The Summer Hikaru Died episode 2 perfectly portrays Yoshiki’s growing unease

The Summer Hikaru Died has become one of the fan-favorite anime this summer of 2025. Episode 2 has been aired, and the story continues its eerie atmosphere. Yoshiki, the protagonist, is still dealing with the new reality of losing his dearest friend, Hikaru, and being replaced by this mysterious being.

In this episode, one of his classmates requests help from his friends to accompany him home. The classmate expresses fear regarding a particular path being especially ominous, on his way back. Therefore, Yoshiki, Hikaru, and two girls decide to tag along and help him walk through the forest together.

But it is clear to viewers that something is deeply wrong with that place. As they walk, the background hums with tension. Trees loom. Shadows stretch unnaturally. Hikaru stands out as he is clearly seen enjoying spending time with his friends.

Yoshiki briefly sees a spirit, its form twisted, barely human. It vanishes in an instant, but it is enough. The forest isn’t just unsettling now, it is alive. And it is watching back. Turns out it is a paranormal being wanting to latch itself on him, but was consumed by Hikaru.

This episode of The Summer Hikaru Died depicts Yoshiki’s uneasiness by giving the viewers his POV from time to time. The creators show us a few scenes through his bangs, implying that at this point, we are Yoshiki, and we get to look at and experience the world like he does.

If that isn't enough to demonstrate the turmoil inside Yoshiki, we get another scene in which he and the fake Hikaru are in the classroom. In one of the most confusing yet sensual scenes, we see him explore Hiakru's body.

As viewers, we understand why the main character in The Summer Hikaru Died is pushing his limits to understand this mysterious being. He truly loved his friend and can no longer imagine life without him.

Yoshiki needs to accept his new reality as a way of coping with the fact that the boy he loves is no more. Yet he falters when the entity posing as Hikaru shows affection, and his teenage mind is unable to comprehend.

It’s a powerful commentary on how far people go to preserve what they love, even if it is already gone. Yoshiki isn’t in love with this fake Hikaru. He’s in love with the memory of Hikaru. That is why The Summer Hikaru Died is not just a simple horror story; it is dread filtered through personal grief.

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Viewers are introduced to new characters in The Summer Hikaru Died

Episode 2 introduces several new side characters, classmates like Asako, Yuuki, and Yuuta. Asako is especially interesting, as she seems sensitive to the supernatural but is not able to explain why. That quiet sixth sense adds another layer of tension.

Tanaka, while not as emotionally rich, helps contextualize the larger world. And Rie, though in only a single scene, becomes a kind of moral anchor, the first real check on Yoshiki’s spiraling decisions. The fact that the show juggles all these characters without losing focus on Yoshiki is no small feat.

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Visual storytelling: Subtle brilliance and a few missteps

Cygames Pictures continues to impress with its minimalist but effective animation for The Summer Hikaru Died. The muted palette and flat backgrounds may not dazzle, but they serve the story perfectly. The world feels grounded, small, suffocating, a perfect match for Kubitachi’s atmosphere.

However, one sore spot is the use of comedic reaction shots. Loud, exaggerated faces drawn against colorful backdrops feel imported from an entirely different anime.

These moments, though brief, break the immersion. They don’t ruin the episode, but they stick out, and not in a good way. Overall, it was a good episode that maintained the original sentiment and vibe of the source material.

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Final thoughts

The horror lies in Yoshiki’s growing unease, which no one, not even he, can talk himself out of. In just two episodes, The Summer Hikaru Died has established itself as one of the most emotionally complex and narratively daring anime of 2025. Episode 2 doesn’t offer answers; it offers feelings. Discomfort. Longing. Fear. And above all, unease.