The Summer Hikaru Died, the captivating horror-mystery anime, reached a pivotal point with its seventh episode, titled “Determination” (「決意」). Airing on Sunday, August 17, 2025, in Japan and Saturday, August 16, 2025, for most international viewers, this episode plunges deeper into the unsettling dynamic between Yoshiki and the otherworldly entity inhabiting his best friend Hikaru’s body. It delivered a chilling narrative that left audiences questioning the true nature of their bond and the escalating supernatural occurrences plaguing their quiet village.
A Day Riddled with Unease
Episode 7 picks up with Yoshiki Tsujinaka deeply shaken by the previous incident where “Hikaru” attempted to harm their classmate, Asako Yamagishi. Despite his inner turmoil, Yoshiki maintains a calm facade, arriving to walk “Hikaru” to school as usual. “Hikaru,” oblivious to the depth of Yoshiki’s distress, cautiously inquires if Yoshiki is upset, even mentioning a scheduled school recital.
In a surprising turn, Yoshiki suggests they skip school, opting instead for a seemingly carefree day out, which includes a trip to the movies. This unusual behavior creates an underlying sense of foreboding for the viewer, hinting at Yoshiki’s hidden intentions. While their classmates participate in the choir competition, Yoshiki’s actions, including a brief, unusually quiet phone call to his mother, subtly foreshadow the drastic decision he is about to make.
The Confrontation: A Stab in the Dark
The heart of “Determination” unfolds as Yoshiki and “Hikaru” return to Yoshiki’s house. As “Hikaru” innocently watches a video of their class’s choir performance, Yoshiki’s true plan is abruptly set into motion. He pulls out a knife and stabs “Hikaru.” The moment is fraught with shock, as both characters are stunned; “Hikaru” struggles to comprehend what has happened, while Yoshiki receives confirmation of his grim suspicion: a simple physical attack cannot kill the being residing in Hikaru’s body.
This pivotal event underscores the supernatural nature of “Hikaru” and highlights the futility of conventional methods against it. Yoshiki’s desperate act, driven by his determination to protect those he cares about and understand the entity, pushes their already complex relationship into uncharted and dangerous territory.
Unconventional Resolution and Shared Existence
With his attempt to “eliminate” the impostor having failed, Yoshiki, in a desperate plea, asks “Hikaru” to kill him instead. This request sparks a profound moment of internal conflict within the entity. “Hikaru” struggles with its understanding of human life and mortality, admitting that it cannot fully grasp these concepts, yet acknowledges that Yoshiki’s acceptance has given it a sense of belonging for the first time.
In a bizarre and unsettling act of reciprocity, “Hikaru” tears a piece from its own body, visibly hurting itself, and offers it to Yoshiki. This act is symbolic, as “Hikaru” claims that in this weakened state, it can no longer easily harm others. Despite the horrifying implications, Yoshiki, in a testament to his deep, if now warped, bond with the entity, accepts “Hikaru” once more.
The episode concludes with Yoshiki declaring his commitment to staying by “Hikaru’s” side, no matter the cost. He proposes that they embark on a joint investigation to uncover the true nature of what “Hikaru” is. The final moments of the episode are marked by an intensely ominous atmosphere, as a strange distortion appears, suggesting Yoshiki is being consumed or enveloped by “Hikaru’s” true form.
Manga Adaptation and Future Implications
“The Summer Hikaru Died” Episode 7, “Determination,” corresponds to events found in manga chapter 16. The anime series is confirmed to have a total of 12 episodes, airing throughout the Summer 2025 anime season. This intense episode, with its emotional climax and shocking developments, leaves significant questions about Yoshiki and “Hikaru’s” shared future and the secrets yet to be uncovered in their rural village.
