The narrative is not linear. Instead, we see fragments:

However, some critics noted that:

The themes of "Natsu no Owari" are timeless and universally relatable. The film explores the tensions between tradition and modernity, the importance of family and community, and the bittersweet nature of change. As the summer draws to a close, the Akizuki family must confront the reality of their own mortality and the impermanence of their way of life.