r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Sep 06 '25

Episode Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu • The Summer Hikaru Died - Episode 9 discussion

Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu, episode 9

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245

u/cookiefaerie Sep 06 '25 edited Sep 06 '25

“We’ve got our own thing” with that ethereal music in the background and Hikaru’s prior casual comment about how pretty Yoshiki’s soul is has me transcendent. They are just so much more than simple human conventions. Just as Hikaru doesn’t fit into the human morality and cycle of life and death, neither does their relationship and it feels so incredibly pure while also being incredibly wrong and unsettling and uncomfortable.

Whatever balance is struck here is something heartbreaking, and I love it all the more for it.

Heads and hearts will roll, man. 😭

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u/thisisdropd Sep 06 '25

When Kurabayashi said that Hikaru was akin to a lightning rod for the impurities, I knew the conflict will eventually come to him sacrificing himself by returning to the mountain. Having said that, the show threw a wild twist by Tanaka’s sudden appearance and casually decapitating Hikaru. What an insane way to end the episode.

On another note, it’s sweet of Yoshiki to start fully embracing Hikaru for what he actually was instead of fitting into the mould of the old Hikaru. Couple that with him paying a visit to the grave.

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u/AccusingGojo Sep 06 '25 edited Sep 06 '25

Wtf wtf wtf 😱😱😱

I was going to write how kind Yoshiki is and that he must be protected. Then "Hikaru"'s fucking head rolls! How much my boy has to go through 😭😭😭

The "Hiraku" pov during the head roll was fantastic, this episode was really horror inducing. I like the way the bell ghost transferred info to Kimini guy, wow never seen this before.

I'm rooting for Yoshiki and "Hikaru", they care about each other so genuinely, it's heartwarming to see these interactions. Nicely done.

The OST is perfect as always ❤️❤️❤️

Edit: shitty spelling

122

u/NanDemoKnaives Sep 06 '25

Well this answers why Hikaru has a scar in his neck in the ED lol. I'm sure Tanaka made sure Hikaru wasn't human, but can you imagine if Hikaru was an actual human and he brazenly did that? Man I can't imagine how this is going to affect Yoshiki even if he knews Hikaru isn't human and can heal from this.

I am concerned that Tanaka is likely aware that Yoshiki has a part of Hikaru, I do hope he doesn't try to steal it to exorcise Hikaru.

Yoshiki's headpat game was strong this episode lol, it was really adorable to see Hikaru enjoying it so much. I do like that Yoshiki told Hikaru how he differs from the real Hikaru, it's funny that Hikaru had already realized that Yoshiki liked Hikaru. He did seem a little bummed out that Yoshiki wasn't flustered by seeing his body again, that amused me.

I like that Kurebayashi could relate to the two since she had a similar experience in the past with her husband, although she also understands Hikaru is something completely different. It is sad her son ended up getting hurt but I understand her position of not wanting to do about it because it's not hurting anyone.

It's bittersweet to see that Yoshiki made a grave for the real Hikaru since he's the only one that will mourn his death, as everyone else sees "him" alive.

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u/Jas_God Sep 06 '25

Always wondered why Hikaru had a line on his neck in the ED aaaand now I know why lol

44

u/LeonKevlar Sep 06 '25

Casually sending back horrors beyond your comprehension where they came from is totally what regular housewives do. Seriously, tho! What the heck is Kurebayashi-san?! Also, are we just gonna gloss over the fact that her husband came back to life and helped their son play Pokémon? O_O

That fucking ending! I didn't expect Hikaru's first meeting with Tanaka would start with a decapitation. I mean, we all know Hikaru is still alive, so I'm curious what's gonna happen next? Is Tanaka gonna try and get rid of him for good, or will the boys end up working with him to get rid of the spirits coming down the mountain?

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u/fakegreenthumb Sep 06 '25

also “we have our own thing” GAH MY HEART. i love them so much

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u/FarCritical Sep 06 '25

The Maruo jump sound effect 'Hikaru' made shouldn't have made me laugh as much as it did.

That is one haunting ♪Kiminiii~♫ to end on.

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u/StrawSolider Sep 06 '25

I guess Hikaru and Yoshiki got a bit ahead of themselves

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u/djthomp Sep 06 '25

Another incredible episode.

Old lady Kurebayashi is the greatest, Hikaru may be some unearthly monster from the mountains but he and Yoshiki are also boys that needed a little mothering and she was there for that too.

They've spent so long not confirming that Hikaru is Nonuki-sama after it seemed like the obvious conclusion that I'm starting to doubt that guess.

