After an absolute classic episode that can be expected to stand the test of time for a while, Summer Time Render Episode 16 has the unfortunate task of following up on that. Was it up to the challenge? Let’s find out in this review!
Summer Time Render Episode 16 Overview
Summer Time Render is the latest anime by the Anime Studio OLM, previously known for producing critically and commercially acclaimed anime like Komi Can’t Communicate and Odd Taxi. Ayumu Watanabe directs the series, a director whose career so far has been intrinsically linked with OLM, having previously directed Komi Can’t Communicate and Space Brothers for the studio. The anime is based on a manga written by Yasunori Tanaka.
The series is also referred to as Summer time Rendering or Summertime Render, making this episode’s name also be Summer Time Rendering Episode 16 and Summertime Render Episode 16. You can read our review of the previous episode of this show right here!
– Summertime Rendering Episode 16 Review does not contain spoilers –
Summer Time Render Episode 16 Review- Plans Fail
Some say the best part of the last episode was how competent the humans actually were and how soon they adapted to the danger put in front of them, utilised everything they had learned so far, and put on a defence which almost killed off the shadows altogether, let alone get them to retreat and lick their wounds. Had it not been something else out of their realm of knowledge (exactly how powerful Haine actually was), they would have even won right then and there. It showcased, for once, that they finally had a chance in this battle for their existence.
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While this was undoubtedly a tremendous series of events, I’d still say this wasn’t the best part of the episode. The best thing that happened was us breaking through that cycle of Shinpei dying, learning more about countering the shadows, and then dying again. That defence meant that, for once, Haine didn’t know what Shinpei’s next steps were going to be, taking us through a pathway different than the ones we had been going to all this time. The protagonists are still just two days away from their island being destroyed, but they have more tools in hand now, including Shadow Mio.
Being able to secure her at the end of the previous episode was perhaps the biggest advantage they gained from that battle. Not only is she extraordinarily powerful, even for a shadow, but she was also expected to deliver them with important intel. That led to another fact about shadows becoming a useful piece of knowledge for the main characters, which they were able to use to great success in this very episode. The series is very careful with the amount of information it chooses to reveal about the universe, and it works out for the best every time.
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Also heavily involved this time was the plot thread surrounding Sou, Tokiko, and their dad, who made a deal with the devil so that he could be together with his wife once again. That was an interesting side to explore in any case, but where the show went with him was fantastic, and the lengths people go just to see their loved ones for a little while longer was a startling realisation. There were twists and turns here as well, the kind that has become the show’s speciality after all this time.
As we learn more about Haine’s past, she is turning out to be a far more compelling character than we assumed earlier. There is a lot more to her and Shide than just being random villains who want to destroy an island for the sake of chaos. Somehow, Shinpei and the Kofunes share a much higher involvement than we knew. The show’s final act has begun, and it looks to be just as high quality as the previous acts. There were subtle character moments that enhanced this episode, and Mio, Shinpei, and Ushio are all getting treated very well by the show.
Verdict
Summer Time Render Episode 16 was an emotional and action-packed outing that was able to showcase how well the show’s storytelling abilities have matured and how much better off the world is because of that.
Click here to read the review of the next episode!