The Summer Hikaru Died anime‘s official website unveiled the preview and synopsis for up and coming episode 4.
The synopsis is as following:
“Yoshiki enjoys a summer festival with his younger sister, Kaoru, who’s excited to wear a yukata, and Hikaru. While eating shaved ice, Hikaru casually comments, “Just changing the color of the syrup makes it seem like it tastes different,” which leads him to wonder, “If something looks the same, does it feel the same too?” He then asks Yoshiki how he figured out he wasn’t the real Hikaru…“
The Summer Hikaru Died is a captivating Japanese manga crafted by the talented Mokumokuren, both as writer and artist. Its serialization kicked off in September 2021 on Kadokawa Shoten’s digital platform, Young Ace Up. By July 2025, the manga’s chapters have been compiled into seven tankōbon volumes. The narrative centers on Kenta Yamashiro, a young teen in a tranquil Japanese countryside, who grapples with the chilling realization that his childhood friend, Hikaru Soma, is no longer himself but is instead inhabited by a mysterious, otherworldly being. Kenta must navigate their altered bond while facing eerie supernatural threats.
The series was born from Mokumokuren’s creative spark during a study break, with initial sketches shared on social media catching the eye of Young Ace Up’s editors, who invited Mokumokuren to serialize the story. The manga’s success led to an anime adaptation by CygamesPictures, which debuted in July 2025.
The manga’s first volume was a resounding hit, selling 200,000 copies within three months and earning widespread acclaim for its gripping plot, stunning visuals, and deeply nuanced characters.
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