Latest news with #Yoshiki
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Summer Hikaru Died episode 2 review and recap: This psychological horror anime is quietly tearing us apart
Source: Crunchyroll If you're craving a new psychological horror anime in 2025 that isn't about blood, but about dread, grief, and very wrong smiles—The Summer Hikaru Died is already doing everything right. Episode 2 doubles down on the eerie softness that made the premiere unforgettable, but it also starts digging deeper into the characters' heartbreak and denial. In this review and recap, we break down the slow-burn emotional horror, the terrifying intimacy, and why Hikaru and Yoshiki are the duo keeping us emotionally unwell. The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 2 recap: "Suspicion" Source: Crunchyroll Episode 2 of The Summer Hikaru Died leans even harder into its quiet dread. We open with Yoshiki deep in denial, walking the same paths with something that looks like his best friend but definitely isn't. The thing wearing Hikaru's face speaks gently, smiles kindly—but it's watching, mimicking, is painfully aware now. Every glance, every pause, every too-perfect word from 'Hikaru' lands with weight. But instead of running, he walks beside him. Maybe because he's scared. Maybe because he's lonely. Maybe because pretending is easier than accepting that the real Hikaru is the episode, we see the unnerving blend of human and not: Hikaru casually mentioning that someone 'won't be bothering them anymore.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo The townspeople don't seem to notice the tension—but Yoshiki does. And so do we. It's not just possession. It's adaptation. Hikaru's replacement is learning how to pass. And he's doing it terrifyingly emotional highlight? A quiet moment where Hikaru stares at Yoshiki like he's trying to understand how to love him. It's soft. It's wrong. It's heartbreaking. And that's exactly what makes this anime so terrifying—it's not screaming at you. It's whispering in your ear. By the end, you don't feel scared. You feel… haunted. And that's The Summer Hikaru Died's real superpower. The Summer Hikaru Died episode 2 builds horror with silence, not screams What makes episode 2 of this psychological horror anime hit so hard is its refusal to over-explain. It assumes you're smart—and haunted. There's no gore, no jump scare. Just eerie stillness, a lingering glance too long, and one boy pretending the other hasn't been replaced by something that shouldn't fear isn't loud—it's existential. You're not scared of what Hikaru is. You're scared of how close he still feels to the real thing. And that intimacy? It's unbearable—in the best way. Yoshiki is spiralling and choosing denial over survival Source: Crunchyroll Yoshiki knows the truth. He knows this isn't his Hikaru. And yet? He still walks beside him. He still listens to him. He still sits in quiet companionship with something he should be running from. This is grief in its most raw, most tragic form. What's worse is that 'Hikaru' is trying to understand love, friendship, and human emotion. He's copying Hikaru's habits with eerie accuracy. And Yoshiki is letting him. That contradiction—fear mixed with longing—is what makes this show hit harder than any demon or curse ever could. Visually and emotionally,The Summer Hikaru Died is a masterpiece in restraint Episode 2 continues the show's commitment to subtle horror. It doesn't throw monsters in your face—it makes you the monster for still loving someone who isn't real. The animation uses fog, dim lighting, negative space, and long pauses like weapons. Every scene lingers. Every shot dares you to breathe. And the sound design? Stunningly quiet. It lets the silence ring loud—and in horror, silence can scream louder than anything else. This isn't just art—it's tension you can't scrub off. Hikaru and Yoshiki: The most devastating duo in horror anime right now Source: Crunchyroll This isn't just horror. It's heartbreak. Hikaru and Yoshiki are locked in a twisted kind of intimacy where one is trying to hold on, and the other is trying to become something he's not. Their bond is the story's emotional core—and the reason the fear hits so deep. Every conversation is a test. Every memory they share is a knife. Every time Hikaru smiles just right, you remember he's not supposed to be smiling at all. That emotional dissonance is what turns this from creepy to unforgettable. Final verdict: The Summer Hikaru Died episode 2 leaves you quietly unwell The Summer Hikaru Died episode 2 proves this show isn't about jump scares—it's about emotional ruin. It's for the overthinkers, the romantics, the ones who find horror in the softest places. And that's what makes it so different. It's scary, yes. But not because of what's on screen—because of what it makes you feel. The grief. The guilt. The loneliness. If this pacing, direction, and writing keeps up, The Summer Hikaru Died could become one of the defining psychological horror anime of the decade. And we'll be spiralling along with Yoshiki the whole way. The next episode is out this Saturday, so be prepared. Also read| Can Byeon Woo-seok lead the Solo Leveling Korean live-action series?
