Exciting new details have emerged about the highly anticipated anime adaptation of The Summer Hikaru Died, based on Mokumokuren’s acclaimed psychological horror manga.
A teaser trailer revealed that the anime will premiere in Japan during the summer of 2025, with a worldwide release on Netflix to follow.
The announcement also confirmed key cast members, with Chiaki Kobayashi, known for his role as Gabimaru in Hell’s Paradise, playing Yoshiki Tsujinaka, and Shuichiro Umeda, who voiced Akira in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, taking on the role of Hikaru Indo.
The manga, serialized on Kadokawa Shoten’s Young Ace Up platform since 2021, has garnered widespread acclaim and currently spans five collected volumes.
Its popularity is evident from accolades such as topping Kono Manga ga Sugoi!’s list for male readers in 2023 and nominations for prestigious awards like the Manga Taisho and the Eisner Award.
It has also received recognition from the Tsutaya Comic Awards and the Next Manga Award.
These achievements reflect the series’ compelling storytelling and chilling atmosphere, which have resonated with readers globally.
The anime adaptation will be directed by Ryohei Takeshita, known for his work on Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night, at studio CygamesPictures.
Takeshita will also serve as the series composer, ensuring a cohesive story vision.
The Summer Hikaru Died (CygamesPictures)
Accompanying him is Yuichi Takahashi, celebrated for his character design in Vivy Fluorite Eye’s Song, who will handle character design and animation direction.
Masanobu Hiraoka, who has contributed to Chainsaw Man, is onboard as a Dorodoro animator, promising haunting and dynamic visuals to enhance the eerie tone of the story.
The Summer Hikaru Died explores themes of grief, identity, and the supernatural. The story follows Yoshiki, a high school student whose best friend, Hikaru, has seemingly returned from the mountains after a mysterious disappearance.
While Hikaru retains his appearance, voice, and memories, something about him feels profoundly wrong.
Yoshiki struggles with the unsettling realization that the entity now posing as Hikaru is not truly his friend, raising questions about its intentions and the danger it poses.
The story’s psychological depth is one of its strongest elements, blending suspense and emotional intensity.
It captures Yoshiki’s turmoil as he pretends everything is normal while grappling with the loss of his friend and the unease of living alongside an impostor.
The series’ slow-burn horror, combined with poignant moments of reflection, has made it a standout work in modern manga, and the anime adaptation aims to bring these elements to life for a broader audience.
Fans of the manga and newcomers alike can look forward to this adaptation, which promises to deliver an immersive and spine-chilling experience.
With its strong creative team, highly skilled voice cast, and loyal fanbase, The Summer Hikaru Died is poised to be one of the most memorable anime of 2025, further solidifying its place as a modern horror classic.
The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife (Tomei Otoko to Ningen Onna: Sonouchi Fufu ni Naru Futari) is set to be adapted into a TV anime, with its release scheduled for 2025.
Alongside this exciting announcement, a teaser visual was revealed, showcasing the two main characters of the series.
The manga, written and illustrated by Iwatobineko, began as a webcomic in March 2021 on the author’s Twitter (now X) account.
Due to its growing popularity, it was later acquired by Futabasha and began serialization on the Pixiv Comic website in September of the same year.
The manga has also been licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment for English publication, expanding its reach to a global audience.
The story of The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife revolves around Shizuka Yako, a quiet and composed young woman who works at a detective agency owned by a man named Tonome.
Tonome is a gentleman and a skilled professional whose invisible nature plays an important role in his work.
His ability to become invisible is a major asset in his detective work, allowing him to gather information and solve cases without being noticed.
However, Shizuka is blind, and this unique trait of hers makes her immune to Tonome’s invisibility.
The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife (Seven Seas Entertainment)
She can always sense when he is around, which piques his interest and leads to a deepening connection between them.
Despite his invisibility, Tonome is charmed by Shizuka’s ability to see him in a way no one else can.
Her blindness does not hinder her understanding of him, and it becomes apparent that she is the only person who can truly perceive him for who he is.
Tonome, moved by her ability to sense him, becomes determined to win her affection and convince her to be his partner.
This marks the beginning of their relationship, one that unfolds with both tenderness and a touch of humor as Tonome struggles to figure out how to approach Shizuka romantically, despite his unusual situation.
As the story progresses, the manga explores the evolving relationship between the two characters, blending elements of romance and comedy with a bit of mystery.
The series touches on themes of perception and connection, highlighting the unique bond that forms between Tonome and Shizuka despite his invisibility.
It emphasizes how love can transcend physical appearances, and how two people can connect on a deeper level, regardless of the challenges they may face.
The dynamics between Shizuka’s blindness and Tonome’s invisibility create an interesting and heartwarming contrast that drives the story forward.
In addition to the announcement of the anime adaptation, Iwatobineko also celebrated the news with the creation of two special illustrations, further fueling excitement among fans of the series.
These illustrations serve as a visual treat for those who have followed the manga from its webcomic roots to its current serialized form.
They also give fans a glimpse of what to expect from the anime adaptation, teasing the characters and setting that will come to life in 2025.
The anime adaptation of The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife is highly anticipated, as it brings a unique story filled with charm and warmth to a broader audience.
With its intriguing premise, lovable characters, and mix of romantic and comedic elements, it is poised to capture the hearts of viewers when it premieres.
Fans of the manga can look forward to seeing their favorite characters animated and brought to life, while new viewers will have the chance to discover this heartwarming tale of love, understanding, and connection.
