Summer Pockets: Season 1 Episode 16 – Recap and Review
As Takahara continues to wear down Shiroha, he has a breakthrough with her that could allow him to open up in ways he has inconsistently before.
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Episode 16 “Not A Date” Details
- Available On: Crunchyroll
- Public Release Date: July 21, 2025
- Director(s): Takafumi Fujii
- Writer(s): Takashi Aoshima
Episode 16 “Not A Date” Recap (With Spoilers)
Bringing Shiroha Back Into The Fold: Shiroha, Takahara, Tenzen
With Tenzen destroying the table tennis table, the group tries to figure out a way to make money to buy a new one, and they settle on Shiroha, who cooks notably well, selling food at the port. They make a notable amount of money only to learn that the local sports equipment supplier won’t take Shiroha’s money and will still give a new table tennis table.
Thus leading to the group deciding for Shiroha to keep all the money for future use, like maybe doing something nice for herself.
Not A Date, But Still Something More Than Just Hanging Out: Shiroha, Takahara
Enter Takahara, whom she invites off the island to eat at an American-style restaurant, only to learn it is closed. But, while there, they get other snacks, and it all very much comes off like a date. Note: Both make it clear it isn’t, but the more they talk and open up, even if it isn’t a first date, they talk in such a way that creates the foundation necessary to maybe date in the future.
The Things They’ve Been Worried About: Shiroha, Takahara, Konato
For example, Takahara paints the picture that his home life hasn’t been great for a while, and it seems, even with the boys’ school he goes to being chill, supportive, and even the swim team not being upset he choked during a meet, it was all too much for him. Shiroha, in turn, opens up about the boy who got hurt.
Funny enough, she didn’t like him and outright turned him down. Like Takahara, though, he persisted until he eventually got hurt, and thus the curse was born. But, we learn that’s just the rumor, the surface-level story. What really pushes Shiroha to stay away from people is that she has premonitions, and she had one about the boy; the next one is of her drowning, and possibly dragging Takahara with her.
He refutes this, but from what it seems, Konato, Shiroha’s grandfather, may have set up the situation where all this plays out. He signed Shiroha up to be priestess of the Natsutori ritual, which calls for her to help the ancestors’ souls out to sea. It seems she’ll fall during that ceremony or after.
It isn’t clear when, but Takahara swears to her and asks Konato’s permission to be there for Shiroha through it all.
New Cast and Characters
Konato (Shiraishi Minoru)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Konata is Shiroha’s grandfather and guardian who looks notably tough, and can be stern when it comes to Shiroha, but he generally lets her live her life and just asks for her to cook for the household.
Links
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Review and Commentary
Highlights
Shiroha and Takahara’s Vulnerability [83/100]
One of the things I’m hoping for with this arc is that Shiroha does push or make room for Takahara to talk about what he is going through and how he is dealing with it. Thus far, it seems if you allow him to dive all in with your issues, he’ll lose himself in the process. Which, while sweet, is definite boyfriend material; it has left Takahara often feeling secondary and barely part of his own story.
And I get it, by focusing on others, he doesn’t have to think about himself, his anxiety, what’s going on in his household, or at school. But the lopsided romances he has had thus far make me wonder if they should be considered as cute as we paint them, if there is no room for him in them. At least the one who isn’t agreeable, willing to do anything and everything, and who seems so stuck on earning his place, he doesn’t realize he’s burning himself out for someone who already has fallen for him.
With Shiroha being more introverted, I’m hoping that just as much as she is willing and able to open up and be vulnerable with Takahara, rather than think he must act, he’ll let her in and continue to express himself too. For I think the way to Shiroha’s heart may not be sticking up for her, including her, and going the extra mile through acts of service, but knowing how to be still with her, share quiet moments, and not be a busybody.
Overall
Our Overall Rating [83/100]
Despite Shiroha being portrayed as an odd duck up until now, it seems maybe that eccentricity and hesitance to be as social as the others, or extroverted, might be what Takahara needs. Which, if handled right, could make this arc the best one yet.
Check Out Our Past Coverage Of This Series
Summer Pockets: Season 1 Episode 18 – Recap and Review
Umi gets featured, and the way things start out may make you wonder the truth about her and Takahara’s origins.
Summer Pockets: Season 1 Episode 17 – Recap and Review
It’s the end of Shiroha’s arc, and so comes the question of whether Takahara stands a chance to avoid the fate Shiroha has seen.
Summer Pockets: Season 1 – Cast & Character Guide
This is a show and character reference guide for Crunchyroll’s “Summer Pockets” — featuring detailed character descriptions, major storylines, group affiliations, locations, and more. Whether you’re just starting or revisiting the story, this guide will help you navigate the people, places, and lore that define its world.
