It has been six months since Yoshiki Tsujinaka's best friend, Hikaru Indou, went missing in the mountains and returned a week later with no recollection of what had transpired. Certain that it is not the Hikaru he knows who came back, Yoshiki finally asks Hikaru about it. Suddenly, "Hikaru" reveals his true monstrous form and begs Yoshiki to keep it a secret, as he does not want to kill him.
Despite his paranormal nature, "Hikaru" seems almost innocent, full of childlike wonder and eager to experience the summer heat, the countryside, and all kinds of other things in a human body for the first time. And for Yoshiki, it matters little if "Hikaru" is a fake relying on stolen memories—as long as he never leaves again. As Yoshiki desperately clings to "Hikaru" in his intense grief, it becomes increasingly clear that something dangerous and supernatural may have descended from the mountains into their village.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Comentários
Marinate1016
There’s no question in my mind that if not for homophobia, The Summer Hikaru Died would’ve been much more popular and in anime of the year discussions. The ratings show that for people who did go in with an open mind, this was incredible, but the fact the story is an analogy for repressed homosexuality and conforming to societal norms turned a lot of people off. Sadly, we as a society have began to accept yuri stories much more, but there’s still a stigma about a love story with two boys, especially one that acts as a social commentary like TSHD does. It’s a shamebecause if people gave this a fair shake, they’d see it’s also one of the best horror stories in anime history. Anime is a medium where it’s just difficult to make genuinely scary stuff happen and TSHD does it consistently in nearly every episode thanks to the pervasive feeling of unease and dread established by CyGames. Almost every moment of this show oozes with a supernatural eerie sensation that makes the hair on the back of your neck standup. That’s not it though, TSHD features one of the most enthralling and captivating supernatural mystery stories you’ll ever encounter. It grips you from the first episode, gradually drip feeds you more information and lore and leaves you hungry for more at the end of each episode. Not only does this show function as a social commentary, it’s a damn good story on its own as well. The 25 minute runtime on these episodes were just not enough, I needed more and certainly need a second season, ASAP.
Now, I know some people are going to be upset that I’m harping on the LGBT stuff so much out the gate, but frankly I don’t care. Denying that aspect of the series would be like throwing out the core component of the story and underlying driving force behind most developments. Hikaru and Yoshiki were in love, even if they didn’t know it, and how Yoshiki handles the grief and trauma from losing his friend is essential to the story. That’s just the tip of the iceberg though, the series is filled with references and analogies for sexual identity and repression, coming out the closet, sex, consent and much more. Some things are more subtle than others, but I like how it’s all done with the backdrop of this conservative out of touch boomer run village in the Japanese countryside. Like everywhere in the world, in Japan there’s a lot of generational divide and conflict with older people struggling to accept the changing times and young people being, well, young people. TSHD shows us Yoshiki and his family struggling to be accepted by the village, constantly being talked about behind their backs and made to feel like outsiders in their own home all because they don’t conform to the ideal standards the older villagers have set forth. While the show doesn’t explicitly state everything, you can tell a lot of this has to do with Yoshiki’s implied sexuality, as well as his father’s and the fact his sister is homeschooled. I found this to be hard to watch at times because I couldn’t imagine living in such a small village and not being allowed to be myself for fear of reproach by some out of touch boomer. Yet it happens, far too often people have to hide who they are to be accepted and I think at its core, this story is about people embracing who they really are. The author just presents it through the lens of a supernatural god coming down from the mountain(homosexuality) and disrupting the village(young people being openly gay) story.
Oh and have I mentioned the sexually and romantically charged moments between Hikaru and Yoshiki in this? Just google the chest fisting scene for examples. Their relationship is the engine that drives everything in this story. It walks that fine line giving us both an amazing romantic ship, as well as a great friendship. The way they support each other in times of need and how Yoshiki is willing to throw everything away to help Hikaru fit into the village is awesome, but they also have this bittersweet dynamic as both of them come to terms with how their relationship has changed due to traumatic events. it’s one of those relationships that makes you look back and regret the things you left unsaid, but also motivates you to move forward and grow as a person. There’s not too much more I can say without spoiling major details which is why I’ll keep things brief on that front. But just know they are one of the best ships of the year and the only reason you won’t see them listed is because they’re two guys and while we’ve got to a point recently where yuri is deemed acceptable, there’s a huge stigma about two guys being romantically involved still, in the western anime community at least.
