Fans of the unsettling horror-slice-of-life anime The Summer Hikaru Died (Japanese: Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu) can rejoice as a second season has been officially greenlit for production. The announcement comes shortly after the highly anticipated first season concluded its broadcast and worldwide streaming run on September 27, 2025.
The first season, which premiered on July 6, 2025, quickly captivated audiences with its unique blend of psychological horror, mystery, and profound exploration of friendship, with CygamesPictures returning to produce the second season.
A Phenomenal First Season Run
The Summer Hikaru Died quickly became a breakout hit during the summer of 2025. The series garnered significant attention for its haunting visuals, immersive sound design, and deeply emotional narrative. Following its second episode, the anime climbed to the #1 spot on Japan’s “Today’s Top 10 Series” on Netflix and held the #1 position on ABEMA’s weekly anime ranking for three consecutive weeks.
The anime adaptation is based on the popular manga series written and illustrated by Mokumokuren, which began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten’s Young Ace Up website in August 2021. The manga itself has been a critical and commercial success, with its first volume selling 200,000 copies in three months.
The Unsettling Premise of The Summer Hikaru Died
The story centers on Yoshiki Tsujinaka and Hikaru Indo, two teenage childhood friends living in a quiet rural Japanese town. Their inseparable bond takes a dark turn when Hikaru disappears in the mountains during winter. Weeks later, Hikaru seemingly returns, but Yoshiki quickly notices subtle yet deeply disturbing inconsistencies in his friend’s behavior, memories, and reactions.
A Friend, or Something Else Entirely?
Yoshiki’s fears are confirmed when he confronts “Hikaru” and discovers that his real friend is dead, and an otherworldly, eldritch entity has taken over Hikaru’s body. Despite the terrifying revelation and his own grief, Yoshiki makes the profound and heartbreaking decision to keep this secret, unable to let go of the presence of the person he loved.
The series masterfully navigates the psychological toll this secret takes on Yoshiki, exploring themes of identity, grief, acceptance, and the blurry lines between love and fear. The entity, while mimicking Hikaru perfectly and possessing his memories, often displays an alien understanding of human emotions, creating a constant undercurrent of dread and unease.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Engagement
The series has been lauded for its unique take on the horror genre, prioritizing psychological discomfort and emotional depth over jump scares. The delicate and complex relationship between Yoshiki and the entity inhabiting Hikaru’s body has resonated deeply with viewers, who appreciate the nuanced portrayal of their bond. Both Chiaki Kobayashi, the voice of Yoshiki, and Shuichiro Umeda, the voice of Hikaru, have offered comments expressing their excitement for the second season and their gratitude to fans.
What to Expect from Season 2
While a specific release date for the second season has not yet been announced, the confirmation of its production has generated immense excitement among the fanbase. A teaser video and commemorative illustrations from original manga creator Mokumokuren and character designer Yuichi Takahashi were released to mark the announcement.
The return of CygamesPictures for animation production, along with director Ryōhei Takeshita, suggests a continuation of the first season’s distinctive visual and narrative style. Fans can anticipate further exploration of the mysterious entity’s origins, the deepening complexities of Yoshiki’s relationship with the “new” Hikaru, and the escalating supernatural occurrences in their rural village. The manga is ongoing, providing ample source material for future animated content.
