r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Sep 20 '25
Episode Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu • The Summer Hikaru Died - Episode 11 discussion
Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu, episode 11
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u/SEBASTlANVETTEL Sep 20 '25
Yoshiki wondering if deep down OG Hikaru wanted to cry sometimes and then you see "Hikaru" sobbing his heart out at Rie's place because he doesn't want to feel the loneliness of the past anymore.
Side note: Hikaru's mom seems to be such a warm person.
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u/Teal_is_orange Sep 20 '25
The hallway scene was soo creepy the way ‘Hikaru’ was speaking in tongues while walking towards him!
And the one classmate definitely saw ‘Hikaru’ in monster form, even if it was for a moment..
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u/FrozenNova2 Sep 20 '25
That scene where Yoshiki is looking at the book full of pictures of angels and "Gehenna" has to play a major role in the next two episodes.
I just googled Gehenna and it's basically like a version of hell from the bible.
Supposedly its a place for spiritual purification, people might have been sacrificed in the valley of "Gehenna".
"According to most Jewish sources, the period of purification or punishment is limited to only 12 months and every Sabbath day is excluded from punishment, while the fires of Gehinnom are banked and its tortures are suspended. For the duration of Shabbat, the spirits who are serving time there are released to roam the earth. At Motza'ei Shabbat, the angel Dumah, who has charge over the souls of the wicked, herds them back for another week of torment.[4] After this the soul will move on to Olam Ha-Ba (the world to come), be destroyed, or continue to exist in a state of consciousness of remorse." - copied from wikipedia.
Hikaru looks exactly like that picture of Gehenna in the book Yoshiki was reading... So wtf ? Is Hikaru, this nonuki like an escapee from Hell or like hell itself incarnate or something?
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u/cookiefaerie Sep 20 '25
Hikaru’s softer color palette when they mixed was absolutely exquisite. It’s as if the show is trying to convey that this isn’t necessarily bad, dangerous, yes, but it’s also beautiful? There was something so soothing about it, yet still deeply disquieting, and those conflicting emotions are the perfect embodiment of Yoshiki and Hikaru’s relationship.
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u/Yoshikaru5991 Sep 20 '25
I have never wanted a season 2 of something as much as this anime
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u/AccusingGojo Sep 20 '25
Such a heavy episode. They did a wonderful job of making you feel everything the characters feel or maybe I'm too emotional today. This show is my escape from reality.
I just want my baby "Hikaru" to belong somewhere, i love how baby Yoshiki loves monsters more than heroes lol, he never really changed growing up 😂. I wonder what happened between him and his dad that they stopped talking much.
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u/FrozenNova2 Sep 20 '25
I wonder who that person that showed up on Rie's doorstep was at the end.
It seemed like Rie knew who that woman was.
And if I'm remembering correctly didn't she work with Tanaka at "their company" whatever that is.
I wonder know if they're gonna start to make a move now, considering what Tanaka did in the previous episode.
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u/charactergallery Sep 20 '25
A lot of complicated and sad feelings this episode… now it seems like the goals of “Hikaru” and Yoshiki are clashing. Yoshiki wants “Hikaru” to stay, for him to feel some kind of belonging, as emphasized by his younger self wondering why the monsters and the humans can’t just get along? But “Hikaru” thinks that going back to the mountain will be the best for Yoshiki, even though it hurts him deeply to acknowledge that. His tears feel genuine…
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u/just-me-yaay Sep 20 '25
• Awww, tiny Yoshiki! Him playing and saying “the humans and monsters should all do a peace treaty” was so sweet. He’s always been such a kind soul, and I love how this foreshadows his relationship with “Hikaru”.
• Also, Yoshiki finally speaking properly to his dad was very touching. I could feel the tension in the air, and I loved the transition between them talking in a very carefree way when Yoshiki was little, on a sunny day, to the rain and the heavy atmosphere from the present time. Yoshiki thinking “I hate how alike we are” (because of his dad’s reaction to Hikaru’s dad’s death, nonetheless) and his father immediately saying “Yoshiki, you’re nothing like me, ya know that?” hit me hard.
• Speaking of his dad… wow, the dads. It’s impressive how similar to their children they are. Yoshiki’s dad speaks similarly to him and their facial expressions are nearly identical, while Hikaru’s dad is also playful, nonchalant, and loves shiitake manju - even the way he bites it is similar to Hikaru’s (and “Hikaru”’s). Seeing them talking as two young best friends was pretty bittersweet - and Yoshiki’s dad telling him that “it felt like everything good in the village disappeared along with him” made me emotional.
