Summer Pockets: Rewinding to a Simpler Era of Visual Novel Anime

I’m an unabashed fan of the classic anime series based on visual novels by Key. These iconic series, specifically Kanon, Air, and Clannad, were considered the peak of anime storytelling at the time. Now this fun era is back, with Summer Pockets, an anime based on the 2018 Key visual novel of the same name. Let’s see if it’s worth your time!

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Summer Pockets intro movie

Party Like It’s 2005 with Summer Pockets

When I start a new series, I always do so with a blank slate, not even reading Wikipedia or MAL to see what the show is based on. When I started Summer Pockets, it took me only a few minutes to understand that this was an anime based on a visual novel by Key, the legendary company that brought us Kanon, Air, Clannad, and Little Busters. Will Summer Pockets hold a candle to those great VN-based anime series of the past?

It’s looking good so far. Although not animated by Kyoto Animation — it’s being headed by Feel, who brought us Oregairu, Da Capo, and Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai! — the animation is solid and the characters are vivid. And I’m loving the feels that will surely be coming as the show unfolds.

The History of Nakige

The term nakige means “crying game” and describes a visual novel with a story so intense that it can reduce fans to tears as they experience the story’s crescendo. These games aren’t just about experiencing deep emotion, but coming out on the other side to a more peaceful place. The first modern nakige was Key’s Kanon in 1999. Originally adapted into a poorly received short series in 2002, it was then beautifully remade by Kyoto Animation as Kanon 2006.

This era of visual-novel-to-anime adaptations was even more amazing because most of the games were 18+ eroge titles for adults. It must have made the heads of casual anime fans back then spin, to learn that some of the most well-regarded and emotional anime were based on “porn” games.

There are several similar labels for visual novels. Nukige (ヌキゲー) describes sex-focused VNs where the focus is on, er, getting off quickly. Utsuge (鬱ゲー) have deliciously dark, bleak stories, like Saya no Uta or certain arcs of Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni. Chunige (中二ゲー）are games that appeal to immature power fantasies that someone with chuunibyo (“8th-grader’s disease”) might have. Otomege are VNs that focus on a female protagonist, sometimes with some interesting sexual dynamics. Kusoge would be a “shit game,” i.e. any game you hate.

Want another jolt of old-timey visual novel-based anime? Read my review of Atri: My Dear Moments next!

A Cute Harem of Damaged Girls

Hairi Takahara has come to Torishirojima, an island with a population of 2,000. After some bad experiences in the past, he’s come to spend the summer on the island taking care of his grandmother’s possessions after her death. On the island, he meets several cute but quirky girls, each with some supernatural issue they’re struggling with. Can Hairi help each girl find her way?

Naruse Shiroha is a girl with a curse

First up is Naruse Shiroha, a mysterious girl who keeps to herself, preferring to swim alone late at night. She has the ability to see the future of the people she encounters, so she tries to keep from getting close to anyone. Can Hairi find a way to fix Naruse’s problem?

Umi Katou, the kawaii cousin from Summer Pockets

Hairi lives with his aunt Kyoko and his second cousin, Umi Katou. Umi is very much the Kud Wafter of the series, the loli who’s so cute, you can’t resist the urge to protect her every time she’s on screen. I wonder what deep secret she’s hiding?

Ao Sorakado loves Blue Hawaii shaved ice, but not on her butt

Then there’s Ao Sorakado, a spicy tsundere with a penchant for sleeping anywhere and anytime. She loves Blue Hawaii-flavored shaved ice (though preferably not on her butt). She’s trying to awaken her comatose twin sister, Ai.

Kamome Kushima loves her suitcase

Then there’s Kamome Kushima, a mysterious girl who walks all around the island dragging a large suitcase. It seems she’s on an adventure, seeking a treasure hidden somewhere on the island. A pirate ship may be involved!

Tsumugi Wenders is searching for something

Finally, there’s Tsumugi Wenders, a half-German, half-Japanese girl who came to the island to “find what she wants to do with her life.” What unique supernatural story will she have for us?

Is the Era of VN-Based Anime Back?

I’m certainly glad to have a new anime based on a Key visual novel to watch, and just maybe, cry about. Jun Maeda is the master visual novel writer who brought us Kanon, Air, Clannad, as well as anime-only works like Charlotte and Angel Beats. While Maeda is credited with creating the core concept for the game the anime is based on, and does some music composition, the actual VN was written by three other writers with the company who have contributed to past VNs as assistant scenario writers.

Thanks for reading this blog post about the new Summer Pockets anime, which I highly recommend if you’ve ever cried while watching any anime series based on visual novels by Key.

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