Synopsis
The flow of time is complicated. Even if you remove one cause, a new cause is born…
Makimura Koutarou is your typical high schooler, an avid member of the boxing club who all of a sudden resolved to confess his love to the school idol Serizawa Kaho. That night by accident, a mysterious person showers Koutarou with tachyon particles. As a result, his body randomly jumps forwards and backwards to different dates within a one-month time span. This phenomenon is what is called a ‘day drop.’ On August 31, the last day of summer vacation, he discovers that Kaho’s life passes away due to a car collision. Does Koutarou stand a chance at changing Kaho’s depressing fate?
Review
Natsuiro no Sunadokei, or Natsuiro Komachi, translates to the Hourglass of Summer Colors. It is based off of the Playstation 2 hentai dating simulation game developed by Princess Soft. Princess Soft is most famous for releasing Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. Other game titles include Suika, Moekan, Cafe Little Wish: Mahou no Recipe, and 21: TwoOne for the Dreamcast, and F: Fanatic, Love Doll: Lovely Idol, Final Approach, and Happy Breeding: Cheerful Party for the PS2.
The official anime site is located at http://www.kss-inc.co.jp/anime/natsuiro/ where you can find episode screen captures, brief character and casting, and DVD information with covers. The video game site is located at http://www.oaks-soft.co.jp/princess-soft/natsuiro/ and features a better character profiles page.
The Breakdown
Natsuiro no Sunadokei is a romantic, short summer anime series. Perfect for going back to school.
» The Pros
In the Butterfly Effect, one of Ashton Kutcher's more serious movies, Evan Treborn was born with a disorder where he would simply blank out and forget crucial, terrifying moments of his life. By mistake, he stumbled on a way to revisit those past memories. With his present-day mind occupying his childhood body, Evan attempts to rewrite history and save his childhood sweetheart Kayleigh Miller (played by Amy Smart). Natsuiro no Sunadokei is similar. When he day drops, Koutarou tries feverously to alter the events in order to somehow prevent Kaho's life from expiring so that they could continue to be lovers. The addition of Ligene makes Natsuiro no Sunadokei more like DNA^2. Ligene is a time traveler like Karin who begins to develop feelings for Koutarou but nevertheless helps him.
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» The Cons
Information relating the anime's storyline in relation to the actual video game is scarce. How faithful is the anime to its Playstation counterpart? http://www.rpgfan.com mentions that Kaho is a 2nd year senior high school student and is the leader of the theater performance group (shown in the anime). Ai is the manager of the school's sports activities. Tomomi is 24 years old while Ligene is 16 or 17. From the http://www.altavista.com's babelfish translation of the game site itself, it says that Kaho's father is a famous artist, which might explain her mansion. In the game, there are probably multiple endings depending on whom Koutarou has developed the most affection for. The five girls to choose from are Mana, Ai, Ligene, Tomomi, and Kaho. I assume that Kaho would be the hardest to win with. Of course, there should be hentai cg pictures to unlock. |
» Animation
8.5 |
The hourglass in the logo appears to be one of the mouse icons for the windows operating system. Kaho from the opening sequence looks like a character from Lunar the Silver Star Story. On the beach, her arms are a bit skinny. Ligene has some sailor moon transformation. The opening ends in a typical pose with Ligene's arms crossed and one eye winked. The first scene of the Natsuiro no Sunadokei OAV shows a glimpse of the beautiful Kaho similar to how the Ah! My Goddess OVA started. Kawamura Mana looks like a buffer version of Mone from Yumeria. Koutarou is the stereotypical handsome male with brown hair. From time to time, the anime utilizes the blank facial expression of shock or surprise with a darkened border around the eyes lacking pupils (also employed in Naruto). |
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» Sound
8.5 |
The opening song is titled Drive Away Dream by Mizuki Nana. It begins with an instrumental portion that is similar to Yumeria's Jikan Aishiteru. Drive Away Dream is sweeter and not as kiddy as Yumeria but seems long when you are listening to it in the two-minute intro. The ending is Hajimete no Natsu by UNDER17 and its melody is like an idol song. Its lyrics suit the series well. I've built up a habit of commenting on the voice actors for my anime reviews. Kaho is voiced by Mizuki Nana who also plays Hinata in Naruto and Yuufa from Ragnarok The Animation. Ai is performed by Kurata Masayo who you should know from Love Hina as Shinobu. Ligene is Orikasa Fumiko (Chise - Saikano). Tomomi is actually the famous Inoue Kikuko (Belldandy - Oh My Goddess, Mizuho - Onegai Sensei). Her voice is deeper and not delicate as her other roles. The protagonist Koutarou is done by Ogiwara Hideki who has only had minor roles as a side character in Mahoromatic. He finally gets the opportunity to take the starring role in Natsuiro no Sunadokei. |
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» Story
9.0 |
For Tomomi to theorize exactly Koutarou's situation, she must have watched every season of Star Trek and read the Star Wars novels. ^_^ At the end Koutarou asks Ligene what Kaho and his future will be like. Ligene posses the question no matter what the future is, even if it is something that can't be changed, does he still want to see it? Koutarou declines. |
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» Recommend
8.5 |
The standard edition is available for 6,800 yen ($62.00). You can get it for 5,800 yen ($52.50) at http://www.cdjapan.co.jp. The special edition retails for 7,800 yen ($70.75). Yes expensive. |
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» Other Information
Language: Japanese
Extras: The special edition features a drama and audio CD and character cards.
Package: Serizawa Kaho looking up to heaven then extending her arms to you. Please, save me. |
Saturday, June 27, 2026
