Everything You Need to Know About Waiting in the Summer#
If you are looking for a story that blends the nostalgia of summer break with a touch of the supernatural, Waiting in the Summer (also known as Ano Natsu de Matteru) is a compelling choice. The series follows Kaito Kirishima, a boy who finds himself caught in a mysterious explosion while testing his 8mm camera. As he navigates his school life and attempts to make a movie with friends—including the mysterious Remon Yamano and the newcomer Ichika Takatsuki—he discovers that his summer is about to become far more exciting than he ever imagined.
If you’re ready to dive in, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
For those wondering if they can get a complete experience through the animation alone, the answer is yes. The series consists of the original television run and a subsequent sequel produced as an Original Video Animation (OVA).
Because the anime includes both the main series and a sequel to wrap up the narrative, viewers can feel confident in committing to the watch without feeling an immediate need to jump into source materials to find a conclusion. However, if you want to explore the world further, you can always buy the manga or light novel to see how the story is handled in print.
What to Expect: Themes and Appeal#
Waiting in the Summer is a genre-bending series that mixes comedy, drama, romance, and science fiction. It is best suited for audiences who enjoy:
- School-Life Romances: The story centers on the dynamics of a small film crew and the complicated “love polygon” that develops among the students.
- Sci-Fi Mysteries: The inclusion of aliens and the mysterious explosion that starts the plot adds a layer of intrigue to the otherwise grounded school setting.
- Atmospheric Storytelling: The focus on filmmaking and the specific setting of summer break gives the show a distinct, nostalgic mood.
Fans of the series often enjoy collecting memorabilia to remember the summer vibes; you can buy merchandise here.
Recommended Watch Order#
Navigating the releases of Waiting in the Summer is straightforward, as the chronological and release orders are the same.
Release and Chronological Order#
- Waiting in the Summer (TV Series): This is where the story begins, establishing the characters and the central mystery.
- Waiting in the Summer (OVA/Sequel): Released in 2014, this serves as the sequel to the original series.
Completionist Order#
For those who want every single piece of content, the order remains the same: start with the 2012 series and conclude with the 2014 OVA. You can refer to the relationship tree provided on this page to see exactly how the sequel connects to the main series.
For Source Material Readers#
If you are someone who doesn’t mind supplementing the anime with the original written works, we recommend watching the TV series first, then reading the manga/light novels, and finally watching the OVA to see the animated conclusion.
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Waiting in the Summer • anime • 2012-01-09 to 2012-03-26
└─(sequel)→ Waiting in the Summer • anime • 2014-08-29
