The Summer Hikaru Died
It's been a while since a story has captured my heart, but The Summer Hikaru Died did so effortlessly. I'm a big fan of small town/countryside horror, but what really enthralled me was the tragedy between Yoshiki and the real Hikaru, how Yoshiki can't quite grief like he'd like to for the best friend he was in love with while finding himself falling for the entity residing in his body, and Hikaru wishing for his best friend to not be alone as he took his last breath. And the current Hikaru, who did not ask to be Hikaru's replacement, yet he feels like he is, all while coming to love Yoshiki as well. Ugh, my heart!
I've watched the first season, so I'm aware that some of these things have been resolved (i.e. Yoshiki knowing Hikaru's wish and Yoshiki saying Hikaru isn't a replacement) but the kind of heavy, turbulent emotioins brought about such complexities will undoubtedly linger. At the very least, I hope they do because a Yoshiki in distress does something to my psyche. I'm definitely getting physical copies of the manga, as well as the DVD for the anime when it comes out.