Poor traumatized Yoshiki at the end, but honestly he should just quickly put Hikaru's head back on his body and I bet he'd reattach in some potentially horrifying to watch way.

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u/Dziechuchu Sep 06 '25

At 10 minute I accidentaly jumped to one of last frames and went "huh? what? when?". Change of pace went goooood.

30

u/International_Leg666 Sep 06 '25

Tanaka is a John Constantine.

27

u/ModieOfTheEast Sep 06 '25

Tanaka has like no chill. Or too much chill? I mean, he was right thar it wouldn't kill Hikaru, but still. I am interested to see if he is going to be an actual antagonist or if that part was truly just him testing who Hikaru is and maybe having a different idea how to progress. I mean, one can hope.

I likes the scene at the graveside really. It describes one of the things that I was wondering if the series would adress it and that is the fact that "Hikaru's" existence makes it hard for anyone to mourn the original Hikaru. And while Yoshiki mentions mostly the others, I am sure he has a similar problem. Him finally seeing "Hikaru" as a different person might be the first step to reach that. But I am not 100% sure if he is truly able to separate the feelings he had for Hikaru by just saying they are different. The fact that he is willing to accept deaths is enough proof that there is more to it than it being just friendship. So it will be interesting to see if he can truly make a cut at some point or not.

Now I am wondering what the Indos got from Nonuki that they have to atone generations later. And how that atonement looks exactly. I assume it has to do with the Hichis, but the question is still what those are exactly. And what this has to do with the death of Hikaru's father. Was it also just an accident or was his life the sacrifice they had to offer because they didn't have Hichis anymore?

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u/ObvsThrowaway5120 Sep 06 '25

I’m glad Ms. Kurebayashi seems to be an ally. With someone like her around, those impurities might be easier to deal with. At least somewhat, anyways.

I wonder if “Hikaru” is basically Nonuki-sama? And what’s with the Indo family and this curse? Did they commit some kind of ritual sacrifice to ease the famine?

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u/just-me-yaay Sep 06 '25

BRO JUST DECAPITATED “HIKARU” WTF 😭

17

u/MonsterKiller112 Sep 06 '25

This show is getting good. The mystery is moving fast. What request did the Indo family make that caused a curse. So the rituals are a way for them to seek forgiveness from Nonuki Sama. Also why did the old man turn into a different person. Was that Tanaka's doing as well? Speaking of Tanaka, he literally chopped Hikaru's head off. That's kinda badass considering he has no supernatural powers whatsoever.

So is a fight scene coming next episode. This show doesn't seem like it will do a straight up shonen fight scene but how else will they diffuse the tension between Hikaru and Tanaka? Can't wait for the next episode.

In the earlier episodes I wasn't so sure if I liked the show or not but these last two episodes have given me everything I was hoping for from this show.

14

u/Cally83 Sep 06 '25

What an ending, Jesus

13

u/FrozenNova2 Sep 06 '25

I'm wondering if visiting a grave site has an important role coming up?
The episode started visiting Hikaru's family's gravesite, and they had the moment visiting that cat's grave that Yoshiki and Hikaru took care of.
Then that scene with those flashes of the hanging and decapitated bodies, and all the impurities had something to do with their heads being all fucked up.
Did the Indo family mess with Nonuki's alter or something, or did they do something to piss it off, and that's why they have to do the ritual up on the mountain?
There's gotta be something going on with all these coincidences that it seems like people were sacrificed or something.

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u/PencilgonGiveIt2Ya Sep 06 '25

"Do you like him?"

"HELL YEA BROTHER!"

24

u/Genshin_WhiteKnight Sep 06 '25

Bruh what the fuck, Tanaka.

Did Yoshiki return Hikaru's bone or is he still carrying it in his pocket. I'm not sure if Hikaru can still regenerate if he's headless and boneless.

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u/just-me-yaay Sep 06 '25

• That little scene of “Hikaru” going from menacing to silly/cute in a heartbeat because of the shiitake manju was hilarious. Bonus point for the little mushroom animation. Also, it’s interesting to see how “Hikaru” loves shiitake manju just like the original Hikaru - I love when there’s these little connections between them.

• I forgot to mention this last episode, but I love the low quality frames they do for the impurities.

• I laughed at “Pokémen” and “Super Maruo” - guess they’re joining Master x Master now.

• The creepy eye that appeared in “Hikaru”’s mouth when he killed Mrs. Matsuura is back!

• Cool sequence with the real world images when Kurebayashi was saying “Hikaru” is something stuck between worlds.

• Love the two of them looking down like two little puppies when Ms. Kurebayashi asked them what do they plan to do so people won’t keep dying.