“OK, we get it, bro. The show’s gay as hell, is it actually good though?” Yes, yes it is. The LGBT themes are an added bonus, but TSHD is actually a phenomenal supernatural mystery filled with twists and turns, no shortage of brutal and terrifying moments that’s enjoyably for Fujoshi’s and general anime fans alike. Learning the truth about Hikaru and his family, uncovering the village’s true origins, the secrets behind what’s happening to the place and dealing with vengeful spirits all while having to avoid the supernatural bounty hunter(s) sent to town to investigate make every episode a nonstop thriller. It felt like every week I’d come into this show with 5 questions, they’d get answered and then I’d somehow leave out with even more questions. It’s just a really well thought out and planned story by the author that hooks you. It’s all taken to the next level thanks to Cygames incredible atmospheric storytelling. I feel like they’ve really established themselves as the best at creating atmosphere in the medium. Apocalypse hotel last season had this unique melancholic vibe that was omnipresent throughout the season and TSHD has this impending sense of doom and dread that follows you. Even when the boys are chilling, it just always feels like something horrible is right around the corner. It ensures you’re never able to relax and thus are always on guard. That makes things way scarier than just relying on jump scares. The best horror films/shows are able to constantly have you feeling scared. Now don’t get me wrong, this show does have some jump scares, arguably the best I’ve ever seen in an anime that actually made me jump/flinch btw, but the scariest part is the atmosphere no doubt. This show’s creepy as hell and I love it.
Production wise the entire thing is solid as hell. Cygames cooked with the atmosphere, but the voice acting and general direction are incredible as well. It’s extremely well animated and the art style is gorgeous. It reminds me a lot of the muted look CSM went for, which CSM fans hated, but I think it looks great here. It reflects the eerie atmosphere and depressive vibe of the village as a whole. There’s a few episodes here that are contenders for best directed of the year!
No doubt in my mind TSHD is a top 10 show this year. It’s one of the best horror anime of all time and one of the most well done social commentary in the medium. Yes, it very proudly embraces LGBT themes, but that’s not all it is. It’s a damn good anime in its own right and a must watch for anyone who likes supernatural mystery and Japanese horror. I’m glad I got to watch this as it aired and discuss it with other fans! I’ll miss my boys.
TSHD gets 9 out of 10
tenntenn
Summer Hikaru Dies – my rollercoaster of feelings 🌞💀 Episodes 1–3 had me thinking this was a solid 10/10 – the start is so haunting and beautiful that I was completely hooked. But as I kept watching… my score slowly slipped down to around 7/8. It’s not bad at all – there are genuinely moving moments that almost make you cry and remind you why you started watching. But then there are stretches that feel a bit draggy and slow. (I kind of expected that after reading reviews of the manga – people did warn it can feel a bit meandering.) Some scenes really hit; others feel likethey just… drift. It’s this mix of “wow that’s gorgeous and emotional” and “hmm okay can we move on now?”
Overall, I’d say about a 7.5/10
HERMIT_PAIMON
"Horror to represent internalized homophobia" It is a hauntingly beautiful blend of horror and emotional depth. The story explores grief, identity, and love in a small-town setting where something isn't quite right.It's a unique show that balances supernatural dread with heartbreaking intimacy. The pacing is perfect-quiet but tense-and each episode leaves you unsettled yet emotionally invested. The way it portrays human emotion, memory, and denial is raw and unforgettable. I liked the use of metaphors too , if you are enough smart and takes interest in psychology /philosphy then , you can catch hidden details easily otherwise it's hard to get in psychological tropes . This is thekind of series that lingers with you long after you finish a episode , making you reflect on connection, identity, and what it truly means to know someone. For anyone who appreciates thoughtful storytelling with an emotional edge, it's an absolute must-watch.
Don't let negative comments affect you e.g anti village tropes , bl elements etc .
alezzzlf
This is my first time ever writing a review on MAL, and I just had to because this anime was something else, it was a masterpiece from beginning to the end. The combined quality of the animation with the depth represented in this story was what made this anime so outstanding to me. The animation: 10/10 I loved the stylistic choices, the colour contrasts that gives a visual representation of the horror the characters experience. The interpolation with real word scenes work so well in giving both depth and eeriness to the story. Nothing feels out of place, the animators deserve so much credit for boththe fluidity and for their choices that worked so well with the story.
The story: 10/10
The story alone deserves a whole essay. This is the midsommar type of situation where horror is used in excellence to explore a broader social theme. Tension is everywhere, the characters sweating in anxiety for both their internal turmoil and the horrors they’re surrounded by it’s such an interesting way to represent the understanding of itself, your own identity, during your formative years especially when this means getting at odds with what is socially acceptable. And to make it better, the metaphors don’t exist just for the sake of it because the story is indeed scary. This is good horror done at its best.
Characters: 10/10
All characters have depth, even secondary ones. Their evolution and emotions feel realistic and relatable, quite different from your usual anime dynamic.
