Summary

The Summer Hikaru Died anime combines horror, mystery, supernatural, and BL elements in a unique premise.
Episode 1 is set to premiere on July 5, 2025 (effectively July 6), with an advance screening on June 29 in Japan.
Fans can watch The Summer Hikaru Died episode 1 on Netflix with English subtitles.

Fans of horror and all things supernatural are anticipating the release date of The Summer Hikaru Died, episode 1, this summer 2025 anime season. Based on the manga written and illustrated by Mokumokuren, The Summer Hikaru Died combines horror, mystery, supernatural, and BL elements. CygamesPictures, the same studio behind Apocalypse Hotel and Manaria Friends, to name a few, is producing the anime.

As the summer 2025 season officially kicks in, the release date of The Summer Hikaru Died episode 1 is just around the corner. Only a few more days are left, and fans will be able to watch the series hit streaming platforms, alongside other titles in the seasonal lineup. When the first episode premieres, fans will surely be absorbed in the unique premise of The Summer Hikaru Died.

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The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 1 Release Date

When Will Episode 1 Come Out?

Assuming there will be no delays in broadcast, The Summer Hikaru Died episode 1 is scheduled to come out on July 5 at 24:55 JST (effectively July 6, 2025) in Japan and worldwide. It will be one of the new anime adaptations coming out early in the summer lineup.

Before the first episode officially drops, an advance screening will also be held on June 29 at TOHO Cinemas in Japan, where cast members Shuichiro Umeda (Hikaru), Chiaki Kobayashi (Yoshiki), and director Ryohei Takeshita are set to appear.

Meanwhile, the North American premiere of the anime will happen at Anime Expo on July 4 at 7:00 p.m. The event will see the attendance of producers Chiaki Kurakane and Manami Kabashima, alongside Chiaki Kobayashi and series creator Mokumokuren.

Where to Watch The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 1?

The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 1 Is Coming to Netflix

Anime fans can watch The Summer Hikaru Died episode 1 on Netflix once it premieres worldwide. It will be released in the original Japanese dub with English subtitles. Netflix previously released English-subtitled teasers and promotional videos for the upcoming horror mystery anime, enticing fans to watch Mokumokuren’s manga come to life.

In Japan, The Summer Hikaru Died episode 1 will also air on the Nippon TV Network. It will also be exclusively available on ABEMA and Netflix Japan. There’s no word on whether Crunchyroll will also stream the anime, as Netflix officially owns the rights for its international distribution for now. In addition, there’s still no word about the series receiving English dub treatment, so fans will have to wait for further information. The Summer Hikaru Died will only have 12 episodes, running for a single cour.

What to Expect From The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 1?

The Mind-Boggling Story Revolving Around Yoshiki and Hikaru

The Summer Hikaru Died boasts a unique premise and art style that attracts anime fans and manga readers alike. Series creator Mokumokuren offers an intriguing and suspenseful setting where two teenage boys, Hikaru and Yoshiki, come into being. While there are BL elements integrated into the anime, they’re not given much emphasis, and the story doesn't delve into romance.

You're…not Hikaru, are you? -Yoshiki

Instead, The Summer Hikaru Died presents a compelling mystery with Hikaru and Yoshiki at the center. Episode 1 is expected to set the supernatural tone of the story, with Yoshiki confronting Hikaru about his new identity. He suspects Hikaru is not the real Hikaru, and someone or something alien is inhabiting his body since he went missing from the mountains and miraculously returned. True enough, Yoshiki’s suspicions will be confirmed, as the real Hikaru died long ago, according to his new host.

As the plot unfolds in The Summer Hikaru Died, the audience will witness how Yoshiki and Hikaru handle their new setup while mysterious events happen in their town. To avoid the worst-case scenario, Yoshiki will maintain his role as Hikaru’s close friend even if it means interacting with the strange entity living within his friend's body. Fans of horror, mystery, and supernatural anime will surely check this one out as soon as it drops this summer season.

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