The appeal and evaluation of "Summer Storm! ~Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter~": A moving story and deep characters

Summer Storm! ~Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter~ Review and Recommendation

"Summer Storm! ~Shunka Touchuu~" is a 13-episode anime series that aired on TV Tokyo and other networks from October 4th to December 27th, 2009. The series is based on the manga of the same name by Kobayashi Tsutomu, which was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Gangan WING. It is directed by Shinbo Akiyuki, animated by Shaft, and produced by the "Summer Storm! Production Committee."

story

The story is set in a long-established coffee shop in the town called "Ark." The protagonist, a young boy named Yasaka Hajime, comes to his grandfather's house during summer vacation. There, he meets an older high school girl named Arashiyama Sayoko (nicknamed Arashi), who works at the coffee shop. Arashi calls herself a ghost and is a mysterious girl who can travel to the past by holding Yasaka's hand. Yasaka spends irreplaceable days with Arashi during the summer vacation.

The story revolves around Yasaka and Arashi, along with the unique characters that surround them. Various characters appear, including the man in the sunglasses who is chasing Arashi, Kamigamo Jun, a junior high school student like Yasaka, and Kaya, a German girl, and a comedy and moving drama that makes full use of time leaps unfolds.

character

The main characters are as follows.

• Arashiyama Sayoko (Arashi) : A mysterious high school girl who works at the coffee shop "Ark." She has the ability to travel to the past by communicating with a boy.
• Yasaka Hajime : A first year junior high school student with a strong sense of justice who comes to his grandfather's house during his summer vacation.
• Kaya : A German exchange student who is a classmate of Arashi. She has the same ability as Arashi to travel to the past.
• Kamigamo Jun : A first year junior high school student living in Yokohama. He meets Yasaka on the Ark and becomes friends with him.
• Master : A notorious female con artist. Currently the master of the Ark.
• Sunglasses (Murata Hideo) : A mysterious large man who has been asked by someone to stalk Arashi. He is muscular and carries a Japanese sword.
• Fushimi Yayoi : A girl who lives in a Western-style mansion with Kanako. She stays shut up in the mansion and never goes out. Her hobby is reading.
• Kanako Yamazaki : A girl who lives with Yayoi in a Western-style house in Yokohama. She takes care of Yayoi's daily needs.

Production Staff

The series was produced by a talented team of people. Akiyuki Shinbo is the director, Katsuhiko Takayama is the series composer, Kazuhiro Ota is the character designer and chief animation director, Ken Sato is the music composer, and Yota Tsuruoka is the sound director. Shaft is in charge of animation, Ganges is in charge of production cooperation, and the series is produced by the "Natsu no Arashi! Production Committee."

Broadcast information

"Summer Storm! ~Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter~" was broadcast on the following stations.

• TV Tokyo: October 4, 2009 to December 27, 2009 (every Sunday 25:30 to 26:00)
• TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting: October 5, 2009 to January 4, 2010 (every Monday 26:53 to 27:23)
• TV Osaka: October 6, 2009 to January 5, 2010 (every Tuesday 26:05 to 26:35)
• TV Aichi: October 7, 2009 to December 28, 2009 (every Wednesday 25:28 to 25:58)
• TV Setouchi: October 8, 2009 to January 7, 2010 (Every Thursday 25:58 to 26:28)
• TV Hokkaido: October 9, 2009 to January 8, 2010 (Every Friday 26:00-26:30)
• AT-X: October 10, 2009 to January 2, 2010 (every Saturday 8:30 to 9:00)

episode

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: Summer Vacation (2009/10/04)
• Episode 2: Galandou (2009/10/11)
• Episode 3: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2009/10/18)
• Episode 4: Blue Rain (2009/10/25)
• Episode 5: Romantic is Unstoppable (2009/11/01)
• Episode 6: Jagged Heart Lullaby (2009/11/08)
• Episode 7: Crossing Amagi (2009/11/15)
• Episode 8: Computer Grandma (2009/11/22)
• Episode 9: Lonely Tropical Fish (2009/11/29)
• Episode 10: Showa Blues (2009/12/06)
• Episode 11: High School Lullaby (2009/12/13)
• Episode 12: Radar Man (2009/12/20)
• Episode 13: You are kiwi, papaya, and mango. (2009/12/27)

Theme songs and insert songs

The theme songs and insert songs for this work are as follows.

