Manga Like Higurashi WHEN THEY CRY: Dice Killing Arc

Susumu Nakoshi, a middle-aged man living a double existence between a luxury hotel and a park where the homeless gather, meets a mysterious stranger who proposes trepanation—a surgical procedure that involves drilling a hole into the skull. The stranger insists Nakoshi is the ideal candidate for their experiment. Despite initial hesitation, Nakoshi agrees after his car is impounded, arranging for 22-year-old medical student Manabu Ito to perform the operation for 700,000 yen. At first, there seem to be no effects from the procedure, with Nakoshi showing no signs of abnormality. However, his world takes a strange turn when he begins seeing homunculi, tiny humanoid figures, inside every person he encounters. Transformed by this new perception, Nakoshi must confront the challenge of dealing with these homunculi.

Seventeen years ago, immortal beings called Ajin, or demi-humans, first appeared on battlefields in Africa, marking a major discovery for humanity. Though the government claims they are compatible with society, rumors persist that Ajin are hunted down for cruel, secret experiments. Kei Nagai, an aloof high school student aiming to become a doctor, just wants a normal life. His world shatters when he survives a car crash that should have been fatal. After reviving, Kei is immediately identified as an Ajin due to the bounty on his head, leaving him confused by his new immortality and unable to prove his innocence. Forced to go into hiding to escape both government pursuit and public hatred, Kei is approached by a rebellious group of Ajin who urge him to fight back against human authorities. As tensions between humans and Ajin escalate, Kei must face his own loyalties and decide where his true allegiances lie.

Seon Jin endures constant bullying at school because of his reserved personality and weak physique. Yet his greatest terror originates from his own father. To outsiders, Jin's father seems like a prosperous entrepreneur, a committed charity worker, and a caring family man. In truth, he is a psychotic murderer, and Jin is compelled to assist him. They successfully avoid police suspicion. When the father sets his sights on the fresh arrival, Yoon Kyun, Jin faces a decision: remain a silent accessory or oppose his father and gamble everything to rescue her from sharing the destiny of earlier victims.

Kazuki Hoshino values his ordinary daily life above all else. His school days are filled with easygoing moments spent with friends—until the transfer student Aine Aya arrives and shatters that peace. The moment this cold, beautiful girl appears in his classroom, she speaks to him in baffling terms: "I've come to destroy you. This is my 13,118th transfer. After going through so many, I started getting bored, so this time I'll add some fun by making a formal declaration." With these enigmatic words, Kazuki's cherished everyday life descends into chaos and dread—Aya's sudden arrival hints at hidden secrets behind his seemingly ordinary friends, including the mysterious devices known as "boxes."

In "The Summer Hikaru Died," Yoshiki and Hikaru have been inseparable since childhood, as the only two children their age in a remote village. Their seemingly perfect bond takes a dark turn after one particular summer. Though the person beside Yoshiki looks exactly like his friend, he feels something is fundamentally wrong—the Hikaru he knew is gone. When Yoshiki confronts this change, Hikaru reveals a monstrous form and warns that Yoshiki must accept him or face death, all while professing his love. Heartbroken but unable to let go of his closest companion, Yoshiki struggles with his emotions as he grows closer to this transformed Hikaru. Meanwhile, the village is shaken by strange events that bring growing chaos.

In "School-Live!", Yuki Takeya and the other members of the School Living Club treat Megurigaoka Private High School as their true home. Their primary goal is to live on campus around the clock, promoting self-reliance and taking part in a wide range of school activities. With Yuuri Wakasa's calm demeanor, Kurumi Ebisuzawa's reliability, Yuki Takeya's proactive attitude, and the support of their teacher Megumi Sakura, the club appears to be set up for success in theory. However, living at school brings its own set of difficulties. To graduate and move forward, the School Living Club must overcome daily challenges while making the most of their student life.

In a strange occurrence, the ghost of a young woman is discovered alone in the abandoned building of Seikyou Academy. First-year student Teiichi Niiya is the only one who can see her spirit. Resolved to solve the mystery, they set out on a quest to uncover the truth behind her death and the circumstances that preceded it.

