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Short animated drama

Summer Ghost (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Summer Ghost (2021) movie poster

Summer Ghost is a 2021 short animated drama directed by Loundraw, starring Chiaki Kobayashi as Tomoya Sugisaki (voice), Miyuri Shimabukuro and Rina Kawaei. It runs 40 minutes. Its Echo Score is 70/100.

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Summer Ghost (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
40 min
Director
Loundraw
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Summer Ghost About?

The premise of Summer Ghost without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A local urban legend claims that setting off fireworks at an abandoned airfield will summon the "summer ghost," a spirit capable of answering any question. Drawn by their own personal reasons, three teenagers – Tomoya, Aoi, and Ryo – venture to the airfield. When the ghost, Ayane, appears, she reveals herself to be visible only to those facing their mortality. Intrigued and compelled by Ayane's message, Tomoya begins frequenting the airfield to discover the true reason for her appearances.

Summer Ghost Themes & Keywords

· 33 tags
  • ghost
  • coming of age
  • suicide
  • bullying
  • teenager
  • fireworks
  • japanese animation
  • anime animation
  • supernatural drama
  • reference to suicide
  • season in title
  • female protagonist
+21 more
  • afterlife
  • supernatural fantasy
  • found family
  • teen fantasy
  • coming of age drama
  • supernatural power
  • mixed media
  • primarily teen cast
  • male protagonist
  • heterosexual
  • two protagonists
  • self exploration
  • urban legend
  • journey
  • living one's life to the fullest
  • spirit
  • summer the season
  • questions
  • teen drama
  • setting off fireworks
  • hand drawn animation
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Cast & crew

Summer Ghost Cast & Characters

Chiaki Kobayashi leads the cast as Tomoya Sugisaki (voice), with Miyuri Shimabukuro as Aoi Harukawa (voice) and Rina Kawaei as Ayane Sato (voice). Directed by Loundraw; 4 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Loundraw

More films directed by Loundraw: Tentai Kansoku, Proof of Us, A Star So Close and Distant and Before you wake up.

Full filmography
Ratings

Summer Ghost Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).

70 /100

Summer Ghost Echo Score Breakdown

Summer Ghost offers a visually impressive and emotionally affecting experience, anchored by high‑quality animation and a poignant premise. However, the 40‑minute runtime limits narrative depth, leading to rushed storytelling and underdeveloped character arcs. Reviewers consistently praise the art and soundtrack while noting pacing issues. The net impression is a beautiful yet incomplete short that resonates emotionally but leaves the story feeling unfinished.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the animation is frequently described as top‑notch, with vibrant colors, detailed backgrounds, and a striking visual style. Reviewers commend the overall production design and the beauty of the frames. Editing receives mixed remarks, being called sharp but occasionally confusing. Overall, the visual execution is strong, though minor editing flaws prevent a flawless rating.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When evaluating character and emotion, critics note relatable, endearing personalities and nuanced performances that evoke genuine feeling. Voice acting is deemed decent, and the protagonists’ emotional journeys are highlighted. Yet, the short duration hampers deeper development, leaving some relationships feeling flat. The balance of solid character concepts with limited growth yields a moderately positive assessment.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, the premise and themes are praised as moving and original, but the pacing suffers from the concise runtime. Reviewers describe the narrative as rushed, with insufficient time for backstory and plot resolution. Ambiguities and an incomplete arc diminish coherence, resulting in a mixed but generally underwhelming impression of the storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    The sensory experience receives strong commendation, with the soundtrack noted for haunting melodies that complement the mood. Sound design effectively heightens tension, and the visual style remains cohesive throughout. Reviewers consistently label the music and audio as emotionally resonant, reinforcing the film’s impact. This aspect stands out as a clear strength of the short.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch factor is moderate; the film’s beauty and emotional core encourage at least one additional viewing for many viewers. However, the limited length and unresolved narrative reduce long‑term replay appeal. While some audiences may revisit for the animation and music, the lack of story depth curtails broader rewatch enthusiasm.

Plot

Summer Ghost Plot Summary

What happens in Summer Ghost from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Three high school students, Tomoya Sugisaki, Aoi Harukawa, and Ryō Kobayashi, connected by a thread of online chatter, set out to test a whispered legend: the “Summer Ghost” who supposedly appears at night on an abandoned airfield when fireworks blaze overhead. The eerie rumor becomes reality when a pale figure materializes under the glow of the night sky, revealing herself as a young woman named Ayane Sato. Ayane explains a chilling condition—she can only be seen by people who have already reached toward death in some form.

Full summary

The whole story of Summer Ghost, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Summer Ghost Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Summer Ghost.

SUMMER GHOST | Official Trailer - On Blu-ray & Digital
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Summer Ghost?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the ghost legend the three students investigate?

Cars

Cars in Summer Ghost

5 cars on screen, including the Toyota unknown and the unknown.

All 5 cars
  • Toyota unknown in Summer Ghost Toyota unknown Minor role
  • unknown in Summer Ghost unknown Minor role
  • 2018 Audi A7 Sportback C8 in Summer Ghost 2018 Audi A7 Sportback C8 Background role
  • 2017 Jeep Compass in Summer Ghost 2017 Jeep Compass Background role
Details

Summer Ghost Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “夏日幻魂” and “夏日幽灵”.

Also known as
  • 夏日幻魂
  • 夏日幽灵
  • 썸머 고스트
  • ซัมเมอร์โกสต์
  • サマーゴースト
  • Fantasma de Verano
  • 夏日幽靈
  • Летний призрак
  • Літній привид
  • Letní duch
  • روح تابستان
  • Vasaros vaiduoklis
+2 more
  • רוח הקיץ
  • Bóng Ma Mùa Hè

Seen Summer Ghost?

FAQ

Summer Ghost FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Summer Ghost, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Summer Ghost?

Summer Ghost runs 40 minutes.

When was Summer Ghost released?

Summer Ghost was released on November 12, 2021.

Who directed Summer Ghost?

Summer Ghost was directed by Loundraw.

More films by Loundraw

Who is in the cast of Summer Ghost?

Summer Ghost stars Chiaki Kobayashi as Tomoya Sugisaki (voice), Miyuri Shimabukuro as Aoi Harukawa (voice) and Rina Kawaei as Ayane Sato (voice), among 4 credited actors.

Does Summer Ghost have a post-credit scene?

No. Summer Ghost has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Summer Ghost in?

The original language of Summer Ghost is Japanese.

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