The Summer Hikaru Died is The Horror Anime of Your Nightmares

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For quite some time now, I’ve been expressing my views on egmr.ru about the potential for anime to excel in the horror genre. While there are decent scary series outside of Junji Ito’s work like “Devilman: Crybaby” and “Paranoia Agent,” Netflix has achieved what many thought was unattainable. The chilling campfire tale, “The Summer Hikaru Died,” is currently available on their streaming platform, offering not only an engaging narrative but moments that continue to give me nightmares.

Initially, “The Summer Hikaru Died” introduces us to the friendship between Yoshiki Tsujinaka and Hikaru Indo, who find themselves in an unusual predicament – Hikaru is not exactly who he seems. The anime begins with Yoshiki discovering that his cherished friend is no longer the boy he used to know. Tragically, Hikaru has passed away, only to be replaced by a doppelganger that has insidiously attached itself to Yoshi. This new Indo carries all the memories and character traits of the deceased, yet possesses a genetically grotesque form far beyond what one would expect. Fearing loneliness more than his friend’s transformation into a monster, Yoshiki struggles to keep their bond alive as he grapples with the mounting terror enveloping him.

What Makes Hikaru Scary?

Let’s begin by discussing some unsettling moments from the series “The Summer Hikaru Died”. Even weeks after viewing, certain scenes from the first three episodes linger in my nightmares. The eerie appearance of Hikaru’s true form, a combination of a butterfly, jellyfish, and expanding blob, is already unsettling. However, there are other supernatural creatures that prowl the wilderness of the protagonists’ small town. For instance, episode two introduces a spirit seeking revenge on Yoshiki due to his bond with the new Indo. Although its design is straightforward, it shines in its simplicity. The sequence where Hikaru absorbs the ghost may seem straightforward at first glance, but as you ponder it, it grows increasingly terrifying.

In the season opener, a death occurs off-camera, reminiscent of the horror classic, “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, where what isn’t depicted may be more chilling than what is shown. When a villager suspects Hikaru’s secret, the gruesome anime character makes it appear as if she had swallowed her own fist, leaving much to the viewer’s imagination. To put it mildly, this death scene, left to one’s creativity, could potentially be more unsettling than any animation could depict.

In this anime adaptation by studio Cygames Pictures, even ordinary situations are turned into terrifying experiences, creating an atmosphere of fear in every episode we’ve watched so far. For instance, when Yoshiki goes to a convenience store, what should be a simple task of buying items becomes a horror-filled ordeal due to the creative direction by the production house. Each item scanned suddenly disrupts the scene, functioning as a chilling jump scare that doesn’t rely on supernatural entities to create an unsettling environment. This technique of turning everyday scenarios into nerve-wracking, creepy nightmares is something that Junji Ito is known for, but The Summer Hikaru Died seems to have achieved a similar effect.

The Themes of Hikaru

In simpler terms, some excellent horror stories carry underlying messages that make them more impactful for audiences. For instance, the anime adaptation of “The Summer Hikaru Died” delves into themes such as isolation, young love, depression, friendship, and others. The character development is particularly noteworthy when Yoshi struggles to let go of his departed friend, even though his actual friend has passed away. Additionally, the creature that tries to be Hikaru offers a unique blend of being compassionate yet harboring an ominous form, which is unlike anything we’ve witnessed in anime before.

Titled “The Summer Hikaru Perished“, this story originates from the creative mind of Mokumokuren, who continues to publish new chapters in the manga format. If the upcoming anime version can maintain its pace and remain faithful to the original content, it has a strong potential to be remembered as one of the most terrifying anime series ever produced.

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2025-07-22 22:16