Watch Unsettling Trailer For Anime The Summer Hikaru Died

Netflix have released the first official teaser Trailer for Anime series The Summer Hikaru Died, set for release in 2025.

The series is based Mokumokuren’s hit manga of the same name. Kadokawa published 5 volumes via their Young Ace Up comic book and now Ryohei Takeshita (Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night) directs the anime. Yuichi Takahashi is hand the main animation direction along with character design.

The main voice cast includes Chiaki Kobayashi (Yoshiki Tsujinaka) and Hikaru voiced by Shuichiro Umeda. “I‘m thrilled to voice Yoshiki. From the audition, I felt a whirlwind of emotions — fear, comfort, and uncertainty. My goal was to capture all of Yoshiki’s feelings and melancholy.” said Kobayashi. Umeda commented “Playing Hikaru was like peering into darkness. Despite uncertainties, my desire to stay connected with Yoshiki was clear, and I approached the role with that strong feeling.”

The Summer Hikaru Died delves into fear and friendship, how both crossing paths. Could there be a body horror or Invasion Of The Body Snatchers vibe too? When we meet the two friends, life looks idyllic and you can’t separate them. After Hikaru comes back from a trek into the mountains Yoshiki is certain he is not his friend.

Two best friends living in a rural Japanese village: Yoshiki and Hikaru. Growing up together, they were inseparable… until the day Hikaru came back from the mountains, and was no longer himself. “Something” has taken over Hikaru’s body, memories, feelings… and everything they know begins to unravel.

The Summer Hikaru Died is set to air in Japan Summer 2025, for the rest of us Netflix will stream the series, exact date in 2025 still to be announced.