Ahead of a worldwide streaming release this summer (exact date TBA), Netflix has released new look images and character profiles for upcoming horror anime series The Summer Hikaru Died.
Adapted from a manga series of the same name, which currently consists of five volumes, by writer and illustrator Mokumokuren, The Summer Hikaru Died is set to air on Japanese television during the summer 2025 anime schedule.
Directed by Ryohei Takeshita, known for Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night, with character designs and chief animation direction handled by Yuichi Takahashi, The Summer Hikaru Died is produced by CygamesPictures.
Masanobu Hiraoka (Chainsaw Man) serves as animator for the ominous, swirling figure known as “Dorodoro” (see more on him below).
In The Summer Hikaru Died:
It has Hikaru’s face. It has Hikaru’s voice. It even has Hikaru’s memories. But whatever came down from the mountains six months ago isn’t Yoshiki’s best friend. Whatever it is, it’s dangerous. Carrying on at school and hanging out as if nothing has changed—as if Hikaru isn’t gone—would be crazy…but when it looks so very like Hikaru…and acts so very like Hikaru…
Prominent Japanese voice actors Chiaki Kobayashi and Shuichiro Umeda play Yoshiki Tsujinaka and the titular Hikaru Indou respectively.
Read on for Yoshiki and Hikaru's character CVs, plus a new visual of Dorodoro peeking through Hikaru's face, and look out for more on The Summer Hikaru Died as we get it.
Yoshiki Tsujinaka CV
A high school student living in Kubitachi Village. He struggles with accepting the fact that his childhood friend, Hikaru Indou, has been replaced by something else, yet continues to go about his daily life with it. He has a fondness for animals and insects.
Hikaru CV:
“Something” that appeared in place of Hikaru Indou, who went missing half a year ago in the forbidden mountains. It looks and sounds exactly like Hikaru Indou, but isn’t him. It seems innocent and full of curiosity.