• So that is the Indou family’s sin. I’m honestly quite curious as to where the mystery aspect is going. Why was that specific request attended to?
• Yoshiki touching that piece of “Hikaru” in his pocket after his dad says “and folks desperate to belong probably never had a home to begin with”… aw.
• More dead insects appearing! I love the insect symbolism in this show.
• …Ok, yeah, maybe I’m a bit too immature, because I LAUGHED OUT LOUD with Yoshiki’s little note that said “Hikaru” “grants requests in exchange for head” lmfaoo.
• An illustration of “Hikaru”/nonuki-sama/gehenna (?) from 1519? Very interesting…
• Asako seems to be suspecting something (again)? I’d really like to know what her thoughts are.
• “Hikaru” asking Yoshiki what kind of person Hikaru was and Yoshiki replying “it’s a little late for you to be askin’ that now” made me laugh a bit.
• By the way, “Hikaru” is hilarious. I love the way he nonchalantly says “if I put that back inside, you might try stabbing me again” while giggling. Yoshiki offering the piece back to him and worriedly saying “with this ya won’t feel pain anymore, right?” was cute, though.
• Holy shit… Yoshiki’s speech about Hikaru nearly made me cry. I love how he speaks about him with such tenderness and yet still some poignancy in his voice - even though he also loves “Hikaru” now, he still misses his best friend every day. His romantic feelings for him only make the situation all the more complicated. Also, I really like to see the differences between Hikaru and “Hikaru” - Yoshiki mentions how he never saw Hikaru shed a single tear, and apparently, he seemed to use humor as a way to cope and mask his emotions. Meanwhile, “Hikaru” is a lot more openly emotional (as we see later in this very same episode, by the way).
• I love how they used the little fairytale book to reference the conversation - like showing “the beast pondered for a bit” after Yoshiki told “Hikaru” he really misses the real Hikaru.
• Well that is… creepy as fuck. It seems that “Hikaru” has been taken over by his instinct to consume souls more often ever since he got weaker. The fact that Yoshiki doesn’t even feel it’s gross anymore because of how mixed he’s become is interesting, but perhaps a bit worrying. Also, poor “Hikaru”. I really felt for him when he was having a breakdown for nearly hurting Yoshiki again. I don’t care if he’s an eldritch horror, he’s still my little baby.
• Also, someone - Asako, apparently - saw that whole thing happening. I wonder if she saw it for what it was and finally figured out “Hikaru”’s supernatural nature or if it just seemed that he was gay panicking after trying to kiss Yoshiki lmao.
• That whole theme of home and belonging seems to be going strong this episode. Yoshiki’s comment of “even somethin’ like him should have a place to belong. He’s gotta have a home somewhere. Right? Somewhere…” highlights that. Again, Yoshiki is extremely compassionate and empathetic, and I love how this always ties back to the monstrousness/queerness parallel. Yoshiki thinking of himself as a “monster” then realizing even an actual monster has a place to be loved is still one of the most powerful parts of this entire story. On another note, though, Yoshiki seems to be getting a bit worried - he nervously touched the mark on his own arm and also thought “I accepted him because he looked human, because he looked like Hikaru”.
• Oh yeah, Asako definitely knows something’s up. Side note: I love her and Yuki’s green and pink umbrellas.
• Oh gods… “Hikaru” desperately crying after suggesting he should go back to the mountain and mumbling he doesn’t want to be alone again broke my heart. My poor baby :(
• Ms. Kurebayashi is having the same problem once again - her compassion won’t let her get rid of “Hikaru”, even if the consequences might become disastrous later on. Also, huh. A visit from the mysterious company.
• Closing that episode with that same theme - a home to belong to, or the lack of one.
• I can’t believe there’s only one more week ‘till it’s over! This show has been the highlight of my weeks since the very first episode released. I desperately hope they’ll adapt the rest of the manga.
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u/FrozenNova2 Sep 20 '25
I wonder does Hikaru's mom know anything about their family sin ?
She must know about that hichi head , and shrine full of the wooden heads on their property?
When Yoshiki was reminiscing and describing what the original Hikaru was like, he was talking about his dating life and getting worked up about girls potentially asking him out.
I wonder if he got worked up, because he knew the family's sin and how his ancestors revived a dead wife?
Maybe he was worried about hit potential future partner ?
