The chilling supernatural mystery of “The Summer Hikaru Died” continued to unravel with its eighth episode, titled “Contract” (or sometimes referred to as “Contact”), which premiered on Sunday, August 24, 2025, in Japan and Saturday, August 23, 2025, for many international viewers on Netflix. This installment significantly escalated the tension, pushing Yoshiki and the entity inhabiting Hikaru further into the unsettling history of Kubitachi village and the true nature of the being that has taken Hikaru’s form.
Following the dramatic events of the previous episode, Episode 8 dives straight into the aftermath, with Yoshiki grappling with the reality of what Hikaru has become. The episode masterfully intertwines personal emotional turmoil with escalating supernatural dread, offering both unsettling twists and poignant character moments.
The Aftermath of Confrontation and a Quest for Answers
Episode 8 opens with Yoshiki attempting to clean Hikaru’s blood-stained shirt, a subtle but potent visual immediately after his failed attempt to kill the entity in Hikaru’s body. This scene underscores Yoshiki’s internal conflict and the increasingly blurred lines of his relationship with the being that resembles his best friend. Despite the recent violent encounter, the two decide to skip school and continue their investigation into the cryptic note Yoshiki found in the original Hikaru’s room, which mentions “Nonuki-sama.”
Their search for answers leads them to Hikaru’s grandfather, who provides fragmented but disturbing insights into the village’s past, referring to it as a “murder village” with a long-running curse and mentioning “Unuki-san.” This conversation hints at a deeper, more sinister history tied to the supernatural entity. Yoshiki and Hikaru also visit the local library, where they encounter the librarian, revealed to be the daughter of Ms. Matsuura, whom Hikaru had killed in an earlier episode. Here, they discover an old map that depicts local village names corresponding to body parts, suggesting a chilling, fragmented past for the region.
Unraveling the Legend of Nonuki-sama
A central focus of Episode 8 is the exploration of “Nonuki-sama,” a figure deeply embedded in the village’s folklore. Yoshiki and Hikaru learn that Nonuki-sama was once worshipped as a god who received offerings but became a “cursed god” after a famine. This revelation suggests a complex and potentially dangerous relationship between the villagers and the supernatural forces at play. The entity currently inhabiting Hikaru even questions if it is this curse god, hinting at its own hazy memories and connection to the local legends.
The episode also highlights the concept of family and loss as a significant theme. The elder Matsuura’s paranoia stemmed from the loss of her daughter in the mountains, which also affected the librarian’s relationship with her mother. Similarly, Rie’s experience with her husband’s spirit returning has led her to oppose the supernatural. These narratives underscore how the village’s history and the presence of entities like Nonuki-sama have profoundly impacted generations.
Escalating Horrors and a Precarious Alliance
Beyond their investigation, the episode features escalating supernatural events. Hikaru demonstrates his ability to heal himself, but a persistent bruise reveals a significant weakening of his powers. This vulnerability becomes critical when he struggles to contend with a decapitated ghost pursuing them. The horrors also intrude on their everyday lives, with a possessed man appearing in the schoolyard.
A pivotal moment occurs when Tanaka, a character investigating the supernatural events, encounters Yoshiki. Tanaka, who has been largely absent in recent episodes, is now closer to uncovering the truth, speculating about an evil entity disguised as a human. His hunting dog eventually tracks down the impostor Hikaru, setting the stage for future confrontations.
The episode culminates in a tense scene at a café, where Hikaru warns Yoshiki to protect a piece of himself he gave him, explaining that if it breaks, the impostor would be “done for.” Just then, both Yoshiki and Hikaru are dragged into an empty dimension by a headless figure with a bell, with the impostor too weak to fight back. This eerie encounter is abruptly interrupted by Rie, who slaps Yoshiki, bringing him back to reality.
Looking Ahead
“The Summer Hikaru Died” Episode 8, directed by Ryōhei Takeshita with series composition by CygamesPictures, successfully deepens the lore and heightens the stakes. While rich in information about the village’s history and the “Nonuki-sama” entity, some critics noted that the plot progression felt somewhat slow, introducing many new leads without fully resolving existing ones. Nevertheless, the episode effectively sets the stage for more climactic developments, leaving viewers eager to uncover the full truth behind Hikaru’s disappearance and the entity that has taken his place. The series is confirmed to have a total of 12 episodes and streams globally on Netflix.
