You might not have stumbled across “The Summer Hikaru Died” just yet, but I’m pretty sure its first trailer will have you rushing to add it to your Netflix queue.
Pairing slice-of-life elements with horror isn’t something you come across every day, yet that’s precisely what “The Summer Hikaru Died” offers. This intriguing manga, which began its journey in 2021 and continues to release new chapters even now, centers around the daily lives of Yoshiki and Hikaru. They live in a sleepy Japanese town, but things take a dark turn when Hikaru dies and is replaced by an otherworldly entity. Yoshiki is left grappling with the unsettling reality that his true best friend is gone. It’s a chilling premise, and after much anticipation, the first trailer for its anime adaptation has dropped. Trust me, it delivers the eerie vibe you’re hoping for.
Go ahead and check out the trailer above. It might not reveal too much, but it definitely sets the mood. Ryohei Takeshita, known for his work on “Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night,” is at the helm as director for this venture. As for the talent bringing these characters to life, Chiaki Kobayashi, familiar as the lead in “Hell’s Paradise” and “Reynatis,” lends his voice to Yoshiki. Meanwhile, Shuichiro Umeda, who you might recognize from “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” and “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth,” voices Hikaru.
Takeshita shared his thoughts, stating, “Reading the original work was truly exhilarating, and I spent considerable time thinking about how to translate its unique frames into animation. Our team is deeply committed to conveying the nuanced emotions of Yoshiki and Hikaru, along with the manga’s stunning, inventive structure. We can’t wait to share it with you.”
We’re still in the dark about an exact release date, but it’s slated to air late in 2025. So while we’ll have to wait a little longer, at least it’s not too far off.
