Psychological horror and emotional drama blend seamlessly in The Summer Hikaru Died, a new anime getting rave reviews from genre fans. With only three episodes out so far, it’s enjoying plenty of buzz thanks to its intriguing premise and beautiful animation.
So much so that it hit the Netflix Top 10 charts soon after its debut in early July 2025. Right now, the anime is comfortably sitting in the number 8 spot, but good word-of-mouth should help it climb even higher.
It might also be enough to ensure that the show won’t conclude once the season 1 finale drops.
The Summer Hikaru Died Season 2 Release Date
The first season of the anime will reportedly consist of 12 episodes, which are rolling out weekly on Saturdays. That means the finale will arrive in late September.
At the time of writing, there’s no news on The Summer Hikaru Died season 2 just yet. The series airs on Nippon TV in Japan, with Netflix streaming it globally. In other words, it may be a while before the anime’s fate is decided.
All you can do right now is keep watching, and convince your friends to tune in as well. The bigger the viewership, the more likely it is for the series to come back. As long as that happens, season 2 could be here in late 2026.
The Summer Hikaru Died Cast
- Chiaki Kobayashi as Yoshiki Tsujinaka
- Shûichirô Umeda as Hikaru
- Shion Wakayama as Yuuki Tadokoro
- Chikahiro Kobayashi as Tanaka
- Yumiri Hanamori as Asako Yamagishi
- Yoshiki Nakajima as Yuuta Maki
What Could Happen in The Summer Hikaru Died Season 2?
Set in a quiet rural town, The Summer Hikaru Died pretty much spoils its plot in the title. The story follows Yoshiki and Hikaru, two inseparable childhood friends. Their peaceful lives shatter when Hikaru dies in a mysterious accident, only to seemingly return soon after.
The twist? The boy who comes back isn’t quite the same. He looks like Hikaru, sounds like Hikaru, and remembers everything they shared. Still, something inhuman lingers beneath the surface.
As Yoshiki grapples with his growing unease, he must confront the terrifying reality that the thing wearing Hikaru’s face may not be his friend at all. He wants to accept this new version, but should he destroy their bond instead and suffer the consequences?
Episodes are gripping, carefully threading the line between emotion and horror. Once you tune in, you’ll be hooked for the long haul. The series is eerie, creepy, and stunning to look at.
The anime is based on a manga series written and illustrated by Mokumokuren. What might happen in The Summer Hikaru Died season 2 largely depends on how the first season wraps up, so it’s too soon to speculate. For now, consider us glued to the screen.
Are There Other Shows Like The Summer Hikaru Died?
If you’re into anime, there’s plenty to explore on Netflix. We recommend checking out Dandadan, Death Note, Castlevania: Nocturne, Sakamoto Days, Hunter x Hunter, and Spy x Family.
