The Summer Hikaru Died

Synopsis

In the six months since Yoshiki Tsujinaka's closest friend, Hikaru Indou, vanished into the mountains and returned a week later with no memory of that time, Yoshiki has observed changes in Hikaru. When he confronts his friend, Yoshiki discovers that the returned Hikaru is actually a monstrous entity, which begs for secrecy to avoid harming him. Despite its supernatural nature, this impostor shows a naive curiosity and joy for simple human experiences, such as the warmth of summer and village life. Driven by sorrow and a desperate desire to hold onto Hikaru, Yoshiki accepts this new version of his friend, cherishing their time together regardless of the truth. As their bond strengthens, it becomes clear that a dangerous supernatural presence has moved from the mountains into their village.