The Summer Hikaru Died Wiki
The Summer Hikaru Died Wiki
The Summer Hikaru Died Wiki
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The Summer Hikaru Died (anime)

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This article is about the anime.
For the manga, see The Summer Hikaru Died (manga).
For other uses, see Disambiguation.

The Summer Hikaru Died (光 (ひかる) が死 (し) んだ夏 (なつ) , Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu?) is a Japanese anime adaptation of the manga by Mokumokuren.

Synopsis[]

Six months ago, Hikaru vanished for a week. Now, as his best friend Yoshiki senses something amiss and confronts him, the harrowing truth emerges.
Knowing that something has taken Hikaru's place, Yoshiki is faced with a harrowing conundrum — is this the Hikaru he really wants by his side?

Production[]

The Summer Hikaru Died's anime adaptation by CygamesPictures was announced on Twitter by the manga's author, Mokumokuren, on May 24, 2024.[1] On November 25, 2024, the anime's official Twitter account became active and posted a link to its official website. The website contained a 24-hour countdown to the release of new information regarding the adaptation.[2] The first PV was posted at the completion of the countdown on November 26th. It was drawn by character designer Yuichi Takahashi; the "dorodoro" ("Hikaru"'s insides) animation was drawn by Masanobu Hiraoka.[3] The second PV was posted on June 2, 2025.[4]

The anime's first season premiered on Nippon TV, airing on July 5, 2025 at 11:55 AM JST (02:55 UTC).[4] Abema streams the series for free in Japan. Netflix streams the series globally.[5] The Blu-ray & DVD releases on November 26, 2025.[6]

Season 2 of the anime was confirmed on September 27, 2025.[citation needed]

Anime Guide[]

Main article: List of Episodes
Main article: Story Arcs
Main article: List of Characters

Staff[]

  • Director, series composition – Ryohei Takeshita
  • Character design, chief animation director – Yuichi Takahashi
  • DORODORO animator – Masanobu Hiraoka
  • Producers – Chiaki Kurakane, Manami Kabashima
  • Art work
    • Prop design – Ryunosuke Ouchi
    • Sub-character design – Mai Watanabe, Hiroko Nishigane, Shoko Nagasawa
    • Art setting – Shuhei Tada, Takeyuki Takahashi, Yohihiro Sono
    • Art director – Kohei Honda
    • Color Design – Naomi Nakano
    • Assistant color design – Yuko Koshida
    • 3D supervisor – Yoshinori Nakano
    • Director of photography – Tomohiro Maeda
    • 2D design – Yusuke Nagara, Yuri Tsue
    • Editing – Kashiko Kimura
  • Sound work
    • Sound director – Koji Kasamatsu
    • Sound production – dugout
    • Music – Taro Umebayashi[7]

Cast[]

Music[]

Official Media[]

Gallery[]

Promotional Materials

Comments[]

“ When I first read the original work, I remember reading the pages with excitement,wondering what kind of expression I should use to express the frames of the original story in the animation. The entire staff has been working earnestly on the original work in order to skillfully animate not only the delicate emotions of Yoshiki and Hikaru, two young boys struggling to understand each other, but also the beautiful and innovative manga structure, so please look forward to the release.

”

—Director Ryohei Takeshita[7]

“ From the time of the audition, I was swept up in a jumble of emotions: I shouldn't be with him, but I want him to be with me; I'm scared, but comfortable with him; and I'm not sure what to do. I will do my best to pull out all Yoshikiʼs feelings and melancholy by mobilizing all my blood, flesh, and bones. Since various values are intermingled in today's society, I hope that many people will watch this anime. Please look forward to its release. ”

—Chiaki Kobayashi, voice of Yoshiki[7]

“ It was a new experience for me to play the role of Hikaru, and at the same time, it was like looking into the darkness. I am uncertain about many things in my mind and body, but I am certain that I want to stay with Yoshiki, so I will play his role with a strong sense of that feeling. I went into the audition with that in mind. I will do my best to play the role. ”

—Shūichirō Umeda, voice of "Hikaru"[7]

“ When I read the original story, my heart was firmly grasped from the beginning! The scene of “Summer” that everyone feels nostalgic for is mixed with the fear and wonder of not knowing what is happening. It's really interesting. I'm very happy to be able to mix in with the atmosphere of this work...! Let's watch it together when summer comes! ”

—Chikahiro Kobayashi, voice of Tanaka[7]

“ I’m looking forward to seeing how this work, which is filled with various emotions, how it will be visualized. And the Mie dialect! We are all working so hard to record it! I want to do my best to play Rie Kurebayashi, who is close to Yoshiki and Hikaru and has kindness in her sternness. ”

—Wakana Kowaka, voice of Kurebayashi[7]

“ The first time I read this work, I was greatly shocked that the story begins from the point where it didn't make it in time. In a place that shouldn't have existed. What if “something” very close to what didn't make it appears in front of us? What choice would we choose? What will be awaiting them at the end of their summer? I will do my best to play the role so that you can feel the atmosphere that sticks to your skin. Thank you very much. ”

—Yumiri Hanamori, voice of Asako[7]

“ Maki shakes up the mood of the story—in a good way! He uses all kinds of tricks (laughs). In this “abnormal” world that clings to you like sweaty summer heat, doesn’t the “normal” daily life of Maki and Yuki offer a refreshing contrast? Since the shocking first chapter of the manga, I’ve been drawn into this world. I hope I can share that feeling with you soon. Please look forward to the anime! ”

—Yoshiki Nakajima, voice of Maki[7]

“ When I first read the manga, I was completely drawn into its unique atmosphere—how it captures the abnormal side of everyday summer life, quietly existing right next to the normal. Even though the characters live like they’re walking a tightrope and have long left “normal” behind, that same unchanged normal life is still waiting for them at school. I truly, truly love this world and its atmosphere. I’ll do my very best to help bring that feeling to the anime. ”

—Shion Wakayama, voice of Yuuki[7]

References

  1. ↑ Mokumokuren, Twitter @mokmok_len (May 24, 2024). 『光が死んだ夏』アニメ化決定!!. Retrieved on November 26, 2024.
  2. ↑ Twitter @hikanatsu_anime (November 25, 2024). 2024年11月27日午前10時 新情報解禁 (November 27, 2024, 10:00 AM (JST) New Information Release). Retrieved on November 26, 2024.
  3. ↑ Ryohei Takeshita, Twitter @ryoppe0905 (November 26, 2024). このめちゃくちゃカッコいいティザーヴィジュアルはキャラデザの高橋裕一さんに描いていただきました！ PVのどろどろはどろどろアニメーターの平岡政展さんが全部作画で描いてます！. Retrieved on November 27, 2024.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Twitter @hikanatsu_anime (June 2, 2025). 帰ってきた親友は知らない"ナニカ"だった── TVアニメ「#光が死んだ夏」... 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱.𝟬𝟳.𝟬𝟱 𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗜𝗥. Accessed on June 11, 2025.
  5. ↑ Twitter @hikanatsu_anime (November 26, 2024). 2025年 夏 TVアニメ放送決定　Netflix世界独占・ABEMA無料最速配信　日本テレビにて放送. Retrieved on November 27, 2024.
  6. ↑ Hikanatsu-anime: Volume 1 Blu-ray & DVD
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Official anime website: Staff & Cast (EN). Retrieved on March 22, 2025. Archived March 22, 2025.
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