Forward of its Netflix premiere on July 5, the workers of The Summer Hikaru Died held an thrilling panel at Anime Expo 2025 on July 4, and it gave followers a primary look into the anime with an unique screening. Co-produced by CyberAgent and KADOKAWA, with animation manufacturing by CygamesPictures, The Summer Hikaru Died was one of many important highlights of Anime Expo 2025 with practically 2,000 excited followers desperate to see the primary episode and study extra concerning the anime from the workers.

The panel opened with The Summer Hikaru Died episode 1 screening, which launched attendees to the anime’s rural Japanese summer time setting the place highschool scholar Yoshiki Tsujinaka begins to note one thing unsettling about his childhood pal Hikaru. One thing practically similar to Hikaru has changed him, and the from the primary body onward, followers had been drawn into the extreme storytelling and unbelievable visuals. The followers 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 dialogue with authentic manga creator Mokumokuren, voice actor Chiaki Kobayashi (voice of Yoshiki Tsujinaka), and producers Chiaki Kurakane (KADOKAWA) and Manami Kabashima (CyberAgent) started proper after screening. The panelists gave attendees a behind-the-scenes have a look at the making of The Summer Hikaru Died.

Mokumokuren shared her ideas on the anime and stated, “I used to be type of anticipating [the manga to be made into an anime]—so I wasn’t that stunned when the provide got here. However I had a robust sense of what may very well be modified [in the story] and what completely shouldn’t be. I used to be very concerned all through the method.”

Kobayashi commented on his position as Yoshiki: “I believed the story was actually fascinating even once I was auditioning for the position, so I used to be thrilled to turn out to be part of it.”

When requested about casting Kobayashi as Yoshiki, Kurakane shared, “Given Yoshiki’s emotional subtlety, the nuance in his shifting emotions, and the expansion his character goes by means of, we knew we wanted somebody with Kobayashi’s vary. After discussions with the director and Mokumokuren, it was practically unanimous—all of us felt Kobayashi was the correct alternative.”

Kabashima spoke on the group’s strategy to manufacturing: “As a horror collection, we didn’t wish to depend on loud sounds or sudden shocks to scare the viewers. As an alternative, Director Takeshita and the group at CygamesPictures have been exploring find out how to create a extra quiet type of horror—just like the fixed sense that one thing is likely to be there—by means of expertly using sound, shade, and path.”

The viewers responded with applause because the panelists shared their ideas and supplied perception into the anime’s manufacturing. Discussions turned to scenes that left sturdy impressions with the panelists.

Lasting Impressions

Mokumokuren targeted on a sure second from the primary episode: “The scene the place the crimson mild exterior the police field begins blinking as Yoshiki’s inside ideas slip out—that was
initially conveyed by means of textual content within the manga. I used to be amazed at how the director turned that right into a purely visible expression.”

Kobayashi additionally identified a line that caught with him: “Yoshiki’s line, ‘You’re not
actually Hikaru, are you?’ is generally one thing you’d count on on the climax of a narrative. The incontrovertible fact that it’s delivered proper firstly actually units the tone.”

Kobayashi additionally shared insights into how he carried out his position as Yoshiki, and the producers teased followers about what is going to are available in future episodes. The panel concluded with many cheers from the viewers, together with some closing messages from every panelist.

Ultimate Messages from the Panel

Manami Kabashima (Producer, CyberAgent): “The story actually takes off after Episode 1, and I hope you’ll stick with us and revel in each episode to the tip.”

Chiaki Kurakane (Producer, KADOKAWA): “Though this collection is framed as a youth horror, it’s additionally a thriller and drama that explores human relationships in complicated methods. We wish every viewer to take pleasure in it in their very own method, from no matter angle resonates with them most.”

Chiaki Kobayashi (Voice of Yoshiki Tsujinaka): “‘The Summer Hikaru Died‘ is a visually beautiful collection with a stupendous soundtrack. Whereas
it’s set in a quiet rural city in Japan, it offers with themes that I believe are universally
relatable. I actually consider audiences right here in L.A. will take pleasure in it too—so please stay up for
it!”

Mokumokuren (Authentic Creator): “The TV anime adaptation of ‘The Summer Hikaru Died‘ has stayed true to the core of the unique story, whereas evolving into one thing much more highly effective by means of animation. I believe it’s a devoted and sincere adaptation. The manga remains to be going as properly, so I hope you’ll preserve studying it.”

Lastly, The Summer Hikaru Died is now streaming on Netflix.