Music: 10/10
Directly to the point, both opening and ending are great and catchy, specially the opening, Vaundy never disappoints.
In short, this was peak. Really looking forward for a second season.
5iv3_
This was such a phenomenal adaption. Cygames proves once again that they don't play. I couldn't be happier with this series as a manga reader and they did it so much justice. The animation on this alone is absolutely gorgeous. The colors, the fluidity of everything, absolutely amazing production overall. And the mix with hyper realistic elements within some episodes was such a brilliant touch on their end. Obviously plot is banging. That's what makes this series so good. The horror element on this is amazing and how they create tension is well thought out and executed great. As well as how everything connects togetheras it gets further into the plot is brilliant. Absolutely no complaints whatsoever.
Overall, i think this summer season may be the one season where I have 2 anime of the seasons cause i can't choose lol. i had been waiting for so long to see this animated and I feel so proud with this adaptation.
🩷 i love this series 🩷
allancalderini12
Honestly this was the best series this summer season, while I was planning to watch I was really cautious after what happen with Uzumaki but thought about giving it a chance and I am glad I did. never thought it would hook me as much as it did. The storyline, the characterization, the setting, the music are all spot on. Hikaru´s and Yoshiki´s are two characters that are so fascinating as how they are portrait and how they evolved. Seeing Yoshiki´s breakdowns about Hikaru and morality is something that can be related to any person who is having issues with his sexuality and don´tknow what to do about their feelings. Seeing the journey of discovery and part acceptance about who he is, it's an experience. I could feel Yoshiki´s and Hikaru´s fear, love, acceptance like if I was feeling it too.
Love all supporting characters they are all very likeable and all of them have interactions with the main characters. Asako is my favorite without a doubt, for sure but will not spoil, also Tanaka is really interesting, want to learn more about him in the second season. The soundtrack was really good; every track was play in the correct scenes and make the anime journey emotional. The cinematography was spectacular. There were some scenes that look so real, and I could feel myself in Japan at those moments. It was devine.
If you want amazing characters, supernatural genre, and an emotional journey about self-discovery and acceptance this is the show for you, just to mention that like a normal journey they are happy, emotional and sad situations, sometimes you need to travel a rocky road to find happiness. Many people will have some issues about this having queer situations but please try to watch it with an open mind and give it a chance because I assure you it's going to be a really good anime.
BrotherCoa
This was one great horror/mystery anime, probably the best one this season. I know that a lot of people decided not to watch this because of 'boy love' background, but by doing this they are really missing out an unique gem. Animation and sound - animation is fantastic, you can really tell that animators treated this anime with care. Music is also good, there are few tracks that are noteworthy. And when these two are combined this anime really shines. Overall - animation and music are great, a feast for the eyes and ears. As it should be in this genre. Characters - Yoshiki and Hikaru are friendsfrom childhood and you can tell that both of them have an unbreakable bond. Yoshiki in this series is a great character. Ever since Hikaru changed he has been feeling unwell and depressed. Seeing how he developed form character who started questioning everything, not being able to face the truth that his best friend is gone for good, to a character who is desperately trying to solve the current crisis. On the other hand Hikaru, despite having memories of the 'old host', is like a child who was put into unfamiliar environment and now he must adapt or die. The interactions between them are great, no matter the situation they are close to one another and support each other as much as they can. The two of them really made the show what it is, and without such a strong bond it would not work as well.
There are few other characters present in the show but they do not have much of an influence... Except Tanaka, who has a secret mission himself and seems that his actions this season were to determine the nature of creature. Setting up the plot for the second season in which he will possibly have much bigger role.
Characters - The two main leads are great and it is their dynamic that is making the show as interesting as it is.
Story - Story revolves around an entity that is now posing as Hikaru and it's adaptation to its new life. Yoshiki is there to assist it, not being able to accept that his best friend is truly gone. The story as it progressed is slowly unravelling the mystery of not only the entity but also the village at large. Seeing how new Hikaru is adapting to the new life, all the while assisting Yoshiki into investigating the mystery of the village was truly unique and great experience. Regarding the 'boy love' stuff, I personally got that wibe only from Yoshiki. He is harboring feelings for Hikaru, but unfortunately for him that love is one-way street as things are standing now. In the end, that kind of this was not integral part of the story and it can also be seen as very high affection for the best friend and not true romantic love. It did not distract me while I watched the show nor it was 'force' as some people wrote.
Overall - the story is very solid and full of mystery and tense moments. And seeing how two main characters struggle trough the duration of it made it worth the watch.
