Netflix Worldwide Exclusive Streaming Anime"The Summer Hikaru Died" Reveals Main Trailer and New Cast Members, Yumiri Hanamori, Wakana Kowaka, and Chikahiro Kobayashi

-Unveils the Ending Theme Song " Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)" performed by TOOBOE-

TOKYO, March 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CyberAgent, Inc. today has revealed the latest information at the special stage event for the TV anime "The Summer Hikaru Died" held today at AnimeJapan 2025, including the main trailer and additional cast announcements.

"The Summer Hikaru Died" is a hit horror manga series about an ordinary high school boy, Yoshiki, who experiences various mysterious incidents in his life with Hikaru, a mysterious being who imitates his best friend Hikaru Indou. The story of "whatever it is" and the boy's madness has garnered significant attention, making it a must-see anime film.

Following the announcement of the anime adaptation in May 2024, there is considerable anticipation among fans in Japan and worldwide.

The animation will be directed by Ryohei Takeshita known as the director of "Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night" and CygamesPictures will be handling the animation production for the series.

In addition to the previously announced cast members Chiaki Kobayashi and Shuichiro Umeda, the new cast members Yumiri Hanamori, Wakana Kowaka, and Chikahiro Kobayashi made a surprise appearance on "The Summer Hikaru Died" special stage held today at AnimeJapan 2025. Furthermore, the main trailer, featuring the ending theme song "Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)" performed by TOOBOE was unveiled for the first time.

Comments from the new casts and the production staff who are responsible for the character designs have also been revealed.

Official website：https://hikanatsu-anime.com/
The main trailer：https://www.youtube.com/@hikaru_anime_en

• The Main Promotional Video Revealed!

The main trailer for "The Summer Hikaru Died" has been released.

In this video, you can enjoy a sneak peek of the ending theme song "Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)" performed by TOOBOE, which is being revealed for the first time. Please look forward to the chilling blend of slice of life and the supernatural that defines this work.

• New Cast Comments Arrived!

Yumiri Hanamori (Asako Yamagishi)

I'm Yumiri Hanamori, who will be playing the role of Asako Yamagishi in "The Summer Hikaru Died".

The first time I read this work, I was greatly shocked that the story begins from the point where it didn't make it in time.

In a place that shouldn't have existed.

What if "something" very close to what didn't make it appears in front of us?

What choice would we choose?

What will be awaiting them at the end of their summer?

I will do my best to play the role so that you can feel the atmosphere that sticks to your skin.

Thank you very much.

Wakana Kowaka (Rie Kurebayashi)

I'm Wakana Kowaka, who will be playing the role of Rie Kurebayashi.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this work, which is filled with various emotions, how it will be visualized.

And the Mie dialect! We are all working so hard to record it!

I want to do my best to play Rie Kurebayashi, who is close to Yoshiki and Hikaru and has kindness in her sternness.

Chikahiro Kobayashi (Tanaka)

When I read the original story, my heart was firmly grasped from the beginning!

The scene of "Summer" that everyone feels nostalgic for is mixed with the fear and wonder of not knowing what is happening.

It's really interesting.

I'm very happy to be able to mix in with the atmosphere of this work...!

Let's watch it together when summer comes!

• Additional character information released!!

Asako Yamagishi (voiced by Yumiri Hanamori)

A classmate of Yoshiki. Since childhood, she has been able to "hear" things that ordinary people cannot. She is tall, lively, and intelligent.

Rie Kurebayashi (voiced by Wakana Kowaka)

A housewife who can "see" things that ordinary people cannot. She worries about Yoshiki, who is with a dangerous and terrifying presence, and warns him to stay away.

Tanaka (voiced by Chikahiro Kobayashi)

A man who seems to be investigating something for a certain company. He is always carefree and elusive. He has a hamster as his partner.

• The ending theme song features the currently trending artist, TOOBOE!

Theme Song for the Ending

"Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)" by TOOBOE

Lyrics, Composition, and Arrangement by TOOBOE

Release: Summer 2025

TOOBOE（ Ending theme song artist）

Hello, I'm TOOBOE, and I will be in charge of the ending theme song. In creating this piece, I delved deeply into the original story, contemplating how one might savor memories and promises upon realizing that the neighbor the one believed to be true isn't actually who the one thought. The more I tried to understand Yoshiki's feelings, the more pure, sorrowful, and cruel they became. The resulting song, "Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)" became a kind of forgiveness that I extended to the characters. I hope it can add a vibrant touch to this wonderful story. Thank you for your support.