In the shadowy backstreets of Los Angeles' Chinatown, there exists a peculiar pet shop brimming with unusual and docile creatures. The proprietor of this establishment is the cryptic youth known as Count D. Count D welcomes those seeking solace and comfort, providing "love, dreams, and hope" through the extraordinary pets in his care. Each sale involves a unique agreement and specific guidelines, though he cautions that he cannot be held accountable for breaches of these terms. Hot-headed detective Leon Orcot links multiple criminal activities to Count D and his so-called "Pet Shop of Horrors." Driven to expose the Count as a lawbreaker, Leon starts frequenting the store.

Every year, the Ushiromiya family gathers on Rokkenjima at the request of their eccentric patriarch, Kinzou, whose health is failing. Most relatives believe his time is running out. As a fierce typhoon batters the island, tensions over inheritance and succession escalate within the family. Battler, Kinzou’s grandson, returns after six years away, expecting a peaceful reunion. Instead, Kinzou devises a peculiar game, challenging the family to find his hidden treasure, with the winner gaining control of the family. The game takes a dark turn when participants are threatened as sacrifices to revive the legendary Millennial Witch, Beatrice. Despite being a staunch skeptic, Battler must confront the possibility of supernatural forces or a murderer among them as the body count rises.

In the summer of 1983, Keiichi Maebara moves from a busy city to the quiet rural village of Hinamizawa. As he adjusts to his new life, he becomes friends with several local girls, forming a close group that includes Satoko Houjou, Rika Furude, Rena Ryuuguu, and Mion Sonozaki. At first, everything seems peaceful and carefree, but Keiichi soon realizes there is more to Hinamizawa than what appears on the surface. During the Cotton Drifting Festival, he learns of a troubling pattern: murders and disappearances have occurred shortly after the event each year for the past few years. The villagers blame these tragedies on "Oyashiro's Curse," claiming that those who offend the village's guardian deity face death or disappearance. Keiichi initially dismisses this as mere superstition meant to keep people in line. However, after a murder and a disappearance happen following the festival, and his friends remain silent about the village's strange events, Keiichi begins to suspect that his new companions may be linked to the horrific incidents—and that he might be the next target.

In her final memory, Natsu Iwashimizu shares cherished meals with her family. However, upon waking, she discovers she's on a sinking ship, saved by three unfamiliar faces: Arashi Aota, whose kindness is matched only by his short fuse; Semimaru Asai, who teases Natsu's shy demeanor; and Botan Saotome, a skilled individual who grasps the gravity of their situation. Together, they manage to escape and navigate towards a deserted island. Unbeknownst to them, this enigmatic land is actually post-apocalyptic Japan. A meteorite impact has eradicated human life and transformed the planet's ecosystem. To repopulate the earth, the government initiated the "7 Seeds" program, sending five teams—Spring, Summer A, Summer B, Autumn, and Winter—each comprising seven resilient youth and a guide. Natsu and her crew belong to Summer B, deemed social outliers. Their survival hinges on finding one of seven government shelters for supplies. In a perilous, alien world devoid of familiar support, the quartet must learn to work together to endure.

In the secluded village of Sotoba, daily life is usually quiet. Megumi Shimizu, known for her lively personality and fashionable style, considers Sotoba a boring place and longs to escape to the city, away from the locals' traditional ways. When a new European-style mansion appears on a hill, Megumi believes its residents must be refined and interesting, so she decides to pay them a visit. However, Megumi does not return home that night. After an extensive search, she is found the next day, weak and pale, with strange puncture marks on her skin. Tragically, Megumi is only the beginning of a disturbing pattern as Sotoba sees a rising number of deaths. Village doctor Toshio Ozaki, along with priest Seishin Muroi, the reclusive Natsuno Yuuki, and the Tanaka siblings Kaori and Akira, start investigating these mysterious deaths. The horrifying truth behind this outbreak may be more than they can handle, as the dead quickly outnumber the living.

L Change the WorLd takes place as a direct continuation of the Death Note film adaptation, focusing solely on L during his final 23 days after capturing Kira. The novel broadens the movie by adding numerous scenes and events that were left out of the film.

