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サマーゴースト = Summer Ghost
“サマーゴースト”という幽霊が現れるという。
夏、使われなくなった飛行場、花火をすると、彼女は姿を現すらしい。自殺した女性の幽霊なのではないかという噂だ。
ネットを通じて知り合った高校生、友也・あおい・涼。3人は“サマーゴースト”を探すために集まった。
3人は幽霊に聞いてみたかった。“死ぬって、どんな気持ちですか？”それを聞くべき理由が、3人にはあったのだ――。
夏、使われなくなった飛行場、花火をすると、彼女は姿を現すらしい。自殺した女性の幽霊なのではないかという噂だ。
ネットを通じて知り合った高校生、友也・あおい・涼。3人は“サマーゴースト”を探すために集まった。
3人は幽霊に聞いてみたかった。“死ぬって、どんな気持ちですか？”それを聞くべき理由が、3人にはあったのだ――。
160 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2021
21 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Otsuichi
85 books722 followersOtsuichi (乙一, Otsuichi?), also known as Eiichi Nakata and Asako Yamashiro, is the pen-name of Hirotaka Adachi (安達 寛高), born 1978.
He is a Japanese writer, mostly of horror short stories. He made his debut with Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse while still in high school.
Major works include the novel Goth, which was made into a manga, and the short story collection Zoo, which was made into a movie.
Tokyopop has released his short story collection Calling You, and will release Goth in November. His short story F-Sensei's Pocket appears in the English language edition of Faust.
Associated Names:
* Otsuichi
* 乙一 (Japanese Profile)
* โอตสึ อิจิ (Thai Profile)
He is a Japanese writer, mostly of horror short stories. He made his debut with Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse while still in high school.
Major works include the novel Goth, which was made into a manga, and the short story collection Zoo, which was made into a movie.
Tokyopop has released his short story collection Calling You, and will release Goth in November. His short story F-Sensei's Pocket appears in the English language edition of Faust.
Associated Names:
* Otsuichi
* 乙一 (Japanese Profile)
* โอตสึ อิจิ (Thai Profile)
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 5, 2025
“Far off in the distance, the skies overhead had begun to fade from black into a deep navy blue. It was that most fragile time of night, just before the first rays of morning light crept up over the horizon, and for a moment, I could almost see her there with us — that pale, fleeting specter I once knew.”
Beautifully written, laced with understanding and empathy, with heartrending moments scattered throughout, this is the kind of story never forgotten by any reader, and held dear in memory. If the premise has put you off, thinking it wouldn’t be your type of book, you may be in for quite a change of heart once you read it.
Summer Ghost is one of those “light” Japanese novels that is deceptively not light at all. While the subject matter of three teens who, for varied reasons, are all planning on ending their lives, might seem maudlin and depressing, it is tender and resonating, with a narrative both involving, exciting, and sad. But it is also uplifting, and dare I say it about a Japanese light novel concerning three young people making plans to end it all — life-affirming. Yes, you read that correctly.
Hirotaka Adachi has captured in his three protagonists something relatable and real, and endearing. His greatest achievement here in this light novel however, is showing how difficult a period this is for young people, and the aspects of life which at that age, can make their lives seem unbearable.
Ryo-kun is dying and can’t stop it. He feels cheated by life, and wants to end it on his own terms before things become so terrible that he has no say.
Aoi-san is a sweet and gentle, sensitive young girl who is so bullied at school that she has become mostly truant, and spends most of her days alone.
Tomoya-kun, through whose eyes we are told the story of that summer, has what at first appears to be a much less substantive reason — he is simply already tired of life. His reasons become more relatable however as we learn of the tremendous academic pressure being placed on him by his mother, and worse, her harsh attitude toward his artistic drawings, and aspirations, which is the one thing he loves most in life.
Aoi-San’s parents seem a non-factor, not even caring enough to worry about her constant truancy. Tomoya-kun’s father is no longer with his mother, and is Catholic.
They meet in a chat room and their friendship and purpose begins. There is much here from Tomoya-kun that seems bitter in regard to God, His existence, whether there is a hereafter, whether he owes his life to anyone other than himself, and it rings true from the struggling teens, who don’t yet have any answers. In the case of Ryo, he may not have time to discover the answers anyway.
Because none of the three want to leave this mortal coil without at least a glimpse of what might lie beyond, they decide to find out if all the stories about the Summer Ghost are indeed true. She supposedly killed herself, and is rumored to appear at the old abandoned airfield only during summer, and only when you light fireworks
We learn a little about Oban, the Japanese Festival of the Dead, and how it relates to other such celebrations of the spirit world around the globe. The interactions of the kids, their matter-of-fact purpose, are all spot-on. Adachi makes us care about these three the more we get to know them, and we don’t want to let go of them.
“Perhaps the fireworks we lit here at the abandoned airfield had a similar but opposite effect for wandering souls like Ayane’s — a light to guide her safely down to the earth, like runway beacons for airplanes in the night.”
Ayane not only appears, but for the first time, she can interact with the living. The reason she can interact with them is a sobering one, which brings us back to the shared planned destiny of the three friends. They have questions for her, and Tomoya-kun begins to like her very much. This leads to a shocking revelation which contradicts the rumors. There is, after all, a reason Ayane is stuck between the layers of the afterlife. The reason is both heartbreaking and horrifying.
Helping her becomes all, leading to a thrilling, almost magical search that is as beautiful as it is gritty and resonating. I really can’t say any more without getting into true spoiler territory, nor can I tell you the fate of these three who, at least for the moment, remain among the living. I suspect however that most readers will get a bit misty-eyed toward the end of this story, and will be greatly surprised at the feelings and overall message of Summer Ghost.
