The Summer Hikaru Died is an incredible horror anime centered around two best friends, Hikaru and Yohsiki. The duo went about their usual lives when one day Hikaru heads into the mountains, and Yoshiki realizes that the one who returns is not him anymore. For fans of horror anime, especially with an emotional complexity, few series have captured the imagination and delivered the silent, creeping dread like The Summer Hikaru Died.

If you have watched the series, you might be craving for some more of that psychological and body horror, with inexplicable cosmic terror elements. That is why we have a list of 12 anime that are similarly unsettling to fill the void left by The Summer Hikaru Died.

12. Okamikakushi: Masque of the Wolf

Let’s start off with Okamikakushi: Masque of the Wolf. The anime was originally based on a visual novel; the protagonist, Hiroshi Kuzumi, moves to a quiet, mountainous town called Joga.

The key visual of Okamikakushi | Credits: Studio AIC

Much like in The Summer Hikaru Died, the town initially appears peaceful and quiet, almost innocuous. However, as time passes by, the dark secrets hidden in the town are slowly revealed. Not only does the story showcase strange and disturbing folklore and customs, but there are a lot of disappearances, all of which are seemingly connected to a man-wolf.

The anime does an incredible job of delivering the slow and creeping horror that works best with rich settings. On one hand, we have the quiet and peaceful lives of the townfolk; on the other, there are horrific and mysterious deaths and disappearances. For fans of the close-loop sort of small-town stories, Okamikakushi surely won’t disappoint.

11. Angels of Death

Angels of Death follows Rachel Gardner, a girl who wakes up in an abandoned building with no memories. Although the series might not seem to carry the same feeling as The Summer Hikaru Died, the series leans deeply into psychological horror.

Zack and Rachel in Angels of Death | Credits: J.C. Staff

The way Rachel forms a bond with Zack and journeys with him, despite knowing of his true reality, is similar to Yoshiki’s dilemma regarding the creature that was impersonating his best friend. Throughout the series, Rachel wishes for death as her salvation while she moves from floor to floor with Zack, encountering a psychopathic resident as well as new horrors at each step.

Related: ‘Takopi’s Original Sin’ Would Have Been Just Another Random Horror Anime If Not For One Change

The representation of horror and trauma, both internal and external, makes the series a must-watch. One of the most curious things about the series is how, despite each of them having their own goals, Zack and Rachel end up fostering a genuine relationship with each other.

You can currently stream Angels of Death on Crunchyroll.

10. The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window

The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window holds the same mystery, paranormal horror, and intrigue that The Summer Hikaru Died has. The story focuses on a bookstore clerk, Kosuke Mikado, who was born with the cursed gift of being able to see supernatural entities. His life becomes unbearable due to this ability, and he retracts and keeps to himself.

However, everything changes when Kosuke teams up with another character named Rihito Hiyakawa, an exorcist. Rihito has an eccentric personality, much like the new Hikaru, and acts without considering basic boundaries.

Rihito realizes that he can effectively exorcise spirits if he enters Kosuke’s body, and requests that Kosuke be his assistant. The two form a strong bond and friendship, which then blooms into a complicated relationship with romantic undertones. The slow-burning horror with a complex bond, does it ring familiar yet?

You can currently stream The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window on Crunchyroll.

9. Ghost Hound

Ghost Hound is a series that will let you experience not just horror, but a deeper existential fear. Ghost Hound tells the story of three separate youngsters, Taro, Makoto, and Masayuki, and is set in the quaint town of Suiten. The anime manages to masterfully capture the spooky atmosphere of out-of-body horror.

There is a lot of psychological perplexity as well, with the boundary between the human world and the spirit realm blurring to the extent that it is hard to distinguish what is real. With 23 episodes, the anime is sure to give a fulfilling experience. Similar to The Summer Hikaru Died, the peaceful lives of the residents of Suiten are completely uprooted due to the multiple supernatural occurrences and creatures.

Related: After ‘Uzumaki’s Failure, Another Junji Ito Horror Anime Adaptation is in the Works

The anime champions trauma as a doorway to supernatural abilities, and the three youngsters have to bear the burden of investigating the mysteries of the Spirit Realm that threatens their lives. In doing so, they discover strange secrets and things they never expected to.

You can currently stream Ghost Hound on Prime Video.

8. Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul is another horror anime that shares striking resemblances to The Summer Hikaru Died. While there is no small town, and Tokyo Ghoul focuses more on action and body horror, there are many similarities between the two. Tokyo Ghoul features Kaneki Ken, a human who finds himself thrust into a world full of Ghouls, humanoid creatures that actually feed and kill humans.

