Picture: The Summer Hikaru Died – CygamesPictures
The anime adaptation of Mokumokuren’s award-winning manga series, The Summer Hikaru Died, will be released on Netflix exclusively outside of Japan in 2025. Here’s everything we know so far about the anime.
The Summer Hikaru Died is an upcoming Japanese Netflix Original supernatural horror anime series directed and written by Ryōhei Takeshita. The series is an adaptation of Mokumokuren’s award-winning manga series of the same name. CygamesPictures is the animation studio that produces anime.
Director Ryōhei Takeshita had the following to say:
“Reading the original work was exciting, and I pondered how to express its frames in animation. Our team was very dedicated to capturing the delicate emotions of Yoshiki and Hikaru, as well as the manga’s beautiful and innovative structure. We look forward to sharing it with you.”
Picture: Hikaru (left) and Yoshiki (right) – CygamesPictures
When is The Summer Hikaru Died coming to Netflix?
Up until recently, all we knew was that The Summer Hikaru Died was scheduled to be released on Netflix sometime in Q3 2025. However, we recently learned that a preliminary release date of July 1st, 2025, has been set.
As always, release dates are subject to change while we wait for Netflix to announce an official release date.
What is the plot of The Summer Hikaru Died?
Netflix has provided a synopsis for the anime:
“Two best friends living in a rural Japanese village: Yoshiki and Hikaru. Growing up together, they were inseparable… until the day Hikaru came back from the mountains, and was no longer himself. “Something” has taken over Hikaru’s body, memories, feelings… and everything they know begins to unravel.”
Who is the cast of The Summer Hikaru Died?
Shuichiro Umeda provides the voice of Hikaru.
The actor had the following to say about being cast in the lead role:
“Playing Hikaru was like peering into darkness. Despite uncertainties, my desire to stay connected with Yoshiki was clear, and I approached the role with that strong feeling.”
Picture: Shuichiro Umeda (left) is the voice of Hikaru (right)
The only other confirmed cast member is Chiaki Kobayashi, who plays the role of Yoshiki Tsukinaka. Chaiki also expressed his excitement about playing Yoshiki.
“I’m thrilled to voice Yoshiki. From the audition, I felt a whirlwind of emotions — fear, comfort, and uncertainty. My goal was to capture all of Yoshiki’s feelings and melancholy.”
Picture: Chiaki Kobayashi (left) is the voice of Yoshiki.
Are you excited to watch The Summer Hikaru Died on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!
