The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 10 is one of the most highly anticipated releases of the season, especially after witnessing the shocking cliffhanger in Episode 9. The next chapter might hold the key to this haunting story’s future.
According to the anime’s official website, The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 10 is scheduled to release on September 13, 2025, at 2:00 AM JST. Due to time zone differences, international audiences will be able to watch it on Friday, September 12, depending on their region.
For Japanese viewers, The Summer Hikaru Died airs on regional TV networks including Aomori Broadcast, Sapporo TV, Miyagi TV, and TV Shinshu. For international fans, Netflix holds global streaming rights for the anime, offering both Japanese audio with subtitles and English-dubbed versions.
Episode 9 Recap: Heads will roll

The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 9 starts off deceptively grounded. Yoshiki and Hikaru continue navigating their fragile bond, with Yoshiki visiting the grave he made for the real Hikaru. This moment is bittersweet: while the rest of the village lives on as if nothing happened, Yoshiki is the only one mourning his childhood friend.
Their relationship is shifting into something new, still tinged with romance, but laced with eerie undertones since Hikaru is anything but human. When Hikaru says, “We’ve got our own thing,” with ethereal music swelling, it becomes one of the most powerful emotional beats of the series so far.
The episode also fleshes out Kurebayashi, whose stance is fascinating. She isn’t an enemy, but she’s pragmatic enough to see the threat Hikaru represents. If Yoshiki refuses to let go, he may pay a price heavier than death. Midway through, we get quick flashes of grisly history tied to the Nonuki curse. Among the haunting imagery:
- Three bodies hanging from a tree.
- Four corpses floating in a pool of blood: an adult man, a boy, and two women.
- A kneeling body separated from its head.
- A horse’s legs are visible next to another corpse.
These brief flashes are cryptic, but they deepen the sense of dread. Combined with the line, “Their disgraceful request brought out its wrath,” it suggests the village’s past sins against Nonuki-sama run far deeper than anyone admits.
The episode escalates when Yoshiki and Hikaru pay a visit to Old Man Takeda. What begins as a conversation about the village spirals into horror. The old man grotesquely shifts, transforming into a manic, katana-wielding figure. It’s one of the most jarring moments yet, blurring the line between possession and illusion.
His sudden attack sets off chaos, and the tension spikes: the villagers’ strange rituals and behavior clearly tie back to Nonuki-sama, but the exact truth is still maddeningly out of reach. The scene is brutal.
We even see part of it from Hikaru’s POV as his head rolls across the ground. Black smoke seeps from the blade, suggesting it’s no ordinary sword but one infused with spiritual or ritualistic power.
The cliffhanger leaves fans questioning everything: Did Tanaka do this to confirm Hikaru isn’t human? Is he planning to destroy him? Or is this just his cold, detached way of testing whether Hikaru is really Nonuki-sama?
What to expect from The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 10(Speculative)

While the production team is tight-lipped, there are a few things we can expect from The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 10. Hikaru is unlikely to “die” in the traditional sense.
The decapitation seemed more like a test of his inhuman resilience than an execution. Additionally, The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 10 may reveal how his body reattaches or, worse, show an even more grotesque form of regeneration.
The enigmatic Tanaka, who delivered the beheading with an unsettling calmness, will likely be explored further. Is he an ally testing Hikaru, or an enemy with his own agenda? Yoshiki has endured horror after horror, but Episode 9 pushed him to the edge.
Whether you’re here for the eldritch horror, the cryptic village mysteries, or the heartbreaking bond between Yoshiki and Hikaru, The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 10 is shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable anime moments of the year.