayane herself.
• 😀 *Summer Ghost* was created by a small studio, Flat Studio, which had previously only worked on ads and music videos before tackling this project.
• 😀 The animation quality of *Summer Ghost* is praised for its passion, with special mention of its lighting and color scheme, which create a fitting, gloomy vibe for the story.
• 😀 The voice acting is described as subtle and laid-back, with a natural, mellow tone that enhances the film’s atmosphere rather than dramatic, exaggerated performances.
• 😀 The ghost character, Ayane, was voiced by a live-action actress, which added a unique, less animated feel to her character—this was intentionally done to make her seem 'off' compared to the living characters.
• 😀 Ayane’s voice actress had her own experience with death when she was involved in an attack during a fan handshake event in 2014, which added an intriguing layer to her performance.
• 😀 Despite the overall melancholic tone, the film avoids being overly bleak, instead opting for a softer portrayal of sadness, with characters reflecting their struggles in a more quiet, introspective manner.
• 😀 A major critique of the film is that the limited runtime (40 minutes) doesn't allow for enough character development for all three protagonists, making their stories feel less impactful.
• 😀 The movie's plot and character arcs might have benefited from focusing on fewer characters—perhaps just Tomia and Ayane—or switching out Tomia for Ryu, whose backstory could be conveyed in a more concise way.
• 😀 *Summer Ghost* has a manga and light novel adaptation that expands on the characters and their introspections, providing a more detailed exploration of the story compared to the film’s brief runtime.
• 😀 The studio's behind-the-scenes documentary, *To You Before Dawn*, provides insight into the production process, revealing that the creators were eager to move forward with future projects despite this being their first full-length film.

Q & A

What is the basic premise of *Summer Ghost*?

The film follows three kids who investigate rumors surrounding the ghost of a woman who took her life some time ago. They summon her spirit by lighting fireworks at a specific airfield during the summer. The ghost answers questions about death, but only those who are within death's grasp can see her.

Why can only certain characters see the Summer Ghost?

Only those who are within 'death's grasp' can see the Summer Ghost. Each of the three main characters has a personal connection to death: Tomia loathes his future, Ryu's future is cut short, and the third character, who is not detailed as much, is also connected to death in some way.

How does the film's animation quality contribute to its atmosphere?

The animation of *Summer Ghost* features beautiful backgrounds and a strong focus on lighting and color scheme, which create a gloomy, melancholic atmosphere. The visuals are deliberately pale and faded, enhancing the overall tone of the film, which aligns with its themes of summer sadness.

What is unique about the voice acting in the film?

The voice acting in *Summer Ghost* is subdued and calm, which contrasts with the often exaggerated performances found in typical anime. This quieter approach helps the film's tone remain grounded and natural, particularly in emotional moments. The ghost's voice is notably different, as it was provided by a live-action actress rather than an anime voice actor, contributing to her eerie yet calm presence.

Why was a live-action actress used for the voice of the Summer Ghost?

A live-action actress was chosen for the Summer Ghost because her performance was less exaggerated and more subtle, which suited the character's ethereal and calm nature. The choice also allowed the actress to bring a more grounded, realistic performance, which contrasted with the more animated voices of the living characters.

How does the tone of *Summer Ghost* differ from other anime dealing with similar themes?

Unlike other anime that might focus on extreme despair or self-loathing, *Summer Ghost* maintains a quieter, more subdued tone. It presents the characters' struggles with death and life in a way that is gentle and melancholic, rather than overtly dramatic or overwhelming. This subtlety helps convey the characters' emotional depth in a more natural way.

What is the main criticism of the film, and how does it affect the overall experience?

The main criticism of *Summer Ghost* is that it doesn't provide enough time to develop all three main characters fully. The film is short, which means some characters, particularly Ryu, don't get as much screen time or emotional development. This may lessen the impact of their stories, but the movie still offers a satisfying conclusion with the limited time it has.

How do the characters' individual stories relate to the themes of the film?

Each of the three main characters is dealing with a sense of impending loss or hopelessness, which ties into the film's themes of death and melancholy. Tomia is detached from his future, Ryu's future is tragically cut short, and the third character has their own unresolved issues. Their interactions with the Summer Ghost help them confront these fears, making the film a reflection on the human experience of loss.

What impact did the limited budget and short runtime have on the film's narrative?

The limited budget and runtime of *Summer Ghost* affected its ability to develop all the characters equally. With only 40 minutes, the film had to prioritize Tomia’s story, leaving the other characters less fleshed out. Some of the film's extended content, like scenes from the manga and light novel, provide more character depth, suggesting that a longer adaptation could have resolved these issues.

What does the documentary 'To You Before Dawn' reveal about the film's production?

The documentary 'To You Before Dawn' provides insight into the challenges and experiences of creating the film as a debut project for the small Studio. It showcases the production process, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the filmmakers tackled their first anime film. The documentary is notably longer than the actual movie, offering additional context about the film's creation.