Overall grade - 9. Best mystery show this season and best horror show. Definitely a recommendation from me. I am glad that they already confirmed season 2, will watch it for sure once it comes out.
Dazai_supremacy
My personal AOTS, words can't begin to describe how satisfied I am with this adaptation as a manga reader, props to cygames pictures and everyone involved. Everything from the animation, direction, OST, characters and story are beyond impressive, would highly recommend this to anyone that is into slow burn mystery and romance. There are so many stand out episodes that I'd be put on the spot if I had to list my favorites, but episodes 3, 7 and 12 are ones that I constantly think back on and probably will continue to do so for a while. The finale could not be more satisfying, and Ilove the anime original scenes and dialogue that were added.
carminex3
10/10 anime of the year for me. The animation and vibes were especially beautiful. I have yet to see an anime that did what this one did. Its a beautiful mix of slice of life and horror. Its a love story. Highly recommend. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unique story, amazing art style, well developed characters with amazing character development. Its kind of a growing up story too. Yes, I really like the depth of this story. Its a love story, but its also about grief. Its slow. Demands your whole attention, so put your phone down!! Its slow, but it makes sense why its slow.
bossunhimeswitch
Going into this anime I didn't really know what to expect though I knew all of my friends were into the manga. So I was not prepared for how this story is very much made up of things that I enjoy in a lot of stories. First off, there's a rural horror aspect running throughout, which helps elevate typical feelings of isolation and alienation that occurs in a lot of horror stories. Second, there's the aspect of grief and how that grows and changes as you get further away from the event though it never truly leaves. Then there's the homoerotic aspects of the storycombined with a coming of age aspect that just all ties in together to create a very well thought out nuanced experience that luckily survived the transition from manga to anime. And in some instances, the anime is able to elevate certain scenes from the manga due to the use of color. It was a fantastic experience and I cannot recommend this enough.
So if you're looking for a monster loving story that's a bit freaky with a good dose of mystery then you'll enjoy this. If you want your metaphors to be more direct and things to be definitive instead of up for multiple interpretations, then you might feel like the story is missing something or might get frustrated by questions that the story will not answer and does not have to answer.
meomeobeou
The Summer Hikaru Died wraps up its first season with a heartbreaking confession on a lonely beach. This 12-episode journey into folk horror has set itself apart as a standout series, telling a story that is both unsettling and deeply human. What makes this series remarkable is how it builds its atmosphere. It skips cheap jump scares in favor of a slow, creeping dread that seeps into every scene. It dives into nature human aspect has both "good" and "evil" at the same time without favor one and the other. It make you experience the real "rural" town, with neighbors constantly eyeing and judging youand your family, the elders outdate way of thinking for example girl do not need to go to school, just married? or the excessive gossip of the cashier, i said some come from rural town may find those scenes really related. The sound design plays a key role and the visuals linger in your mind. The animation stands out, especially in its seamless use of real-life footage during a train ride, really immerse you in the story, where you caught between the human world and something wholly different.
It also bring out some philosophical aspect, leave you with question you never think before and in deep ponder. What make human truly a "human"? Emotion? Memory? It's really referencing the concept of "The Ship Of Theseus" here. And mystery is deep, i got chill in my spine when i see the map resemble a "human", with some name if you know Japanese will be really disturbing like Kubitachi ~ cutting head, Ashidori ~ take leg, etc... And it more disturbing when you know people chop up different pieces of human body to buried in different place acording to the name.
Yoshiki's a really unique character. Throughout the show, we experience his turbulent exploration of grief, denial, and the selfish side of love. For much of the story, he tells himself he is bearing a great sin for the sake of this new "Hikaru." However, the finale strips away this illusion. When "Hikaru," who finally understands human grief, chooses to return to the mountains, Yoshiki's carefully built world falls apart.
At first, he trying to rationalize and talk logic by screaming. But seeing "Hikaru" won't budge, he tap into the selfish aspect of himself. The scream "I'm a monster too!" is that he finally sees his own hidden feeling just as "monster" as creature before him. The outdate way of seeing queer people as "sick" make he him suppress his "monster" side, and this "monster" taking root deep in his heart that not being solve as simple as a fairy tale beating monster then happily ever after, Yoshiki don't want a "happy ending" like that. It’s his last attempt to persuade "Hikaru" to stay by showing they are alike, he and "Hikaru" is not princess and the evil monster here. As voice actor Chiaki Kobayashi also said, Yoshiki's thoughts fluctuate just as a real person's would, making his internal conflict painfully relatable.