Perhaps it is “just” a Japanese light novel, but Summer Ghost is also a moving and memorable story for both young and older adults. If you’re an older adult, wondering if this is an appropriate read for a teen or pre-teen, my suggestion would be to read it for yourself, then decide.
Perhaps Summer Ghost (the film and book) and its subject matter isn’t suited for some, while others regard it with as much affection as I now do. Summer Ghost is a book which is also art, just like the short anime film. The portrait painted so deceptively simple with words is just as moving and even more timeless. A kind of masterpiece within the Japanese light novel umbrella. Easily one of my most memorable reads for 2025.
Beautifully written, laced with understanding and empathy, with heartrending moments scattered throughout, this is the kind of story never forgotten by any reader, and held dear in memory. If the premise has put you off, thinking it wouldn’t be your type of book, you may be in for quite a change of heart once you read it.
Summer Ghost is one of those “light” Japanese novels that is deceptively not light at all. While the subject matter of three teens who, for varied reasons, are all planning on ending their lives, might seem maudlin and depressing, it is tender and resonating, with a narrative both involving, exciting, and sad. But it is also uplifting, and dare I say it about a Japanese light novel concerning three young people making plans to end it all — life-affirming. Yes, you read that correctly.
Hirotaka Adachi has captured in his three protagonists something relatable and real, and endearing. His greatest achievement here in this light novel however, is showing how difficult a period this is for young people, and the aspects of life which at that age, can make their lives seem unbearable.
Ryo-kun is dying and can’t stop it. He feels cheated by life, and wants to end it on his own terms before things become so terrible that he has no say.
Aoi-san is a sweet and gentle, sensitive young girl who is so bullied at school that she has become mostly truant, and spends most of her days alone.
Tomoya-kun, through whose eyes we are told the story of that summer, has what at first appears to be a much less substantive reason — he is simply already tired of life. His reasons become more relatable however as we learn of the tremendous academic pressure being placed on him by his mother, and worse, her harsh attitude toward his artistic drawings, and aspirations, which is the one thing he loves most in life.
Aoi-San’s parents seem a non-factor, not even caring enough to worry about her constant truancy. Tomoya-kun’s father is no longer with his mother, and is Catholic.
They meet in a chat room and their friendship and purpose begins. There is much here from Tomoya-kun that seems bitter in regard to God, His existence, whether there is a hereafter, whether he owes his life to anyone other than himself, and it rings true from the struggling teens, who don’t yet have any answers. In the case of Ryo, he may not have time to discover the answers anyway.
Because none of the three want to leave this mortal coil without at least a glimpse of what might lie beyond, they decide to find out if all the stories about the Summer Ghost are indeed true. She supposedly killed herself, and is rumored to appear at the old abandoned airfield only during summer, and only when you light fireworks
We learn a little about Oban, the Japanese Festival of the Dead, and how it relates to other such celebrations of the spirit world around the globe. The interactions of the kids, their matter-of-fact purpose, are all spot-on. Adachi makes us care about these three the more we get to know them, and we don’t want to let go of them.
“Perhaps the fireworks we lit here at the abandoned airfield had a similar but opposite effect for wandering souls like Ayane’s — a light to guide her safely down to the earth, like runway beacons for airplanes in the night.”
Ayane not only appears, but for the first time, she can interact with the living. The reason she can interact with them is a sobering one, which brings us back to the shared planned destiny of the three friends. They have questions for her, and Tomoya-kun begins to like her very much. This leads to a shocking revelation which contradicts the rumors. There is, after all, a reason Ayane is stuck between the layers of the afterlife. The reason is both heartbreaking and horrifying.
Helping her becomes all, leading to a thrilling, almost magical search that is as beautiful as it is gritty and resonating. I really can’t say any more without getting into true spoiler territory, nor can I tell you the fate of these three who, at least for the moment, remain among the living. I suspect however that most readers will get a bit misty-eyed toward the end of this story, and will be greatly surprised at the feelings and overall message of Summer Ghost.
Perhaps it is “just” a Japanese light novel, but Summer Ghost is also a moving and memorable story for both young and older adults. If you’re an older adult, wondering if this is an appropriate read for a teen or pre-teen, my suggestion would be to read it for yourself, then decide.
Perhaps Summer Ghost (the film and book) and its subject matter isn’t suited for some, while others regard it with as much affection as I now do. Summer Ghost is a book which is also art, just like the short anime film. The portrait painted so deceptively simple with words is just as moving and even more timeless. A kind of masterpiece within the Japanese light novel umbrella. Easily one of my most memorable reads for 2025.
August 24, 2024
Three high-school students, Tomoya, Aoi and Ryo, meet on a suicide message board and bond over their mutual plans to end their life. In the interest of proper preparation, they decide to gather some intel on the afterlife before committing the deed, by investigating the urban legend of a ghost that appears in an abandoned airfield during the summer.
Much to their surprise, they manage to actually talk to the ghost, and even strike up a heartwarming friendship with her, which eventually leads Ayane (the ghost) to open up about the circumstances of her death.
![](https://iili.io/dXTg9uS.md.png"%20width="350"%20alt="Tomoya,%20Ryo%20and%20Aoi%20lighting%20sparklers%20on%20the%20abandoned%20runway"%20/><br%20/><br%20/>There)
har-de-har) suicide feels like an incredibly difficult topic to tackle in a YA book geared for readers aged 13+. Then again, if we take away the protagonist's (often rather vague) desire to commit suicide, the message is actually quite heart-warming and wholesome. But every so often we get these sequences of Tomoya scoping out the proper building to jump from, which gives the reader the atmospheric equivalent of an unwelcome cold shower.
