Having you by my side is better than not having you at all...
the summer hikaru died zine
ABOUTWelcome to The Summer Hikaru Died Zine. We are a fan project dedicated to the The Summer Hikaru Died manga and anime created by Mokumokuren.This project will consist of artwork and written pieces, all depicting canonical scenes and interpretations of the same. All the characters featured in the series will be allowed for the zine, with a main focus on Yoshiki and “Hikaru”.This zine will allow canon-typical levels of horror, gore and sensitive content, which means it will be rated 16+.All content shall be canon-adjacent. We’re aiming for a bittersweet and unsettling vibe with underlying themes of loss, repression and acceptance (wow, that sounds heavy when put down on paper). This means more of a focus on the characters and their interactions, glimpses into their minds and viewpoints, as well as depictions of canon-adjacent montages. Everything from the initial calm before the storm: soft domestic scenes and cheerful tones of Yoshiki and Hikaru’s friendship to the sudden tragedy that befell them to the dilemma that Yoshiki goes through to the rapidly building obsession that builds in “Hikaru” and the chaos that consumes– all of these things are encouraged. These are just some suggested scenes, the rest is up to your interpretation. Feel free to go wild!Zine SpecsWe're aiming for a Physical A5 sized with around 100 pages estimated with merch bundles.This is a for-profit project. Profits will be used to cover production and shipping expenses. The remaining profits will be distributed equally. All contributors will be given a free e-copy of the book. If sales permit, they will also be provided with the physical bundle as well.
Theme
The zine shall be divided into different sections based on the different seasons and shall explore Yoshiki and Hikaru chronologically through the series.
☁︎ The initial calm before the storm: Soft domestic scenes and cheerful tones of Yoshiki and Hikaru’s friendship
☁︎ The tragedy that befalls Hikaru in the mountains → Yoshiki meets the new Hikaru
☁︎ Yoshiki’s battle with grief and repression and finally acceptance, the rapidly building obsession that builds in “Hikaru” and the chaos that consumes
☁︎ Section 4 is the closing section. This will be canon divergent and will aim to wrap up the fan-made anthology of works.This is just a rough skeletal structure for the zine. Some sections will have more works than others. Beyond this suggested framework, everything else is up to your interpretation. We hope to see a bit of everything. From the sweet spring of youth to the ache of loss to the bittersweet dilemma that comes with accepting fate. Feel free to go wild and unleash your muse!
Rules
- All pieces must be canon-adjacent. Canon-compliant content is encouraged, but slight canon divergence is also allowed, provided it doesn’t stray too far from the original storyline. AUs are not allowed.
- Besides the canonical aspec nature of the relationship between Yoshiki and Hikaru/”Hikaru”, both romantic and platonic explorations are also allowed.
- Explicit sexual nudity is not allowed. (Because we can’t send that to our printers, bro)
- Plagiarism and use of AI are strictly prohibited and your participation will be immediately disqualified.
- All contributors are required to be 18+ years of age by the time applications close.
- Contributors will not be permitted to share their pieces outside of the server until the leftover sales. Contributors will own all rights to their pieces and will be free to use their work as they see fit after the leftover sales.
- There will be zero tolerance for any involvement in illegal/discriminatory groups or activities (i.e. racial hate groups, homophobic/transphobic groups, illegal businesses, etc.). Any person found to be participating in such activities will be disqualified.
Content Restrictions
- AUs (only canon-adjacent content will be permitted)
- Graphic nudity and gore (canon typical amounts are okay)
Requirements
Writers
A written piece in the format of a short story
Word count: 3 k - 5 k words
Page Artists
Two single-page vertical illustrations or a double-page horizontal spread minimum
Comic Artists
Minimum 2 pages, Maximum 12 pages
Must be an even number of pages
Merch Artists
Number of pieces of merch items will be dependent on artist preference
Contributor ApplicationsWe are looking for around 20 artists and 5 writers to join our team, including guests and mods.Previous zine experience and follower count are not factors for acceptance. All applicants will be judged based on the samples and portfolios submitted in the application form.ꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀGeneral Application Guidelines:💙 Please make sure to tag any sensitive content in your samples.
💙 We will only be accepting contributors over 18 years of age by the time applications close.
💙 You can apply for more than one role and may be accepted to create multiple pieces.
💙 Although it is not mandatory, The Summer Hikaru Died pieces are recommended.
💙 All links in your application must be viewable. If you are using Google Drive, please make sure that link sharing is turned on. We will not consider applications that we need to request permission to view.
💙 All samples submitted must be your original work. Plagiarism and use of AI are strictly prohibited and your application will be immediately disqualified.ꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀPage Artist Application Guidelines:💙 Applicants are required to submit links to at least two of their best works and a portfolio containing at least five pieces.
💙 The pieces in the portfolio will be considered in their respective order.
💙 Please make sure the samples and portfolio reflect the style you will be using for the zine.
💙 At least one sample should be a full, completed piece with a background.Judging Criteria: Composition, Style, Colour, BackgroundꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀMerch Artist Application Guidelines:💙 Applicants are required to submit links to at least two of their best works and a portfolio containing at least five pieces.
💙 The pieces in the portfolio will be considered in their respective order.
💙 Please make sure the samples and portfolio reflect the style you will be using for the zine.
💙 At least one non-print merch sample, even if it's just a mockup (like a sticker or charm with the cutlines)Judging Criteria: Composition, Style, Colour, LegibilityꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀꕀWriter Application Guidelines:💙 Applicants are required to submit links to two of their best works and a portfolio containing at least five pieces.
💙 Word counts for the samples may be anywhere between 2k to 5k. Excerpts from longer works are allowed but at least one sample should be completed.
💙 The portfolio can be in the form of a Google Drive folder, Archive of Our Own link, Twitter post or thread, so long as viewing permissions are enabled.
💙 The pieces in the portfolio will be considered in their respective order.
💙 Please make sure that the samples and portfolio reflect the style you will be using for the zine.
💙 Due to a larger word count requirement, writer applications will conclude in one week so creation can start early for writers.Judging Criteria: Grammar, Characterisation, Pacing, Flow
Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Interest Check | 14 August 2025 - 14 September 2025 |
| Contributor Applications Open | 21 September 2025 |
| Writer Applications Close | 28 September 2025 |
| Writer Application Results | 5 October 2025 |
| Artist Applications Close | 12 October 2025 |
| Artist Application Results | 20 October 2025 |
| Pitch Allotment | Rolling |
| Writer Outlines Due | 1 November 2025 |
| Check-In 1 | 20 November 2025 |
| Check-In 2 | 20 December 2025 |
| Final Submissions | 20 January 2026 |
| Pre-Orders | Feb-March |
| Production & Shipping | TBD |