"Hikaru" transformation is also compelling. What starts as an mimic gradually gains its own humanity. The finale really portray his resolution: the quiet, final tour of the school, his swollen eyes hinting at a night filled with tears, his mental preparation for leaving. It build up from ep 11, he thinks his absence is the only solution, but internally, he want Yoshiki to hold him back too. He put two toy characters on fingers, the right one is Tsumo representing him, the other one is Ron, aka Yoshiki, he's practicing so that when the time comes, he can just say it and go, this part is mentally preparing. He also guessed that Yoshiki's reaction would be that he wouldn't agree with the decision. I felt sorry for him because he was "understanding", the understanding I'm talking about here is not like what we normally think, he understood that the current situation was not good at all. And when he exclaimed "Oh, that's right" was after seeing Asako crying because he knew Hikaru can't be properly mourn, finally grasping the loss his presence has prevented others from fully mourning.
The opening and ending themes, "Saikai" by Vaundy and "You Are My Monster" by TOOBOE, perfectly summarize the show's layered story. The series is filled with symbolism that rewards multiple viewings, like in the end of the OP where "Hikaru" bites the head of "Hichi-san", i interpret this as symbolizing the breaking of a generational curse.
If I may said one downside of the show is that the finale disappoint viewers who are more invested in its central mysteries. It intentionally sets aside questions about the mountain god and the village's dark history, focusing instead on the emotional climax of Yoshiki and "Hikaru's" relationship. While this makes for a powerful ending to the season, i know some seeking clear answers to the supernatural plot may find it meh. Though I'm pretty sure they intentionally leave it for season 2, i can already see the chaos of the village here.
The Summer Hikaru Died is a triumph in storytelling that uses the framework of horror to explore love, grief, and identity. It suggests that true monstrosity may not lie in the supernatural, but in the hidden, desperate parts of the human heart. This show trusts its audience to look beyond the surface and discover the poignant, tragic, and beautiful relationship at its core, encouraging them to decide for themselves what it really means to be human and love transcend beyond mere "sexuality" where it can't be branded. There's more to talk about and honestly i can go on and on forever.
For me, it is solid 9, as it has up and down moments. But I'll allowed myself to be biased and rated this a 10.
Supersonic_Pain
I tend to find the average seasonal haul kind of a slog, all things considered. My average score for a show in 2025 (not including the Summer 2025 seasonals I haven't finished or any show I dropped, so this score won't be accurate as soon as later today but you get the picture) is 5.24, rounded to 2 decimal places. So why bother? Every once in a while, generally once per season, there's a diamond in the rough that I likely never would've saw if I didn't do this. For example, go back to Winter and in a similar predicament was Medalist, which I gave a strong 9. And herewe are today with Cygames' latest production (between this, Apocalypse Hotel, and Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray, they've really been on fire this year), The Summer Hikaru Died.
I truly do pity the people who saw the BL themes and balked because it's a touching story.
It follows our protagonist, Yoshiki, and the monster possessing his dead friend Hikaru's body.
You can really see how "mixing" with "Hikaru" affects Yoshiki. In the same way you can see "Hikaru" be more human as the season passes, you can see Yoshiki become more of a monster. Not in a visual or psychopathic way but just in how he NEEDS "Hikaru" to survive. It's an unhealthy, toxic relationship and yet it's gripping in how it is portrayed. They're both fantastic characters. I've heard people call Yoshiki too mopey but it never bothered me.
There are a few side characters and they're fun (especially Tanaka) but this show lives and dies on the 2 protags imo.
The village they live in is homophobic and very judgmental and you can see how that plays on Yoshiki. He's broody and depressed and they always make scoffing remarks about his hair or his attitude or his sister. The way the village treats his family is just so... casual and normalized.
This could've just been a drama and been very good but on top of that, it adds a lot of cool horror.
There are quite a few creepy monsters ("Hikaru" aside) in this show. While the main draw is the drama imo, there is definitely enough horror to make horror anime fans happy, especially in these trying times (cough cough Uzumaki).
It does have a slow burn but I was always engaged and bummed out when the episode ended just because that meant I'd have to wait an extra week to watch another episode.
It's a gorgeous anime too. It captures the atmosphere of a shitty gossipy small town really well. The settings felt like real places, not just backdrops for multi-colored scrimblos to interact in. It has some really beautiful moments too, like the last few minutes of the last episode. I really couldn't have imagined a better adaptation for this manga.
I'm so happy when we get yaoi/yuri shows that can stand not as just a good show for fujos/himes but as genuine ART that anyone with an open mind can watch.
And this IS a BL show. To deny it its homosexuality is to deny the story itself. This show portrays the struggles of being a closeted teen in a shitty small town really well. You see the phantoms of it throughout the town from Yoshiki's dad to Yoshiki's 2 female friends. It's like a shameful secret people want to hide and have to indulge in secret. Once the dam is broken, more "impurities" come flowing in. You have to keep it locked up in the mountain, safe where no one can see it.
