The upcoming anime adaptation of Mokumokuren’s chilling manga, The Summer Hikaru Died, has unveiled a second promotional video, offering fans a deeper look into the series’ haunting narrative and supernatural mysteries. With the premiere date set for July 5th, the new trailer teases the unsettling events and introduces additional cast members, along with a preview of the opening theme song, “Saikai,” performed by Vaundy.
Premiere Date and Where to Watch
The Summer Hikaru Died is scheduled to premiere on July 5th at 24:55 JST, effectively July 6th at 0:55 JST, on Japanese television. For international viewers, the series will be available for streaming worldwide exclusively on Netflix, beginning July 5th. In Japan, the series will also be streamed on ABEMA for free.
New Trailer and Opening Theme
The second promotional video offers a glimpse into the eerie atmosphere and unsettling plot that have made the manga a critical success. The trailer also features a preview of the opening theme song, “Saikai,” performed by Vaundy, setting the tone for the supernatural horror series.
Additional Cast Members
The latest announcements reveal new additions to the cast, enriching the ensemble of characters in The Summer Hikaru Died:
- Yuta Maki, voiced by Yoshiki Nakajima
- Yuki Tadokoro, voiced by Shion Wakayama
These new cast members join the previously announced leads:
- Yoshiki Tsujinaka, voiced by Chiaki Kobayashi
- Hikaru, voiced by Shuichiro Umeda
- Tanaka, voiced by Chikahiro Kobayashi
- Asako Yamagishi, voiced by Yumiri Hanamori
- Rie Kurebayashi, voiced by Wakana Kowaka
Story and Setting
The Summer Hikaru Died is a horror manga series that follows Yoshiki, an ordinary high school boy, as he experiences mysterious incidents involving his best friend, Hikaru. Hikaru had disappeared in the mountains six months prior, only to return a week later, seemingly unchanged. However, Yoshiki notices that something is amiss, and the Hikaru before him is not the same person he once knew.
The story is set in a rural village, creating an atmospheric blend of summer nostalgia and creeping terror. The series explores themes of friendship, identity, and the fear of the unknown, as Yoshiki grapples with the reality that his best friend is no longer who he seems to be.
Production Team
The anime adaptation is being produced by CygamesPictures, with Ryohei Takeshita (known for Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night) serving as the director and series composer. The key staff members include:
- Director and Series Composer: Ryohei Takeshita
- Character Designer and Chief Animation Director: Yuichi Takahashi (Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song-)
- “Dorodoro” Animator: Masanobu Hiraoka (Chainsaw Man episode director)
- Music: Taro Umebayashi
- Original Creator: Mokumokuren
- Art Director: Kohei Honda
- 3D Director: Yoshinori Nakano
- Sound Director: Kōji Kasamatsu
- Director of Photography: Tomohiro Maeda
- Editing: Kashiko Kimura
- Prop Design: Ryūnosuke Ōji
Ending Theme
The ending theme song, “Anata wa Kaibutsu” (You Are My Monster), is performed by TOOBOE.
Advance Screening
Prior to the official premiere, an advance screening of the first episode is scheduled to take place at TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku in Tokyo on June 29th. The event will feature appearances from cast members Chiaki Kobayashi, Shuichiro Umeda, and Chikahiro Kobayashi, along with director Ryohei Takeshita. Additionally, on the same day, ABEMA will broadcast a special program highlighting the series, with live appearances from Chiaki Kobayashi, Chikahiro Kobayashi, and Shuichiro Umeda.
Manga’s Success
The original manga series by Mokumokuren has garnered significant attention and acclaim. It has been serialized on Kadokawa Shoten’s Young Ace Up web imprint since August 2021 and has released six collected volumes to date. The series topped Kono Manga ga Sugoi!’s list for male readers in 2023 and has been nominated for several awards, including the Manga Taisho award, the Tsutaya Comic Awards, an Eisner Award, and the Next Manga Award.
The manga has also achieved commercial success, with the first volume selling 200,000 copies within three months of its release. Yen Press has licensed the series for English publication, making it accessible to a wider international audience.
Netflix’s Anime Expansion
Netflix has been steadily expanding its anime catalog, and The Summer Hikaru Died is a notable addition to its lineup. The streaming platform has found success adapting various horror anime series and films, including Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre, which debuted in 2023. Netflix’s exclusive streaming of The Summer Hikaru Died underscores its commitment to delivering diverse and high-quality anime content to its global audience.
Themes and Expectations
The Summer Hikaru Died is anticipated to be an emotionally resonant anime that blends elements of slice-of-life with supernatural horror. The series explores themes of friendship, identity, and the unsettling nature of the unknown. With its lush animation, nuanced performances, and slow-burning horror, the anime is expected to capture the eerie tranquility of the story’s rural setting.
The additional cast members, along with the atmospheric music and visuals, promise to create a compelling and haunting experience for viewers. As the premiere date approaches, fans eagerly anticipate the anime adaptation of The Summer Hikaru Died and its exploration of the complex relationship between Yoshiki and the “something” that has replaced his best friend.