I guess a lot of it has to do with cultural aspects, specifically Japan's high suicide rate among teenagers, very uncomfortably coached in terms of rudely disrupting people's lives. I mean, on the one hand, it's obviously a given that you should not intentionally take innocent lives with you in death, but actually seeing Tomoya plan for it, felt extra creepy.
Score: 3/5 stars
The novella has a wholesome message, but delivers it in a far too simplistic manner, with way too much metaphorical drooling over fireworks.
Much to their surprise, they manage to actually talk to the ghost, and even strike up a heartwarming friendship with her, which eventually leads Ayane (the ghost) to open up about the circumstances of her death.
har-de-har) suicide feels like an incredibly difficult topic to tackle in a YA book geared for readers aged 13+. Then again, if we take away the protagonist's (often rather vague) desire to commit suicide, the message is actually quite heart-warming and wholesome. But every so often we get these sequences of Tomoya scoping out the proper building to jump from, which gives the reader the atmospheric equivalent of an unwelcome cold shower.I guess a lot of it has to do with cultural aspects, specifically Japan's high suicide rate among teenagers, very uncomfortably coached in terms of rudely disrupting people's lives. I mean, on the one hand, it's obviously a given that you should not intentionally take innocent lives with you in death, but actually seeing Tomoya plan for it, felt extra creepy.
Score: 3/5 stars
The novella has a wholesome message, but delivers it in a far too simplistic manner, with way too much metaphorical drooling over fireworks.
June 8, 2025
Suvi (ja eriti selle lõpp) on Jaapanis aeg, kus piir meie ilma ja teispoolsuse vahel häguneb. Nii juhtub, et hakkab levima linnalegend kummitustüdrukust, keda on võimalik kohata suvel hüljatud lennurajal, lastes õhku ilutulestikku. Kolm Internetis tutvunud noort lähevad teda otsima, lootes, et tüdruk oskab neile anda nõu nende ühise murega: nimelt on kõik kolm otsustanud oma elutee lõpetada. Raske haiguse all kannatav Ryo, kuna ta tahab surra väärikalt ja omal tingimustel. Aoi, keda kiusatakse koolis ja kes ei suuda seda enam kannatada. Tomoya, kes õpib viitele ja keda tõotab ees oodata Edukas Tulevik, kuid kes sellest hoolimata on elus pettunud.
Kummitus, kelle nimeks on Ayane, ei pannud siiski ise enda elule kätt peale, nagu räägib linnalegend, vaid on hoopis mõrvaohver, kelle surnukeha pole veel leitud. Tomoya otsustab tüdrukut aidata, kaasates otsingutesse ka teised kaks noort, lootes niiviisi anda kummitusele võimaluse oma kahetsustest lahti lasta ning minna edasi sinna, kuhu kõik lahkunud hinged minema peavad.
Lugu on kirja pandud Tomoya vaatepunktist, mistõttu nautisin võimalust suhestuda tegelasega, kes on nii mõneski mõttes minu moodi ja mul oli seda suurem rõõm, kui ta leidis põhjuse edasielamiseks—see oligi tegelikult kogu raamatut läbiv teema. Lugeda oli kerge, väga sügavuti raamat ei läinud, aga oli tore, suvine ja mõtlemapanev.
Kummitus, kelle nimeks on Ayane, ei pannud siiski ise enda elule kätt peale, nagu räägib linnalegend, vaid on hoopis mõrvaohver, kelle surnukeha pole veel leitud. Tomoya otsustab tüdrukut aidata, kaasates otsingutesse ka teised kaks noort, lootes niiviisi anda kummitusele võimaluse oma kahetsustest lahti lasta ning minna edasi sinna, kuhu kõik lahkunud hinged minema peavad.
Lugu on kirja pandud Tomoya vaatepunktist, mistõttu nautisin võimalust suhestuda tegelasega, kes on nii mõneski mõttes minu moodi ja mul oli seda suurem rõõm, kui ta leidis põhjuse edasielamiseks—see oligi tegelikult kogu raamatut läbiv teema. Lugeda oli kerge, väga sügavuti raamat ei läinud, aga oli tore, suvine ja mõtlemapanev.
March 29, 2024
Absolutely heartbreaking but absolutely worth reading.
February 12, 2025
Chronique complète :
https://sunread26.wordpress.com/2025/...
Extrait :
Petite lecture à cheval sur le mois de Janvier et Février. Je ne le pensais pas aussi court, mais au final, il s’est très vite lu. Il me semble d’ailleurs, que pour une fois, c’est le light novel qui est une adaptation ! Le titre existe aussi en film, qui est l’œuvre originale de mémoire et aussi en manga en deux tomes. L’histoire allant assez vite, je pense que le manga sera bien adapté, donc je risque de le prendre.
