The Summer Hikaru Died (2) – My Thoughts and Opinions

Volume 2 starts off strong, following right from where volume 1 left off! This is my favourite series of 2024, and I am soooo excited to watch the anime next year!

Important info

How many volumes?

There are currently 5 volumes out in Japanese, and 4 in English. Volume 6 comes out this December!

If you want to try it out

You can see the manga-ka, Mokumoku Ren’s amazon page here! You can download a sample of the English version for free here.

Themes in Volume 2

Volume 2, much like volume 1, is still shrouded in mystery. We’re still seeing Hikaru? deal with his feelings regarding Yoshiki, and we’re also watching Yoshiki try and cope with the situation he’s found himself in.

This volume still finds itself mainly focusing on friendships, and coping with newly changed relationships. We also follow along Hikaru? as he tries to understand his lingering and new feelings towards Yoshiki.

Themes from this volume that I liked the most

friendship/brotherhood
dealing with loss
coming-of-age

What happens in volume 2?

After the big event that ended volume 1, Yoshiki finds himself having even more difficulties coping with the new Hikaru. During the incident, we learnt that whatever leaked out of Hikaru and into Yoshiki, gave him some sort of vision.

Hikaru?, beside himself at the thought of being seperated from Yoshiki, shows a lot more of his childish side throughout this volume. Yoshiki also seems to prefer having this Hikaru around him than no Hikaru at all. While he acknowledges that he is dangerous, he takes the risk.

We also learn that animals are terrified of Hikaru?, and that he is unable to pass through the Tori gates of a certain temple (perhaps it was charmed to be protected from whatever he is?)

When Hikaru Died…

We are finally given a bit more insight on what exactly happened during the original Hikaru’s dissapearance, and that Yoshiki was the one who found his body. We also get to see Hikaru’s final moments before he died – embarrassed about dying from slipping and falling in the mountains, he thinks about how he doesn’t want to leave Yoshiki alone.

While the adults were out searching for Hikaru, Yoshiki snuck out and was the first to find him (and the only one to find him “dead”). After finding his body, he returned home to fall into a short coma. When he woke up, Hikaru? had been rescued and was recovering in hospital.

Characters

Yoshiki

In this volume, we can see Yoshiki being a little bit more desperate when it comes to Hikaru?. He breaks down whenever he recalls memories with the real Hikaru, but always chooses to keep the new Hikaru? with him, rather than send him away.

Hikaru

We see more of Hikaru?’s childish side in this volume. It makes sense, as it’s his fist time living as a human. He understands that he loves Yoshiki, but that seems to be really the only emotion he feels that he understands.

Maddies Ratings

Plot

I absolutely love watching where the plot is going!! I am especially interesting in learning more about what happens when Hikaru allows/makes Yoshiki put his hand inside of his chest. The mystery is continuing to grow, and I’m really excited to learn more.

Characters

Hikaru and Yoshiki’s friendship is what drives the plot, so of course I have to rate it highly! I really like how complex they both are written, but I more-so enjoy reading about how Yoshiki tries to cope with the loss of his friend.

Art

I think the art matches the manga perfectly. I especially enjoy the parts where the demons? start to show themselves.

Scariness

While it is a horror manga, the scariness is more hinted at, rather than thrown in your face.

Lastly

I am so excited to read volume 3 and see where it goes!! Have you read The Summer Hikaru Died?

Maddies Manga