These Ghouls are like parasites, spread everywhere, silently lurking in the higher parts of society and feeding without the normal citizens being any wiser. Kaneki is a special case as the first half-ghoul to appear in the story after he is experimented on through surgery.

Ghouls in Tokyo Ghoul can seamlessly blend in with other humans, indistinguishable in appearance, just like the entity that took over Hikaru. By day, ghouls mask themselves and roam around, while at night, they hunt and devour their prey. The anime is perfect for fans of body horror, as well as the psychological dilemma of the protagonist accepting his new reality.

You can currently stream Tokyo Ghoul on Prime Video.

7. Dorohedoro

For fans who loved the bizarre and unique world-building of The Summer Hikaru Died, Dorohedoro will not disappoint. The series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where realms separate the sorcerers and the humans. In the Hole, a city full of lawless humans, the protagonist, Caiman, is cursed with a lizard head and amnesia.

Caiman and Nikaido in Dorohedoro | Credits: MAPPA

The series follows his quest to figure out his identity, as well as extract revenge from the sorcerer who experimented on him. The world-building of the series is on point, which seems like a commentary on the social hierarchy.

Related: Tougen Anki Episode 2 Review: Where Jujutsu Kaisen Meets Tokyo Ghoul

The entire story is a chaotic and bizarre mix of magic and violence. The focus is on body horror as well as the character’s loss of identity and thirst for vindication. The mystery of who turned Caiman into a monster is a compelling, yet mysterious question that will keep you guessing til the very end.

You can currently stream Dorohedoro on Netflix.

6. Higurashi: When They Cry

Higurashi: When They Cry is another thrilling supernatural delight. It follows the story of Keiichi, a new transfer student who moves to a small village called Hinamizawa. The anime showcases normal things and the peaceful life in the village. It will almost lull you into thinking there is nothing ‘off’ when it finally hits you.

Rena Ryuugu in Higurashi | Credits: Studio Deen

As Keiichi grows close to a group of girls and integrates, he starts to see the true darkness of the village. There are multiple murders around the annual village festival, with a time-loop narrative as well as multiple perspectives, there is mystery and subtle slow-burn horror that will make you shiver.

Higurashi: When They Cry is in an endless timeloop with Keiichi and his friends trying to solve the mystery of the disappearances and murders in Hinamizawa. The shock and dread surrounding the murders, as well as the gory displays, add to the appeal of the series and aren’t for the squeamish or the faint of heart.

You can currently stream Higurashi: When They Cry on Crunchyroll.

5. Made in Abyss

Made in Abyss is a series that seems extremely pure and innocent. With vibrant colors, children at the center, it feels like an exploration of a world of fantasy and wonder. While it is, the hidden truth of the series surrounds the Abyss, an endless pit that both scares and tempts the divers.

Just like The Summer Hikaru Died, the story starts off slow and quickly devolves into a dark, brutal, and devastating tale. The psychological impact will leave you reeling. Made in Abyss similarly features a young protagonist who is on a dangerous journey to save a loved one.

Related: ‘Summertime Rendering’ Is the Underrated Horror Gem That Would Quench Junji Ito Fans’ Thirst

The mystery of the Abyss and its horrifying creatures is similar to the otherworldly mystery of the Lord Nonuki, who impersonates Hikaru. The series has incredible world-building, a well-developed cast, all of which makes the horrors strike harder as you get attached to the adorable main cast. Despite its unnaturally appealing act, the series is a masterclass in blending the sense of wonder with a far harsher terror.

You can currently stream Made in Abyss on Prime Video and Netflix.

4. Parasyte: The Maxim

Parasyte: The Maxim is a classic must-watch horror anime that goes beyond the paranormal and the supernatural. The incredible tale of Parasyte follows the story of Shinichi Izumi, a high school student who narrowly escapes death.

Set in modern Tokyo, Izumi has an encounter with one of the aliens planning an invasion and complete takeover of Earth, and all its beings by parasitizing them. There is no way to find the problem as the alien merges with the human body and transforms it on a molecular level, effectively replacing it.

The sense of identity dissonance and fear of having someone you love be replaced by someone else is the same as in The Summer Hikaru Died. Similar to Hikaru’s odd behavior, the aliens in Parasyte: The Maxim often can’t replicate human emotions and behavior.

Izumi manages to maintain some sort of symbiotic relationship with the parasitic alien that invades his body. The story slowly devolves into an apocalyptic horror with nowhere being safe. The psychological burden of the truth, the paranoia, and distrust are championed by Parasyte, while the body horror is ever-present.

You can currently stream Parasyte: The Maxim on Crunchyroll.

