If you haven’t caught wind of The Summer Hikaru Died yet, you’ll probably want to jot it down in your Netflix queue after watching the first trailer.
It might seem unusual to combine slice-of-life with horror, but that’s exactly what this series achieves. Launched in 2021 and still unveiling new chapters, this intriguing manga centers on Yoshiki and Hikaru, two friends from a quaint Japanese town. However, everything takes a chilling turn when Hikaru suddenly dies and an eerie entity takes his place, leaving Yoshiki grappling with the loss of his genuine friend. It’s a spine-tingling premise, and the newly released anime trailer perfectly captures the ominous vibe fans have been eagerly anticipating.
Take a peek at the trailer above. While it doesn’t give away much, it definitely nails the atmosphere. Heading the project is Ryohei Takeshita, noted for his directorial work on Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night. Lending their voices to this eerie tale, Chiaki Kobayashi takes on the role of Yoshiki, whom you might recognize from Hell’s Paradise and Reynatis, while Shuichiro Umeda joins as Hikaru, known for roles in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Takeshita shared his thoughts on the adaptation, mentioning, "The original work was thrilling, and I wondered how I could translate its powerful imagery into animation. Our team worked tirelessly to capture the subtle emotions of Yoshiki and Hikaru, alongside the manga’s beautiful and distinct style. We can’t wait to present it to everyone."
While there’s no exact release date as of now, it’s slated for the latter part of 2025. So, the wait isn’t too far off!