If you don't mind a bit of a slow burn, check this one out! Best show of the year so far and I would be shocked if anything in fall dethroned it.
UserWithaName
This anime is just as good as, maybe even better than, I expected. I really liked the title of the anime when I first heard of it, and I thought it could mean for a good show. Also most anime I've seen with a male mc with white hair are heat. I originally held off on watching it because I usually watch shows with dubs, but after watching the trailer it felt like I was potentially missing out on something amazing. The Summer Hikaru Died is, firstly, beautiful art wise, and the animation is maybe not amazing but not much worse than that. Although the maindraw of the anime is the plot, the impact of the atmosphere is set masterfully by the audio and visuals. The plot is essentially nothing crazy, but the way it develops had me hooked the entire way. Moreover, I think Yoshiki and Hikaru's dynamic is done really well in a way I haven't seen from many anime, bear in mind I haven't watched any anime like this, really. I like how chill a lot of the show is and how well it contrasts with the intense spikes of tension and drama. Just an off note, this anime is definitely at least gay adjacent, and I find it funny how the first 2 negative reviews on saw on this show on this site were just "i didnt know this was bl."
I don't know how to end this since I'm much better at being angry than happy. I also don't really know anything about animation and stuff so take stuff like that with a grain of salt. I don't think it's perfect, and I'm sure my opinion will change in the future when it all fully digests. But rn I really like this show a lot. 9.8/10
MissJodles
The Summer Hikaru Died is a fantastic show that has somewhat flown under the radar simply due to the fact that, in all honesty, homosexuality still makes a lot of people uncomfortable. However, as a horror, this is a perfectly crafted narrative device that elevates this story above many others. Horror is a genre that anime, and animation in general, has famously struggled with, at least in recent years. Where live-action movies and shows can utilise realism to their advantage in scaring the viewer (think of the ever-increasing popularity and success of found-footage films, as one example), anime as a medium cannot equally replicate realism todraw the viewer into feeling as if they are part of the story, as opposed to a person watching a screen from the safety of their sofa. In the 80s and 90s, animated horror largely depicted grotesque body horror in ways that practical effects of the time couldn’t begin to compete with - think Wicked City (1987) and Akira (1988). However, as practical effects and CGI have improved, the quality and success of 2D animated horror has declined. Even masterworks of horror in manga, such as Junji Ito’s works, have failed to land successfully when animated. Add to this the fact that live-action horror is often very cheap to produce, whereas animation is incredibly expensive, and you have a recipe for disaster: either in the form of shoddy animation quality in modern releases, or a lack of shows in the horror genre completely.
The Summer Hikaru Died has succeeded where others have not through a clever mix of fantastic art and direction, a fundamental understanding of what is truly frightening, and the utilisation of two sub-genres that actually do work very well in anime: psychological horror and eldritch horror.
The story centres Hikaru, who went missing in the mountains of his rural village for a week before mysteriously reappearing. His childhood best friend, Yoshiki, confronts him as to his true identity in the very first episode, and herein lies where the fundamental drama, mystery, and tension of the show forms: "Hikaru" is an imposter, an entity of unknown origin. This linchpin speaks to us in a fundamentally human way: what would you do if the person you loved was replaced with an almost exact copy? What would you do if they started to hurt people?
The Summer Hikaru Died works wonderfully to explore the mentality of Yoshiki grappling with this discovery: his grief knowing his best friend is dead while everyone else in their village believes he is alive; his growing connection with "Hikaru", despite the entity’s increasingly dangerous behaviour; and, fundamentally, Yoshiki’s feelings as an outsider in his rural hometown due to his closeted homosexuality.
And while the topic of "is this show a BL?" seems to be running rampant in the anime community, I won’t delve into this topic too much except to say: this show is a horror that happens to have a gay protagonist. The narrative uses this in tangent with its horror. Queer horror is poignant because it can blend the psychological, human aspects of queer identity (shame, fear, disgust, othering) with the body horror of "Hikaru" as an eldritch being. "Hikaru" is not human and does not think like a human, and his physical body and actions can easily create a sense of discomfort and the uncanny in the audience, especially when blended together with a queer subtext that can often make viewers uneasy. The Summer Hikaru Died blends these lines together perfectly, forcing the audience to turn their sights inward as to what it is that truly makes them uncomfortable.
