Hard to really write a review without spoilers though honestly even with spoilers, it's a predictable plot. Now with that being said, is it bad? No, I really enjoyed it even though I can figured out the plot within basically the first 5-10 minutes of it. But anyways, here's my quick review and summary of it, also along with the lesson it taught.

Summer Ghost starts with three friends meeting together, now we won't understand this meeting until later on but if you pay attention to anime, you can figure it out.

The Summer Ghost is a girl who by them lighting their fireworks, she will appear. Now I didn't really research the significant of this but I'm just assuming it's something to do with how Japan usually ends their festival with fireworks where usually closes out the summer. This is just my personal opinion, don't quote me on this.

We are introduced to our three friends (Tomoya, Ryou and Aoi) who are searching for the Summer Ghost (Ayane).

The thing about these three friends, they are all strangers who met online with something in common, wanting to meet Ayane. And before you wonder if this is a horror anime, no lol...

Each friend comes with different burdens and are in different parts of their lives. Though all of the same age, each struggle with something different. OKAY from here on out, this will be SPOILER WARNING!

All four of them are at different part of their lives...

Tomoya - basically our POV character. He is someone who has a future but too scare to face the future. He's someone who doesn't want to look ahead and rather stand behind. Which was illustrated nicely in the beginning.
Ryou - someone who has so much ahead that he looks for but have so little time. Someone who wants to move forward but knowing he is limited on time.
Aoi - someone who is dealing with the present, being bullied and wanting to commit suicide. She is someone who is trying to overcome her everyday hardship.
Ayane - someone who has neither a future or a present, she is someone who is already gone.

The basic of the plot is simple really, it's about learning to face what's ahead no matter how tough. That we just have to look up and see that there are those who knows our pain and there to share it with us. That those who are gone, those voices we can no longer hear. As someone who has lost a friend at a young age, this hits pretty close to home.

It's really focus mainly on Tomoya learning to face that he needs to not be afraid to step forth to the future. And with Ayane help along with Ryou and Aoi, he learns to take that step. To not hate his life and seek the future. Each of them faces their own problems.

The ending is bittersweet... I won't spoil it but it's pretty simple really to pick up on it. It's a nice overall anime and I will say the music was gorgeous. What is it's biggest flaw and lacking? I didn't really like the coloring and character design at times. Since I had a hard time trying to figure out was that Tomoya or Ryou.

It's a short movie, if you have time, it's worth an watch. If you enjoy these type of simple theme anime like me, you'll enjoy it. If you don't, then it isn't really for you. It got it's message across nicely and simply. So as they say... "Seize the Day"

Because eventually... summer will end... those who once were here will someday be gone. So cherish the time we have with those around us. You never know how long these moments will last.

This is just a personal story - don't click here unless you want to read it - also a spoiler for the ending

Spoiler, click to view

Sometimes I think back to my last moment with my friend not knowing that would've been the last time I saw her. Would I have changed the words I said?
My last words to her (I was still living out of state for school and we met at a different state for a sports tournament)

(She was sick and wanted to watch her brother play in the tournament. I stood by her side she has always been by my side when I needed a friend. She couldn't muster any words as she was so pale and weak. Regardless, she wanted to be there and I can only hopeless stand there trying to talk to her as I've always have. And before I left, I patted her on head and said these words)
"I love you, I’ll see you back home next week."

Not knowing that next week when I saw her was because of her funeral (she passed away that night when I left). So yeah though a sad story, made me realized how short our time can be on this earth. No time to live in hating our lives, hating others, and wondering why we were ever born. Instead love each other and know you can be the difference in someone's life.

Because soon enough as the movie ends... our time with them too will end

Just as those who are gone can no longer seek the future or live in the present, they are a thing of the past. Those of us who are still here, the sky is the limit as they say. Learn from your past, live in the moment, and run towards your future.

Score - not exactly sure what to give it, but for now, I'll just put 9/10 since I really enjoyed the theme, the music and the simple beauty of the plot. Maybe it's a 8/10 but whatever, if I change my mind... I'll change it in the future.