A chilling new anime series on Netflix is captivating and unsettling audiences in equal measure, with viewers describing it as 'perfect' and 'disturbing'. 'The Summer Hikaru Died' has achieved the remarkable feat of a 100 per cent critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, signalling a must-watch for fans of sophisticated horror.
A Return From The Forest, Forever Changed
The 12-episode Japanese series, which began streaming recently, centres on a rural community still reeling from a traumatic event. A schoolboy named Hikaru (voiced by Shuichiro Umeda) vanishes for a week in a forbidden mountain forest. When he mysteriously returns, his best friend Yoshiki (Chiaki Kobayashi) immediately senses that something is profoundly wrong.
As the official Netflix synopsis reveals, the Hikaru who came back is not the same person. Something has usurped his body, memories, and emotions. The story masterfully unfolds as Yoshiki battles overwhelming grief for his lost friend while being forced to maintain a relationship with the unsettling entity now wearing Hikaru's face. This tension forces Yoshiki to question his own sanity and safety.
Praise for a Haunting Masterpiece
The series, based on the manga by Mokumokuren, blends supernatural horror with a poignant coming-of-age narrative, earning praise for its subtle LGBTQ+ undertones and unique animation style. While critics unanimously awarded it a perfect score, viewers have given it a strong 87 per cent approval rating.
Fans and reviewers have highlighted the show's oppressive, lingering sense of dread. One noted that 'each episode leaves you with a constant feeling of unease', achieved not through cheap jump scares but via masterfully built tension. The direction by Ryohei Takeshita has drawn particular acclaim, with comparisons to the surreal atmosphere of 'Twin Peaks' for its ability to make the ordinary feel sinister and 'faintly poisoned'.
Not For The Faint of Heart
This is not casual viewing. Described as 'haunting' and 'disturbing', the series is targeted squarely at horror aficionados seeking a deep, emotional impact. One glowing review called it 'the perfect series for horror fans to experience a haunting, heartfelt reminder that anime still has the power to surprise, disturb, and move viewers'.
For those tentative about anime, advocates reassure that the show's use of animation is 'fun and unique', working in perfect tandem with its surreal plot to create a spectacular and unforgettable tone. 'The Summer Hikaru Died' is available to stream in full on Netflix now, offering a twelve-part journey into grief, identity, and supernatural terror that is already being hailed as a modern classic of the genre.
