Summer Smith
The conventional 17-year-old obsessed with social status who becomes a key player in interdimensional adventures.
Summer Smith is one of the main characters of the American media franchise Rick and Morty. Created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon and voiced by Spencer Grammer in the original animated series and Akiha Matsui in the anime series, Summer is a conventional and often superficial 17-year-old, who is obsessed with improving her social status among her peers. Known for her smart and humorous personality and for her high dexterity, the character has been well-received. She is the well-meaning and intelligent older sister of Morty Smith, the daughter of Jerry and Beth Smith, and the granddaughter of Diane and Rick Sanchez.
- Role
- Main Character
Lore & Background
Following Rick and Morty abandoning their original reality in the first season episode "Rick Potion #9", a new Summer identical to the original is introduced, Summer C-131; the original Summer Prime is shown in a now post-apocalyptic wasteland with her parents in the third season episode "The Rickshank Rickdemption". While the Rick and Morty comic series depicts her death, the television show treats the comics as a separate canon, and the sixth season premiere "Solaricks" does not confirm that event within the show's continuity. The character also appears in the anthology series Rick and Morty Presents. Summer is 17 years old and is a student at Harry Herpson High School along with her younger brother Morty. She occasionally expresses jealousy that Morty gets to accompany Rick on his inter-dimensional adventures, whom she sees as a hero, though he is often contemptuous and dismissive of her teenaged life perspective and values. As the series progresses, Summer begins accompanying Rick and Morty on their adventures and is trusted with restoring their memories in the scenario of the pair being rendered amnesiac.
In Their Own Story
Summer Smith is a student at Harry Herpson High School alongside her younger brother Morty. She occasionally expresses jealousy that Morty gets to accompany Rick on his inter-dimensional adventures, seeing Rick as a hero, though he is often contemptuous and dismissive of her teenaged life perspective and values. As the series progresses, Summer begins accompanying Rick and Morty on their adventures and is trusted with restoring their memories in the scenario of the pair being rendered amnesiac. Following the events of "Rick Potion #9", a new Summer identical to the original is introduced, designated Summer C-131. The original Summer Prime is shown in a post-apocalyptic wasteland with her parents in "The Rickshank Rickdemption", before dying in the Rick and Morty comic series, later referenced in the sixth season premiere "Solaricks". Summer also serves as the protagonist of the 2016 miniseries Lil' Poopy Superstar, exploring her adventures after the events of "Total Rickall".
Reader's Guide
Summer Smith is a conventional and often superficial 17-year-old obsessed with improving her social status among her peers. She is known for her smart and humorous personality and for her high dexterity. As the well-meaning and intelligent older sister of Morty Smith, she is the daughter of Jerry and Beth Smith, the granddaughter of Diane and Rick Sanchez, the ex-wife of Hemorrhage, and mother-aunt of Naruto Smith. Her role evolves from a side character to a main character over the course of the series. Voice actress Spencer Grammer stated: "I maybe wasn't necessarily aware that I was having that kind of an influence at all [on the character], but I love voicing Summer and I love acting. So it's really lovely when you do something that you love and other people can find inspiration from that too." The character has received positive reception, with The Mary Sue praising Summer as "the most interesting female character to ever appear on Adult Swim [and] a great example of powerful, funny feminine youth." The A.V. Club praised how Summer develops from a side character to a notably more active participant in the intergalactic shenanigans. Inverse declared that "Without a doubt, Summer is the most relatable character on Rick and Morty."
Did You Know?
- Summer is briefly married to Hemorrhage only in a simulation within the episode 'The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy'; they are not ex-spouses in canon.
- Naruto Smith is a character from the non-canon 'Rick and Morty: The Manga' and is not part of the established television canon.
- The original Summer Prime's death in the Rick and Morty comic series is not confirmed as part of the television show's canon; the show treats the comics as separate continuity.
- The 2016 miniseries Lil' Poopy Superstar is a spin-off comic series starring Mr. Poopybutthole, not Summer.
- She is voiced by Spencer Grammer in the original animated series and Akiha Matsui in the anime series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Summer Smith?
Summer Smith is the teenage daughter of Jerry and Beth, serving as Rick Sanchez's granddaughter and Morty's older sister. She occupies a unique space between her grandfather's scientific chaos and her father's mundane incompetence.
What are Summer Smith's powers or role?
While she lacks superpowers, Summer acts as an independent adventurer who frequently seeks out interdimensional experiences on her own terms. Her role often involves navigating the multiverse with more grit than the rest of her family members.
How does Summer Smith's story end?
As the show is ongoing, there is no final conclusion to her story yet, but she has served as a Galactic Federation agent and joined the Citadel of Ricks. Her narrative continues to focus on her struggle for autonomy within the Smith household dynamics.
Why is Summer Smith important?
Summer is crucial because she represents a savvy teenager trying to find social validation amidst cosmic absurdity. Her actions frequently challenge Rick's authority, showing how younger generations adapt to his reckless lifestyle differently than Morty does.
Does Summer Smith have any relationships outside her family?
She has formed significant bonds outside the family, including romantic interests and alliances with groups like the Galactic Federation. These external relationships often test her loyalty when conflicts arise between her personal goals and her family's safety.
More in Characters & Dimensions
Elsewhere in the Rick and Morty universe
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