Les personnages sont au nombre de quatre, une fantôme et trois vivants. Les trois personnages vivants, Tomoya, Aoi et Ryo sont de jeunes personnes dont la vie ne tient qu’à un fil. Ils se sont rencontrés sur un forum pour personnes souhaitant se suicider. Ryo est atteint d’une maladie incurable qui l’affaiblit de jour en jour, Aoi est harcelée à l’école si bien qu’elle a désormais une phobie scolaire. Tomoya lui, vit sous la pression continue de sa mère, qui le pousse à étudier et oublier ses hobbies. Aucun de leur parcours n’est enviable, celui de la fantôme, Ayane Sato non plus. Ils ont appris son existence un peu par hasard, ils ont alors essayés de la rencontrer, pour lui poser des questions, pour se rassurer avant de passer à l’acte. Surnommée le Summer Ghost, Ayane n’apparaît qu’en été, une période forte pour les morts au Japon (là où nous, il s’agirait plus de l’automne). Pour la faire apparaître, il faut utiliser un feu d’artifice particulier, celui qu’on voit le plus souvent dans les animes. Ce que la série présente bien, c’est qu’une personne souhaitant la mort ne le fait pas toujours sur un coup de tête. Souvent, c’est lié à une longue période de souffrance. Les suicides impulsifs sont plus souvent liés à une mauvaise nouvelle (comme une maladie, un cancer). Une personne souhaitant mettre fin à ses jours y pense donc souvent un moment avant, souvent sans que les proches ne s’en aperçoivent. Il n’est pas toujours évident d’exprimer son mal-être. Ryo ne souhaite pas se voir dépérir et perdre en force par exemple, pour lui, le résultat ne changera pas, seul sa durée de vie sera impactée. Mais pour Aoi et Tomoya c’est différent, ils ont techniquement la vie devant eux.
Le fait qu’ils cherchent également à se rassurer concernant l’après, montre également qu’ils n’ont pas encore le déclic nécessaire au passage à l’acte. Tomoya y fera référence plusieurs fois d’ailleurs. Cette rencontre surnaturel va les rassurer un peu, mais surtout faire basculer leur vie. Parce qu’Ayane ne pourra pas répondre à toutes les questions, puisqu’elle ne s’est pas suicidée. Une nouvelle quête va alors commencer pour Tomoya, souhaitant aider Ayane, sans comprendre pourquoi. Elle qui souhaitait vivre va donc faire la rencontre de personnes souhaitant la mort, c’est à la fois ironique et triste… La dépression est inévitablement évoquée, puisqu’elle est souvent liée à ses pensées. Comme Tomoya, je ne me suis pas vraiment rendue compte de mon état, c’est après que j’ai compris que j’avais fait une dépression. Je n’ai toutefois jamais vraiment eu de pensée aussi poussée sur le suicide ou l’idée de mettre fin à mes jours. La peur de la mort est quelque chose d’assez normal, on ignore ce qu’il y a après et le vide, le néant, la disparition est souvent très effrayante en soi. Savoir que l’on ne deviendra rien de plus une fois mort, que l’on pourrait juste disparaître, c’est vraiment peu envieux. Ainsi, même si elle est inévitable, la mort reste souvent effrayante. Le voyage de ce trio pour retrouver Ayane et ainsi lui permettre d’avancer de son côté est bref, mais très instructif pour le trio.
[...]
https://sunread26.wordpress.com/2025/...
Extrait :
Petite lecture à cheval sur le mois de Janvier et Février. Je ne le pensais pas aussi court, mais au final, il s’est très vite lu. Il me semble d’ailleurs, que pour une fois, c’est le light novel qui est une adaptation ! Le titre existe aussi en film, qui est l’œuvre originale de mémoire et aussi en manga en deux tomes. L’histoire allant assez vite, je pense que le manga sera bien adapté, donc je risque de le prendre.
Les personnages sont au nombre de quatre, une fantôme et trois vivants. Les trois personnages vivants, Tomoya, Aoi et Ryo sont de jeunes personnes dont la vie ne tient qu’à un fil. Ils se sont rencontrés sur un forum pour personnes souhaitant se suicider. Ryo est atteint d’une maladie incurable qui l’affaiblit de jour en jour, Aoi est harcelée à l’école si bien qu’elle a désormais une phobie scolaire. Tomoya lui, vit sous la pression continue de sa mère, qui le pousse à étudier et oublier ses hobbies. Aucun de leur parcours n’est enviable, celui de la fantôme, Ayane Sato non plus. Ils ont appris son existence un peu par hasard, ils ont alors essayés de la rencontrer, pour lui poser des questions, pour se rassurer avant de passer à l’acte. Surnommée le Summer Ghost, Ayane n’apparaît qu’en été, une période forte pour les morts au Japon (là où nous, il s’agirait plus de l’automne). Pour la faire apparaître, il faut utiliser un feu d’artifice particulier, celui qu’on voit le plus souvent dans les animes. Ce que la série présente bien, c’est qu’une personne souhaitant la mort ne le fait pas toujours sur un coup de tête. Souvent, c’est lié à une longue période de souffrance. Les suicides impulsifs sont plus souvent liés à une mauvaise nouvelle (comme une maladie, un cancer). Une personne souhaitant mettre fin à ses jours y pense donc souvent un moment avant, souvent sans que les proches ne s’en aperçoivent. Il n’est pas toujours évident d’exprimer son mal-être. Ryo ne souhaite pas se voir dépérir et perdre en force par exemple, pour lui, le résultat ne changera pas, seul sa durée de vie sera impactée. Mais pour Aoi et Tomoya c’est différent, ils ont techniquement la vie devant eux.
