El verano en que Hikaru murió

The Summer Hikaru Died is a haunting and beautifully crafted manga that blends psychological horror with deep emotional themes. The story revolves around Yoshiki and his childhood friend Hikaru, who returns after a mysterious disappearance-but something is very wrong. The manga masterfully explores grief, identity, and love, with an unsettling atmosphere and striking, delicate art. It keeps readers on edge through its slow-burn pacing and eerie tension. The characters feel raw and genuine, making the supernatural elements even more impactful. A must-read for those who enjoy thoughtful, unsettling stories.

The Summer Hikaru Died is one of the most captivating anime debuts I've seen in years. From the first episode, it grips you with its eerie atmosphere, emotional weight, and beautiful direction. The story blends supernatural horror with slice of ife moments and an intense, slow-burning relationship between the two main characters, Yoshiki and "Hikaru."

The animation is stunning not flashy, but subtle and haunting. The voice acting is top-notch, and the sound design adds to the chilling yet tender tone of the show. What really stands out, though, is the emotional core. The tension between grief, fear, and longing is portrayed so naturally. You feel Yoshiki's confusion and heartbreak.

This anime doesn't shy away from its queer themes either. The bond between Yoshiki and the "thing" that took Hikaru's form is complex and layered, making it feel more human than most traditional romances. It's refreshing and raw.

Just beautiful. Until now (first two episodes), the mystery and the horror aspects are both great. Also the relationship between "Hikaru" and yoshiki is very interesting. I wonder where the story, their relationship and the horror and mystery aspects go. Other than that, the visuals are STUNNING, animation wise and in terms of style. It reminds me of high budget anime movies like your name by makoto shinkai a little bit. But what I enjoy about the visuals are two things. 1: the characters and 2: the atmosphere. All characters look unique and different without looking unrealistic like in most animes with weird hair colors and weird proportions. And the summer atmosphere is just spot an as well. Perfect.

I really enjoyed the horror aspect; it builds tension through atmosphere rather than relying on predictable jump scares. The emotional bond between the main characters also adds a heartfelt layer that balances out the creepy tone in a meaningful way. It's refreshing to see a horror story with actual depth and character development. I'm definitely looking forward to what the upcoming episodes bring, hopefully even more intensity, deeper storytelling, and maybe some unexpected twists along the way.

Hats off to the voice cast, the writing and editing team behind the anime, and of course, to Mok-sensei for their outstanding work!

The Summer Hikaru Died lingers long after you put it down. What begins as a quiet, almost nostalgic slice-of-life about two boys in a rural town slowly unravels into a deeply unsettling, emotionally charged horror story that cuts straight to the heart.

The horror here isn't just supernatural - it's existential. The dread builds not from jump scares, but from the unbearable question: what if someone you loved came back... but wasn't them anymore? Yoshiki's inner conflict, his denial, his grief, and his quiet desperation are portrayed with haunting subtlety.

The art is beautiful and atmospheric, often sparse but loaded with feeling. Every shadow feels intentional. Every panel carries weight. And the pacing is masterful - slow, deliberate, with a constant sense of something not quite right.

This isn't just a horror manga. It's a meditation on identity, attachment, and the quiet horrors of change. It's intimate. It's terrifying. It's tender. A must-read for anyone who wants more than just gore and monsters - this is horror with a soul.