Higurashi: When They Cry

2002

Hinamizawa, a small rural village in Japan, circa 1983. The village is known for its annual Watanagashi Festival, which honors the local deity, Oyashiro-sama. The story follows Maebara Keiichi, a teenage boy who has recently moved to Hinamizawa with his family. He quickly becomes friends with a group of local girls: Ryuuguu Rena, Sonozaki Mion, Houjou Satoko, and Furude Rika. On the surface, Hinamizawa is a peaceful, tight-knit community. However, Keiichi soon discovers that the village harbors dark secrets and a history of mysterious disappearances and gruesome murders that occur each year around the time of the Watanagashi Festival.

Trailers & Videos

All Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni/When They Cry Openings (Visual Novel)

Seasons

8 Episodes • Premiered 2002

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is the first set of stories, the "Question" arcs, comprising: -Onikakushi -Watanagashi -Tatarigoroshi -Himatsubushi Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai is the second set of stories, the "Answer" arcs, comprising: -Meakashi -Tsumihoroboshi -Minagoroshi -Matsuribayashi

1. Onikakushi

On a certain day in June, someone dies, and someone else goes missing. The series of deaths is connected to the upheaval surrounding the dam construction project. A murder case that was covered up is being reenacted. Is it a conspiracy? A coincidence? Or perhaps a curse?

2. Watanagashi

Keiichi wins a game tournament and gives his prize, a doll, to Rena stating that Mion will not be interested in such girly things, though Mion is actually rather hurt that Keiichi thinks about her that way, though she pretends not to mind.

3. Tatarigoroshi

Satoko's uncle Teppei returns to Hinamizawa to take custody of Satoko and resume an abusive relationship with her, where he treats her like a slave while demanding money from her. Keiichi cannot accept this stalemate, and he makes it his personal mission to rescue Satoko.

4. Himatsubushi

Akasaka Mamoru, a detective is sent to Hinamizawa to rescue Inukai Toshiki, the grandson of a government official, who is taken hostage. While waiting for Makino, he meets a younger Furude Rika at the bus stop.

5. Meakashi

Sonozaki Shion escapes from her private school to return to Hinamizawa. During her time there, she meets Satoshi, who protected her from a group of thugs.

6. Tsumihoroboshi

Is the curse really real? This chapter presents the events from another view, which reveals additional information about Rena's past and Keiichi's reasons for moving to Hinamizawa from Tokyo.

7. Minagoroshi

Furude Rika is in an altered state of reality. Around her, various prisms float and circulate her. As she examines them, she mentions that they are "fragments" from the various Junes of 1983.

8. Matsuribayashi

The final arc in the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai series. It is mostly told from the viewpoint of Rika Furude, as well as her other friends.

Cast

Soichiro Hoshi

Keiichi Maebara

Reviews

No reviews available yet.