"I Didn't Really Feel Like I Struggled That Much"—How Voice Actor Shūichirō Umeda Approaches "Character Differentiation"【Interview for "The Summer Hikaru Died"】

Set in a rural town, the anime "The Summer Hikaru Died" depicts interactions with a being that is not human. The interwoven structure that combines horror, suspense, and mystery elements with the everyday youthfulness of high school students has generated buzz, and the show's popularity has grown since its broadcast began.

One of the key figures in the story is Hikaru, a “non-human something” that has entered the body of Hikaru Indou, a boy who lost his life in the mountains. Playing the role of the pure yet dangerous Hikaru is voice actor Shūichirō Umeda, who has starred in various works.

We interviewed Umeda, who skillfully portrays the complex inner world of this challenging character, about his impressions of the show and the mindset behind his performance.

—— Regarding "The Summer Hikaru Died," were you familiar with the work before it was adapted into an anime?

Umeda: I had heard about the series. I remember seeing it on X (formerly Twitter). I read the original manga thoroughly only after I took the audition.

—— After reading the original and actually playing the role, what aspects did you find most appealing about "The Summer Hikaru Died"?

Umeda: Above all, I think the title stands out. "The Summer Hikaru Died." Some people might even read it as “Hikari.”

And the fact that it’s “the summer something died” means it’s depicted from someone’s perspective, which makes you wonder: whose “Summer Hikaru Died” is it? It’s a title that piques your curiosity. At first glance, it even seems like the story starts from the ending.

The first episode also literally starts from the end, with the line, "You’re not Hikaru, are you?"—that aspect struck me as especially interesting.