The moment
came that no one wanted to face, but that we knew was going to happen sooner or
later. After five years of giving us goosebumps with one of the most
disturbing, emotional and fascinating stories of recent times, Hikaru ga
Shinda Natsu's manga (The Summer Hikaru Died) has officially reached
its conclusion with the publication of its last chapter.
Chapter 51
marked the definitive closure of this journey created by Mokumokuren,
published through the Young Ace Up website. It all started in August 2021, and
since then the work has managed to build a tremendous impact on the industry,
reaching more than five million copies in circulation distributed in nine
compilation volumes, with a tenth volume on the way that will be responsible
for bringing together the final events of the story.
On the
occasion of this farewell, the author shared a message of thanks dedicated to
those who accompanied the journey throughout these five years. Mokumokuren
dedicated some very special words to all those who sincerely connected with the
story, sending a blessing to anyone who feels like a monster in this world and
remembering that, in reality, monsters do not exist among us.
The
conclusion of the manga marks the end of a stage for the printed work, although
the legacy of this strange and beautiful friendship will keep the conversation
alive for a long time to come among the readers who followed each update week
after week.
Hikaru
ga Shinda Natsu is
a psychological horror and youth drama manga written and illustrated by Mokumokuren.
The story is set in a quiet rural village and follows Yoshiki, a high school
student who discovers a terrifying truth: his childhood best friend, Hikaru,
disappeared in the mountains six months ago and what he returned in his place
is not human. Although the creature possesses Hikaru's face, voice, and
memories, Yoshiki knows that he is a completely different being, deciding to
remain by his side as supernatural events disturb the tranquility of the town.
The work has garnered an enormous amount of praise since its debut, achieving first place in the male reader category of the prestigious Kono Manga ga Sugoi! in 2023, in addition to receiving a nomination for the Manga Taisho awards. Its success prompted an anime adaptation broadcast between July and September 2025, which set the bar very high and has already confirmed the production of its second season.
