CygamesPictures, the acclaimed studio behind Blade Runner Black Out 2022, has confirmed that its next major anime project will be an adaptation of the bestselling supernatural manga The Summer Hikaru Died. Scheduled to debut on July 5, 2025, on Nippon TV in Japan, the series will roll out worldwide later that year via Netflix. Fans of eerie horror and emotional drama can anticipate a visceral journey into memory, loss and uncanny transformations.
Set in a secluded Japanese countryside village, The Summer Hikaru Died follows childhood friends Yoshiki and Hikaru, whose bond is shattered when Hikaru vanishes without a trace. Weeks later, Hikaru returns as if nothing happened—but all is not as it seems. An otherworldly presence has taken his place, blurring the lines between beloved companion and malevolent impostor. This chilling tale examines how grief warps perception, how love endures beyond the tangible, and how the human psyche confronts the unexplainable.
Helming the project is director and series composer Ryōhei Takeshita, whose previous credits include directing episodes of Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma and composing the narrative framework for CygamesPictures’ shorts. Character designer Yuichi Takahashi, known for his work on Granblue Fantasy, brings his signature blend of expressive faces and delicate linework to the central duo. The soundtrack will feature haunting themes by Vaundy (opening) and Tooboe (ending), whose music has become synonymous with modern anime atmospherics.
Author Mokumokuren first conceived The Summer Hikaru Died as a standalone Boys’ Love one-shot in a niche magazine, but strong reader response propelled it into a full multi-volume release. The manga sold over 200,000 copies in its first three months, climbing bestseller lists and garnering nominations from the Manga Taishō, Eisner and Harvey Awards. It was also named one of the New York Public Library’s best teen books of 2023. This unexpected trajectory set the stage for an adaptation that balances tender moments of friendship with spine-chilling suspense.
Netflix’s acquisition of global streaming rights underscores its ongoing commitment to diverse anime content. Partnering with CygamesPictures for this horror-tinged drama marks one of the platform’s boldest moves into adult-themed animation. As international audiences embrace darker, more psychologically driven series, The Summer Hikaru Died could influence future collaborations between Japanese creators and streaming giants.
Early teasers highlight CygamesPictures’ dedication to high-fidelity visuals, with lush, hand-drawn backgrounds juxtaposing the rural tranquility against uncanny events. Industry insiders predict that the series’ blend of intimate character work and supernatural thrills will resonate with both horror aficionados and fans of emotional dramas. Social media buzz has already begun, with manga readers speculating about which plot beats will be expanded or reimagined for television.
| Studio | CygamesPictures |
|---|---|
| Premiere Date | July 5, 2025 (Nippon TV, Japan) |
| Global Streaming | Netflix (TBA details) |
| Genres | Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Drama |
| Key Staff | Director/Series Composer: Ryōhei Takeshita Character Designer: Yuichi Takahashi Music: Vaundy, Tooboe |
All information courtesy of CygamesPictures announcement.