TOOBOE Profile Information

A solo project led by the music creator "john," TOOBOE is involved in a wide range of creative activities, including lyrics, composition, arrangement, singing, illustration, and video production. With a distinctive voice and catchy, addictive music, TOOBOE is a multi-artist who seamlessly traverses the modern music scene between the internet and J-POP. TOOBOE made a major debut with the release of the first single "SHINZOU（HEART）" in April 2022. The song "JOUZAI（TABLET）," released in November 2022, was featured as the ending theme for Episode 4 of the TV anime "Chainsaw Man." Furthermore, the music video for "ITAINO ITAINO TONDEIKE" released in June 2024, has gained momentum worldwide, surpassing 20 million views on YouTube faster than " SHINZOU（HEART）" and " JOUZAI（TABLET）," both of which had already exceeded 20 million views.

Official Site: https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/tooboe/  

X：(TOOBOE): https://twitter.com/casablancalanca?s=20&t=AuMjmQ4Tq4j0bIfSzh5hNA 

(Official): https://twitter.com/tooboeofficial 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_tooboe/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/jhon-tooboe?lang=ja-JP 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9rPALOT-ZVc7VEXATYSNCA 

• Additional Staff Comments Arrived!

Cast

Yoshiki Tsujinaka: Chiaki Kobayashi

Hikaru: Shuichiro Umeda

Asako Yamagishi: Yumiri Hanamori

Rie Kurebayashi: Wakana Kowaka

Tanaka: Chikahiro Kobayashi

Staff:

Original Work: Mokumokuren (Serialized in KADOKAWA's "YOUNG ACE UP")

Director /Series Composition: Ryohei Takeshita

Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Yuichi Takahashi

DORODORO Animator: Masanobu Hiraoka

Prop Design: Ryunosuke Oji

Sub Character Design: Mai Watanabe, Hiroko Seigan, Shoko Nagasawa

Art Setting: Shuhei Tada, Takeshi Takahashi, Yohihiro Sono

Art Director: Kohei Honda

Color Design: Naomi Nakano

Assistant Color Design: Yuko Koshida

3D Supervisor: Yoshinori Nakano

Director of Photography: Tomohiro Maeda

2D Design: Yusuke Nagara, Yuri Tsue

Editing: Kashiko Kimura

Sound Direction: Koji Kasamatsu

Sound Production: dugout

Music: Taro Umebayashi

Ending Theme Song "Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)" by TOOBOE

Animation Production: CygamesPictures

• Staff comments

Yuichi Takahashi (Character Designer & Chief Animation Director)

Hikaru and Yoshiki may appear simple at first glance, but the breath and body temperature emanating from inside the characters can be felt thanks to the overwhelming persuasiveness and descriptive power of the original work.

The heat oozing out of the characters, and the reconstruction of the original character modeling, which seems to depict that as well, was a challenge that had never been attempted before. We hope that we were able to reproduce the body temperature of the characters that we felt from the original work.

Masanobu Hiraoka (DORODORO Animator)

I am always thinking about how to express the unique and unsettling atmosphere of "The Summer Hikaru Died" in terms of the artwork.

In particular, the depiction of "DORODORO" with a heterogeneous presence is one of the important elements that accentuate the eeriness of this work.

The viscosity and weight of the movement, as well as the unpleasantness of the spread of the "DORODORO" were carefully considered in order to leave a strong impression on the audience.

We made sure that the disturbing nature of the original work and the horror that lurks within its beauty could be expressed in the images.

I hope you will enjoy the "distorted beauty" that only a film can capture.

Taro Umebayashi (Music)

I am very honored to be involved in Mokumokuren's "The Summer Hikaru Died" which is loved by so many fans.

I am working on the music for the animation directed by Ryohei Takeshita so that I can contribute to the expression of the work in any way I can.

• Follow "The Summer Hikaru Died" for the latest news and announcements：

Official website: https://hikanatsu-anime.com/ 

Official X : https://x.com/hikaru_anime_en

Netflix Title Page: https://www.netflix.com/title/81948057

• About "The Summer Hikaru Died"

"The Summer Hikaru Died" is a hit horror manga series about an ordinary high school boy, Yoshiki, who experiences various mysterious incidents in his life with Hikaru, a mysterious being who imitates his best friend Hikaru Indou. The story of "whatever it is" and the boy's madness has garnered significant attention, making it a must-see anime film.

Following the announcement of the anime adaptation in May 2024, there is considerable anticipation among fans in Japan and worldwide.

