Summer Pockets: Season 1 Episode 26 – Recap and Review (Finale)
Did the season or series finale redeem the lull that was Umi’s extended arc?
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Episode 26 “Pockets Stuffed Full” Details
- Available On: Crunchyroll
- Public Release Date: September 29, 2025
- Check out our page for this series, featuring more recaps, reviews, and articles.
Episode 26 “Pockets Stuffed Full” Storylines/ Recap
This Is Goodbye: Umi, Shiroha
As we saw towards the end of the last episode, Umi disappears, but not without a tearful scene with Shiroha, who wants her to stay. But, from what it seems, Umi has to go, and when she does, we don’t really see her again for the rest of the episode.
Some Things Are Just Fate: Takahara, Shiroha, Kyouko
Instead, Takahara reclaims the narrative, and he FINALLY gets to help Kyouko organize Grandma Kato’s shed. But, in focusing on that, he doesn’t connect with any of the girls we’ve seen him build relationships with, platonically or otherwise. He does run into Shiroha, even eats at her father’s shop, but it isn’t made clear what goes on in anyone’s life as Takahara doesn’t get involved.
It should be noted, though, that this timeline doesn’t include Ai in a coma, and even Tsumigi doesn’t seem to be in the same odd place she was before. So whether those situations were caused by Umi or a different event in the timeline is hard to say. The only thing we know for sure is that Takahara, without any interactions with a butterfly, does end up remembering Umi, and later, something makes him feel drawn to Shiroha.
Unfortunately, this happens just as summer is over and he is supposed to leave. But, rather than wait till next year, he jumps from the ferry to talk to Shiroha, asking her to teach him to cook her father’s famous fried rice, which she says yes to.
Review and Commentary
Highlights
Takahara and Shiroha Ending Things Was Smart [83/100]
The highlight of Summer Pockets has long been Takahara’s romances. So while his final storyline didn’t address his trauma, barely scratched the surface of Grandma Kato’s adventures, and largely skipped all that was going on with all the girls he romances over the majority of the season, it was better than what we thought we would get. Things ended with a cute, slightly over-the-top, but on-brand moment with Takahara wanting to get to know Shiroha better.
Low Points
For An Emotional Slice Of Life Anime, The Ending Fell Flat [66/100]
Neither Umi saying goodbye to Shiroha in the past nor anything that went on with Takahara when he returned as the lead felt impactful. For a show which made us cry multiple times, it ending on a cute, but bland note seemed off.
Never mind, with hinting that nearly everyone’s life was alright, with or without Takahara, it felt like it undercut his role. Granted, maybe Umi making Shiroha happy that one summer drastically changed everything? It is hard to say since, as we’ve noted countless times, Summer Pockets can be rather selfish when it comes to details.
Overall
Our Overall Rating [74/100]
Did the season or series finale redeem the lull which was Umi’s extended arc? No. But, with ending on what made the show interesting, it does at least finish in a place to make you nostalgic for the good times, despite the swamp it sent you through.
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