The Summer Hikaru Died Anime Announces Release Window for Summer 2025

Essential Highlights

International Release: Netflix is set to stream The Summer Hikaru Died worldwide, although details regarding a simultaneous launch remain uncertain.
Production Team: The anime is being developed by Cygames Pictures, with Ryohei Tekashita serving as director.
Award Nominated Manga: The original manga features the characters Yoshiki and Hikaru, who garnered a nomination for the prestigious Manga Taisho Awards.

Recently, Kadokawa unveiled a fresh trailer for The Summer Hikaru Died, which will debut globally on Netflix. The series is scheduled for airing in Japan next year; however, Netflix has yet to confirm whether international viewers will have access to the horror anime on the same day. While Netflix has increasingly embraced simultaneous releases, several titles still arrive months after their Japanese premieres.

The newly released trailer showcases the principal cast and crew, declaring a targeted release for Summer 2025. Given its status as a Netflix original, it’s anticipated that the anime will also feature dubbed versions. You can find the promotional video on Netflix’s official YouTube channel.

Cast & Crew of The Summer Hikaru Died

The animation for this series is being crafted by Cygames Pictures, under the guidance of Ryohei Tekashita, who is directing and overseeing the script. Tekashita is known for his work on Pokemon: Paldean Winds. Additional notable staff members include Yuichi Takahashi (known for Stars Align) as character designer and chief animation director, while Masanobu Hiraoka lends his talents as the ‘dorodoro’ animator—where ‘dorodoro’ conveys characteristics of being mushy or muddy. The voices of Yoshiki Tsujinaka and Hikaru Indou will be brought to life by Chiaki Kobayashi (from Moriarty the Patriot) and Shuichiro Umeda (from Senpai is an Otokonoko), respectively.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJdIU3GaoQU

The Summer Hikaru Died | Official Teaser | Netflix Anime (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJdIU3GaoQU)

Overview of the Series

The Summer Hikaru Died made its debut on Kadokawa Shoten’s Young Ace Up digital platform in 2021 and has since compiled five volumes, with over 3 million copies expected to circulate upon the release of the next volume in December. Authored by Mokumokuren, the story has generated discussions around its classification, as it explores themes often associated with boys’ love (BL) despite not being labeled as such.

The narrative centers around Yoshiki and Hikaru, two inseparable friends in their village. Their close-knit bond takes an unexpected turn when Hikaru undergoes a mysterious transformation. This engaging storyline has not only captivated readers but also earned a nomination for the 16th Manga Taisho Awards, a renowned accolade in Japan. Furthermore, it has been recognized by several American library services as a standout comic for teenagers. As stated by Mokumokuren, plans for the series suggest it may conclude with the release of a tenth volume, though this could evolve in the future.

The manga is available in the United States through Yen Press, with the anime adaptation set to stream on Netflix, making it an exciting addition to the platform’s growing anime library.

Source: Anime News Network

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