Summer Ghost: A Beautiful Goodbye in 40 Minutes

Every once in a while, an anime shows up out of nowhere and leaves you speechless, "Summer Ghost" was one of them for me. I watched “Summer Ghost” the day it was released online. I had seen the trailer on YouTube a few months earlier, and something about the quiet tone and soft colors pulled me in. Other than that, I didn’t know anything no reviews, no summaries, not even who made it. I just pressed play, thinking it might be a nice little story to pass some time. But by the end, I was quietly sitting in the desk, thinking about life, death, and the strange warmth that can come from saying goodbye. It surprised me in a way few anime movie have. And in just 40 minutes, it became one of the best short anime movies I’ve ever seen.

Tittle	Episodes	Year	MAL	IMDB
Summer Ghost	1	2021	7.91	7.4

What is Summer Ghost About?

“Summer Ghost” is a short anime film directed by loundraw, who is mostly known for his artwork in other projects like “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas” and “Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song” This time, he directed and created something deeply personal. The story follows three high school students Tomoya, Aoi, and Ryou who meet one summer night to find the “Summer Ghost,” a spirit said to appear when fireworks are lit in a specific place.

Each of them has a reason to search for her. Tomoya feels stuck, forced into a life path he didn’t choose. Aoi is bullied at school and feels invisible. Ryo is facing something much darker. All of them are carrying something heavy. But that night, the ghost appears, things begin to change.

The ghost, Ayane, is not a monster or a scary presence. She’s calm. Sad. Kind. She doesn’t answer every question. She doesn’t fix their lives. But she gives them something rare time. A short moment to think, to feel, and to speak with someone who understands what it means to be gone.

Why It Hit So Hard

When I first started the film, I expected something slow or abstract. But the pacing is tight. It never wastes a second. And the emotions hit fast. It felt like someone telling you a story on a long train ride. Short, but real. The characters don’t talk in big speeches. They say things you might hear from someone sitting next to you in school. Things like, “I don’t know what I want,” or “No one sees me.” Simple, but heavy.

I think part of why this movie hit me so hard is because I didn’t expect it. I didn’t expect to sit still and reflect on things I don’t usually want to think about after watching this movie. I didn’t expect a 40-minute anime to say so much with so little. That’s what made it powerful. It doesn’t tell you what to feel. It just shows you people trying to figure things out.

The Art Style That Speaks Softly

If you’ve ever seen Flat Studio’s work, you know it’s beautiful. But “Summer Ghost” feels a bit different. The colors are soft, like memories. There’s this quiet beauty in every frame. You can tell how much care Flat Studio put into this. Fireworks lighting up the night sky. Reflections in puddles. The way characters look at each other without saying a word. The background score. It all feels gentle.

The animation isn’t flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s grounded, almost like a watercolor dream. Even the ghost doesn’t glow or float dramatically. She just… exists. Like someone who was once alive and still has something left to do.

A Short Movie That Stays With You

We’re used to anime that runs for 12 episodes, or movies that go for two hours. But “Summer Ghost” proves that you don’t need that much time to tell a powerful story. In fact, the short length works in its favor. It feels like a passing moment something you remember later, like a summer night that was important even if it didn’t last long.

One of the most beautiful moments for me was when Tomoya visits a museum with Ayane. The scene is calm and full of small details—soft light, the stillness, the quiet spaces, a feeling that time has slowed down. It felt peaceful, almost like the world paused just for them. Without saying too much, it showed how even brief connections can leave something meaningful behind.

When the credits rolled, I didn’t get up right away. I just sat there, thinking about my own life. The people I’ve lost. The choices I’ve made. And how sometimes, a goodbye doesn’t need to be loud or final. Sometimes, it’s just a small, soft moment that helps you move forward.

Is Summer Ghost Worth Watching?

Yes. A hundred times yes. If you’re someone who likes stories that feel real and raw, even if they’re quiet, then “Summer Ghost” is worth your time. If you’ve ever felt lost, or hurt, or just unsure of your future, this movie might speak to you. It won’t fix your problems. But it might make you feel less alone.

And if you’re like me—if you go in blind, expecting nothing—you might come out surprised. You might find yourself thinking about it days later, replaying certain scenes in your head. That’s what makes it one of the best short anime films out there. Not because it’s flashy or complex, but because it’s honest.

Final thoughts 

“Summer Ghost” is a goodbye letter wrapped in quiet fireworks and soft voices. It talks about death, but it’s really about living. About pain, but also about hope. It doesn’t shout. It whispers. And somehow, that whisper stays with you long after it ends.

I went into it thinking it would just be another short anime. I came out with a full heart and a mind full of memories. If that’s not a beautiful goodbye, I don’t know what is. I wish more people would watch it.