Review by Ian Keogh

As the title tells us, Hikaru has died. His best friend Yoshiki knows this, but accepts the strangeness of whatever it is that’s taken control of his mate’s body, while also at an age to be frustrated by living in the small town of Kubitachi near the mountains.

Creator Mokumokuren has revealed there’s a greater awareness within the town of something uncanny in the mountains, and the town’s purpose passed down the generations is to ensure it remains there. That’s a slow-burning theme, though, as while other spooky events are seen, the focus is on Yoshiki still trying to come to terms with events. His constant search for answers and guidance is cleverly reflected in otherwise innocent conversations, such as two friends talking about the fictional Swamp Man.

The big intrusion in this volume is Tanaka, briefly seen in Vol. 2 in connection with the town council. He’s brilliantly delivered as a sinister figure, forever in shades and with a great way of fobbing off questions about matters that should set alarm bells ringing. He represents a firm wanting to develop the town, and isn’t put off by what he knows about its occult side. In fact he’s confident he can deal with it. While Yoshiki has largely been coping with Hikaru’s replacement on his own, it’s gradually being revealed that many adults are aware of their town’s history, and they’ll easily explain away strange occurrences.

So will Mokumokuren, frequently by virtue of showing something impossible largely without commentary. Rie Kurebayashi has already given a friendly warning to Yoshiki, and over two largely wordless pages at a railway crossing she’s involved in something hellishly freakish and disturbing. As is Hikaru when the extent to which he mimics human emotion without actually feeling it is seen.

The Summer Hikaru Died continues to supply the most understated form of horror, both physical and emotional, and while it might be the peak occurs early, Mokomokuren actually saves the most gut-wrenching scene for the final chapter. It leads to Yoshiki coming to a definitive decision, and certainly changes things going forward into Vol. 4.