Reveals New Cast and Staff Members
The new cast members Yumiri Hanamori,Wakana Kowaka, and Chikahiro Kobayashi made a surprise appearance on "The Summer Hikaru Died" special stage held today at AnimeJapan 2025.
Comments from the new casts and the production staff who were responsible for the character designs have also been revealed.
Comments from the new casts and the production staff who were responsible for the character designs have also been revealed.
Yumiri Hanamori (Asako Yamagishi)
I'm Yumiri Hanamori, who will be playing the role of Asako Yamagishi in “The Summer Hikaru Died”.
The first time I read this work, I was greatly shocked that the story begins from the point where it didn't make it in time.
In a place that shouldn't have existed.
What if “something” very close to what didn't make it appears in front of us?
What choice would we choose?
What will be awaiting them at the end of their summer?
I will do my best to play the role so that you can feel the atmosphere that sticks to your skin.
Thank you very much.
The first time I read this work, I was greatly shocked that the story begins from the point where it didn't make it in time.
In a place that shouldn't have existed.
What if “something” very close to what didn't make it appears in front of us?
What choice would we choose?
What will be awaiting them at the end of their summer?
I will do my best to play the role so that you can feel the atmosphere that sticks to your skin.
Thank you very much.
Wakana Kowaka(Rie Kurebayashi)
I’m Wakana Kowaka, who will be playing the role of Rie Kurebayashi.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this work, which is filled with various emotions, how it will be visualized.
And the Mie dialect! We are all working so hard to record it!
I want to do my best to play Rie Kurebayashi, who is close to Yoshiki and Hikaru and has kindness in her sternness.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this work, which is filled with various emotions, how it will be visualized.
And the Mie dialect! We are all working so hard to record it!
I want to do my best to play Rie Kurebayashi, who is close to Yoshiki and Hikaru and has kindness in her sternness.
Chikahiro Kobayashi(Tanaka)
When I read the original story, my heart was firmly grasped from the beginning!
The scene of “Summer” that everyone feels nostalgic for is mixed with the fear and wonder of not knowing what is happening.
It's really interesting.
I'm very happy to be able to mix in with the atmosphere of this work...!
Let's watch it together when summer comes!
The scene of “Summer” that everyone feels nostalgic for is mixed with the fear and wonder of not knowing what is happening.
It's really interesting.
I'm very happy to be able to mix in with the atmosphere of this work...!
Let's watch it together when summer comes!
Character Designer & Chief Animation Director
Yuichi Takahashi
Hikaru and Yoshiki may appear simple at first glance, but the breath and body temperature emanating from inside the characters can be felt thanks to the overwhelming persuasiveness and descriptive power of the original work.
The heat oozing out of the characters, and the reconstruction of the original character modeling, which seems to depict that as well, was a challenge that had never been attempted before. We hope that we were able to reproduce the body temperature of the characters that we felt from the original work.
The heat oozing out of the characters, and the reconstruction of the original character modeling, which seems to depict that as well, was a challenge that had never been attempted before. We hope that we were able to reproduce the body temperature of the characters that we felt from the original work.
Music
Taro Umebayashi
I am very honored to be involved in Mokumokuren’s “The Summer Hikaru Died” which is loved by so many fans.
I am working on the music for the animation directed by Ryohei Takeshita so that I can contribute to the expression of the work in any way I can.
I am working on the music for the animation directed by Ryohei Takeshita so that I can contribute to the expression of the work in any way I can.
DORODORO Animator
Masanobu Hiraoka
I am always thinking about how to express the unique and unsettling atmosphere of “The Summer Hikaru Died” in terms of the artwork.
In particular, the depiction of “DORODORO” with a heterogeneous presence is one of the important elements that accentuate the eeriness of this work.
The viscosity and weight of the movement, as well as the unpleasantness of the spread of the “DORODORO” were carefully considered in order to leave a strong impression on the audience.
We made sure that the disturbing nature of the original work and the horror that lurks within its beauty could be expressed in the images.
I hope you will enjoy the “distorted beauty” that only a film can capture.
In particular, the depiction of “DORODORO” with a heterogeneous presence is one of the important elements that accentuate the eeriness of this work.
The viscosity and weight of the movement, as well as the unpleasantness of the spread of the “DORODORO” were carefully considered in order to leave a strong impression on the audience.
We made sure that the disturbing nature of the original work and the horror that lurks within its beauty could be expressed in the images.
I hope you will enjoy the “distorted beauty” that only a film can capture.
