The Summer Hikaru Died has unveiled its highly anticipated opening video, setting the tone for what is shaping up to be one of the most haunting anime series of the year. Featuring the atmospheric track “Reunion” by Vaundy, the opening is a striking visual and emotional experience that reflects the eerie duality at the heart of the story. Episode 2 of the series has also dropped on Netflix, keeping fans deeply engaged in its psychological mystery.
In addition to the opening, the ending video was released as well, accompanied by TOOBOE’s equally evocative song “you are my monster.” Together, both sequences offer an immersive glimpse into the twisted and tender relationship that defines the core of this narrative. The visual style leans into dreamlike transitions, surreal landscapes, and a mounting sense of dread, perfectly complementing the emotional weight of the source material.
The anime had a significant presence at Anime Expo 2025, where a panel featuring manga creator Mokumokuren, voice actor Chiaki Kobayashi, and producers Chiaki Kurakane and Manami Kabashima shed light on how the anime came to life. From character dynamics to the unique psychological tension that defines the manga, the discussion gave fans insight into the creative decisions behind this adaptation. The emphasis was on preserving the quiet horror of the story, while still amplifying it through sound, pacing, and animation style.
The voice cast brings a strong emotional range to this deeply layered story. Shuichiro Umeda voices Hikaru Indo, while Chiaki Kobayashi plays Yoshiki Tsujinaka, the other half of the mysterious bond. Supporting roles include Yumiri Hanamori as Asako Yamagishi, Wakana Kowaka as Rie Kurebayashi, and Chikahiro Kobayashi as Tanaka. The chemistry and tension between these characters are central to the unsettling atmosphere the show so masterfully cultivates.
The anime is adapted from Mokumokuren’s manga series “Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu,” which first began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten’s Young Ace Up website in August 2021. Since then, the manga has gained a loyal following for its quiet horror, emotional ambiguity, and philosophical undertones. As of now, six volumes have been published, with the seventh released on July 4, 2025. The series earned critical acclaim by topping the 2023 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list for male readers and receiving a nomination for the 16th Manga Taisho awards. Yen Press is handling the English publication.
The anime adaptation, produced by Studio CygamesPictures, is being praised for staying faithful to the manga’s emotional core while using animation to heighten the story’s psychological elements. Its use of ambient sound, long silences, and subtle horror cues is unlike most seasonal releases, making it stand out not just for its plot but for how it makes you feel. It’s a slow burning series that creeps into your mind and lingers long after each episode ends.
The release of the opening and ending videos marks a major milestone in the series’ journey. Fans now have a clearer sense of the emotional highs and lows they can expect from the story. With Vaundy and TOOBOE lending their signature styles to the soundtrack, The Summer Hikaru Died is not just an anime to watch but one to experience.
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