Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu (Iriya's Sky, Summer of the UFOs) Review

Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu or Iriya's Sky, Summer of the UFOs is a light novel adapted into a 6-episode OVA series. It is a science-fiction romance series released by Toei Animation. It is a rather emotional series and I was reluctant to watch this at first as I did have an idea of the ending as you all know from My Endings Rant. However, I did find it quite enjoyable though and depending on the type of person you are this anime will probably give you a shot to the heart. However, there are similar anime that are better and have better endings. I will be discussing the ending a little bit so...

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Summary
High school press club member, Asaba Naoyuki spent his summer camping outside a local military base in hopes of seeing UFOs that are secretly kept there according to legend. Upon returning to school he meets a strange girl, Iriya Kana and realizes she's more than strange, a dark secret lies beneath what he knows.

How it Could've been Better
I would like to say that the ending to this anime definitely gives you a shot to the heart. Asaba and Iriya do realize their feelings for one another however, they can't be together and this tragic love story is revealed to be doomed. If Iriya were still alive you'd think she'd return to Asaba. On the other hand, there's not proof that Iriya died either and could still be alive. I honestly would've liked it better if it had a happier ending but I guess the lesson is that not everyone can have a happy ending.

Similar Anime
These are similar anime to Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu. I will be discussing the endings and I'll try not to give any spoilers but just in case...

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Urusei Yatsura

This is a 1980s series with a manga written by Rumiko Takasahi who also wrote Ranma 1/2, Maison Ikkoku, and Inuyasha. It is very similar to Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu in which there is a relationship between a human and alien. The main protagonists don't really know how to handle their situations at first with a strange new girl in their life. I'm not really sure if I should watch this series since it is 195 episodes long with 6 movies and I want to watch a truckload of other things too. But I might just give this a try.

Kono Minikuku mo Utsukushi Sekai (This Ugly Yet Beautiful World)

This is a 2004, 12 episode series and shares many similarities with Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu. Most notably the relationship between the protagonist and a strange new girl. The ending is similar too and doesn't really satisfy me much as well. This too could've been better if it weren't for the ending.

Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noburo Sora (Looking up at the Half-Moon)



This is another 6 episode series that mainly revolves around a tragic love story. Both these involve emotional scenes and two characters in love who may not be able to see each other again. Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noburo Sora has a happier ending though.

Mahoromatic

This is a romantic sci fi series just like Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu. In both series the protagonist gets a new unusual girl in his life and they fall in love only to realize their time together is limited. Additionally they both have bittersweet endings as well.

Narue no Sekai (The World of Narue)

This is a 12 episode 2003 romantic comedy series. Both involve the protagonist falling in love with a girl from another world. However, Narue no Sekai is more light hearted and comedic while Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu gets more emotional.

Nazo no Konojo X (Mysterious Girlfriend X)

Nazo no Konojo x is a 13 episode supernatural anime. Both are similar in that the protagonist falls in love with a mysterious girl. Despite many weird factors, Naxo no Konojo does give you the same soft, warm, romantic, fuzzy feelings that Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu and other romance anime does. Nazo no Konojo X has a much happier ending though and the main lovers are still very much together.

Ano Natsu de Matteru (Waiting in the Summer)

Ano Natsu de Matteru is a 12 episode romance series. Both anime involve the protagonist falling in love with a girl from another planet only realizing they can't be together. Ano Natsu de Matteru also gives you that sad emotional feel too. However, Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu leaves off with the protagonist thinking about his adventure with no clues if Iriya is still alive or not, Ano Natsu de Matteru does give some clues if the two lovers were able to see each other again.

Kannagi (Crazy Shrine Maidens)

Kannagi is a 13 episode 2008 series. Both involve the protagonist land himself a mysterious girl, though in this case she is a god and give elements of romance and comedy. I haven't watched this yet so I can't really give much details.

Yoake Mae yori Ruriiro na: Crescent Love (Brighter than the Dawning Blue)

This is a 12 episode romantic sci-fi based on the visual novel by August. Of all the similar anime, this one is the best one on this list (my opinion). Both series involve the star-crossed lovers concept with the protagonist and a girl from another world falling in love. Yoake Me yori Ruriiro na: Crescent Love has a much happier ending though, in fact one of the best endings in my opinion.

My Conclusion
I would give this anime 4/5 stars or a 8/10 score. Like I stated, the ending is kind of what ruined it for me but it was a rather emotional anime and good for something that was only 6 episodes long. I would definitely recommend watching the other similar anime as well as each have at least some form of romance (if not main theme is romance) and five out of the six get pretty emotional too.