Exciting news for horror fans! An anime adaptation of the manga series, The Summer Hikaru Died, is in the works.
The official website and social accounts for the manga, written and illustrated by Mokumokuren, have confirmed the news. No further details are available yet. A new commemorative illustration was also released as part of the announcement.
About The Summer Hikaru Died
The Summer Hikaru Died is a psychological horror series that has been serialized since August of 2021. The story takes place in a small rural village in Japan and follows a high schooler named Yoshiki whose best friend Hikaru disappeared for a month after going hiking on a nearby mountain. While he was eventually found and brought home, Yoshiki quickly discovers that the thing that returned is not Hikaru at all. Instead, it is some kind of creature that has taken over Hikaru’s body and returned in his place.
With “Hikaru’s” arrival, strange and supernatural things begin to occur around town. Yoshiki struggles to reconcile the fact that while his closest friend is dead, the creature that has replaced him possesses all of his memories and feelings.
The horror aspect of the manga is mostly on the more subtle side, although it has its moments. The physical representations of the horror, while beautiful and grotesque when they appear, take a back seat to the creeping fear of the town. There is also the lingering devastation Yoshiki feels about losing his best friend and having him replaced with a monster. It is a coming of age story that happens to be spurred on by eldritch abominations and supernatural phenomena. The manga series has received significant critical acclaim both for its bold and unique art and its emotional storytelling.
Anime Adaptation
A new commemorative illustration was released as part of the The Summer Hikaru Died anime announcement.
No release date, format, studio, staff, or cast has been announced yet. However, this is definitely a project for horror fans to keep their eyes on!
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