The manifestation of greed is greedy for power? Say it ain’t so! Summer Time Render Episode 23 sees Ushio and Shinpei go up against Shide in a high-stakes battle. Let’s see who comes out on top in this review!
Summer Time Render Episode 23 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 23 and Summertime Render Episode 23. You can read our review of the previous episode of this show right here!
– Summertime Rendering Episode 23 Review does not contain spoilers –
Summer Time Render Episode 23 Review- The Other World
The show is extremely close to its end. If the episode number didn’t clue you in, you could also check out the contents of this episode. You see, there has been a trend in mostly shonen anime which sees them head off to separate, pocket dimensions to carry out their final confrontations. Not only does it give the show a fresh, possibly cooler environment to end things on, it also helps reduce the collateral damage if the actual world is never in danger. Only if the hero wins, of course. Something like that did also happen in this episode, although it was something plot-related and not random.
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Speaking of being plot related, we have reached the point where everything that happens in the show reminds us of what the show did to set it up fifteen episodes ago. That can only be a sign of good writing: every minute detail of your endgame has been set up through careful planning and forewarning. Despite some of what happens looking random at first, once you stop and think about it, you get reminded of the one plot point that you didn’t think was going to be relevant but ended up being one of the most important things in the show.
A very good example of that is the Hizuru and Ryuunosuke plotline, alongside Hizuru’s friendship with Haine. That plotline drew criticism at the time for not making it immediately clear why Haine turned on Hizuru like that, but the show had been saving that reveal for the latest episode. Not only that, but both Hizuru and Ryuunosuke are far from just being side characters who both die so the main characters can win. They are still playing an extremely important role in the series, something I did not expect when Hizuru died a few episodes back.
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Shide is another element that the show was suspiciously coy about all this time, but still dropping hints left and right about his true goal. Calling him the embodiment of greed, giving him a horrific backstory, and telling us directly or indirectly that his evil might surpass Haine’s. In fact, Haine might not be evil at all. She does want to kill hundreds of people who become strong enough to return to her world, but even if that’s horrible, that isn’t irredeemable. Shide, however, might be a different beast altogether.
There was a lot to love about this episode. The animation was fantastic, especially the colouring used in nearly all of Ushio’s frames. The music and the cold-start were tremendous and really set the tone for what was to be an extraordinarily high-paced and frantic episode. Everything, from the conversations, to the plot reveals, to the action, showcased significant effort and planning, and the patience and expectations of all the fans have been paying off big time. This really is a show for the ages.
Verdict
Summer Time Render Episode 23 was a phenomenal episode that took you back to some of the earliest hints the show ever dropped and made it seem like the entire experience was worth it.