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Summer Hikaru Died episode 2 leaves anime fans shocked, calling it ‘wild and unsettling' as things get creepy
The Summer Hikaru Died episode 2: Episode 2 of The Summer Hikaru Died has left anime fans both stunned and intrigued, thanks to its unsettling mix of mystery and eerie moments. Viewers are calling the episode 'wild and unsettling' as the story delves further into its dark, supernatural themes. With new revelations and an increasingly haunting tone, the series keeps audiences hooked and eager to see what happens next. The Summer Hikaru Died episode 2 shocks anime fans The Summer Hikaru Died episode 2 brought in some major twists, and romance also found its place. After watching the episode, many viewers felt it was wild and left them with an unsettling feeling. Taking to X, one wrote, 'This scene is just so wild and is definitely not letting Yoshiki go away at all even if he tries. The whole episode you can see how dead his eyes are and he's trying to live in the delusion that everything is okay.' A second went on to add, 'The Summer Hikaru Died EP 2 is an even more beautiful visual spectacle of spectral, personal & societal horror all merged into one package.' A third went on to add, 'Osako's direction is very ambitious, his usage of pov & ost to depict the horror atmosphere is exceptional also his SB are brilliant.' #HikarugaShindaNatsuThe Summer Hikaru Died #2. ED/SB: Mitsuhiro Osako AD: Mai Watanabe & Ryuunosuke Ouji. Osako's direction is very ambitious, his usage of pov & ost to depict the horror atmosphere is exceptional also his SB are brilliant The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 2Yoshiki didn't even know how to feel after putting his hand on Hikaru…Also the village ppl including Hikaru family are wired and sus… The Summer Hikaru Died #2 #ひかなつアニメThis scene is just so wild and unsettling😭Hikaru is definitely not letting Yoshiki go away at all even if he tries. The whole episode you can see how dead his eyes are and he's trying to live in the delusion that everything is okay The Summer Hikaru Died EP 2 is an even more beautiful visual spectacle of spectral, personal & societal horror all merged into one package - boasting an even larger vision than its premiere, and delivering on all previous fonts, only so.. So much better. #光が死んだ夏 #TheSummerHikaruDied hikanatsu ep 2 🎉 the op is trippy and i love how the quick flashes offer glimpses at the parts of the story and esp of hikaru What is The Summer Hikaru Died episode 2 about? The Summer Hikaru Died episode 2 is divided into three parts. First, Yoshiki and the fake 'Hikaru' keep acting like normal friends. Next, Tanaka looks into Matsuura's shocking death from the last episode. Finally, in the epilogue, Yoshiki runs into Rie Kurebayashi. The Summer Hikaru Died manga The Summer Hikaru Died is a Japanese manga created by Mokumokuren. It started serializing on Kadokawa Shoten's Young Ace Up website in August 2021. By July 2025, the series has been compiled into seven tankōbon volumes. You can stream The Summer Hikaru Died on Netflix.
The Review Geek
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 3 Preview: Release Date, Time & Where To Watch
The Summer Hikaru Died Best friends Yoshiki and Hikaru have been stuck together like glue for most of their lives. Living in a small village together and being the only children their age, the two boys find solace in each other. Their friendship seems picturesque at first glance, but Yoshiki has noticed a shift in Hikaru's demeanour ever since one fateful summer. The 'Hikaru' that sits beside him now is nothing like his friend. Despite his physical appearance and memories remaining exactly the same, Yoshiki knows something is amiss and that the Hikaru he once knew is gone. When he brings this up, Hikaru partially transforms into an otherworldly being, threatening to kill Yoshiki if he cannot accept it—while also professing its love for him. While this is going on, strange occurrences begin to plague their village, bringing unsettling chaos… If you've been following this anime, you may be curious to find out when the next episode is releasing. Well, wonder no more! Here is everything you need to know about episode 3 of The Summer Hikaru Died, including the release date, time, and where you can watch this. Where Can I Watch The Summer Hikaru Died? The Summer Hikaru Died is airing in Japan on NNS (Nippon TV). For everyone else though, this one is also available to stream on Netflix worldwide. The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 3 Release Date The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 3 will release on Sunday 20th July in Japan at approximately 12:53am (JST). Of course, this means that for most of the world, this one will debut on Saturday 19th July at approximately 5pm (GMT) / 10am (PT). The Summer Hikaru Died's episodes will drop in the native Japanese language with subtitles. Dubbing may well arrive later on down the line, but will largely be dependent on how popular this anime will be. How Many Episodes Will The Summer Hikaru Died Have? It has been officially announced that The Summer Hikaru Died will drop with a 12 episode season order, which is consistent with the other seasons. One episode will be releasing a week, while each chapter will run for around 23 minutes long. So with that in mind, we've got 9 more episodes left after this week's chapter. Is There A Trailer For The Summer Hikaru Died? Yes! You can find a trailer for The Summer Hikaru Died below: What do you hope to see as the series progresses? What's been your favourite moment of The Summer Hikaru Died so far? Let us know in the comments below!
