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A review by ellelainey
The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 1 by Mokumokuren
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Summer Hikaru Died is an intriguing, clever story about a boy who went into the mountain one summer, and came back as something else. His best friend Yoshiki knows that whatever came back isn't the same Hikaru who left. The story starts 6 months after Hikaru returned, with Yoshiki challenging Hikaru to admit he's not the same person. This new "Hikaru" admits that the real Hikaru was near death when they came across his body and used him as a host. This is their first time living as a human and they want to stay.
The book is mostly about how Yoshiki deals with the emotional fallout of knowing that the real Hikaru died and this other "Hikaru" has taken his place. But, at the same time, there's a hint that Yoshiki was in love with Hikaru, who didn't love him back, but that the new "Hikaru" is far more affectionate and attached to Yoshiki, giving him everything he ever wanted from Hikaru. The fact this new "Hikaru" has all of Hikaru's memories but has never "experienced" the emotions and taste of life, means that Yoshiki gets to go through life with him all over again.
There are other creepy instances that imply that "Hikaru" coming down from the mountain has disturbed the supernatural elements of the mountains, and brought them out of hiding. There's a hint that maybe "Hikaru" was keeping them from escaping the mountains, or that his appearance into the world accidentally unleashed them.
The book is mostly about how Yoshiki deals with the emotional fallout of knowing that the real Hikaru died and this other "Hikaru" has taken his place. But, at the same time, there's a hint that Yoshiki was in love with Hikaru, who didn't love him back, but that the new "Hikaru" is far more affectionate and attached to Yoshiki, giving him everything he ever wanted from Hikaru. The fact this new "Hikaru" has all of Hikaru's memories but has never "experienced" the emotions and taste of life, means that Yoshiki gets to go through life with him all over again.
There are other creepy instances that imply that "Hikaru" coming down from the mountain has disturbed the supernatural elements of the mountains, and brought them out of hiding. There's a hint that maybe "Hikaru" was keeping them from escaping the mountains, or that his appearance into the world accidentally unleashed them.