The Summer Hikaru Died is a supernatural themed anime. I have watched it last year and again I re-watched it because I felt like this is an anime Which is misunderstood by many people. It has no fancy plot or anything yet it's simple and beautiful but people underestimates it. This anime is one of the most unsettling and emotionally complex, I have ever seen in recent years. The relationship between its two male leads is a bit controversial to be honest the Yaoi element is not that noticeable. Basically the story is about grief, identity, loneliness, and the terrifying realization that the person you love may no longer be the person you knew.

It makes us rethink that what if our loved one passes away and comes in a new form, will we be able to accept it and live them with them for the rest of our lives? Or would we crave for the old version which made us love them. Will changes make any difference in our love? The series begins with a simple but chilling premise Yoshiki knows that Hikaru died in the mountains. I won't give spoilers how Hikaru died but an entity or a being took Hikaru's place imitating his looks and also speaks like him, it also has the ability to carry his memories but it is not entirely a human.

So the story not only focuses on the mystery but also depicts Yoshiki's perspective to remain by its side despite understanding the truth. So this questions his morals and creates a constant emotional tension that is far more powerful than the horror elements themselves.

To be honest, I liked the character depth. Yoshiki is unlike other protagonists, I have seen so far that his choices are often irrational, driven by fear, attachment and being denial. It's way too authentic and I am sure audience can easily feel connected with the character.

On the other hand, the entity who possess the body of Hikaru is equally fascinating. You will be confused that he is evil or good. That entity is exploring the human world and felt like genuinely wants to understand humanity. For some reasons he is unable to go against Yoshiki as he feels a connection with him. So, that entity is making its existence both tragic and disturbing. The artwork deserves special praise. It truly have me goose bumps when I was watching the anime. All I could feel was intensity. Each episode made me more curious about what's going to happen next. I have finished this anime in one night because I couldn't be patient. In the anime the quiet moments made me feel more unsettling things.

In my opinion, the anime succeeds because it has a good plot and quantity of mystery which keeps on you lead. The relationship between Yoshiki and Hikaru is important but people calling it a Yaoi anime does not justify it. It's more than a Yaoi and the horror elements is way too good. Nothing felt like they are overdoing it or anything, it was just perfect. In my opinion, this anime serves a larger exploration of loss and human connection. This story will linger long in the end. I really want a new season as I still have so many questions. Anyway, it is not simply a horror or a romance; it is a deeply human story wrapped in supernatural terror.

I would like to rate it 10 out of 10, I recommend to watch it at least once.

Credits:
_{Pictures are the screenshots from imdb}

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