Le fait qu’ils cherchent également à se rassurer concernant l’après, montre également qu’ils n’ont pas encore le déclic nécessaire au passage à l’acte. Tomoya y fera référence plusieurs fois d’ailleurs. Cette rencontre surnaturel va les rassurer un peu, mais surtout faire basculer leur vie. Parce qu’Ayane ne pourra pas répondre à toutes les questions, puisqu’elle ne s’est pas suicidée. Une nouvelle quête va alors commencer pour Tomoya, souhaitant aider Ayane, sans comprendre pourquoi. Elle qui souhaitait vivre va donc faire la rencontre de personnes souhaitant la mort, c’est à la fois ironique et triste… La dépression est inévitablement évoquée, puisqu’elle est souvent liée à ses pensées. Comme Tomoya, je ne me suis pas vraiment rendue compte de mon état, c’est après que j’ai compris que j’avais fait une dépression. Je n’ai toutefois jamais vraiment eu de pensée aussi poussée sur le suicide ou l’idée de mettre fin à mes jours. La peur de la mort est quelque chose d’assez normal, on ignore ce qu’il y a après et le vide, le néant, la disparition est souvent très effrayante en soi. Savoir que l’on ne deviendra rien de plus une fois mort, que l’on pourrait juste disparaître, c’est vraiment peu envieux. Ainsi, même si elle est inévitable, la mort reste souvent effrayante. Le voyage de ce trio pour retrouver Ayane et ainsi lui permettre d’avancer de son côté est bref, mais très instructif pour le trio.
[...]
February 9, 2025
Based off the original short film of the same name, 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 is a poignant coming-of-age story about deciding for ourselves what it means to truly be alive & how we all fight for that chance. This light novel was released as a companion piece to the film and, while not required, I personally recommend watching & reading both in order to get the most complete picture.
The film does a great job at capturing the essence of what this LN ultimately expands upon— where the film shines in its ability to pack in so much nuance & an overarching sense of melancholy and hope within a tight timeframe (~40min), coupled with a truly beautiful score, the LN digs far deeper than I expected into the psyches of Tomoya, Aoi, and Ryō as they search for the Summer Ghost, a woman named Ayane, who we come to find can only be seen by those who are seriously contemplating death.
Having watched the film, I knew what to expect by the end, and yet I was still gutted thanks to how well written Otsuichi’s LN adaption is. I’ve found that light novels tend to be overly descriptive sometimes, usually to their benefit, because they’re pulling from visual media, so I really liked this as a supplement to the movie.
🔖 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
— • If you'd like to watch the short film (whether in its original Japanese language or its English dubbed version), it's available to rent or buy on both Amazon and YouTube; a manga adaption covering the film in its entirety was also released & is available online/in stores as well.
— • I cannot stress enough how much I highly recommend listening to the film's musical score while reading this LN (also available on YouTube and possibly Spotify), because Akira Kosemura's work is truly magical and sad and hopeful all at once— it's a stunning experience, and one that shouldn't be overlooked, because I believe music can add SO MUCH depth to a novel or film or any piece of media really, so just just do it, please, okay!? lol thank you for coming to my #TEDTalk 😅
— • Lastly, I do implore everyone to look at the CWs for this work prior to reading &/or watching, as it does deal with some very heavy themes. Moreover, the way in which suicide/death specifically is discussed by the characters in the LN adaption may come off quite jarring & unsettling for some, especially given how short the story is. It's all fairly blunt and almost clinical, really, as if talking about it is as normalized as commenting on the weather outside (and perhaps maybe it should be).... but, that being said - and as someone who has more than just entertained such thoughts myself in the past - I found it to be.... in a way, realistic? Idk if that's the right term tbh, but I just.... I do believe the author took great care in doing their research & also in providing relevant statistics in-story to highlight the seriousness of the topic and also how prevalent it can be in young people. That said, if anything listed in the CWs gives you pause, I would advise skipping this one.
The film does a great job at capturing the essence of what this LN ultimately expands upon— where the film shines in its ability to pack in so much nuance & an overarching sense of melancholy and hope within a tight timeframe (~40min), coupled with a truly beautiful score, the LN digs far deeper than I expected into the psyches of Tomoya, Aoi, and Ryō as they search for the Summer Ghost, a woman named Ayane, who we come to find can only be seen by those who are seriously contemplating death.
Having watched the film, I knew what to expect by the end, and yet I was still gutted thanks to how well written Otsuichi’s LN adaption is. I’ve found that light novels tend to be overly descriptive sometimes, usually to their benefit, because they’re pulling from visual media, so I really liked this as a supplement to the movie.
🔖 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
— • If you'd like to watch the short film (whether in its original Japanese language or its English dubbed version), it's available to rent or buy on both Amazon and YouTube; a manga adaption covering the film in its entirety was also released & is available online/in stores as well.
— • I cannot stress enough how much I highly recommend listening to the film's musical score while reading this LN (also available on YouTube and possibly Spotify), because Akira Kosemura's work is truly magical and sad and hopeful all at once— it's a stunning experience, and one that shouldn't be overlooked, because I believe music can add SO MUCH depth to a novel or film or any piece of media really, so just just do it, please, okay!? lol thank you for coming to my #TEDTalk 😅
— • Lastly, I do implore everyone to look at the CWs for this work prior to reading &/or watching, as it does deal with some very heavy themes. Moreover, the way in which suicide/death specifically is discussed by the characters in the LN adaption may come off quite jarring & unsettling for some, especially given how short the story is. It's all fairly blunt and almost clinical, really, as if talking about it is as normalized as commenting on the weather outside (and perhaps maybe it should be).... but, that being said - and as someone who has more than just entertained such thoughts myself in the past - I found it to be.... in a way, realistic? Idk if that's the right term tbh, but I just.... I do believe the author took great care in doing their research & also in providing relevant statistics in-story to highlight the seriousness of the topic and also how prevalent it can be in young people. That said, if anything listed in the CWs gives you pause, I would advise skipping this one.
July 23, 2025
Bello, accattivante e scritto bene. La tematica del suicidio è affrontata delicatamente. Consigliato.
July 10, 2025
Summer ghost was a very good read, I loved when they would first come in to contact with the ghost and when time slowing and finally coming to a stop was mentioned, it was nicely detailed but didn’t linger so long that it just felt repetitive, its paced just right that with an excellent amount of details.
