“The Summer Hikaru Died”: A Fresh Take on J-Horror Explores Living Alongside the Uncanny

The false Hikaru thanks Yoshiki for giving him the chance to taste a human existence for the first time, striving against the desire to kill him. From the first chapter of The Summer Hikaru Died. (© Mokumokuren, Kadokawa Comics Ace)

Cover of a limited-edition Volume Seven. The “something” is oozing out of Hikaru’s body. (© Mokumokuren/Kadokawa)

A scene from chapter seven in Volume Two of The Summer Hikaru Died. (©  Mokumokuren/Kadokawa)

The anime is being streamed globally, with a second season already announced. (© Mokumokuren/Kadokawa and Hikaru ga shinda natsu Production Committee)