Much like Perfect Blue (1998) utilising its animation to explore the fractured psyche of its protagonist, The Summer Hikaru Died does a fantastic job of highlighting Yoshiki’s mentality. The sound design and frame composition perfectly showcases Yoshiki’s headspace throughout the episodes, creating tension in the simplest of interactions purely through a fantastic understanding of character writing, tone, and mood. Director Ryouhei Takeshita has done an incredible job in ensuring the show keeps its tension, but has given it enough breathing room to still function as a great drama and mystery and deep character study.
The Summer Hikaru Died is a stunningly crafted show, visually and audibly. The creativity of shot composition, the unflinchingly unnerving sound effects, and the stunning visuals all come together perfectly to elevate this show above many other horror anime of recent years, and even other anime outside of the genre. My only caveat would be that there are some 3D elements that stand out as a little jarring in certain scenes, but not so much as to take away from how beautiful the rest of the show is.
Overall, if you love psychological and eldritch horror, The Summer Hikaru Died is a must-watch. This show is a labour of love and a stunning example that the art of animation can still achieve unnerving horror in our contemporary era.
Duality_Anime
Whenever I start a new season of anime, I always hope to find one of the horror genre that succeeds — whether through visual or psychological horror. Whether it's big titles like Uzumaki or something less so like Terra Formars, much is left to be desired with these shows.. The Day Hikaru Died manages to deliver horror that feels like a form of self-inflicted torment, both visually and emotionally. Anyone able to binge this series in one sitting might need to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital. A recurring issue I've often seen this genre faces is maintaining the fear throughout. If the cause ofterror is shown too early, the normalcy of it takes away from the fear. The longer the psychological aspect is dragged on without character development or remains predictable, the less impact it has on us. With The Day Hikaru Died the horror is visceral, chilling and masterfully executed. From Hikaru’s death onward, we experience the intensifying collapse of Yoshiki’s reality alongside him. What once was the norm, hanging out with a friend, transforms into a waking nightmare. The longer the monster wearing Hikaru’s face is descended from the mountain, the more the village turns into a nightmarish hellscape. Without a doubt, a must watch anime.
Handler-_-One
Watching The Summer Hikaru Died is like stepping into a half-remembered dream: unsettling, beautiful, emotionally raw, and occasionally frustrating. It does many things very well, but also has some missteps that stop it from being outstanding — hence a 7/10. The show builds dread not with constant jump scares, but by using silence, small details, and a slowly creeping sense of wrongness. The rural village setting, the way things just feel off, the quiet moments that linger — they all contribute to a tone that’s eerie in a deeply uncomfortable but engaging way. The emotional tension between Yoshiki and “Hikaru” (or, more precisely, the being claiming tobe Hikaru) is the heart of the series. Watching Yoshiki wrestle with grief, longing, identity, and fear gives the horror stakes real weight.
Sometimes the show’s slow moments are too slow. There are stretches where little seems to advance.
All in all its not bad at all, its just that i expected more of the horror part and almost got none of it so even though it has its supernatural and mystery elements as promised, the lack of one crucial element makes me put it at 7...
Canvas1
As a straight man, i can understand fujoshi's now. The entire cast have their own mystery and personal motivations. I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT TOWN. The art style is brave, they have no fear in doing something weird, and they do it right. The work knows how to present something very difficult to achieve: to create a non-human thinking being and to transcribe the complexity of the communication that exists in the transcription process. Here you will not find non-human beings converted into exactly the same as humans in a weird skin. The plot dances around the paranormal, the supernatural, eldritch horror, as well asthe characters' psychology and goals, grief after a loss, fear, love, and death, all at the same time.
BaconReviews
Grief is a funny thing...And boy is it depicted beautifully in this show. Let me get the obvious out of the way first. I'm not saying you have to love this show, but if you're only reason for disliking it or even watching it is because it's "boy's love" than grow up a touch. That dynamic is so important to the show, and it would not be the same if it was just a boy and a girl. There is a reason for everything, and there's a reason that Yoshiki is gay, without it the show wouldn't work. So don't be ignorant and watch thisbrilliant horror anime.
Anyway, grief.
I have seen few depictions of the subject with such interesting dilemmas. Every action taken by Yoshiki makes you feel a combination of pity, fear, and sympathy. We understand why he does what he does, but it's destructive and that's clear as day. This dynamic is fascinating and by far the most interesting part of this show.
Now the reason I am only giving this an 8 has to do with some of the other elements. I think a lot of the supernatural stuff is cool, but at times it feels more like it's trying to appeal to a generic Shounen crowd. This anime thrives in its uniqueness, and I feel at times it's afraid to be itself. Tanaka in particular is something I am conflicted about. As it stands, I find him interesting, but out of place. With how things are going I'm excited to see if the author can stick the landing and surprise me, but admittedly his scenes are some of my least favorite.