It was interesting and to me, a nice touch that other people have encountered the summer ghost and that it wasn’t just a “Main characters only” type of encounter, it makes it seem much more down to Earth.
The ending, if you don’t want it spoiled then don’t read this next bit, is much different from what I was expecting the title to lean towards, they all go and help find the girl’s body with what little information they have, letting the summer ghost’s soul finally move on, putting an end to the summer ghost.
Would absolutely recommend you read this book, all the more so if it’s literally summer.
It was interesting and to me, a nice touch that other people have encountered the summer ghost and that it wasn’t just a “Main characters only” type of encounter, it makes it seem much more down to Earth.
The ending, if you don’t want it spoiled then don’t read this next bit, is much different from what I was expecting the title to lean towards, they all go and help find the girl’s body with what little information they have, letting the summer ghost’s soul finally move on, putting an end to the summer ghost.
Would absolutely recommend you read this book, all the more so if it’s literally summer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2024
"It wasn't every day you got to ask questions of the dead, after all."
Summer Ghost is about a group of teenagers who attempt to contact a mysterious local legend known as the Summer Ghost, who is said to appear if you light fireworks in a certain open field in the evening. The teenagers have another thing in common: they met on an online group for people who want to commit suicide.
A melancholy, bittersweet light novel that feels perfect for reading in the summer. (Or any time of the year, but hey, melancholy summer vibes can't be beat sometimes.) I've never seen the short film or read the later manga adaptation, but I will probably check them both out now.
The light novel feels somewhat similar to Otsuichi's original works in terms of narrative style and the grittier side of life--abuse, depression, bullying and death are common themes.
There is a lot of discussion of suicide, so keep that in mind.
Definitely recommend if you like Otsuichi's works, but also recommend in general if you're looking for a bittersweet short novel.
Summer Ghost is about a group of teenagers who attempt to contact a mysterious local legend known as the Summer Ghost, who is said to appear if you light fireworks in a certain open field in the evening. The teenagers have another thing in common: they met on an online group for people who want to commit suicide.
A melancholy, bittersweet light novel that feels perfect for reading in the summer. (Or any time of the year, but hey, melancholy summer vibes can't be beat sometimes.) I've never seen the short film or read the later manga adaptation, but I will probably check them both out now.
The light novel feels somewhat similar to Otsuichi's original works in terms of narrative style and the grittier side of life--abuse, depression, bullying and death are common themes.
There is a lot of discussion of suicide, so keep that in mind.
Definitely recommend if you like Otsuichi's works, but also recommend in general if you're looking for a bittersweet short novel.
September 6, 2024
5/5
im emotional for this book.. i really loved the ending and the very straightforward story telling of this book why?
although it is in the paranormal genre it tackles real struggles in life that sometimes we think or we feel that it has to end and the only solution is to just stop living.
but this book give me a reason to be thankful that i am still here and being alive is a blessing that others wish they have the luxury of doing, the freedom to experience things and to achieve my goal not what others expect me to do.
im emotional for this book.. i really loved the ending and the very straightforward story telling of this book why?
although it is in the paranormal genre it tackles real struggles in life that sometimes we think or we feel that it has to end and the only solution is to just stop living.
but this book give me a reason to be thankful that i am still here and being alive is a blessing that others wish they have the luxury of doing, the freedom to experience things and to achieve my goal not what others expect me to do.
October 12, 2023
When I saw that my favourite anime film had a novel I needed to read it and it hit every expectation I had
June 7, 2024
The way this was immersive and broke my heart abd made me tear up.
August 30, 2024
Great book. A bit sad, but it hits very close to home in its subject matter, and never feels like it's talking down to the reader. Would recommend a read if you are interested in this type of story.
September 2, 2024
"I knew it had only been a dream, and that it wasn't the real Ayane who'd said this to me — just a figment of my imagination. But even so, I assumed my subconscious showed me that dream for a reason. Perhaps it was because somewhere deep down, I really did want to go on living, and so my brain conjured that facsimile of her to beg me not to end it all using her face, and her voice. Either that, or it really was a message from the real Ayane, who came back to visit me from beyond the grave to thank me for all that I'd done for her."
"Summer Ghost" by Otsuichi (Hirotaka Adachi) is an amazing novel exploring the themes of death and life. The story is told from the perspective of Tomoya Sugisaki, a high school student interested in a local legend about the Summer Ghost — the ghost of a woman, rumoured to have taken her own life. That and one other thing connects Tomoya with Aoi Harukawa and Ryo Kobayashi — the desire for death. Three high school students, each with different problems urging them to kill themselves get together and share an amount of experiences that might just change their fate. The novel portrays the idea of how being useful for someone can bring you joy, and a reason for living. And that one person's words and care can make a huge impact on your choices. This novel is very beautifully written and it shows all of the characters' personalities perfectly through their words. How Tomoya often makes connections to a lot of different cultures, how Aoi often doesn't know what it's like socializing and lacks self-confidence, how Ryo often gets physically exhausted. All of their struggles are shown. But the spark of a brighter future is also in sight. This is a really deep work... I absolutely recommend it!!
