Being A Disney+ Exclusive Ruined This Anime’s Popularity

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Being A Disney+ Exclusive Ruined This Anime's Popularity

Key Takeaways

  • Exclusive to Disney+, SummerTime Rendering missed US audiences due to limited availability and lack of accessibility.
  • The anime’s unique blend of crime drama, time travel, and sci-fi elements offers a captivating and visually stunning experience.
  • SummerTime Rendering’s rewatch value lies in its unpredictable plot twists, foreshadowing, and immersive world-building.

As a seasoned gamer and anime enthusiast who’s seen it all, I must say that Summer Time Rendering left me utterly bewildered. Here we have an anime with an intriguing blend of crime drama, time travel, and sci-fi elements that promises to be a visual masterpiece, yet it’s exclusive to Disney+, which was only available in Japan at the time of its release, effectively making it a ghost in the US. It’s like finding a hidden treasure map, but you can’t find the X that marks the spot!

WARNING: The following article contains minor spoilers for Summer Time Rendering.

Streaming an anime exclusively on a particular platform can significantly impact its success or failure. For instance, on platforms such as Netflix, anime often thrives; shows like Dandadan, Beastars, and Dorohedoro are merely a few examples of the numerous Netflix exclusives that skyrocketed in popularity due to their ease of access and high-quality content. However, history demonstrates that anime confined by exclusivity on a streaming platform often fade into obscurity. Regrettably, this seems to be the fate of the supernatural crime drama Summer Time Rendering.

Despite sparking spin-offs, live actions, games, and escape rooms in Japan, it appears American viewers have yet to discover “Summer Time Rendering,” despite its timing coinciding with the peak popularity of true crime content, a genre the anime shares themes with. But why did this dark, beautifully animated series go unnoticed? The answer lies in its exclusivity to Disney+, a relatively new streaming platform at the time in Japan, which only had rights to stream “Summer Time Rendering” in a limited number of countries, excluding the US, until a year after the show’s initial release. This article encourages anime enthusiasts to revisit the series before it slips into obscurity.

What Is Summer Time Rendering About?

Doctor Who Has Nothing On These Time Loops

Being A Disney+ Exclusive Ruined This Anime's Popularity

Summer Time Rendering” delves into the tale of Shinpei Ajiro, who goes back to his hometown for the funeral of his childhood friend Ushio. Although her death was reported as drowning, Shinpei encounters whispers about mysterious neck marks suggesting she might have been strangled instead. This enigma sets him on a journey uncovering secrets, peculiar events, and old legends that seem to be more than just tales he heard as a kid. The narrative takes a twist as Shinpei dies and is resurrected at the start of each day, repeating the same day over again whenever he perishes – much like “Re:Zero,” but without the fantastical elements of another world travel.

“Don’t forget to find me”

In the immersive world of “Summer Time Rendering”, I often find myself questioning who’s real and who’s not. These enigmatic beings, known as Shadows, have a knack for disguising themselves as humans by absorbing their energy and memories. It’s quite unsettling to ponder over the true identities of the series characters, as anyone could potentially be a Shadow. The chilling leader of these mimics is gradually amassing power with the aim of dominating the island that once was my cherished childhood home, Shinpei’s. This intriguing plot twist keeps me on the edge of my seat, eager to uncover more about these mysterious beings and their impact on the storyline.

So Why Should You Watch It?

This Time-Traveling Crime Drama Is Worth the 24-episode RunBeing A Disney+ Exclusive Ruined This Anime's Popularity

“In a league of its own among crime dramas, ‘Summer Time Rendering’ offers an extraordinary take on the genre. At first glance, it might seem similar to ‘Erased’, another crime drama with time-warping aspects. However, whereas ‘Erased’ primarily focuses on the criminal event itself, ‘Summer Time Rendering’ explores time travel and science fiction elements to construct its main storylines and develop a one-of-a-kind universe through the series’ antagonists. The narrative immerses viewers in an intricately designed world that seamlessly blends small-town folklore with extraterrestrial beings and combats, creating a distinctive atmosphere seldom found in other anime.

One standout feature is the animation, which is vibrant, intricate, and evocative of its namesake season – summer. The visual aesthetic of Summer Time Rendering bears a striking resemblance to that of Violet Evergarden, with this likeness consistently maintained at a high quality throughout the series. Unique visual elements specific to a supernatural time loop crime drama enhance this, providing an exceptional visual journey that keeps even the slower moments engaging, and helps immerse viewers in the anime’s world. Backdropped by the picturesque scenery of rural Japan, Summer Time Rendering offers animation so captivating that it could be worth watching alone. However, there are many other compelling aspects to the show as well.

Being A Disney+ Exclusive Ruined This Anime's PopularityBeing A Disney+ Exclusive Ruined This Anime's PopularityBeing A Disney+ Exclusive Ruined This Anime's PopularityBeing A Disney+ Exclusive Ruined This Anime's Popularity

This story is so captivating that it’s worth watching multiple times due to an unusual factor. The blend of unexpected twists and turns common in time-travel narratives with a gritty, authentic crime drama gives the narrative unexpected depth, making it hard to guess where the story will lead next. Even the most surprising plot twists have subtle foreshadowing that, upon rewatch, become glaringly apparent, despite their initial shock.

In contrast to many anime series, which are not designed for repeated viewing, once you’ve watched their storyline, most great anime become either nostalgic or comfort re-watches. However, Summer Time Rendering offers something distinct when viewed a second time, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the show.

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2024-12-11 22:36