Waiting in the Summer
A warm, romantic slice-of-life anime about a group of high school friends navigating an eventful summer together, grounded in genuine emotional connection despite its sci-fi premise.
While testing out his camera on a bridge one summer night, Kaito sees a blue light streaking across the sky, only to be blown off the railing seconds later. Just before succumbing to unconsciousness, a hand reaches down to grab ahold of his own. He woke up the next morning wondering how he ended up back in his own room with no injuries or any recollection of the night before. As he proceeds with his normal school life, Kaito and his friends discuss what to do with his camera, finally deciding to make a film with it over the summer break. Noticing that Kaito has an interest in the new upperclassmen Ichika Takatsuki, his friend Tetsurou decides to invite her, as well as her friend Remon Yamano, to join them in their project. In what becomes one of the most entertaining and exciting summers of their lives, Kaito and his friends find that their time spent together is not just about creating a film, but something much more meaningful that will force them to confront their true feelings.
Where to watch
Not available in United States — it streams in other countries.
Questions people ask
Does Waiting in the Summer leave you hopeful? Yes, very. More hopeful than 92% of series.
Is Waiting in the Summer violent? Barely. Less violent than 89% of series.
Is Waiting in the Summer easy watching? Yes. More comforting than 86% of series.
Is Waiting in the Summer scary? Barely. Less frightening than 76% of series.
Is Waiting in the Summer sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Familiar shape, done well.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Like Waiting in the Summer
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Waiting in the Summer
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Waiting in the Summer, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Waiting in the Summer, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Waiting in the Summer, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