3. Another

Another is a unique anime that cannot be directly categorized as horror, but watch it at night, and it is sure to haunt your dreams. The story is set in 1998, and starts simply by following a group of middle school students of Class 3-3, who are haunted by a death curse that’s been claiming the lives of their classmates.

Koichi and Mei in Another | Credits: P.A. Works

At the focus, we have a transfer student, Koichi Sakakibara, who notices the fear in the eyes of the students. Koichi also notices a mysterious eye-patch-wearing girl named Mei Misaka, who seems to be ignored by everyone else.

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The mysterious deaths all seem to point to the death of a popular student who died in 1972. The students in the class act unnaturally, and, plagued by grief, they act as if the dead student were with them, even adding them to their graduation picture.

This causes a mysterious curse to erupt in the school and claim the lives of students. Koichi, along with Mei, investigates these mysterious happenings. The creeping horror and urgency, along with Mei Misaka’s abrupt appearances and camera angles, are unsettling to say the least.

You can currently stream Another on Crunchyroll and Prime Video.

2. Perfect Blue

While Perfect Blue isn’t an anime but it fits right in on this list. Despite not being supernatural horror, this psychological horror delivers scares in an eerie and unsettling way that fits the vibe of The Summer Hikaru Died. The story follows Mima Kirigoe, an idol who retires to join the acting industry.

While many fans oppose this decision, Mima finds a strange blog called ‘Mima’s Roo’ that details personal details of her life. Filled with mysterious stalkers and constant paranoia, the story reaches its peak when everyone connected to Mima’s new acting career starts dropping dead.

Mima loses her grasp on reality as Perfect Blue will make the viewers doubt their senses. The series takes the viewers into a spiral in which you can trust nothing you see or hear, not even the main character. Just like The Summer Hikaru Died, the anime explores the essence of identities as well as the confusion while accepting a new reality, giving a truly unique experience.

You can currently stream Perfect Blue on Crunchyroll and Prime Video.

1. Summer Time Rendering

Summer Time Rendering is one of the closest anime to The Summer Hikaru Died. This anime follows a spring-like summer and takes place on a secluded island in a small town. The anime follows the story of Shinpei Ajiro, who comes back to his hometown to attend the funeral of a close childhood friend, Ushio Kofune.

Shinpei finds her death strange, and his suspicions are confirmed as he notices some strange marks around her neck, hinting at foul play. While settling in and meeting past acquaintances, Shinpei shockingly finds her well and alive one night, and it ends in his death. Shinpei finds that he is trapped in a timeloop that lets him investigate the strange happenings surrounding the ‘Shadows’ who seek to replace the originals.

Related: “I had a hard time working on it”: ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ VA Needed Extra Help to Nail Yoshiki’s Role

There is a lot going on in the anime. Even the seemingly simple moments showcase deeply unsettling, goosebumps horror as the dopplegangers and their grotesque forms are the center of the crisis in the anime. Just like The Summer Hikaru Died, there are impersonators, mysteries, as well as a threat that looms over the peaceful town.

You can currently stream Summer Time Rendering on Disney+.

RankAnime TitleStreaming ServiceWhy It’s a Good Choice12Okamikakushi: Masque of the WolfHiDiveCaptures the small-town horror vibe with supernatural mysteries and eerie disappearances.11Angels of DeathCrunchyrollA horror with a strong emotional core and a complicated relationship between two characters.10The Night Beyond the Tricornered WindowCrunchyrollHas a spooky atmosphere at the boundary between the human world and the spirit realm.9Ghost HoundPrime VideoHas a spooky atmosphere at the boundary between the human world and the spirit realm.8Tokyo GhoulPrime VideoA perfect fit for fans of body horror and a protagonist’s struggle with a new, forced identity.7DorohedoroNetflixA unique blend of horror, mystery, and psychological horror takes on identity and revenge.6Higurashi: When They CryCrunchyroll and Prime VideoA psychological deconstruction of the genre, with an endless time loop and a daunting mystery.5Made in AbyssPrime Video and NetflixA brutal and emotionally devastating tale that seems like a childhood wonder, but is far more horrific.4Parasyte: The MaximCrunchyrollCaptures the body horror and the psychological strain of a quiet alien invasion while the protagonist bonds with his parasite.3AnotherCrunchyroll and Prime VideoA classic mystery horror with intense jump scares and a long-spanning curse at its core.2Perfect BlueCrunchyroll and Prime VideoA psychological horror that delves into the dark side of fame, identity, and blurs reality.1Summer Time RenderingDisney+A perfect fit for fans of doppelgangers and a small-town horror vibe, with a time-loop to boot.

What did you think about our curated horror list? Have you watched any of these titles before? Leave a comment below and let us know!
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