If The Summer Hikaru Died hasn’t hit your radar yet, it probably will once you catch the first trailer. It’s likely to be one of those series you’ll quickly add to your Netflix queue.
Blending slice-of-life with horror isn’t something you see every day, but that’s the unique flavor The Summer Hikaru Died brings to the table. Since its serialization began in 2021, new chapters have been keeping fans on their toes. The story revolves around Yoshiki and Hikaru, two friends from a small Japanese town living their seemingly ordinary lives—until Hikaru dies and gets replaced by a mysterious otherworldly entity. Now, Yoshiki grapples with the unsettling reality that his true friend is gone. The premise is both chilling and intriguing. And after much anticipation, the anime adaptation finally has a trailer out, perfectly capturing that eerie vibe fans have been hoping for.
While the trailer doesn’t give away too much, it definitely sets the mood right. At the helm of this adaptation is Ryohei Takeshita, known for his directing role in Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night. Chiaki Kobayashi lends his voice to Yoshiki, having previously been the lead in both Hell’s Paradise and Reynatis. Playing across from him as Hikaru is Shuichiro Umeda, known for roles in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
In a recent statement, Takeshita shared, “Reading the original manga was truly thrilling, and I gave much thought to how its frames could come to life in animation. Our team worked diligently to capture the subtle emotions between Yoshiki and Hikaru, as well as the manga’s innovative and striking structure. We are excited to share it with audiences.”
As for when you can dive into this intriguing story, there’s no exact release date available yet. However, it’s slated to hit screens in the latter half of 2025, so you won’t have to wait too long. Keep an eye out for it—this is one anime you won’t want to miss.