I'm only harsh about this because for the most part this anime does everything right, so it makes those weaker elements stand out a bit more. Needless to say, I'm excited for the continuation and I think this is a recipe for a great psychological horror which is increasingly rare in the anime medium. Queer horror on top of that.
Also, Cygames kills it, the directing is phenomenal, this show is an absolute treat to look at.
Sakurai_Aoi
*Minor spoilers ahead (Nothing too big though)* I will begin by saying…that the anime surprised me. But it surprised me in an undeniably great way. The art in the anime is very good, although I believe that, in some instances, it’s better in the manga. But I must admit that the goofy faces are so well done. It’s hilarious in the manga but just straight up weird and almost eerie in the anime. But the psychological aspects…I believe they’re better done in the anime. The usage of color and all these interesting effects… It’s just *chef’s kiss*. The jarring imagery is just so powerful in thisanime. Really unsettling. It honestly brings out so much more of the emotional nature of this show. The art, when combined with other elements of the show, triggers something really visceral in me with how uneasy things get.
As for the camera direction, it’s absolutely phenomenal in this series. The scene where the cashier is talking to Yoshiki was absolutely nauseating to watch. All those odd angles, the non stop dialogue from the woman, her voice fluctuating in volume as her words go in and out of focus… GEEZ! You could just FEEL the suffocation he must feel living in that town. The art and style of this show is honestly so interesting. (I just HAD to elaborate more on the art here.) As a manga reader, it wasn’t what I expected. For a horror manga with these psychological, coming of age themes and some comedy here and there… I was NOT expecting the adaptation to have such jarring yet somehow effective imagery. The way they combine the anime's art style with realistic objects and settings... It's unique. Really grabs your attention while still keeping you immersed in the narrative.
I also believe that the sound design is well done too. The series has a great ambience. And the most intense moments really hit hard. I will admit that the theme song hasn’t grown on me, but I do think it matches how odd this series is. From the odd, intentionally jarring visuals to the show’s difficulty being categorized, the opening theme really conveys that this show is a mess in the best way possible. (Mess as in lots of emotions, heavy themes, etc. It’s a pleasantly disturbing amalgamation of things, with plenty of beauty and intensity to go around.) As for the ending song, it is SO good. And it’s also very fitting of how sad the show really is. There are the bittersweet memories of friendship and love… And then grief over how that love never came to fruition… And just…loss. Of a friendship. That hope for more, even if it might not have been possible… Every time I hear that ending song…it makes me feel for the characters all over again, especially Yoshiki.
Of course, the story itself is the best part of the show imo. The Summer Hikaru Died isn’t just a BL. It’s a coming of age story of a young man who loses his best friend, who he later developed feelings for. When this spirit inhabits his friend’s body, his life begins to get stranger and stranger. He’s dealing with grief while figuring out what to do with this mysterious being in his friend’s body. The relationship between Yoshiki and the entity in his friend’s body is NOT the same as the relationship he had with his friend. But that’s what makes it interesting; there is a lot going on there, and the series explores it with so much love for the characters. With the grief and the remnants of everything Yoshiki felt before the death of his friend…these two have such a striking and memorably tragic chemistry.
The voice actors convey this pain so authentically. As a manga reader, I had voices in my head for both main characters already, and the voice actors chosen for the anime suit them so well. The other characters are also voiced quite well, so everything’s generally great in the voice acting department.
I think the pacing might be a little fast for the show, but perhaps that’s just me as a manga reader. The manga has a slower pace, giving it that slow burn psychological feel. The anime is faster paced and feels almost surreal. Not that it's wrong to execute it this way. The anime is just a different experience from the manga, and I honestly think that’s really cool and interesting. (Please note that the pacing of the anime may not necessarily be THAT much faster than that of the manga. In my experience, the manga just felt slower. The difference between the two in terms of pacing is probably negligible anyway, but I felt that I should mention it in case you’re looking for a specific vibe from the series. However, I do believe that this series is one that can be consumed in either format. Both are a pleasant experience.)
Overall, I believe that if you genuinely want to watch something deep and haunting, I say to give this series a shot. Its queer themes are central to the story in a very important way, but I believe that a lot of people can relate to the story even if they aren’t queer themselves. It’s the sorta story…that has a strange grip on you. Even when you’re done watching it or reading it, it doesn’t quite leave you. The Summer Hikaru Died is a series that resonates with you so deeply that you might not even realize it until you’re suddenly hit with a flood of emotion. It’s like… the memorability of the series itself mirrors the nature of grief and loss. Not knowing how much something means to you until you lose it.
So, as one of the most moving shows I’ve seen in a while, this anime is definitely getting a 10 from me!
