Summary
Kadokawa recently revealed a new trailer forThe Summer Hikaru Died, whichwill be released internationally onNetflix.The Summer Hikaru Diedwill be broadcast in Japan next year, but it is unclear if Netflix will premierethe horror seriessimultaneously for audiences worldwide. Netflix seems to be investing more in simultaneous releases, but some series still hit the service a few months after the Japanese broadcast.
The new trailer reveals the main cast and staff andslates the series for Summer 2025. As aNetflix anime release, it is likely the anime will get a dub. The PV has been posted on Netflix’s YouTube Channel.
The Summer Hikaru Died Cast & Staff
Cygames Pictures is in charge of the series' animation, andRyohei Tekashitawill direct and oversee the scripts. Takeshita previously worked as director forPokemon: Paldean Winds. Other staff names includeYuichi Takahashi(Stars Align) as character designer and chief animation director andMasanobu Hiraokaas “dorodoro” animator (dorodoro means something like “mushy”, “muddy”).Chiaki Kobayashi(Moriarty the Patriot) andShuichiro Umeda(Senpai is an Otokonoko) are cast asYoshiki Tsujinakaand Hikaru Indou, respectively.
What’s the Series About?
The Summer Hikaru Dieddebuted on Kadokawa Shoten’sYoung Ace Uponline platform in 2021, and has been compiled into 5 volumes so far (it will have over 3 million copies in circulation when the next volume is launched, in December). The story is penned by Mokumokuren, who had previously stated they wanted to write a boys' love series, but since this manga is not officially marketed or tagged as BL, there are debates among fans if it could be considered a boys' love manga.
The story follows Yoshiki and Hikaru, two close friends living in the same village. The two are always by the other’s side, but that changes one day when Hikaru suddenly changes. The manga was nominated for the 16th Manga Taisho Awards, a well-known manga prize in Japan. Several American library services have listed it as one of the best books or comic books for teen audiences. According to Mokumokuren, the series is planned to end in the 10th volume (but they could change their plans).
The Summer Hikaru Diedmanga is published in the US by Yen Press. The anime will be available to stream on Netflix.