The Review Geek
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
The Summer Hikaru Died – Season 1 Episode 2 Recap & Review
Suspicion The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 2 lands us on a country road where police cars zip by Hikaru and Yoshiki on their bikes. On another road, Tanaka is heading toward their town. At school, the kids are talking about the old woman who died and the amount of spooky stuff going on. One friend asks Yoshiki to walk him home through some scary bit of woods. He declines but Hikaru and some others want to join so now everyone is going. Even though it does look spooky, they arrive without incident. Elsewhere, Tanaka reaches his destination but he's not taking it seriously enough for the men who are worried about people dying. The old lady who died had been scared of something in the mountains ever since her daughter died. But her worry may have increased its attraction toward her. On the way back, Yoshiki sees something in the woods coming toward them. Hikaru notices it's following Yoshiki – that's not good. READ MORE: Anime reviews The men have moved to a safer spot at a shrine. Tanaka takes out a bag that Hikaru may have taken up the mountain the day he disappeared – they find a wooden head inside, meant to ward off evil spirits. But Tanaka thinks the evil thing has already come from the mountain to hide in the village. Returning from the woods, the girls run off, scared of something creepy but Yoshiki takes care of Hikaru, who's fallen and gotten a nosebleed. He'd managed to eat the thing trying to latch onto Yoshiki. Hikaru reminds him not to look at creepy things, just keep his eyes on him instead. To himself, Hikaru thinks he doesn't need to take Yoshiki, as he'll follow – and Yoshiki won't let anything steal him away. Flashback to a story Hikaru's dad told him about an agreement with an Unuki-sama to not attack their family. So, if Hikaru likes someone, he should marry her right away, as Unuki-sama takes people close to them instead. Back at school, Yoshiki is curious about how Hikaru 'ate' the thing in the woods. Hikaru unbuttons his shirt to show a slit down his chest, inviting Yoshiki to stick his hand inside. As he encourages him to reach further, Hikaru feels Yoshiki's warmth – it's like nothing he's ever felt before. But Yoshiki jumps away when something inside Hikaru pulls him. Heading home, Yoshiki can't stop thinking about what Hikaru's insides felt like. A woman approaches him, telling him he's getting too close to something dangerous; otherwise, he'll get 'mixed' with it. She'd been feeling a horrible wind coming from the mountain, but now it's gone, so she's been worried about where it landed. She warns Yoshiki against whatever is attaching itself to him and gives him her number if he wants to talk. That night, Yoshiki struggles to turn off his thoughts. The Episode Review Ok, so maybe the new Hikaru isn't so harmless or innocent. His snickering little laugh is a bit creepy, in fact. I wonder if Yoshiki can believe his words. Do we? He seems a lot more confident than in the previous episode, so maybe he's getting comfortable with 'being' Hikaru and confident that he's got Yoshiki where he wants him. To clarify, Unuki-sama (or Nonuki-sama) is a deity associated with the mountain. In ancient times, people were sacrificed to appease the gods. From the story his father told, it sounds like Hikaru's ancestors looked after the monster, even going so far as to make a deal with it to protect their family. The suspense of this storyline is spot on, tempting us to where no one wants to go. What do you think? Wishing they conveniently dropped the episodes in more bingeable pairs? Planning to watch the whole season of The Summer Hikaru Died? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Previous Episode Next Episode Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes READ MORE: Anime reviews
The Review Geek
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 2 Preview: Release Date, Time & Where To Watch
The Summer Hikaru Died Best friends Yoshiki and Hikaru have been stuck together like glue for most of their lives. Living in a small village together and being the only children their age, the two boys find solace in each other. Their friendship seems picturesque at first glance, but Yoshiki has noticed a shift in Hikaru's demeanour ever since one fateful summer. The 'Hikaru' that sits beside him now is nothing like his friend. Despite his physical appearance and memories remaining exactly the same, Yoshiki knows something is amiss and that the Hikaru he once knew is gone. When he brings this up, Hikaru partially transforms into an otherworldly being, threatening to kill Yoshiki if he cannot accept it—while also professing its love for him. While this is going on, strange occurrences begin to plague their village, bringing unsettling chaos… If you've been following this anime, you may be curious to find out when the next episode is releasing. Well, wonder no more! Here is everything you need to know about episode 2 of The Summer Hikaru Died, including the release date, time, and where you can watch this. Where Can I Watch The Summer Hikaru Died? The Summer Hikaru Died is airing in Japan on NNS (Nippon TV). For everyone else though, this one is also available to stream on Netflix worldwide. The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 2 Release Date The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 2 will release on Sunday 13th July in Japan at approximately 12:53am (JST). Of course, this means that for most of the world, this one will debut on Saturday 12th July at approximately 5pm (GMT) / 10am (PT). The Summer Hikaru Died's episodes will drop in the native Japanese language with subtitles. Dubbing may well arrive later on down the line, but will largely be dependent on how popular this anime will be. How Many Episodes Will The Summer Hikaru Died Have? It has been officially announced that The Summer Hikaru Died will drop with a 12 episode season order, which is consistent with the other seasons. One episode will be releasing a week, while each chapter will run for around 23 minutes long. So with that in mind, we've got 10 more episodes left after this week's chapter. Is There A Trailer For The Summer Hikaru Died? Yes! You can find a trailer for The Summer Hikaru Died below: What do you hope to see as the series progresses? What's been your favourite moment of The Summer Hikaru Died so far? Let us know in the comments below!
