"The Summer Hikaru Died" (2025): Netflix’s Haunting New Horror Anime 🌿🔪

Boxofficehype
Mar 22
2 min read

📅 Coming to Netflix in 2025 | 🎬 Produced by CygamesPictures

One summer.One secret.One terrifying truth.

Netflix is bringing one of the most chilling horror anime adaptations of 2025 with The Summer Hikaru Died (Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu). Based on Mokumokuren's hit manga, this supernatural boys’ love horror explores grief, identity, and eldritch terror lurking beneath a quiet rural town.

👀 The Story: What If Your Best Friend Wasn’t Human Anymore?

In a small, sleepy Japanese village, best friends Yoshiki and Hikaru spend their summer together like always—until Yoshiki realizes something is wrong.

“You’re not Hikaru, are you?”

Six months ago, Hikaru went missing in the mountains. When he returned a week later, he looked and acted the same—but something had changed. Deep inside, Yoshiki knew: Hikaru was gone, and something else had taken his place.

Yet, even knowing the truth, Yoshiki chooses to stay by his side, pretending nothing has changed. But as eerie events start disturbing the town, he’s forced to confront what "Hikaru" really is… and whether he can still call him a friend.

🎭 Characters & Voice Cast

Yoshiki Tsujinaka – A boy struggling with the horrifying truth about his best friend. (Voiced by Chiaki Kobayashi)
Hikaru Indo – No longer human, but still longing for his bond with Yoshiki. (Voiced by Shūichirō Umeda)
Asako Yamagishi – A friend drawn into the town’s growing mysteries. (Voiced by Yumiri Hanamori)
Rie Kurebayashi – Another townsperson entangled in the horror. (Voiced by Wakana Kowaka)
Tanaka – A mysterious figure who may know more than he lets on. (Voiced by Chikahiro Kobayashi)

🎬 Why The Summer Hikaru Died Is a Must-Watch

🔺 Horror Meets Emotional Drama – A blend of psychological horror, supernatural mystery, and intimate storytelling.

🔺 Eldritch Terror & Small-Town Dread – Think The Thing meets Mushishi.

🔺 Beautiful Yet Unsettling Animation – Handled by CygamesPictures, the studio behind Blade Runner: Black Out 2022.

🔺 A Unique Boys’ Love Narrative – A rare mix of horror and BL, exploring deep emotions beyond romance.

🔺 Faithful Manga Adaptation – The manga is a critically acclaimed hit, praised for its eerie atmosphere and raw emotion.

📅 Release Date & Where to Watch

📺 The Summer Hikaru Died is set to premiere in Q3 2025, exclusively on Netflix.

Whether you're a horror fan, a Boys’ Love enthusiast, or just love beautifully crafted psychological thrillers, this anime is one you won’t want to miss.