In 19th-century London, young nobleman Cain navigates the shadowy corridors of high society into which he was born. Following his father's sudden death, he becomes Earl and takes on the responsibilities of the Hargreaves family, which is steeped in dark lore. With his loyal servant Riff and his ten-year-old half-sister Mary Weather, Cain investigates the eerie series of crimes that seem to pursue him relentlessly. Includes the one-shot: Volume 5: Nichiyoubi no Solomon Grundy.

In the series Shinrei Tantei Yakumo, the story centers on Saitou Yakumo, a college student who possesses eyes of different colors. His red left eye grants him the ability to perceive ghosts and spirits. Yakumo believes these spectral entities remain tied to the mortal world because of a specific "cause," and resolving that cause can release their souls. The narrative begins when Ozawa Haruka approaches him for help, prompting the two to collaborate on investigations together.

Keiichi Maebara moves to the quiet village of Hinamizawa, where he quickly becomes close friends with his new companions, making his days happy and carefree. One day, while passing by a maid café, he spots what seems to be his tomboyish friend Mion Sonozaki working there. His attempt to tease her is met with surprise when she reveals herself to be Shion, Mion's twin sister. The Cotton Drifting Festival approaches, and both sisters compete for Keiichi's attention. Tragedy strikes when Shion, breaking the village's sacred rules, enters a forbidden shrine during the festival, inadvertently bringing Keiichi along with her. Their transgression plunges them into fear of supernatural punishment. Keiichi and Shion must now find a way to make amends for their actions before they face dire consequences.

In "After School Nightmare," Mashiro Ichijou is a popular and handsome high school student who has always lived as male. But internally, Mashiro resents his partially female body, a secret he keeps hidden while struggling with his own insecurities. One day, a nurse he has never seen before directs Mashiro to a strange infirmary that has appeared in the school's basement. Unbeknownst to him, entering this mysterious room marks the start of an irreversible change. As Mashiro searches for his true identity, he wrestles with inner turmoil and keeps his secret from his classmates. Gradually, the harsh truths of a deceptive and nightmarish world are exposed, where darkness taints even the brightest moments.

In Umineko When They Cry Episode 2: Turn of the Golden Witch, Shannon works as a maid for the eccentric Ushiromiya family, led by Kinzou. She secretly harbors feelings for his grandson, George, even though she knows such a relationship is forbidden. Her emotions intensify despite her efforts to suppress them. One night, Beatrice, the Millennial Witch of the island, sympathizes with Shannon and offers a deal: by breaking a ritual mirror that weakens Beatrice’s power, Shannon can receive the witch’s help in winning George’s love. Shannon eventually agrees, and she sees a marked improvement in her bond with George. Meanwhile, Kanon, another servant, suspects that Beatrice may be manipulating Shannon. Believing that as mere “furniture,” they have no right to experience human emotions like love, Kanon is taken aback when Jessica, Kinzou’s granddaughter, confesses her affection for him. He begins to reflect on his own feelings toward her. However, the arrival of the rest of the Ushiromiya family for their annual gathering complicates matters. Beatrice sets up a contest to find Kinzou’s hidden gold, with the winner set to inherit control of the family. The competition escalates from a strange game into a terrifying ordeal where lives are at stake. Can Shannon and Kanon protect those they hold dear?

Since childhood, Eva Ushiromiya has been determined to claim her rightful place as the leader of the Ushiromiya clan. Despite facing discrimination due to her gender, she remains committed to outperforming her male elder sibling, Krauss, who holds the birthright position. Eva's opportunity to achieve this ambition arises during the yearly family reunion on Rokkenjima Island. With the revelation of the cryptic epitaph, she believes that uncovering the concealed treasure will finally earn her family's respect. However, as the adults attempt to decipher the clue, a string of inexplicable murders commences, hinting at the grim fate that looms over them. Concurrently, the rivalry between the Golden Witch Beatrice and Battler Ushiromiya restarts, bringing in new and surprising participants to join the contest.