"Summer Ghost" by Otsuichi (Hirotaka Adachi) is an amazing novel exploring the themes of death and life. The story is told from the perspective of Tomoya Sugisaki, a high school student interested in a local legend about the Summer Ghost — the ghost of a woman, rumoured to have taken her own life. That and one other thing connects Tomoya with Aoi Harukawa and Ryo Kobayashi — the desire for death. Three high school students, each with different problems urging them to kill themselves get together and share an amount of experiences that might just change their fate. The novel portrays the idea of how being useful for someone can bring you joy, and a reason for living. And that one person's words and care can make a huge impact on your choices. This novel is very beautifully written and it shows all of the characters' personalities perfectly through their words. How Tomoya often makes connections to a lot of different cultures, how Aoi often doesn't know what it's like socializing and lacks self-confidence, how Ryo often gets physically exhausted. All of their struggles are shown. But the spark of a brighter future is also in sight. This is a really deep work... I absolutely recommend it!!
September 20, 2023
☆Reseña atrasada pq sí ☆
Una reseña corta a esta historia corta que tiene una película que no pienso ver pero espero que sea buena.
Siento que es una historia que no es para todo mundo. Es obvio que todos tenemos problemas que compartimos y problemas que no, podemos vernos satisfechos por fuera pero no estarlo por dentro y las personas jamás van a saber ni nosotros sabremos lo que les pasa a ellos. Todo esto mientras se explora una historia rápida y corta.
Los personajes no crecieron en mi, pero creo que fue porque todo fue algo apresurado, hay cosas que no se pudieron solucionar tanto y quizá fue porque le hicieron falta más páginas. Muchas veces parecía que a los personajes no les importaba lo que pasaba en la vida de los otros y lo único que les unía era encontrar al fantasma. Y quizá también su propio deseo de morir hizo que les hiciera fácil conocer a dicho fantasma, ya que solo le aparece a personas que desean la muerte.
Pero aun así deja un mensaje bonito y trata un tema que es muy sensible allá en Japón, aunque tiene un final agridulce, siento que es una buena resolución a una historia como esta. Me hubiera gustado conocer más a los personajes y que les dieran más trasfondo pero, de todas maneras, tampoco me quejo porque quizá así buscaban que fuera la historia. Aunque me decepciona porque es del mismo autor que Mi Amigo Capricornio, que es casi similar pero mejor desarrollado.
Una reseña corta a esta historia corta que tiene una película que no pienso ver pero espero que sea buena.
Siento que es una historia que no es para todo mundo. Es obvio que todos tenemos problemas que compartimos y problemas que no, podemos vernos satisfechos por fuera pero no estarlo por dentro y las personas jamás van a saber ni nosotros sabremos lo que les pasa a ellos. Todo esto mientras se explora una historia rápida y corta.
Los personajes no crecieron en mi, pero creo que fue porque todo fue algo apresurado, hay cosas que no se pudieron solucionar tanto y quizá fue porque le hicieron falta más páginas. Muchas veces parecía que a los personajes no les importaba lo que pasaba en la vida de los otros y lo único que les unía era encontrar al fantasma. Y quizá también su propio deseo de morir hizo que les hiciera fácil conocer a dicho fantasma, ya que solo le aparece a personas que desean la muerte.
Pero aun así deja un mensaje bonito y trata un tema que es muy sensible allá en Japón, aunque tiene un final agridulce, siento que es una buena resolución a una historia como esta. Me hubiera gustado conocer más a los personajes y que les dieran más trasfondo pero, de todas maneras, tampoco me quejo porque quizá así buscaban que fuera la historia. Aunque me decepciona porque es del mismo autor que Mi Amigo Capricornio, que es casi similar pero mejor desarrollado.
November 4, 2025
I don't know about the English translation, so I can't judge that. The plot itself won't surprise anyone who is familiar with the supernatural or horror. Especially in the West.
Yet the tempo of the Japanese prose was addicting to me. Characters don't overreact because, well, they're severely depressed. Nobody breaks down into a tear-filled rant like you would expect teenagers to act. They're morose. And eerily accepting of conformity and their decisions to embrace death. Tomoya is especially someone who clings to logic as a disturbing coping mechanism. It captures the pressures of living up to social expectations, although I would say that it's gentler than other contemporaries. I wouldn't say that it's an amazing story, as you can predict a lot of what will happen before it happens.
It's the ambiance it creates though. Profound regret and a gentle healing that comes through with their detached observations. How does one want to live again? That's what got me to finish reading this one. I got curious about the ending. Again, I don't know if that will be captured well in the English translation. I have a feeling it'll be hard to accomplish.
Now that I've read the book, I'll go ahead and watch the film and see how it reflects those thoughts.
Yet the tempo of the Japanese prose was addicting to me. Characters don't overreact because, well, they're severely depressed. Nobody breaks down into a tear-filled rant like you would expect teenagers to act. They're morose. And eerily accepting of conformity and their decisions to embrace death. Tomoya is especially someone who clings to logic as a disturbing coping mechanism. It captures the pressures of living up to social expectations, although I would say that it's gentler than other contemporaries. I wouldn't say that it's an amazing story, as you can predict a lot of what will happen before it happens.
It's the ambiance it creates though. Profound regret and a gentle healing that comes through with their detached observations. How does one want to live again? That's what got me to finish reading this one. I got curious about the ending. Again, I don't know if that will be captured well in the English translation. I have a feeling it'll be hard to accomplish.
Now that I've read the book, I'll go ahead and watch the film and see how it reflects those thoughts.
March 20, 2024
It's fine.
The way suicide is talking about is a bit unsettling, moreover if you're from a culture where mental wellness/illness, therapy and meds are "normalized", as no one in this book even entertain the idea of seeking professional help.
But I still felt it was also interesting in that sense, as someone who isn't exactly struggling with ideation lately but as been in the past and might in the future. I wouldn't recommend this book to someone who is actively struggling with those tho.
Otherwise, I like the mystery surrounding Ayane's death, but I think I would have wanted a more "gang of young sleuths" vibe, with some kind of darker undertone even. Oh well.
