Ahead of its Netflix premiere on July 5, the staff of The Summer Hikaru Died held an exciting panel at Anime Expo 2025 on July 4, and it gave fans a first look into the anime with an exclusive screening. Co-produced by CyberAgent and KADOKAWA, with animation production by CygamesPictures, The Summer Hikaru Died was one of the main highlights of Anime Expo 2025 with nearly 2,000 excited fans eager to see the first episode and learn more about the anime from the staff.
The panel opened with The Summer Hikaru Died episode 1 screening, which introduced attendees to the anime’s rural Japanese summer setting where high school student Yoshiki Tsujinaka begins to notice something unsettling about his childhood friend Hikaru. Something nearly identical to Hikaru has replaced him, and the from the first frame onward, fans were drawn into the intense storytelling and incredible visuals. The fans in attendance erupted in thunderous applause and cheers when the screening ended.
The Summer Hikaru Died Anime Expo 2025 Panel Discussions Kick Off After the Screening
A panel discussion with original manga creator Mokumokuren, voice actor Chiaki Kobayashi (voice of Yoshiki Tsujinaka), and producers Chiaki Kurakane (KADOKAWA) and Manami Kabashima (CyberAgent) began right after screening. The panelists gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Summer Hikaru Died.
Mokumokuren shared her thoughts on the anime and said, “I was kind of expecting [the manga to be made into an anime]—so I wasn’t that surprised when the offer came. But I had a strong sense of what could be changed [in the story] and what absolutely shouldn’t be. I was very involved throughout the process.”
Kobayashi commented on his role as Yoshiki: “I thought the story was really fascinating even when I was auditioning for the role, so I was thrilled to become a part of it.”
When asked about casting Kobayashi as Yoshiki, Kurakane shared, “Given Yoshiki’s emotional subtlety, the nuance in his shifting feelings, and the growth his character goes through, we knew we needed someone with Kobayashi’s range. After discussions with the director and Mokumokuren, it was nearly unanimous—we all felt Kobayashi was the right choice.”
Kabashima spoke on the team’s approach to production: “As a horror series, we didn’t want to rely on loud sounds or sudden shocks to scare the audience. Instead, Director Takeshita and the team at CygamesPictures have been exploring how to create a more quiet kind of horror—like the constant sense that something might be there—through expertly utilizing sound, color, and direction.”
The audience responded with applause as the panelists shared their thoughts and offered insight into the anime’s production. Discussions turned to scenes that left strong impressions with the panelists.
Lasting Impressions
Mokumokuren focused on a certain moment from the first episode: “The scene where the red light outside the police box starts blinking as Yoshiki’s inner thoughts slip out—that was
originally conveyed through text in the manga. I was amazed at how the director turned that into a purely visual expression.”
Kobayashi also pointed out a line that stuck with him: “Yoshiki’s line, ‘You’re not
really Hikaru, are you?’ is normally something you’d expect at the climax of a story. The fact that it’s delivered right at the start really sets the tone.”
Kobayashi also shared insights into how he performed his role as Yoshiki, and the producers teased fans about what will come in future episodes. The panel concluded with many cheers from the audience, along with some closing messages from each panelist.
Final Messages from the Panel
Manami Kabashima (Producer, CyberAgent): “The story really takes off after Episode 1, and I hope you’ll stay with us and enjoy every episode to the end.”
Chiaki Kurakane (Producer, KADOKAWA): “Although this series is framed as a youth horror, it’s also a mystery and drama that explores human relationships in complex ways. We want each viewer to enjoy it in their own way, from whatever angle resonates with them most.”
Chiaki Kobayashi (Voice of Yoshiki Tsujinaka): “‘The Summer Hikaru Died‘ is a visually stunning series with a beautiful soundtrack. While
it’s set in a quiet rural town in Japan, it deals with themes that I think are universally
relatable. I truly believe audiences here in L.A. will enjoy it too—so please look forward to
it!”
Mokumokuren (Original Creator): “The TV anime adaptation of ‘The Summer Hikaru Died‘ has stayed true to the core of the original story, while evolving into something even more powerful through animation. I think it’s a faithful and honest adaptation. The manga is still going as well, so I hope you’ll keep reading it.”
Lastly, The Summer Hikaru Died is now streaming on Netflix.
