Netflix has officially announced the release of the anime adaptation of Mokumokuren’s manga The Summer Hikaru Died, blending slice-of-life elements with supernatural intrigue. The highly anticipated series, based on the popular manga published by KADOKAWA, is set for a summer 2024 premiere.
Directed by Ryohei Takeshita (Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night), the anime promises a captivating exploration of friendship and eerie transformations. The Summer Hikaru Died follows the story of Yoshiki, a young man whose life is upended when his best friend, Hikaru, returns from a trip only to be replaced by a strange being who looks and acts like him but is not the same. The newly released teaser trailer offers fans their first glimpse into this unsettling world.
The series is produced by CygamesPictures, and features Chiaki Kobayashi as Yoshiki Tsujinaka and Shuichiro Umeda as Hikaru Indou. Both voice actors shared their thoughts on the depth of their characters in the series.
Kobayashi, who voices Yoshiki, expressed his enthusiasm for the role, saying, “I’m thrilled to play Yoshiki. During the audition, I experienced a mix of fear, comfort, and uncertainty. I wanted to bring all of Yoshiki’s feelings and sadness to life.”
Shuichiro Umeda, voicing Hikaru, described his experience as challenging, noting, “Playing Hikaru felt like stepping into darkness. Despite the unknowns, one thing was clear — the strong connection with Yoshiki. I focused on that as I brought Hikaru to life.”
Takeshita, the director, also shared insights into the adaptation process: “Reading the original story was thrilling, and I thought a lot about how to bring its panels to life in animation. The team worked hard to capture the emotions of Yoshiki and Hikaru and reflect the manga’s unique and beautiful style. We’re excited to share it with everyone.”
Official Synopsis: The Summer Hikaru Died tells the story of two childhood friends, Yoshiki and Hikaru, living in a rural Japanese village. Their bond is shattered when Hikaru returns from the mountains, not as himself, but as something else entirely. What has taken over Hikaru’s body, and what will become of their friendship?
The anime’s teaser art and trailer provide a haunting preview of the journey to come, blending moments of warmth and friendship with chilling suspense. Fans can expect more details as the summer release date draws nearer.
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