Opening Theme

• "Goodnight Paradox"
• Lyricist: Tika α
• Composition and Arrangement: Haruo Chikada
• Vocals: Yakushimaru Etsuko

Ending Theme

• "The Maiden's Order"
• Lyricist: Murano Chokkyu
• Composer: Mine Okada
• Arrangement: Masayoshi Soken
• Sung by: Arashiyama Sayoko (Shiraishi Ryoko), Kaya (Nazuka Kaori), Yayoi (Nonaka Ai), Kanako (Horie Yui)

• "A Summer Experience"
• Lyricist: Kazuya Chie
• Composer: Shunichi Tokura
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Arashiyama Sayoko (Shiraishi Ryoko)

• "Kirarifutari" (package version only)
• Lyricist: Goro Matsui
• Composer: Mine Okada
• Arrangement: Susumu Nishikawa
• Vocals: Ryoko Shiraishi

Insert song

• "HERO (The time to be a hero is now)"
• Lyrics and composition: Yoshihiro Kai
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Sunglasses (Yasumoto Hiroki)

• "The Secret Garden"
• Lyricist: Takashi Matsumoto
• Composer: Karuho Kureta
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Yayoi (Ai Nonaka)

• "Summer vacation"
• Lyrics and composition: Takuro Yoshida
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Hajime Yasaka (Yuko Sanpei)

• "Stranger"
• Lyrics and composition: Saki Kubota
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Kanako (Yui Horie)

• "Playback Part 1"
• Lyricist: Yoko Aki
• Composer: Koji Makaino
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Master (Hitomi Nabatame)

• "Blue Rain"
• Lyricist: Tomoko Miura
• Composer: Junko Yagami
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Master (Hitomi Nabatame)

• "Full of memories"
• Lyricist: Yoko Aki
• Composer: Kisaburo Suzuki
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Hajime Yasaka (Yuko Sanpei)

• "Gyalandou"
• Lyrics and composition: Monta Yoshinori
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Sunglasses (Yasumoto Hiroki)

• "Do as you please."
• Lyricist: Yu Aku
• Composer: Katsuo Ohno
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Singer: Jun Kamigamo (Chiaki Omigawa)

• "Jagged Heart Lullaby"
• Lyricist: Yasushi Chika
• Composer: Hiroaki Serizawa
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Singer: Jun Kamigamo (Chiaki Omigawa)

• "Storm Song"
• Lyricist: Sumio Uetake
• Composer: Ruka Kawada
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Arashiyama Sayoko (Shiraishi Ryoko)

• "Lonely Tropical Fish"
• Lyricist: Nemuko Oikawa
• Composer: Masaya Ozeki
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Yayoi & Kanako (Ai Nonaka & Yui Horie)

• "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time"
• Lyrics and composition: Yumi Matsutoya
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Arashiyama Sayoko, Kaya, Yayoi, Kanako

• "Sailor Suit and Machine Gun"
• Lyricist: Etsuko Kisugi
• Composer: Takao Kisugi
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Arashiyama Sayoko (Shiraishi Ryoko)

• "Romantic never stops"
• Lyricist: Takashi Matsumoto
• Composer: Kyohei Tsutsumi
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Kanako (Yui Horie)

• "Computer Grandma"
• Lyrics and composition: Ryoichi Ito
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Yayoi (Ai Nonaka)

• "Showa Blues"
• Lyricist: Michio Yamagami
• Composer: Masaru Sato
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Sunglasses (Yasumoto Hiroki)

• "Crossing Amagi"
• Lyricist: Osamu Yoshioka
• Composer: Tetsuya Gen
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Kaya (Kaori Nazuka)

• "Playback Part 2"
• Lyricist: Yoko Aki
• Composer: Ryudo Uzaki
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Kaya (Kaori Nazuka)

• "Radar Man"
• Lyricist: Osamu Takahashi
• Composer: Toshiro Izumi
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Vocals: Yoshimi Anamori (Yu Kobayashi)

• "High School Lullaby"
• Lyricist: Takashi Matsumoto
• Composer: Haruomi Hosono
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Shioya feat. Yamashiro Takeshi & Jyugoru Kazuo (Tomokazu Sugita)

• "You guys are kiwi, papaya, and mango."
• Lyrics and composition: Meiko Nakahara
• Arrangement: Hidetake Yamamoto
• Sung by: Arashiyama Sayoko & Kaya (Shiraishi Ryoko & Nazuka Kaori)

review

"Summer Storm! ~Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter~" is a comedy anime that skillfully incorporates the fantasy element of time travel. Director Akiyuki Shinbo's unique direction and Shaft's distinctive animation combine to create a visually enjoyable work. In particular, the episode that utilizes a time travel to the past is both nostalgic and fresh, and has the power to draw viewers in.

The characters are also charming, and the relationship between Arashi and Yasaka is at the heart of the story, with many touching scenes showing their growth and deepening bond. In addition, unique characters such as Sunglasses and the Master add color to the story, providing both laughs and emotions.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. The opening theme "Good Night Paradox" is a perfect match between Etsuko Yakushimaru's unique singing voice and Haruo Chikada's composition, further enhancing the atmosphere of the work. In addition, the famous Showa era songs used as insert songs also effectively express the background of the story and the feelings of the characters.

Recommendation

"Summer Storm! ~Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter~" is a work that combines the fantasy element of time leap, comedy, and moving drama. It is especially recommended for those who like Director Akiyuki Shinbo's unique direction and Shaft's animation, those who want to enjoy famous Showa era music, and those who like stories that depict the growth of characters and the deepening of bonds. In addition, the original manga is also very interesting, so it is also recommended to read the original after watching the anime.

This is a perfect film to watch at the end of summer, and will surely provide viewers with unforgettable summer memories.