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Netflix’s The Summer Hikaru Died Debuts to Rave Reviews

Early reviews emphasize how its subtle animation paired with emotional weight creates a sense of summer unease

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Overview

  • The adaptation of Mokumokuren’s award-winning horror manga is directed by Ryohei Takeshita and produced by CygamesPictures as a Netflix-exclusive series
  • It premiered globally on July 5 and follows a weekly Saturday release schedule through a planned 12-episode run concluding on September 20
  • The plot centers on two teenage friends, Yoshiki and Hikaru, after an eldritch entity inhabits Hikaru’s body and tests themes of grief, identity and queer romance
  • Critics and fans have hailed the series’ atmospheric direction, faithful adaptation of the source material and standout performances by Chiaki Kobayashi and Shuichiro Umeda
  • In Japan the anime is also available for free on Abema, where its quiet dread and psychological terror have stood out against a crowded Summer 2025 slate