The Summer Hikaru Died
“Haunting Anime Horror Review”
We often underestimate the importance of those around us, especially our loved ones, and only recognize their absence when they are no longer present. Such a separation can induce all sorts of negative emotions and effects on a person, but how each person faces it depends on the life they’ve lived. What if someone we thought was gone forever returned? Wouldn't we cling to them, never letting go, having already experienced the harsh reality of life without them? To feel this way is human, but in our daze, we may not even realize what we have clung onto…
“The Summer Hikaru Died,” also known as “Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu” or simply “Hikanatsu,” is a 12-episode TV Anime series that aired from the 6th of July until the 28th of September in the Summer of 2025. It was produced by Nippon Television Network, CyberAgent, Kadokawa, and dugout and brought to life by Studio Cygames Pictures. The main staff behind it includes producers Kurakane Chiaki, Fujiwara Toshinori, Kabashima Manami, and Ueuchi Kenta. It features the genres of horror, mystery, and supernatural. Each episode runs 22 minutes and has an R-17+ rating for its violence and profanity, making it best suited for mature audiences.
The series is based on the Web Manga of the same title, which began publication on the 31st of August 2021 and is still ongoing as the work of author and artist Mokumokuren. It is serialized in Young Ace UP and earned the Traditional Chinese Global Special Prize during the eighth Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Awards in 2022. It also ranked first in the Male Readers division at the 2023 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! and was nominated for the 16th Manga Taisho Award, placing 11th in the final ranking. It was published in English by Yen Press on the 18th of July 2023, and in many other languages since then. A sequel TV Anime series titled “The Summer Hikaru Died Season 2” has been announced, but no release date is available yet.
The story revolves around the protagonist, Yoshiki Tsujinaka, whose best friend, Hikaru Indou, went missing in the mountains around six months before the series begins. Everything changes when he suddenly returns a week later, but with zero recollection of what had happened to him. No matter how much he looks and sounds like Hikaru, even possessing his memories, Yoshiki is sure that the thing that returned is not the same Hikaru he knew and decides to ask him about it upfront. This is when the being masquerading as "Hikaru" reveals its proper monstrous form, but also begs Yoshiki to keep this facade a secret because he does not wish to kill him. Regardless of his paranormal nature, this "Hikaru" looks pretty innocent on the surface, full of childish wonder and eagerness to feel the summer warmth for himself, alongside the beauties of the countryside, and have all sorts of experiences in human form for the first time.
Meanwhile, Yoshiki is largely unconcerned that this "Hikaru" is a fake who uses stolen memories to maintain a volatile act, believing his loved one has somehow "returned" and will not leave again. Yoshiki continues to desperately cling to "Hikaru" to battle his unbearable grief. Still, the more time passes, the clearer it becomes that something hazardous and supernatural has now descended on their village from the forbidden mountains, and many don't even realize it.
You might have heard all sorts of different things about this show, especially regarding the implied homosexual relationship between the two leads, but don’t think for even a second that’s what this show is all about. In reality, it is a superb supernatural mystery thriller full of unforeseeable twists right alongside terrifying moments of brutality. There is a whole journey to be had here, starting with the true origins of the village and the hidden backgrounds of the prominent cast members, especially Hikaru himself. From the beginning, I was intrigued by the eerie events unfolding in this particular village, and the episodes kept me captivated as vengeful spirits and even supernatural bounty hunters entered the fray. Some series tend to leave you with more questions than answers.
This anime excels at giving you questions to ponder until the next episode, which more or less get answered in said episode, but you also leave with new questions until the next. The story is so well-planned that it keeps you hooked, so good luck binge-watching; you may lose sleep. Next, the atmosphere and vibe of the show are just spot on; I felt spooked in real life many times while watching, and the sense of impending doom and dread never really lets up. Everything can be sunshine and ice cream on-screen, but you can’t shake the feeling that it’s the eerie calm before the horrifying storm. It doesn't rely too much on cheap jump scares; instead, it never lets you rest easy, and when the terror comes, it hits twice as hard.
I also want to touch on the themes embodied by the characters, expressed here in nuanced, powerful, and realistic ways. Hikaru and Yoshiki’s relationship is the core of the story and the driving force behind almost all the developments. The story strongly suggests that Hikaru and Yoshiki were in love, and Yoshiki's response to Hikaru's loss fuels the ongoing controversy. If you are an attentive watcher, you’ll notice all the subtle references and analogies about sexual identity and repression of oneself within an unwelcoming society. This is why the setting is perfect: an extremely conservative Japanese village spearheaded by people clinging to the old ways and refusing any compromise whatsoever.
Such a place is ideal for addressing sexuality, coming out, consenting, being true to oneself, and much more, without feeling forced. The generational rift is abundantly clear, and it is heartwrenching to see younger souls being forced into submission. Meanwhile, it also addresses common societal issues where certain families continuously struggle to be accepted by those around them; they’re always “in the wrong” regardless of what they do. Perhaps a supernatural, malevolent spirit won’t walk into our communities to disrupt the forced peace, but it is a superb analogy that addresses sensitive issues without being preachy or overbearing.
Moving on to the Art and Animation department, this series is top-tier. The general direction of this anime is excellent, but its eerie atmosphere truly shines, leaving a lasting impression on me even after I finished the show. The art style is beautiful and employs a muted style, which serves to emphasize the sombre feel permeating the screen. They utilize a combination of 2D and 3D animation, making everything look and feel depressing and creepy, with dread always hovering overhead. The character designs are simple but effective, showing that they could be any of us and bringing their trauma to life. Some moments made me cringe, and the execution is truly exceptional!
The Sounds and Music department is right on cue, full of eerie audio that made me feel the intensity of each passing moment. It is an essential part of the show, pushing the visuals to new heights with its emotional commentary and expert mood-setting. The Opening and ending themes are so perfect that the episodes flow out of and into them. Vaundy's opening theme, "Saikai," mirrors Yoshiki's inner struggles, grief, and feelings for his best friend, emphasizing that their reunion will be fleeting. Meanwhile, the first ending theme, "Anata wa Kaibutsu" by TOOBOE, acts as a counterpart to the eerily hopeful opening by resigning to one’s fate and coming to terms with the undeniable reality that Hikaru is gone forever. The second Ending theme, "Hibi no Kage" by Yoshiki Tsujinaka (VA: Chiaki Kobayashi) and Hikaru (VA: Shuuichirou Umeda), similarly delivers a gut punch that kept me reeling. Needless to say, the Voice Acting is stellar, especially for the two leads, who had me sobbing emotionally on multiple occasions.
Overall, "The Summer Hikaru Died" is a masterpiece that faithfully honors its source material and stands among the best horror shows I've ever encountered. What makes it stand out among thousands of others is how it expertly controls the tone to make the audience feel exactly what it wants us to think at just the right time. The story also makes you think and feel dread, reminding you not to take loved ones for granted in this cruel world. If you can at least stomach horror series, I highly recommend this show to you; meanwhile, horror fans are in for quite the treat that will keep you on your toes for Season 2!
