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.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Episode 17 “Natsudori Ritual” Details
- Available On: Crunchyroll (Link)
- Public Release Date: July 28, 2025
- Director(s): Shinichi Uchida, Satoshi Yoshizawa
- Writer(s): Takashi Aoshima
Episode 17 “Natsudori Ritual” Recap (With Spoilers)
Earning Your Way In: Takahara, Konato, Shiroha
While Takahara may talk a big game, Konato isn’t going to just let his granddaughter hang out with any boy. So, in the water, the two fight, and Konato doesn’t hold back or show any signs that he isn’t at peak fitness. But, between Shiroha vocally, loudly, rooting for Takahara, and a last-minute flip, he defeats Konato and earns his respect.
With this, Konato lets Takahara in. He talks about Shiroha losing her parents ten years ago, wanting to break the rumor mill, and Takahara is in agreement with him. But, it is noted, in order for him to be next to the priestess in the Natsudori ritual, he needs to be family. So, while only a symbolic measure, a butterfly covenant is arranged.
Honoring The Covenant/Let The Festival Begin: Shiroha, Takahara
Let it be known that there are no questions or further explanations regarding the ceremony. Also, there aren’t any protests to it, even from Takahara’s family. So it goes through, without it even being treated as the marriage ceremony it is, minus the paperwork to make it official in the eyes of the government.
But, while the ceremony isn’t treated as it should, Shiroha does feel closer to Takahara, and when she plays hooky from her priestess duties, he knows where to find her without having to ask around. Leading to them sharing a moment on the beach, watching what Shiroha calls the sea fireflies – something she used to watch with her parents ten years ago.
Sharing that moment, however, the first time she has seen the sea of fireflies since her parents’ death, doesn’t necessarily ease her fears. The visions grow stronger, and her potential drowning with Takahara isn’t changing. But, luckily for them, when the moment comes, neither dies.
To roll out the entire scenario, the ritual goes off without a hitch, until it is realized that a kid is on the boat sent to sea, and the child has to be rescued. It is in trying to save that kid that it seems Shiroha and Takahara were supposed to drown. However, between the butterflies guiding Takahara and their friends, that vision is shown to be just part of what happens, not the end of their lives.
So, About What You Just Said: Umi, Shiroha, Takahara
It appears we have come to the end of another arc, and the summer. With that, after all that has been said and done, Takahara confesses as he leaves the island, Shiroha notes she fell for him too, only for the ship to have a malfunction, which requires Takahara to return, and a very awkward moment.
Granted, Takahara confessing that he knew Shiroha was in her underwear when they first met was perhaps a bit more awkward than confessing their love for one another. But at this point, they are ceremonially married.
Which leaves us with Umi. Takahara accidentally stumbled upon her seemingly prepping for the next arc, but didn’t stick around to really dive deep into what she was doing. However, the episode ends, making it clear that Shiroha’s story is over and maybe, finally, Umi’s will begin.
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Review and Commentary
On The Fence
Cute, But Missing Something [73/100]
After Ao’s arc, I feel like Shiroha’s was missing something. It didn’t further the lore of the island, it didn’t give us the cute relationship, and honestly, it just didn’t seem like everything it would be, considering Shiroha has been around for nearly every single arc.
Now, take note, Ao, thanks to all those memories, was a bit more aware of what couples do, and had a much more perilous life, paired with her trying to save her twin sister. But, on top of that, she gave us the proper name of the butterflies, we learned what they are, and built off what we had questions about.
Shiroha? Beyond learning why she was socially awkward, we didn’t learn much. I mean, we didn’t even get a follow-up to Shiroha’s family being part of the three great ones, and why? Never mind, learning who the third great, and seemingly lost, family is.
So, as much as we like Shiroha and thought her arc was cute, it felt like a letdown.
Overall
Our Overall Rating [73/100]
At this point, it wouldn’t be unfair to say that Summer Pockets feels a bit formulaic and needs a shake-up. Ao has set a high bar, and it would be difficult, maybe impossible, for anyone else to match the romance Takahara found with her. But, with Umi being the only one left to focus on, and Takahara clearly not dating his prepubescent cousin, it could mean a different dynamic, which can have Summer Pockets end on a high note.
Check Out Our Past Coverage Of This Series
Summer Pockets: Season 1 Episode 20 – Recap and Review
Umi’s arc continues to be a bit of a struggle to watch, especially as it rehashes parts of Shiroha’s storyline, which we just saw.
Summer Pockets: Season 1 Episode 19 – Recap and Review
Big reveals come from Umi that shift her dynamic with Shiroha and Takahara.
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.