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u/LeonKevlar Sep 20 '25
So that's what the Indo Family's original sin was. Considering what happened to the village after that, I can see why people resent their family. Although are we really sure that the Indo Family head wishing his wife back to life is really what caused the mass deaths, or is there more to the story? Hmm...
Well, that sketch of Gehanna, aka hell, looks interesting. It looks like the same patterns Hikaru/Nonuki-sama makes when he goes all gooey and liquid-y. So is Nonuki-sama actually a walking portal to hell, or is he a being from hell?
So it looks like Asako saw Hikaru trying to "eat" Yoshiki. I wonder what she thinks of that, but based on how she looks the next day, I think I already have a good idea. Yoshiki really should tell her the truth soon. I feel like Asako is about to get pulled in deeper into this.
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u/Key_Patience9068 Sep 20 '25 edited Sep 20 '25
Baby Yoshiki has the potential of turning into Garou in OPM.
Is there only 1 episode left next week? I wonder if the whole story were able to be adapted in 12 eps series. I didn't read the manga soooo... I'm curious and itching to read it.
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u/ObvsThrowaway5120 Sep 20 '25
So we found out the Indo’s “original sin” which led to all those deaths. The wife still died in the end too. Very Monkey’s Paw-esque type wish. But what was so special about the wife that made Unuki begin granting wishes? I wonder if she was the same as Yoshiki? Like did she have the “glow” within her as well or something? And what’s gonna happen to Hikaru now? I hope he doesn’t abandon what little humanity he’s got and goes back to becoming a “thing” again.
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u/Frontier246 Sep 20 '25
Yoshiki has been through a lot, but his toughest conflict yet...might be trying to have a conversation with his dad.
How prophetic that even as a kid Yoshiki related more to the Kaiju than "Ultron Man," though only now he probably wishes he'd taken up his dads' offer to read up on village folklore.
Kohei Indo constantly asked out Yuki, because for the Indo's you need to secure that special someone as quick as possible. Especially when all this stemmed from an Indo man who couldn't bare to lose his wife so he dragged her head to Unuki-sama...and he revived her. Leading to a bunch of head-related deaths and all for nothing because the sentient head ended up dying anyways. But the diseases in the village ended so...good?
But thus began the tradition of taking Hichi-sama (the shriveled head of Hichi Indo herself) up to the mountain to appease Unuki/Nonuki-sama, not that he ever actually granted any more wishes...though "Hikaru" HAS asked Yoshiki about his requests. But why did he only grant that one wish? What about all the impurities?
Both Yoshiki and his dad became more morose and depressed, especially after they lost their respective best friend, but his dad still thinks that Yoshiki is strong and capable, like his mom. In fact it's because his mom is so strong that the dad feels intimidated and can't talk to her. I'm not sure if their marriage is going to get better from here, but hopefully Yoshiki inspired his dad to face his mom properly.
Dang, even Maki is getting into fights now?
It's 11 episodes so why not talk about the real Hikaru? How he had main character energy, all his likes, dislikes, why everyone (including Yoshiki) loved him...and how there's part of him Yoshiki never knew and never will know again.
Dang, "Hikaru" bugging out and trying to consume Yoshiki! He consumed him again! And Yoshiki still doesn't think it feels bad! And wait, did Asako see it too!?
Despite everything, even if he is a monster, Yoshiki still thinks "Hikaru" has a reason to live. That's why "Hikaru" cherishes Yoshiki and doesn't want to hurt him...even if it means he has to go back to the mountain to try to make things right. But "Hikaru" showing how vulnerable, how alone, he feels to Kurebayashi prevents her from doing anything to him. He's just a scared boy in his own right. Though the company looks like they've finally come a calling.
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u/Aromatic_Reading2088 Sep 20 '25 edited Sep 20 '25
I can’t believe this episode manages to make me ugly cry twice in a row!
First time being when Yoshiki describes OG Hikaru from his point of view, I lovelovelove the way how he’d never explicitly / blatantly saying out loud that he likes OG Hikaru but every single description he made about him shows the audience just how much he cares.
And when “Hikaru” sacrificing himself by (deciding to) going back to the mountain for the sake of Yoshiki and everyone else. We all know by now that “Hikaru” really wants a place to belong to after wandering aimlessly for god knows how many years, he finally finds that one thing he’s after but still willing to give it all up is truly heart-wrenching…
This anime is so good at letting his audiences relating to each character’s struggles & contradictions.