I also think that the translation is alright, but feels a little dry. Idk, might already be written in that tone in the og text, so maybe it's just not what I was looking for with this story I guess.
The way suicide is talking about is a bit unsettling, moreover if you're from a culture where mental wellness/illness, therapy and meds are "normalized", as no one in this book even entertain the idea of seeking professional help.
But I still felt it was also interesting in that sense, as someone who isn't exactly struggling with ideation lately but as been in the past and might in the future. I wouldn't recommend this book to someone who is actively struggling with those tho.
Otherwise, I like the mystery surrounding Ayane's death, but I think I would have wanted a more "gang of young sleuths" vibe, with some kind of darker undertone even. Oh well.
I also think that the translation is alright, but feels a little dry. Idk, might already be written in that tone in the og text, so maybe it's just not what I was looking for with this story I guess.
May 26, 2024
This book is absolutely heartbreaking.
But I feel like the mentions of su!c!d€ is undervalued, it’s like if it’s not a big deal but at the same time I love how the mental illness are normalized, like yeah they are still human.
The end surprised me and had me in tears
It’s worth reading but it’s not the best book.
I put 4 stars because I really like the idea of the story and how are mentioned all of this.
But if you are sensitive about all of this you shouldn’t read it.
It triggered me a bit at first and it can give some bad ideas.
ps: I LOVE RYO AND AOI SO SO MUCH
But I feel like the mentions of su!c!d€ is undervalued, it’s like if it’s not a big deal but at the same time I love how the mental illness are normalized, like yeah they are still human.
The end surprised me and had me in tears
It’s worth reading but it’s not the best book.
I put 4 stars because I really like the idea of the story and how are mentioned all of this.
But if you are sensitive about all of this you shouldn’t read it.
It triggered me a bit at first and it can give some bad ideas.
ps: I LOVE RYO AND AOI SO SO MUCH
December 27, 2024
I picked this up for a book review for uni, and I don't regret it. It was incredible. The author clearly put a lot of effort into being as accurate as possible, whether that be about what depressed teenagers go through or statistics that they mention throughout the book. I don't find it often that when I finish a book, I need to sit there and reflect on it, but this one did that for me. I really enjoyed it.
October 2, 2023
🥹✨
My gosh this exceeded my expectations . It was amazing 💕 I cried the last 2 chapters. Had to take little breaks finishing it. It talks a lot about suicide so if that’s a sensitive subject I wouldn’t recommend this light novel. But I LOVED it and I’m so glad it’s in my library for me to read again some day😭✨
My gosh this exceeded my expectations . It was amazing 💕 I cried the last 2 chapters. Had to take little breaks finishing it. It talks a lot about suicide so if that’s a sensitive subject I wouldn’t recommend this light novel. But I LOVED it and I’m so glad it’s in my library for me to read again some day😭✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2025
A somewhat cozy but somewhat morbid look at themes of suicide and the paranormal. it's written like a slice of life but nicely sprinkled with well written descriptions of the environments, people's moods and just general going ons.
December 31, 2023
An easy and quick read. I enjoyed it. It reminded me of Lonely Castle in the Mirror (Mizuki Tsujimura).
August 27, 2024
sometimes you kind of just don’t have words after a book and just stare at the wall.
read time: 2 hours 33 minutes
read time: 2 hours 33 minutes
February 18, 2025
it did make me cry, but it was a very simple novel
July 23, 2025
the first person perspective was weird, but the internal dialogue added a lot to the story. this is definitely better told in visual medias, but I enjoyed it well enough otherwise.
August 29, 2025
3.5/5
December 29, 2025
The book is about a morbid situation that all too many people find themselves in these days. It does a good job of putting a spin on the concept of self acceptance and moving on.
October 25, 2025
When I first watched The Summer Ghost short film about four years ago, I thought I understood what it was about. But when I recently discovered it had been turned into a book, I had to pick it up—and wow, I wasn’t prepared for how deeply it would hit me.
The story follows three high schoolers struggling with thoughts of suicide, and Otsuichi handles the topic of mental health with raw honesty and compassion. It’s heavy, yes, but beautifully written. There’s also a brief touch on religion, which adds another layer to the story without taking away from its emotional depth.
I found myself crying throughout the entire book—not just because it’s sad, but because I felt the characters. Their pain, their loneliness, their search for meaning—it all resonated in such a real way.
If you’re looking for a short yet powerful read that lingers long after you close the last page, The Summer Ghost is it.
⭐ 5/5 stars — haunting, emotional, and unforgettable.
The story follows three high schoolers struggling with thoughts of suicide, and Otsuichi handles the topic of mental health with raw honesty and compassion. It’s heavy, yes, but beautifully written. There’s also a brief touch on religion, which adds another layer to the story without taking away from its emotional depth.
I found myself crying throughout the entire book—not just because it’s sad, but because I felt the characters. Their pain, their loneliness, their search for meaning—it all resonated in such a real way.
If you’re looking for a short yet powerful read that lingers long after you close the last page, The Summer Ghost is it.
⭐ 5/5 stars — haunting, emotional, and unforgettable.
December 28, 2025
Certaines thématiques abordées, comme le suicide ou le mal-être, sont intéressantes et pertinentes. En revanche, j’ai trouvé que leur traitement manquait de profondeur et que l’ensemble n’était pas toujours très convaincant. Cela s’explique en grande partie par le format très court du livre, qui ne permet pas de développer une histoire réellement marquante. Malgré tout, le récit reste efficace et se lit facilement. Ce n’est pas une œuvre qui m’a marquée, mais la lecture n’était pas désagréable.
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