Natsuiro Kiseki is based off a new manga that began running this year. The anime adaptation premiered in Spring 2012 and did not receive a simulcast nor a US license. It follows the daily lives of four girls: Natsumi, Saki, Yuka, and Rinko, the four of whom often gather around a large rock at a Shinto shrine. The rock is rumored to be able to grant people's wishes when all those gathered around wish for the same thing...that is until the girls find out the myth is true. Furthermore, with Saki getting ready to transfer schools, the girls decide to spend the last summer together filled with magic.
The story starts off as a simple slice of life title similar to Tamayura following four girls. Nothing spectacular really happens until the ending where the show looked like it completely fell off a cliff with the bizarre magic of them flying. Yes, flying. Luckily the show does manage to bring itself back together (to some extent) and weave in the bit of magic it has. The character development is shallow for the most part but the characters themselves are generally quite amusing and fun. The conclusion is quite well done for an ongoing title. It closes up quite nicely and doesn't leave any regrets behind.
Art AND Animation are easily worst aspect of this show. Art is very low quality and lacking in significant detail while animation is terrible all around. From poor facial expressions to poorly coordinated body and object movements. The list doesn't stop there but when you take into account Sunrise's other show for the season, Accel World, as well as a number of their most recent titles, this show's quality just spells trash. Heck Phi Brain even looks significantly better than this.
Music is strong with this show. OP/ED are both performed by sphere, whom also voice the four lead heroines. The OP is very memorable and fitting for the show. ED, while not as memorable, is also a very good song. Background is fairly decent but sound effects are average despite strong inserts. Seiyuu cast, as said before is sphere and all do a great job in their roles by keeping the cast lively and entertaining.
Enjoyment? Had I kept up with this show properly, I definitely would have kept this high on my weekly watch list. It's a really fun show and I thoroughly enjoyed pretty much all episodes except the first. I would definitely recommend this over Tamayura. Other shows that fit this genre include ARIA or Hidamari Sketch, so if you enjoyed this, you should probably watch the two recommendations and vice-versa.
Overall, it's not a show to jump up and down for. It's light and fluffy with a nicely incorporated magic twist. Obviously the sudden "I can fly" moment is a huge drag on the show but if you were able to get over that hurdle it's a nice lighthearted show.
Preliminary Score: 6/10
Final Score: 7/10