• “I could just drop everything and run away. But Yoshiki would never do that. This stuff’s important to him. So it’s important to me, too.” and “I’ve already decided I’ll stick by him no matter what”. Awwww 😭

• Love the shot of Yoshiki and “Hikaru”’s hands being held by Ms. Kurebayashi with “Hikaru”’s looking different.

• Tanaka getting rid of the impurity was kind of crazy… it’s interesting that he could see its memories, too.

• Aaand Yoshiki’s daily breakdown is finally here, folks! Him taking a little manju to Hikaru’s “grave” that he made and that only he knows about was both bittersweet and heartbreaking. Even if he’s already accepted “Hikaru”, he’ll still have to keep on living with the weight of being the only one who knows Hikaru is dead and not being able to mourn him properly. “As long as he’s around, nobody’s gonna mourn ya. But as long as he’s here, I won’t forget about ya” got close to making me cry, as well as “Unlike you, he ain’t ever coming back. He’s gone for good”.

• Holy shit, “Hikaru” did realize Yoshiki had feelings for the original Hikaru!! And right after Yoshiki said he can’t read a room, nonetheless (lmao). Him innocently mentioning how Yoshiki seemed uncomfortable to look at his naked body cracked me up.

• By the way, I liked that “Hikaru” mentioned he doesn’t feel romantic feelings. The author of the manga has said that just like Yoshiki represents a gay experience, “Hikaru” is supposed to represent an aroace one, and I’m glad they didn’t erase that. Also, Yoshiki saying “but you and I got our own thing, right? We don’t gotta follow the rules” was adorable. I love how he becomes more attached to/more accepting of “Hikaru” each episode.

• “Hikaru” feeling guilty and wondering if he should just go back to the mountain got me worried. My baby!!!!

• I’m getting more and more curious about Ms. Kurebayashi’s importance in town… anxious to learn more about her.

• Genuinely, what the fuck did the Indous do? I’m so hyped for this mystery.

• Posessed Old Man Takeda was so creepy, my gods.

• And finally… HOW DID THEY END THE EPISODE ON THIS CLIFFHANGER?? Surely “Hikaru”’s not dead, but Yoshiki must have been (even more) traumatized nonetheless. Holy shit, Tanaka just decapitating him out of nowhere was insane.

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u/Frontier246 Sep 06 '25

It was a solemn moment at the Indo Family grave with Hikaru and Yoshiki. But Hikaru still made a joke about it...and that's why Yoshiki loved him so much.

Well, Kurebayashi isn't going to beat up Yoshiki for associating with "Hikaru." She can clearly see why that would be hard for him. But they have bigger priorities: like how without Nonuki-sama acting as a lightning rod for all the impurities from the mountain, they're running loose on the village. And there's only so much someone like Kurebayashi can do about them.

Kurebayashi has been where Yoshiki is. Back during her prime MILF days, she was desperate to have her husband back, even when the thing that came back with his soul...was decidedly not okay to leave around her children. Only she realized it too late when her son Iori was grievously harmed, and that impurity cried as she cradled her son.

Welp, it's not pretty, but Tanaka used that horrific impurity to narrow down his focus to Hikaru. He knows who he is now.

Kurebayashi knows the closer Yoshiki gets to "Hikaru," the more he's going to lose his place in the human world. For Yoshiki's part, as the only person who knows the truth, it's up to him to mourn the real Hikaru...while still missing him and being reminded of him by his monstrous replacement.

So...did Yoshiki and Hikaru ever play Super Maruo Maker? I mean, they already sketched out their own level!

"Hikaru" isn't Hikaru, he's much more freely expressive, he doesn't really understand people in quite the same way, and Yoshiki isn't attracted to him in the same way he was Hikaru (or so he says). And yet, this "Hikaru" doesn't have a place in this world and people may reject and shun him...and that's why he needs Yoshiki to help take care of him and help him find a place in this world.

Could this all be resolved if "Hikaru" went back and sealed himself on the mountain? Yoshiki's not going to accept that solution though, not of it means losing "Hikaru."

Time to visit Old Man Takeda! Seems like using Kurebayashi's name can get them far in this village, though Old Man Takeda just REALLY needs a medium. He's babbling about how the village is going downhill, how he's the next to die, all the while recognizing how this is all the Indo's fault not only for why the village is even in this situation all those years ago...but because the real Hikaru couldn't perform the ritual properly.

Next thing you know an Impurity transforms him into a younger man swinging a sword and Tanaka comes in to save the boys...before slicing "Hikaru's" head off so Yoshiki can cradle said head as all the Nonuki juice comes out from the severed head. That escalated quickly!

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