Why The Summer Hikaru Died Is the Must-Watch Horror Anime of Summer 2025
Get ready for the ultimate blend of friendship, mystery, and fear—The Summer Hikaru Died（光が死んだ夏） is shaking up the anime scene this season. With its spine-chilling story of a boy whose childhood friend may no longer be human, the series has become one of the most talked-about horror anime of 2025. As ABEMA prepares a free marathon of Episodes 1–8, now is the perfect time to dive into this haunting youth drama and discover why fans can’t stop buzzing about it.
What Makes The Summer Hikaru Died Unique?
Among the flood of new anime every season, The Summer Hikaru Died（光が死んだ夏） stands out as a rare blend of youthful nostalgia and bone-chilling horror. Based on Mokumokuren’s hit manga, the story has already surpassed 3.5 million copies in circulation, and the anime adaptation has quickly become one of the most anticipated shows of 2025.
The Story: Friendship, Fear, and the Unknown
At its core, the series follows Yoshiki, an ordinary high school boy living in a quiet rural town. His childhood friend Hikaru went missing in the mountains six months ago—only to mysteriously return a week later. But something isn’t right. The boy who came back looks, sounds, and laughs like Hikaru, yet deep down, Yoshiki knows this isn’t the same person. From that eerie premise, The Summer Hikaru Died spins a tale where summer days filled with cicada cries and popsicles slowly twist into a nightmare of paranoia and dread.
Cast and Staff Bringing the Horror to Life
The anime is produced by CygamesPictures with direction and series composition by Ryohei Takeshita. Character designs are handled by Yuichi Takahashi, while the chilling music is composed by Taro Umebayashi. The cast includes Chiaki Kobayashi as Yoshiki and Shuichiro Umeda as Hikaru, joined by Yumiri Hanamori, Shion Wakayama, and Yoshiki Nakajima. Together, they create an atmosphere that balances slice-of-life warmth with creeping horror.
When and Where to Watch the Free Marathon
Fans who haven’t yet experienced the series have the perfect chance: ABEMA will air Episodes 1–8 for free in a special marathon on August 30, 2025, starting at 9:00 PM (JST) on the ABEMA Anime 2 Channel. This is the only platform offering a full, free catch-up of the series this summer.
▶ Watch on ABEMA
Why Fans Are Talking About This Youth Horror
What sets The Summer Hikaru Died apart is its unsettling fusion of everyday life and the supernatural. The buzzing cicadas, summer heat, and ice cream after school all paint a familiar picture of adolescence—until the illusion cracks and terror seeps in. This contrast between comfort and horror makes the series resonate deeply, leaving viewers uneasy long after the credits roll. It’s not just a ghost story; it’s a reflection on identity, friendship, and what it means to recognize someone you love who might no longer be themselves.
How to Join the Experience on ABEMA
Watching is easy: head over to ABEMA on August 30 to stream the free marathon. For those who want to keep up with the latest episodes, ABEMA Premium offers on-demand access to the entire series, along with exclusive features like catch-up playback and offline downloads. And if you’re feeling lucky, don’t miss the special X (Twitter) campaign—by following the official accounts and reposting the campaign tweet by 11:59 PM on August 30, you could win an official anime goods set including a T-shirt, lanyard, pins, and stickers.
If you’re looking for a summer anime that will keep you on the edge of your seat, The Summer Hikaru Died is it. Don’t miss the free marathon of Episodes 1–8 on ABEMA this August 30, and join fans worldwide in uncovering the mystery of Hikaru’s return.
(C)モクモクれん／KADOKAWA・「光が死んだ夏」製作委員会
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