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Netflix’s Bleak New Anime Explores Love, Death & Ghostly Heartbreak in a Haunted Summer

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In summary, the Summer 2025 anime selection primarily features high-octane action movies, laugh-out-loud comedies, and heartwarming romances. However, “The Summer Hikaru Died,” derived from Mokumokuren’s manga, is an exception to these genres; it can be categorized as a blend of coming-of-age drama and folk horror.

Initially, “The Summer Hikaru Died” might seem like another Junji Ito adaptation. However, upon closer inspection, it shares more similarities with “The Flowers of Evil,” or “Aku no Hana.” The first episode, titled “Replacement,” delves into a somber anime narrative about the hardships of adolescence in a town that seems to be on its last legs, further complicated by supernatural elements.

The Summer Hikaru Died Is More Interested In Drama Than Horror & Mystery

A Stunning Premiere Introduces the Series’ Intriguing Ideas & Subplots

From its title and preview, it appears that “The Summer Hikaru Died” will be a mystery series focusing on Hikaru’s death and the unmasking of his impostor. However, contrary to expectations, Episode 1 of this series swiftly addresses many of its key questions right from the start. Remarkably, the cliffhanger scene in the trailer, where Yoshiki confronts Hikaru about whether he’s truly himself, turns out to be the episode’s introduction. Intriguingly, “Hikaru” reveals that he is an otherworldly entity occupying the body of the deceased Hikaru. Yet, what stands out most is how quickly Yoshiki accepts this revelation, as he does not want to lose Hikaru a second time.

In the series The Summer Hikaru Died, there are still several mysteries to unravel, such as a potential government conspiracy and the chilling murder at the end of the premiere. However, the first episode seems to foreshadow that this anime will be primarily focused on drama and tragedy rather than supernatural mystery. The episode predominantly follows Yoshiki and his supposedly deceased friend, Hikaru, as they wander around town. It also explores Yoshiki’s struggle with Hikaru’s actual death, as he interacts with the ghostly figure as if nothing out of the ordinary has occurred. At one point, Yoshiki even pleads with “Hikaru” not to abandon him again.

Although some viewers might find the anime’s departure from the original manga unsettling, these variations aren’t necessarily negative points. Instead, “The Summer Hikaru Died” is proving to be a deeply moving exploration of grief. Interestingly, one of the two principal characters isn’t human but disguises itself as such. It’s worth noting that there might be more of their kind in the anime. In this sense, “The Summer Hikaru Died” Episode 1 is off to a strong start.

In simple terms, the first episode of “The Summer Hikaru Died” kicks off an intriguing story and sets the stage for complex character development that’s likely to stand out in Summer 2025. However, if you’re expecting a lot of frightening scenes or gore, you might be disappointed. Instead, it focuses on creating an eerie atmosphere and developing deeply human characters. It does offer some unsettling and surreal moments, but these are not the main focus.

The Premiere of The Summer Hikaru Died Sets Up Yoshiki & Hikaru’s Tragic Relationship

The Summer Hikaru Died Wastes No Time Establishing Its Tragic BL Story

Another unexpected aspect of ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ is its focus on a heartbreaking romance storyline. Although the anime’s first episode doesn’t explicitly fall under the romance genre, it’s hard to overlook the fact that Yoshiki has feelings for the original Hikaru and grapples with his emotions towards his friend’s replacement. This unrequited love serves as both the primary motivator and internal struggle throughout the anime. Furthermore, they develop Yoshiki into a deeply emotional protagonist.

Witnessing Yoshiki grappling with Hikaru’s demise, accepting it reluctantly, and attempting to carry on with his enigmatic duplicate stirs deep empathy. It’s challenging not to criticize him for his actions given their gravity, especially considering his self-inflicted torment over the matter. Yoshiki acknowledges his behavior as selfish denial, yet he seems powerless to resist it. In “The Summer Hikaru Died” Episode 1, these poignant feelings are intensified by Chiaki Kobayashi’s emotive voice acting, the dreamlike animation, and the exceptional direction of the episode.

In a peculiar manner, “Hikaru” exhibits an unexpectedly childish and cheerful demeanor. It’s important to note that “Hikaru” isn’t lacking in seriousness, but compared to Yoshiki, he appears to be enjoying himself more. Since “Hikaru” is a creation, even though he has Hikaru’s memories, everything is novel to him. At his most unguarded moments, “Hikaru” might seem somewhat flighty and carefree, which could appear incongruous given the weight of the situation and his own existence. Fortunately, this doesn’t hinder anything. Instead, it makes him an ideal partner for Yoshiki due to his light-heartedness.

In Episode 1 of “The Summer Hikaru Died,” it was essential for Yoshiki and Hikaru’s relationship to be flawlessly portrayed, as even minor imperfections would have spoiled the narrative. Yoshiki’s unspoken affection for both incarnations of Hikaru harmoniously coexists with Hikaru’s sincere appreciation of Yoshiki’s friendship. Moreover, Hikaru’s humorous and light-hearted nature helps balance the somber mood set by Yoshiki’s self-absorbed melancholy. These two characters embody the essence of the anime; their debut episode had to capture their unique dynamic accurately.

In Episode 1 of “The Summer Hikaru Died,” I found myself deeply moved by its authentic portrayal of adolescent emotions, devoid of the usual exaggerated actions and melodrama common in anime with similar themes. Instead, it subtly conveys a mature undertone without appearing pretentious. The eerie atmosphere of the seemingly haunted town adds an extra layer to this already impressive episode.

Atmospheric & Unsettling Animation Stuns in The Summer Hikaru Died

Cygames Pictures’ Animation Perfectly Captures the Anime’s Oppressive Mood

When it comes to animation during Summer 2025, The Summer Hikaru Died stands out uniquely. Just as its narrative unfolds, the animation in Episode 1 is gloomy and unsettling. Despite Kubitachi Village appearing tranquil and serene on the surface, Cygames Pictures’ animators skillfully convey an underlying sense of danger lurking unnoticed. The desolate surroundings, somber color palette, and seemingly ordinary character designs all serve to intensify the episode’s eerie atmosphere.

In my opinion, what truly stands out in Episode 1 of “The Summer Hikaru Died” isn’t just the stunning animation, but also its exceptional sound design and direction. These elements might seem insignificant at first glance, but they play a crucial role in setting the episode’s mood and tone. The sudden silence when the cicadas stop chirping is as tense as the cacophony that mirrors Yoshiki’s overwhelmed mind. However, it’s worth noting that some of the more dynamic actions in the animation can sometimes feel a bit discordant with the overall visual aesthetic of the episode.

In simpler terms, although the scene is short, it’s challenging to ignore the questionable composition of Yoshiki’s run in the initial flashback. Similarly, some overly dramatic emotions, like Hikaru’s intense love for his first pork cutlet, seem unrealistic. While the scene isn’t poor, it appears slightly out of place. It seems that Cygames Pictures prioritize subtle actions and emotions less in this anime, which is why much of the episode focuses on characters walking or standing still. The episode shines brightest when it highlights its bizarre and haunting visuals, such as Loco-Loco-sama’s chilling final moments.

Although the initial 12-episode run has just commenced, there’s already a strong case to be made that “The Summer Hikaru Died ” is shaping up to be an exceptional anime. With only a handful of minor flaws, this episode serves as an almost flawless introduction to a darker, more poignant narrative within the realms of slice-of-life and queer-coded anime that viewers are accustomed to. While “The Summer Hikaru Died ” Episode 1 might not immediately stun everyone, it sets the stage for what promises to be a compelling anime series.

The Summer Hikaru Died is now streaming on .

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2025-07-06 00:13

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