• Introduction

In a certain village

Since their childhood, they have grown up together.

Yoshiki and Hikaru, childhood friends.

the sun shining down on them

the chirping sound of a cryptotympana facialis

Ice cream on the way home

Laughing over trivial things

One day in summer, no different from any other day

...... You're not Hikaru after all, are you?

Half a year ago, Hikaru went missing in the mountains.

A week later, he came back on a whim.

The voice, the figure, the thing that looked like Hikaru

What was stirring inside...

"Hikaru is no longer with us. ...... if that's the case."

Starting the days with "something" in the form of a friend,

The "same as usual" everyday life.

But at the same time...

Strange incidents begin to plague the village.

Falling into the unknown "something"

The curtain rises on a coming-of-age horror story.

• Work Information

Original story: Based on the comic "The Summer Hikaru Died" by Mokumokuren, originally serialized in the YOUNG ACE UP published by KADOKAWA

Director/Series Composition : Ryohei Takeshita

Character Design/Chief Animation Director ：Yuichi Takahashi

DORODORO Animator : Masanobu Hiraoka

Animation Production ：CygamesPictures

Copyright ：©Mokumokuren/KADOKAWA/The Summer Hikaru Died Partners

Copyrights must be indicated when posting or using the image materials.

Original work information

Title ："The Summer Hikaru Died"

Author ：Mokumokuren

Previously published: Volumes 1-5 (Kadokawa Comics A)

Available on YenPress

https://yenpress.com/series/the-summer-hikaru-died

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Netflix Worldwide Exclusive Streaming Anime"The Summer Hikaru Died" Reveals Main Trailer and New Cast Members, Yumiri Hanamori, Wakana Kowaka, and Chikahiro Kobayashi

Netflix Worldwide Exclusive Streaming Anime"The Summer Hikaru Died" Reveals Main Trailer and New Cast Members, Yumiri Hanamori, Wakana Kowaka, and Chikahiro Kobayashi

Netflix Worldwide Exclusive Streaming Anime"The Summer Hikaru Died" Reveals Main Trailer and New Cast Members, Yumiri Hanamori, Wakana Kowaka, and Chikahiro Kobayashi

Netflix Worldwide Exclusive Streaming Anime"The Summer Hikaru Died" Reveals Main Trailer and New Cast Members, Yumiri Hanamori, Wakana Kowaka, and Chikahiro Kobayashi

Netflix Worldwide Exclusive Streaming Anime"The Summer Hikaru Died" Reveals Main Trailer and New Cast Members, Yumiri Hanamori, Wakana Kowaka, and Chikahiro Kobayashi

SUZHOU, China, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 25th, the finals of the 3rd China's Innovation Challenge on Artificial Intelligence Application Scene (CICAS) concluded in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. As one of China's most influential AI competitions, this year's event was jointly organized by the Chinese Association for Artificial Intelligence, the Suzhou Municipal People's Government, and Soochow University, and hosted by the CICAS Organizing Committee and Gusu District People's Government. The competition attracted over 3,250 registered teams, with the national finals bringing together 113 top innovative teams from China and abroad, with over 350 participants competing on the same stage.

MiningLamp Technology (2718.HK), a Hong Kong-listed company hailed as "the world's first Agentic AI stock," in collaboration with Peking University, presented the project "Intelligent Platform for Brand Globalization Creative Generation and Emotional Connection Based on Multimodal Large Models." The project won the Grand Prize in the national finals and was selected as a "2025 National Artificial Intelligence Application Scenario Exemplary Case."

MiningLamp Technology (2718.HK), founded in 2006, is a pioneer in China's enterprise-level large language models and data intelligence sector. The company was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in November 2025 (stock code: 2718.HK), adhering to the core philosophy of "data-driven trustworthy productivity." It continues to innovate in cutting-edge technologies such as Agentic AI, VLA models, and multimodal large models. Its latest self-developed Mano model has achieved SOTA (state-of-the-art) performance in authoritative international benchmarks such as OSWorld and Mind2Web. In the general large model category, Mano's comprehensive performance ranks second only to Claude-Sonnet-4.5, gaining recognition from both academia and industry.

Wu Minghui, Founder, CEO, and CTO of MiningLamp Technology (2718.HK), introduced that in response to the current global trend of brand "going global," MiningLamp Technology's intelligent platform for brand globalization creative generation and emotional connection based on multimodal large models addresses core challenges faced during brand globalization—cultural differences, content localization, and data-driven decision-making. The platform innovatively integrates four core technological capabilities: "Global Multimodal Content Asset Library + Trustworthy Data Collection Technology + Subjective Emotional Perception Analysis + Video Generation Technology," empowering enterprises to conduct scientific and efficient cross-cultural content creation, emotional assessment, and intelligent decision-making.

