You might not have come across “The Summer Hikaru Died” yet, but once you catch a glimpse of its first trailer, you’ll probably find yourself adding it straight to your Netflix queue.
It’s not every day you see slice of life blended with horror, but that’s exactly the intriguing mix that “The Summer Hikaru Died” offers. This manga made its debut in 2021 and has consistently released new chapters. It tells the story of Yoshiki and Hikaru, two friends living in a quiet Japanese town, until one day, Hikaru dies. But rather than grieving as usual, Yoshiki faces something out of this world: an eldritch being that takes Hikaru’s place, leaving him grappling with the unsettling truth that his real friend is gone. After much anticipation, the anime adaptation’s trailer has arrived, exuding all the eerie vibes fans have been hoping for.
Be sure to check out the trailer for a taste of what’s to come. It might not reveal too much, but the atmosphere is certainly set. Helming the director’s chair for this adaptation is Ryohei Takeshita, recognized for his work on “Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night”. Chiaki Kobayashi, known for his roles in “Hell’s Paradise” and “Reynatis,” lends his voice to Yoshiki. Opposite him is Shuichiro Umeda, who you might recognize from “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” and “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth,” playing Hikaru.
In a brief statement, Takeshita shared, “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.”
Unfortunately, we don’t have a specific release date yet. However, it’s expected to hit screens in the latter half of 2025, so the wait shouldn’t feel too long.
