REVIEW: ‘Summer Time Rendering’ Delivers A Unique Sci-Fi/Horror Journey

Two years ago, Shinpei Ajiro left his sleepy island home to forge his own path in the big city of Tokyo. But when he receives word that his childhood friend Ushio has died, he makes a return trip to say goodbye to her. However, he soon discovers himself at the center of a plot that bends the laws of time and space as monsters secretly work to destroy his hometown in Summer Time Rendering from OLM.

The mystery surrounding Shinpei’s home and the strange forces at work throughout this series’ 25 episodes crafts a unique story that stands out in my television-watching experience. It never failed to surprise me as it carefully layers new elements and twists throughout the series. Every episode promises something unexpected. And due to the thoroughness of how the narrative delivers its countless twists and reveals, every moment manages to feel purposeful and planned. Nothing feels like it was done simply to pull the heroes out of danger or allow a villain to escape at the last moment, even when that is what is happening. The multitude of layers allows Summer Time Rendering to craft each unique element of its plot and characters like nothing else I’ve seen before.

Occupying this incredible story is a cast that is filled with memorable personalities that make all the twists and turns of the plot far more impactful than they otherwise would be. As Shinpei searches for answers to the unfolding mystery he must look to his friends like Ushio’s little sister Mio and his lifelong bud Sou to see him through. But even the supporting characters come to occupy amazing spaces within the science fiction that this story wields, as the events of the show shape and change them. No one better exemplifies this than my favorite character, Hizuru.

A stranger to Shinpei when they first meet, Hizuru is one of the many characters that are soon drawn into Shinpei’s circle as they struggle to fend off the malevolent force that haunts the island. But Hizuru has secrets of her own. But rather than reveal these elements of the character all at once in a huge reveal, Summer Time Rendering drip-feeds her secrets to the viewer, divulging information only as its needed. This permits the character to keep surprising over and over again as more of her secrets are revealed, as well as reaccessing the viewer’s feelings about the character.

This drip-feed approach to secrets and reveals always kept me captivated with the series amazingly intricate plot and characters. However, I can also see where it will be a barrier for some. Rather than simply establishing a broad strokes science fiction concept early and then running with it, Summer Time Rendering frequently pauses to explain the new layers or twists to how things are progressing. If you struggle with high-concept science fiction like Godzilla: Singular Point, the intricate nature of this series’ science fiction aspects may make it a struggle for you.

But while there is some mind-bending science at the heart of Summer Time Rendering, this series is also a horror story through and through. The monster design is often terrifying and the folks at OLM have a great grasp for building up terror and foreboding within key scenes throughout the show. Perhaps what I love the most about how Summer Time Rendering handles its horror elements though, lies in how it balances the amazing action sequences it delivers within its horror framework.

Early on in the narrative, we learn that some of the island’s defenders have the means to stand toe to toe with many of the creatures that are plaguing their homes. Despite this, the series never allows these characters to ruin the threat of just what its monstrous antagonist can do. There is an unending sense of threat from the shadows throughout this story, allowing the series to wow with spectacle crafted by gorgeous fight animation that captures the eye, while still making the suspense of a surprise attack feel earned.

While I love all of the core elements that Summer Time Rendering builds the bulk of its narrative on, the series isn’t without its faults, minor though they are. The biggest is the struggle with humor in the front half of the series. While it never ruins any of its big moments, there are a few times in the early episodes when humor is used at less-than-opportune times. These fumbles sometimes undercut what should be focused on in those moments, making a few scenes a little less than they could be. The other misstep comes, unfortunately, with the end. Like many series whose final episodes build up to a spectacular conflict, Summer Time Rendering struggles with allowing its final moments to actually end. The big boss battle has a couple of points where it feels like it should end, only for a forced twist to keep the struggle going for just a bit longer. It in no way ruins the end, but it certainly takes a little wind out of the sails for when the struggle finally reaches its conclusion.

Summer Time Rendering delivers great characters, a unique plot, and a masterful blend of action, horror, and science fiction. It’s only the second week of the year, but I may have already discovered my Anime Of The Year for 2023.

Summer Time Rendering is streaming now on Hulu.