1. Global Multimodal Content Asset Library

The platform has built a multimodal content asset library covering major global markets, integrating various media forms such as video, images, and text. This provides a rich material foundation for cross-cultural content creation, helping enterprises quickly generate creative content that aligns with target market cultural characteristics and consumer preferences, significantly reducing content localization costs.

2. Trustworthy Data Collection Technology—"Dexterous Hand" Mano

The platform employs MiningLamp Technology's (2718.HK) self-developed AI dexterous hand model Mano, which can operate in various browser environments, simulating human visual perception to accurately identify any software interface elements, "seeing" and "clicking" like a human. Combined with Mano-Parking web data collection technology, users only need to input a URL and requirement description, and the platform can complete professional-grade data collection. This means enterprises can obtain authentic and effective global multi-source data more quickly, laying a solid foundation for market analysis.

• Ranked first in the specialized model category of the OSWorld authoritative benchmark test
• In the general large model category, comprehensive performance is slightly behind Anthropic's Claude-Sonnet-4.5, ranking second
• Also achieved SOTA (state-of-the-art) results in the Mind2Web benchmark test
• 7B parameter version supports private deployment, meeting security requirements for enterprise-level applications

3. Subjective Emotional Perception Analysis—HMLLM Multimodal Large Model

The platform employs MiningLamp Technology's (2718.HK) self-developed Hypergraph Multimodal Large Language Model (HMLLM), a globally innovative emotional analysis large model that can simulate the subjective feelings of target audiences from different cultural backgrounds, ages, and genders when viewing advertising content. This helps enterprises quickly assess emotional responses from audiences of different cultural backgrounds before content distribution, avoiding cultural misunderstandings and marketing mistakes, significantly improving the precision of cross-cultural marketing.

• Breaking through traditional questionnaire survey methods, constructed the ultra-large-scale subjective personalized datasets Video-SME and SPA-ADV by collecting EEG and eye-tracking data from over 10,000 real subjects
• Achieved multimodal subjective indicator modeling for attention, emotion, and cognition, significantly improving marketing content testing efficiency
• Consistency with real human subjective feelings (R²) exceeds 89%, with expert-verified feasibility exceeding 76%
• The technical paper received Best Paper Nomination at the ACM MM 2024 (CCF-A category) international conference

4. AI-Driven Video Generation Technology

Based on deep analysis results, the platform can intelligently generate and optimize marketing video content, achieving an end-to-end automated process from market insights and emotional assessment to content generation. This compresses the traditional content creation cycle from weeks to hours, significantly improving marketing response speed.

In recent years, MiningLamp Technology (2718.HK) has continuously invested in AI technology research and development, publishing over 20 papers in high-level domestic and international journals and conferences. Representative achievements include:

• ACM MM 2024 (CCF-A category): Subjective Indicator Analysis Model (HMLLM) received Best Paper Nomination
• ACM MM 2025: Multimodal Large Model Eye Movement Prediction Method
• TPAMI (SCI Q1): Few-shot Video Instance Segmentation Method
• IJCV (SCI Q1): Image Generation Method
• AAAI 2026 (CCF-A category): Mano Model Compression Technology accepted as Oral presentation

Relying on MiningLamp Technology's (2718.HK) technological accumulation in the AI field, the platform has currently gained recognition from multiple enterprise clients.

At the conference closing ceremony, MiningLamp Technology (2718.HK), as a key cooperation project partner, reached a cooperation intention with Gusu District to collaborate on AI technology research and development and scenario application implementation.

MiningLamp Technology (2718.HK) stated that the company would continue to adhere to the core philosophy of "data-driven trustworthy productivity," starting with the "brand globalization" scenario and relying on globally leading Agentic AI technology to accelerate the application of trustworthy AI in more vertical industries. As the brand globalization process accelerates, MiningLamp Technology's (2718.HK) brand globalization intelligent platform is expected to become an important technological support for enterprises to enhance their global competitiveness.

 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

GUI Model Second Only to Claude: MiningLamp Technology's AI-powered Global Marketing Platform Wins CICAS Grand Prize

GUI Model Second Only to Claude: MiningLamp Technology's AI-powered Global Marketing Platform Wins CICAS Grand Prize