The production team behind the anime adaptation of Mokumokuren’s manga “The Summer Hikaru Died” (Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu) released their second promotional trailer on Monday. The video reveals the opening theme song “Saikai” (Reunion) performed by Vaundy, introduces two additional voice actors, and confirms the worldwide Netflix premiere date of July 5.
The Summer Hikaru Died 2nd Preview Video
New Cast Announcements:
- Yoshiki Nakajima voices Yūta Maki, a classmate of Yoshiki
- Shion Wakayama voices Yūki Tadokoro, Asako’s childhood friend and fellow classmate of Yoshiki
A special screening of the first episode will take place at TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku featuring appearances by cast and crew members. Additionally, ABEMA will host a live broadcast on the same day with the three principal voice actors participating.
The series will make its North American debut at Anime Expo 2025 on July 4 at 7:00 p.m., with voice actor Chiaki Kobayashi (Yoshiki), creator Mokumokuren, and producers Chiaki Kurakane and Manami Kabashima attending the event.
The anime launches July 5 on Japan’s NTV network and will be exclusively available worldwide on Netflix, with additional streaming on ABEMA for Japanese audiences.
Main Voice Cast:
- Chiaki Kobayashi as Yoshiki Tsujinaka
- Shūichirō Umeda as Hikaru Indou
- Yumiri Hanamori as Asako Yamagishi
- Wakana Kowaka as Rie Kurebayashi
- Chikahiro Kobayashi as Tanaka
Ryohei Takeshita, known for directing “Eromanga Sensei,” “Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night,” and “Pokémon: Paldean Winds,” leads the project at Cygames Pictures while also handling series composition. Character design and chief animation direction are overseen by Yūichi Takahashi (“Stars Align,” “Macross Frontier,” “Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song-“). Masanobu Hiraoka serves as the specialized “Dorodoro” animator.
The ending theme “Anata wa Kaibutsu” (you are my monster) is performed by TOOBOE.
The tale follows two village boys, Yoshiki and Hikaru, who shared an inseparable bond until Hikaru encountered a mysterious light that fundamentally changed him. While Yoshiki desperately wants to remain by his friend’s side, he questions whether the true Hikaru still exists.
Mokumokuren began serializing the manga on Kadokawa’s Young Ace Up platform in August 2021. The sixth compiled volume was released December 4, with the seventh scheduled for July 4. The series has surpassed 3 million copies in circulation and is planned to conclude with 10 volumes. Yen Press handles English publication, releasing the fifth volume on March 25.
The manga has received significant recognition, including nominations for the 16th Manga Taisho Awards and inclusion in the New York Public Library’s 2023 Best Books for Teens list. It also appeared on the American Library Association’s YALSA 2024 Great Graphic Novels for Teens selection. Both the manga and Mokumokuren received nominations for this year’s Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards in the Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia and Best Writer/Artist categories, respectively.
Source: Anime News Network
