If you haven’t caught wind of “The Summer Hikaru Died,” it’s time to take notice because the first trailer is likely to end up on your Netflix watchlist.
Combining slice-of-life with horror is not a typical mix, yet that’s precisely what makes “The Summer Hikaru Died” intriguing. Launched in 2021 and still unfolding with new chapters, this manga dives into the lives of Yoshiki and Hikaru, who reside in a quaint Japanese town. Their ordinary life takes a dark turn when Hikaru dies and is replaced by a mysterious, otherworldly being, leaving Yoshiki to grapple with the grim truth about his best friend. It’s a haunting concept, and after much anticipation, the first anime trailer has dropped, delivering the eerie feel fans were hoping for.
Check out the trailer if you haven’t already—it may not reveal much, but it definitely sets the right mood. At the helm of the anime is Ryohei Takeshita, recognized for his direction in “Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night.” Bringing the characters to life, we have Chiaki Kobayashi voicing Yoshiki—following his lead roles in “Hell’s Paradise” and “Reynatis”—and Shuichiro Umeda, known for his work in “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” and “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth,” taking on Hikaru.
In a recent statement, Takeshita shared, “Reading the original work was thrilling, and figuring out how to translate its unique panels into animation was quite the task. Our team has been deeply committed to conveying the subtle emotions of Yoshiki and Hikaru alongside the manga’s stunning and inventive design. We can’t wait to present it to you.”
Unfortunately, we don’t have a specific release date at this time. However, it is expected to premiere in the latter part of 2025, so the wait shouldn’t be too prolonged.