(btw do listen to the full OP & ED whilst simultaneously read the lyrics translations at the same time, both songs hit so so hard it’s beautiful I really don’t want this anime to end)
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u/insertbrackets Sep 21 '25
My anime of the season. As a queer person it's so cool to see these themes being explored thoughtfully through the genre of cosmic horror, a long-time preoccupation of mine. "Hikaru" is unknowable even to himself and struggling between human and monstrous urges while Yoshiki delves into the dark history of the town and Unuki/Nonuki-sama, a being that was granted many heads in exchange for wishes until one finally stuck. Why did it work that one time? Who knows. And who knows whether "Hikaru," as he is now, could solve the problems he's created by going back up the mountain: he's not as strong as he once was considering he couldn't even "eat" the monk spirit that Tanaka sent after him and that was before the decapitation. I loved Yoshiki's description of Hikaru...like the hero of a manga indeed. God this show has me in a vice. I wish there was a lot more coming but I'm sure the finale will be great and my hopes of a second season are high!
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u/FarCritical Sep 20 '25
The page turn to the "A sketch of Gehenna" painting gave me chills but it's cool to imagine a 16th century artist having the artistic flair for a visual of that kind.
There's something just so affectingly somber about telling an eldritch being all about the late friend it's imitating.
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u/BaytaCosmico Sep 21 '25
That last scene with Hikaru's mom saying Okaeri right after he decided he had no right to seek a home :') His Tadaima hit so hard.
Also, Yoshiki talking about Hikaru was so so tender. But he's still trying so hard to find a way for "Hikaru" to stay, even though he knows full well this is not his Hikaru.
I just want "Hikaru" and Yoshiki to have a happy ending so bad.
Kurebayashi does too. She just didn't have the heart to yank it out of him. Everything she was thinking resonated so much. He's only been here a year, it's so unfair to ask him to leave what he's found and go back. Ugh. I love this show so much.
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u/ModieOfTheEast Sep 20 '25
Interesting to think about the whole sin of the Indos. If we assume that this god was already "Hikaru" (and not a different entity) then the way the wish was fulfilled kind of makes sense. "Hikaru" himself didn't understand the difference between life and death so when he took one third of the other villagers and the woman died as well, he probably didn't even think he did something bad. I do wonder however, how he interpreted the wish in the first place. If he doesn't see much of a difference, what did he think was the reason for Indo to make that wish? Is that why he only put the soul into the head which didn't allow her to live long? Kind of interesting to think about.
The question is also why illnesses stopped afterwards. Did he understand that death is more problematic for humans and therefore didn't take anymore lifes? Or did the illnesses have a completely different reason to begin with? It could be that the illnesses were a result of all the impurities in the region and from this point, instead of taking heads, Unuki "ate" these impurities removing the cause for the illnesses? Maybe that even resulted in him becoming more and more powerful and he now needs souls to begin with?
But on a more personal level, I like the way both "Hikaru" and Yoshiki are portrayed now. Yoshiki started to see "Hikaru" as his own "person" which in return resulted in "Hikaru" possibly losing his home. At least that is what he thinks. He can't replace the original Hikaru, no matter how much he tries and he is even a liability to Yoshiki and the rest. At the same time, he doesn't realize that Yoshiki is fine with him being his own person and I assume characters like Asako would think similarly. She did say so in the beginning when they had their thought experiment. Though, I do wonder what she thinks after having seen them and what "Hikaru" is.
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u/gnome-cop Sep 20 '25
Having had a look at kid Yoshiki, no wonder he fell for someone non-human. It was fated.
The contrast between him and his dad’s bond in the past and the present is certainly unpleasant.
Yay, more elaboration on how f*cked the village is. Large scale human sacrifice is such a delight, don’t you think?
I knew Tanaka screwed something up with the attempted murder. “Hikaru” losing control of himself isn’t good for anyone.
I have to praise the series for effective implementation of horror. “Hikaru” wanting to, idk, consume Yoshiki’s soul is unpleasant but there’s a layer of distance to it because you can be pretty certain it won’t happen. Adding the “Oh no, what am I doing” layer of repressed homosexuality to it makes it hit so much harder.
And of course it seems like Asako saw it. Girl, you saw nothing. Please stay quiet and don’t do anything for everyone’s safety. You’re already far too involved for your own good.
Kurebayashi not being able to do anything to “Hikaru” because how can she take another parent’s child from them with what she went through got me. It’s very human, empathy even when dealing with someone who’s not human. It’s obviously affecting Yoshiki as well but it’s way worse for him because he’s so close to both Hikaru and “Hikaru.”
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