The official website for the television anime adaptation of Visual Arts/Key’s popular visual novel, Summer Pockets, has released its eighth promotional video. The new video comes ahead of the show’s 23rd episode, titled “Nanami,” and also reveals the addition of acclaimed voice actress Kana Hanazawa to the cast as the character Nanami. The announcement was accompanied by a new visual featuring Nanami and Shiroha.
The Summer Pockets anime, which premiered on April 7, 2025, in Japan, has been steadily releasing promotional materials throughout its run.
New Character and Voice Actress: Nanami
Kana Hanazawa will be lending her voice to the character Nanami. The timing of this announcement, coinciding with the 23rd episode titled “Nanami,” suggests a significant role for the character in the upcoming narrative. Hanazawa is known for her extensive work across numerous anime, providing a familiar and popular voice to fans. The official website also unveiled a new visual showcasing Nanami alongside the character Shiroha, hinting at their connection within the story.
Previous Cast Announcements and Returning Favorites
The Summer Pockets anime features a robust cast, with many voice actors reprising their roles from the original visual novel. Previous announcements detailed key cast members, including Shōya Chiba as Hairi Takahara, Konomi Kohara as Shiroha Naruse, Natsumi Takamori as Ao Sorakado, Nene Hieda as Kamome Kushima, and Emiri Iwai as Tsumugi Wenders. Notably, Nene Hieda stepped in to voice Kamome Kushima as the original game’s voice actor, Tomomi Mineuchi, retired from voice acting in 2022.
Other returning cast members from the game include:
- Saku Ichimiya as Miki Nomura
- Sahomi Koyama as Shizuku Mizuori
- Aimi Tanaka as Umi Kato
- Megumi Takamoto as Kyoko Misaki
- Minoru Shiraishi as Kobato Naruse
- Konomi Suzuki as Inari
- Kentaro Kumagai as Ryoichi Mitani
- Yohei Kamada as Tenzen Kano
Anime Production and Story Background
The Summer Pockets TV anime is directed by Tomoki Kobayashi, with Keiichiro Ochi handling series composition and Mai Otsuka designing the characters. Feel. is responsible for the anime production. The series follows Hairi Takahara as he travels to the secluded island of Torishirojima during his summer vacation to manage his recently deceased grandmother’s effects. There, he encounters various girls and experiences a “nostalgic summer,” unearthing forgotten memories.
Theme Songs and Music
Konomi Suzuki, who performed the theme songs for the original visual novel, is also performing the opening and ending theme songs for the anime adaptation. The opening theme is “Alka Tale” and the ending theme is “Lasting Moment.”
Release and Streaming Information
The Summer Pockets anime commenced broadcasting on April 7, 2025, on Tokyo MX and BS11, followed by MBS and Shizuoka Broadcasting System on April 8. It also aired on AT-X on April 10 and TV Setouchi on April 11. Crunchyroll is streaming the series as it airs in Japan, making it accessible to international audiences.
In addition to the ongoing TV series, a compilation film for Summer Pockets was released in Japan on August 15, 2025. The theatrical release was segmented into four parts, focusing on different character arcs.
The original Summer Pockets visual novel first launched for PC in Japan in June 2018, with an English version made available on Steam in February 2020. An updated version, Summer Pockets REFLECTION BLUE, was released for PC in June 2020, and later on mobile devices, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4.
This latest promotional video and cast announcement continue to build anticipation as the Summer Pockets anime approaches its later episodes, promising further developments in its heartfelt summer story.
