Higurashi: When They Cry

Synopsis

In the summer of 1983, Keiichi Maebara relocates to the tranquil village of Hinamizawa, where he swiftly forms close bonds with his classmates Rena Ryuuguu, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Houjou, and Rika Furude. However, lurking beneath the veneer of their daily lives is a sinister secret. As the annual festival approaches, Keiichi uncovers the village's ominous folklore connected to the celebration. He learns of a pattern of mysterious deaths and disappearances spanning several years, all apparently tied to the festival and the village's guardian deity, Oyashiro. When he questions his friends about these incidents, they respond with evasion. As bizarre and inexplicable occurrences intensify, Keiichi finds himself losing trust in those he once relied upon. Driven by mounting suspicion and confusion, Keiichi delves into the enigmatic events of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, a tale that unfolds through multiple narrative arcs.

Background

Geneon Entertainment USA initially licensed and distributed the first season of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni as When They Cry until their closure in 2007. Funimation later distributed the Geneon release, but dropped the license in 2011 due to poor sales. It remained unlicensed until 2015 when Sentai Filmworks announced that they picked up the series. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni adapts the first six chapters of 07th Expansion's eight-chapter visual novel of the same name.