Overview

• The Summer Hikaru Died, based on Mokumokuren's 2021 manga, will debut globally on Netflix in July 2025, though an exact release date has not been announced.
• The story follows Yoshiki, a teenager in rural Japan, as he grapples with the unsettling transformation of his best friend Hikaru, who has been replaced by a supernatural entity.
• Directed by Ryouhei Takeshita and produced by CygamesPictures, the anime boasts experienced talent in character design and art direction, with Yūichi Takahashi and Kohei Honda leading these roles.
• Despite its high production quality and unique premise, the series faces significant challenges in standing out against major titles like Kaiju No. 8 and My Dress-Up Darling in the summer 2025 anime lineup.
• Netflix's exclusive streaming rights could limit the show's reach, as competitors will air on platforms with broader distribution.