Review by cameron_esten - The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 1

cameron_esten 's review for:

The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 1 by Mokumokuren

5.0

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The anime based on this manga just started airing and I was immediately unwell over this story. I needed more so I sought out the manga— and I was not disappointed. I fear this premise may have been designed in a lab specifically for me.

It's like, what if there was something intrinsically Other about me. Something that others would deem monstrous. Would you... reach in and find out for yourself? Would you see me for what I truly am rather than the face I put on to blend in? Would you feel all the worst parts of me and stay? And would you love me anyway? JK....unless?

This story has rocketed me back to age sixteen, in bed at a sleepover with my Entirely Platonic female best friend, agonizing over how close I'm allowed to be to her. In that moment I felt something akin to monstrous. I too would have justified anything to keep her as my friend. I see aspects of myself in both Yoshiki and Hikaru, and I am in for the long haul to see how their story ends.

Content Warnings