Netflix's Dark New Anime Shocks Viewers with Emotional Horror

In summer 2025 anime, people are already watching and talking about one anime that is very dark, but also emotional. The Summer Hikaru Died came out on Netflix and has already gotten big attention from viewers and critics both. It doesn’t just scare in a normal way, but more of emotional pain and a strange mystery. Dark anime is always having some fans, and this one is catching their interest fast.

The story is about a boy, Hikaru, who died after going hiking. But then, someone or something that looks like Hikaru comes back. It’s not him, but a creature that can change shape and act human. But even when it smiles, you feel something very wrong. The scary part is not only that he came back, but also that his best friend Yoshiki knows it’s not Hikaru. But still, he doesn't tell anybody. Because he loved Hikaru before, he pretends things are still the same, and that makes it even sadder. Each moment shows how hard it is for Yoshiki to deal with what’s true and what’s not.

Creepy Vibes and Beautiful Animation

One big reason why The Summer Hikaru Died is so strong is how well it shows fear and emotion. The creature, when its real self shows, is so horrible-looking it’s hard to watch. But not just the monster—the direction, the quiet scenes, even when music doesn’t play, all of that makes the scenes more strong. The show uses silence in a way that not many other anime do.

The director worked on anime like Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night and Pokémon: Paldean Winds, so he knows how to make nice visuals. Here also, he does the same, making each shot look full of feelings. Even though only one episode came out, people are saying it might be one of the top anime of the year. The manga was already popular before, and now the anime is showing the same success.

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As more episodes come, fans expect the story to get darker, deeper. With how the beginning starts, it's looking like The Summer Hikaru Died is going to stay in people’s minds for a long time.

Written By Manika Kayal, Intern, India Today Gaming.