Summer Ghost

An old airfield and a whispered dare spark a local legend: light up fireworks at the abandoned runway and the summer ghost will appear, ready to answer any question you ask. Three teenagers chase different motives for turning up that day. Tomoya wants a way to fix something he can't undo; Aoi seeks a piece of knowledge about the past that haunts her; and Ryo, driven by guilt, hopes the ghost might reveal a path forward. When Ayane appears, she explains she is visible only to people who feel death closing in. Intrigued yet wary, Tomoya returns again and again, listening to Ayane's messages as he tries to discern why she keeps visiting the airfield. A quiet threshold of memory.

Directed by Loundraw from a concept by Otsuichi, Summer Ghost arrived in 2021 as a feature length collaboration blending hand drawn animation with a soft, contemplative mood. The project brings the director and author together for a broader audience globally.

Box office numbers for Summer Ghost were modest and not widely disclosed, reflecting its limited theatrical release and festival showings. The film found a dedicated audience through streaming and specialty events rather than broad box office, including festivals in Japan.

Critics highlighted its restrained storytelling and ethereal visuals, praising how it treats grief, memory, and adolescence with subtlety rather than melodrama. The narrative centers on staying connected to the ones we lose, questioning memory, forgiveness, and the meaning of letting go. Its quiet approach invites reflection rather than quick arcs.

Even as a quieter entry in contemporary anime, Summer Ghost resonated with viewers who connect with themes of loss and reconciliation. Its imagery and mood have sparked discussions about how animation can capture delicate emotional states, turning Ayane into a memorable symbol of unfinished questions. Its artful color study lingers.