CyberAgent has released new character visuals and a key visual for the upcoming anime adaptation of The Summer Hikaru Died, set for a 2025 Netflix release.
CyberAgent has unveiled fresh details for the highly anticipated anime adaptation of The Summer Hikaru Died, including new character visuals and a key visual. Based on the hit horror manga by Mokumokuren, the series follows Yoshiki Tsujinaka, a high school student grappling with the unsettling truth that his childhood friend, Hikaru Indou, has been replaced by an unknown entity.
Since the anime’s announcement in May 2024, anticipation has been building among fans both in Japan and globally. The adaptation is being produced by CygamesPictures, with Ryohei Takeshita (Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night) directing.
New Visuals and AnimeJapan 2025 Appearance
The newly revealed key visual captures the eerie atmosphere of the story, depicting Yoshiki and Hikaru standing beneath a bright blue sky in their rural hometown, Kubitachi Village. However, the image takes a sinister turn as Hikaru’s face appears ominously on the back of Yoshiki, alongside a mysterious figure known as DORODORO.
Additionally, character visuals for Yoshiki and Hikaru have been released, offering a closer look at the two protagonists. Yoshiki, voiced by Chiaki Kobayashi, is a teenager struggling to come to terms with the loss and replacement of his best friend. Meanwhile, Hikaru, voiced by Shuichiro Umeda, is an unfamiliar presence—a being that mimics the real Hikaru but is not quite human.
Fans will get an exclusive preview of The Summer Hikaru Died at AnimeJapan 2025, one of Japan’s largest anime conventions, taking place at Tokyo Big Sight from 22 March. The series will be featured at KADOKAWA’s special booth, where visitors can immerse themselves in the haunting world of the anime. Additionally, a stage event will take place on AnimeJapan’s GREEN STAGE, where Kobayashi and Umeda will discuss their roles in the adaptation.
Further details can be found on the AnimeJapan website and the anime’s official X account @hikaru_anime_en.
A Haunting Coming-of-Age Horror
The Summer Hikaru Died is a psychological horror story set in a seemingly peaceful village. Yoshiki and Hikaru have grown up together, their bond shaped by endless summer days, the hum of cicadas, and simple childhood joys. But everything changes when Hikaru vanishes into the mountains—and returns a week later, different.
Though he looks and sounds the same, Yoshiki soon realises that something is terribly wrong. The Hikaru he knew is gone, replaced by a being with an unsettling presence. As strange occurrences spread through the village, Yoshiki is forced to confront the terrifying truth:
“You’re not Hikaru, are you?”
Netflix Release and Future Updates
The anime adaptation of The Summer Hikaru Died is set to stream worldwide on Netflix in 2025. Fans can stay updated via the anime’s official website (hikanatsu-anime.com), Netflix title page (Netflix), and social media channels.
With its blend of horror, mystery, and psychological drama, The Summer Hikaru Died promises to be a standout anime for 2025.
