The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8 review: Suspense builds up as CygamesPictures sets the ground for climactic developments

Released on Sunday, August 24, 2025, The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8 makes for an exhilarating entry that escalates the tension with several pivotal developments. Hikaru and Yoshiki’s investigation to uncover the impostor’s identity leads them deep into the village’s unsettling past. Supernatural disturbances grow rapidly in the meantime.

Yoshiki’s chance encounter with Tanaka culminates in his hunting dog finally tracking down the impostor Hikaru. CygamesPictures once again showcases their excellence in delivering a perfect blend of suspense, eerie twists, and emotion. The seamless narrative tone, elevated with brilliant audiovisual direction, raises the hype as enticing developments feel imminent.

The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8 review: Brilliant execution builds momentum toward a clash with Tanaka

The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8 summary

Hikaru as they face Tanaka's hunting dog (Image via CygamesPictures)

The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8, titled Contract, begins with Yoshiki washing Hikaru’s bloodstained shirt while the impostor reflects on the note left by the real Hikaru. The impostor thinks that "Nuki-Sama" might mean "Nonuki-Sama." Yoshiki recalls hearing the term from Ms. Matsuura, but the impostor's memories remain hazy. He wonders if he himself is this "Nonuki-Sama.'

Yoshiki, holding half of the impostor’s body, questions what "this Hikaru" truly is. Seeking answers, they turn to Hikaru’s grandfather, but he rambles about "Hichi-san," "Unuki-Sama," and "a cursed village," before dozing off, leaving Yoshiki with more questions than before.

At school, Yoshiki checks in on Asako, who developed hearing issues after the impostor’s attack. She wonders if Hikaru might be possessed. Yoshiki asks if she would hate him if it were true, and asks her not to hate him regardless. Later, the impostor admits her condition was caused by his "tap," which could have destroyed her mind had she been weaker.

Yoshiki and Hikaru in episode 8 (Image via CygamesPictures)

Yoshiki blames him, but the impostor coldly remarks that she was lucky it wasn’t worse. The same day, Yoshiki sees a figure outside his classroom window slit his throat in front of everyone. Asako claims the person was possessed. Meanwhile, the impostor notes that his tolerance has weakened after tearing away half his body.

Yoshiki and Hikaru research Kubitachi’s past and discover their village was once called Darumasute. Old maps show a disturbing revelation. The villages in the area form the shape of a human body, each named after body parts. Their search leads them to the librarian, revealed as late Ms. Matsuura’s daughter.

She explains that Nonuki-Sama was once worshipped as the mountain’s god, but after a famine, it became a curse deity. She suggests Takeda or his father may know more. On the way back, the impostor wonders if he truly is that god. Yoshiki presses him about Ms. Matsuura’s death.

Yoshiki and Hikaru as they face Tanaka's hunting dog (Image via CygamesPictures)

Though the impostor apologizes, Yoshiki finds the words hollow since he doesn't truly understand the depth of death. He himself feels guilty for accepting the impostor and vows to bear the sins if he harms anyone again. He can tell that "this Hikaru" cannot remain here.

Later, The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8 sees Yoshiki crossing paths with Tanaka. Striking up a conversation, he notices Yoshiki’s scar and concludes he is "mixed," possibly tied to what he's been hunting. Tanaka wonders if his hunting dog could expose the impostor’s disguise.

The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8 closes with an eerie encounter. At a café, Hikaru warns Yoshiki to protect the piece of himself he gave him. If it breaks, the impostor would be done for. Just then, Yoshiki and Hikaru are dragged into an empty dimension by a headless figure with a bell. The impostor is now too weak to fight back. Just as the monster corners them and is about to strike, Yoshiki is brought back to reality with Rie’s slap.

The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8: Narrative, animation, music, and overall review

CygamesPictures delivers another standout entry with The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8 under Ryōhei Takeshita’s direction and series composition. The narrative continues to intertwine unsettling twists with its familiar supernatural dread and emotional tones. Tension rises rapidly as Yoshiki and Hikaru delve into their investigation to uncover the truth behind the entity now living as Hikaru.

Their search digs out disturbing revelations about Kubitachi village and the surrounding region’s history. Hikaru’s grandfather’s cryptic ramblings also raise more questions than they answer. Hikaru and Yoshiki’s encounter with the late Ms. Matsuura’s daughter offers an unexpected lead.

Yoshiki encounters Tanaka (Image via CygamesPictures)

Her revelations on the mountain deity-turned-curse god, "Nonuki-Sama," bring some clarity, implying some connection to the impostor. But the overall mystery about what this ancient being truly is remains unresolved.

The atmosphere increases the darker mood with the growing paranormal disturbances. Yoshiki’s chance encounter with Tanaka serves as a brilliant twist, since this offers Tanaka a critical clue on Yoshiki’s link to the entity he has been hunting.

This meeting heightens the stakes, and the climax comes in the closing scenes when the apparition carrying a bell (likely Tanaka’s hunting dog) finally tracks down the impostor. This confrontation closes The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8 on a tense cliffhanger. Tension is pushed to its peak, since Yoshiki is brought back to safety thanks to Rie, but Hikaru’s condition remains unknown.

Yoshiki as they encounter Tanaka's hunting dog (Image via CygamesPictures)

The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8 strikes a perfect balance of suspense, character development, and suspense-building, withholding the creeping dread that defines the series. The writing slowly builds the intensity with a perfect rhythm. The overall production quality remains consistently impressive. The art direction and shot composition amplify the eerie tone.

The clever use of lighting and framing adds weight to each moment. Animation perfectly captures suspense, feelings, and sudden moments of horror. Voice performances bring further depth, and the music amplifies it all, enhancing both the supernatural sequences and the dramatic beats.

Final thoughts

The Summer Hikaru Died episode 8 steadily builds the supernatural suspense. The story edges toward a major encounter. Intense narrative progression, immersive storytelling, and standout production deliver a thrilling watch in this entry and heighten anticipation for what’s next in the series.