Summer is just around the corner, and what better way to remind you of the fun times that summer can be than anime? When it comes to the summer days in anime, it isn’t uncommon for a series (especial genres like slice of life or school dramas) to have at least one episode that focuses on summer vacation or going to the beach. Though, when making this list, I tried to think more of the series that throughout the whole thing either had a very big summer feel to them or took place the whole time in the season.

I also took into consideration that I wanted this list to actually be filled with series that were good. So if you ever want to beat the summer heat this summer by just staying inside with the a/c and watching anime, maybe these titles will spike your interest?

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai

AnoHana is one of my favourite series of all time. It’s beautiful, tear jerking, and fantastic in every way possible. It shows how powerful a single summer can be. It’s about learning to cope with death, and also recuperating lost friendships. If you haven’t already seen this, you’re definitely missing out!

Ano Natsu de Matteru

This anime is all about a group of teenagers who experience the best summer of their lives. From love to aliens it has it all! Although the drama runs hight, there were a lot of great little moments in this series where it seemed like it just wanted to focus on a group of friends having fun. That’s what I like to think summer should be all about.

Air

It’s been four or five years since I’ve seen this anime, but when thinking back on it, the one thing that comes to mind is summer. It’s all about a curse that’s gone on for pretty much 1000 years in the summer (correct me if I’m wrong). It’s a key series, so it’s not for everyone, but if you want a tear jerker look no further!

Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni

Nothing like some violence to make your summer better! Higurashi is all about experience the same time frame in summer over and over again. I actually love this franchise because it does a great job at delivering a really interesting story. The characters in this anime had some fun enjoying the summer? They had watergun fights, played baseball, and stabbed themselves with knives. Such a hoot!

My Neighbor Totoro

As everyone probably knows, I’m a big fan of all of Miyazaki films, so I definitely had to at least one to the list! Much like with Mai Mai Miracle (which I’d also recommend), it’s all about children letting their imagination run wild. A lot of it also has to do with the fact that the world around us can be a wonderful thing. It focuses mostly on the nature aspect that we get in the summer, and the beauty and fun behind that.

Natsume Yuujinchou

Natsume has had four incredible anime series so far, and for the most part they’ve managed to cover pretty much all the seasons in a year. If you wanted to watch the seasons that seem to focus more on the summer season, I’d say it would probably be season one and three. It’s all about beautifully told stories where Natsume helps out spirits with their problems. One of the best things about this series is the atmosphere that it creates, and with a summer setting, it can’t help but remind you of the beauty behind this season.

Shiki

Another series on the list, that I guess is trying to teach us to avoid all small towns during the summer! Anyway, this is an awesome series that takes place mostly throughout one summer where people in a town start to die off. This definitely doesn’t depict the “fun times”, but it sure as hell still tells an awesome story! The fact that it was summer really lent a hand to create a great setting. Anyway, if you happen to be one of those people who dislike summer, this series will give you another reason as to why.

Shinryaku! Ika Musume

This is one of the cases where I feel an anime has a very big summer feel to it. It takes place pretty much the whole time on a beach, and all anybody ever cares about is having fun and eating food (oh, and starting a squid invasion!). It’s all about enjoying life and using puns…what more could you want?

Summer Wars

With a name like summer wars, it’s not too surprising that this movie managed to make the list. Even though a large amount of it takes place in a digital world, the story is still all about saving the world when it’s the hottest day in summer. It’s action packed with a bit of romance thrown into the mix. It also has a strong theme about the importance of family. I remembering watching this film in summer and it will no doubt leave you with a great feeling.

Honourable Mention (if you’re in the mood to torture yourself)

ENDLESS EIGHT

So if you’re in the mood to hate yourself and anime this summer, what better way than to watch endless eight? Haruhi is going to get the summer she wanted no matter how long it takes! This arc was all about trying to have the ultimate summer and considering it accounts for more than half the season (damn you!), I felt it deserved to get an honourable mention. Now don’t forget, the best way to complete your summer holiday is by doing your homework!