After their fierce confrontation, Battler Ushiromiya reflects on the sudden resignation of the Golden Witch Beatrice, who now appears as little more than a faint echo of her former confident self. This dramatic shift compels Battler to reexamine every detail from the first four games. Though he wishes to remain by her side, he resolves to take back control of the current situation, where Lambdadelta and Frederica Bernkastel have taken charge of the fifth game board. Following Kinzou Ushiromiya's death, Krauss Ushiromiya becomes the family head, but he faces serious financial troubles from poor investments that could lead to creditors seizing the estate. His siblings may take legal action against him under these circumstances. Natsuhi Ushiromiya, supporting her husband, seeks Beatrice's help to revive the former head of the family, hoping to hide the truth until the debts are resolved. Erika Furudo, a self-proclaimed detective, arrives on Rokkenjima Island as the family reunion begins. Welcomed as a distinguished guest, Erika quickly becomes fascinated by the ongoing discussion about the epitaph riddle. However, her relentless investigation into uncovering the hidden treasure triggers a chain of events that threatens to disrupt the Ushiromiya family's stability.

In the village of Hinamizawa, the Sonozaki family has kept twin sisters Mion and Shion apart since childhood. Mion is designated to inherit the leadership of the Sonozaki household, while Shion is sent to the distant St. Lucia Academy. One day, Shion escapes from the academy and returns to Hinamizawa, unaware of the tragic fate that awaits her. After reuniting with Mion and taking a part-time job under her sister's identity, Shion meets Satoshi Houjou, a boy her age for whom she quickly develops strong feelings. Learning about Satoshi's harsh living conditions, she grows resentful toward the people in his household, especially his younger sister, Satoko. Tensions rise, and when Satoshi mysteriously disappears, Shion suspects her family may be responsible. A year later, Shion encounters Keiichi Maebara, who has caught Mion's attention. Seeing her sister's interest in Keiichi rekindles Shion's passion for Satoshi and strengthens her resolve to uncover the truth behind his disappearance. However, her relentless search for answers leads her into a spiral of despair and madness.

Ange Ushiromiya is the sole survivor of the 1986 Rokkenjima Mass Murder Incident, burdened by guilt for not being with her family during their final moments. Over the past twelve years, her relentless pursuit of the truth behind the tragedy has further alienated her from the world she once loved. At her lowest point, Frederica Bernkastel, known as the Witch of Miracles, appears and offers Ange a chance to uncover the events of Rokkenjima and seek revenge against those responsible for her family's murder. Though there is no guarantee of success, Ange accepts the offer, takes on the title of the Golden Witch, and gains the ability to travel back in time to assist her brother Battler. With this new alliance and the added resolve it brings, Battler finds renewed strength to continue his difficult battle, even as the game he plays takes unexpected turns.

At Mai Taniyama's school, there is an old, abandoned building rumored to be cursed. Every time attempts are made to tear it down, a series of unexplained deaths occur, halting the demolition. Determined to prove the building is truly haunted, Mai and her classmates try to summon a ghost by telling stories. Though no spirits appear, they instead meet Kazuya Shibuya, a new 17-year-old student. While her friends are drawn to his good looks and polite demeanor, Mai remains skeptical. After an incident, Mai learns that Kazuya leads Shibuya Psychic Research, a team hired by the school principal to investigate the alleged supernatural phenomena in the building. Because of her involvement, Mai is forced to temporarily assist Kazuya to avoid paying for the damage. Alongside other paranormal investigators—Houshou Takigawa, a former Buddhist monk; Ayako Matsusaki, a self-proclaimed Shinto priestess; renowned medium Masako Hara; and Catholic priest John Brown—Mai and Kazuya work to uncover the building's mystery before anyone else gets hurt.

In the quiet village of Hinamizawa, Keiichi Maebara and his friends enjoy a peaceful life following his recent move. He quickly forms strong bonds with his new acquaintances, including the lively Satoko Houjou, known for her playful pranks and cheerful attitude. However, behind her bright facade lies a dark past marked by personal tragedy. Despite her struggles, Satoko finds moments of happiness, which Keiichi, impressed by her resilience, cherishes. He sees himself as a protective figure in her life, like an older brother. The situation takes a turn when her uncle Teppei returns to the village, and signs of mistreatment begin to appear in Satoko. Determined to bring back the joyful friend he cares for, Keiichi considers drastic measures to ensure her safety.