The manga that inspired Netflix’s top horror anime is coming to a close.

One of the standout horror manga in recent years is nearing its conclusion. The official X account for The Summer Hikaru Died has revealed that the story will wrap up in the next two chapters, with Chapter 50 set to release on October 13 and Chapter 51 following on October 20. This announcement isn’t entirely unexpected, as the creator, Mokumokuren, had previously indicated plans to conclude the narrative in a total of 10 volumes.

For those who haven’t yet delved into the series or caught last year’s anime adaptation, it tells a queer horror tale centered around two boys, Yoshiki Tsujinaka and Hikaru Indo, living in a rural part of Japan. Despite their contrasting personalities, the duo is inseparable—until Yoshiki discovers a chilling truth: Hikaru is no longer himself. After a tragic accident, an enigmatic entity from the nearby mountain has taken control of Hikaru’s body. The plot follows Yoshiki and “Hikaru” as they navigate their complicated relationship while unraveling the dark secrets lurking in their small town.

Mokumokuren is both the writer and illustrator of the series, which began serialization in Young Ace Up on August 31, 2021, after the magazine’s editorial team spotted Mokumokuren’s early concept art on social media. So far, The Summer Hikaru Died has been compiled into nine volumes, covering the story up to chapter 46.5, with the final five chapters expected to complete the tenth volume. The manga’s localization and distribution in North America have been managed by Yen Press, which has released the first seven volumes, with the eighth set to drop on October 27. As of June, the series boasts 5 million copies in circulation and has received multiple nominations for prestigious awards, including the 2026 American Manga Awards.

Regarding the anime, the first season aired from July 6, 2025, to September 28, 2025, consisting of 12 episodes available on Netflix. Cypic, known for titles like Umamusume: Cinderella Gray and Apocalypse Hotel, did an exceptional job with the adaptation, effectively capturing the intense atmosphere and complex relationships of the source material. The series is both genuinely terrifying and bittersweet, thoughtfully exploring themes of queer isolation and the struggle against stigma. The first season covered the initial half of the story, and Cypic has already confirmed a second season, which will likely complete the narrative. If both the manga and anime deliver a strong finish, they could become true classics in the genre.

Is there anything more terrifying than love?