Mokumokuren, the manga creator, took to their X (formerly Twitter) account last Friday to reveal that “The Summer Hikaru Died” will soon be brought to life as an anime. While the precise format of the adaptation remains a mystery, Mokumokuren shared the news alongside a festive illustration, sparking excitement among fans.
The manga, licensed by Yen Press for English readers, tells the story of two boys, Yoshiki and Hikaru, whose lives are upended when Hikaru is engulfed by a mysterious light, leaving Yoshiki to wonder if his friend is still the same person.
Mokumokuren began the manga on Kadokawa’s Young Ace Up website in August 2021. The fourth volume was published by Kadokawa in December 2023, with Yen Press releasing the third volume in English on April 16. A light novel adaptation by Mio Nukaga also debuted in December 2023.
The Summer Hikaru Died has received significant recognition, being nominated for the 16th Manga Taisho Awards, known in English as the “Cartoon Grand Prize.”
It was also featured on the New York Public Library’s Best Books for Teens list in 2023 and included in the American Library Association’s (ALA) Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) 2024 list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens.
Additionally, both the manga and Mokumokuren have been nominated for this year’s prestigious Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.
The manga is competing in the Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia category, while Mokumokuren is up for Best Writer/Artist. These accolades highlight the growing acclaim and anticipation for the upcoming anime adaptation.
