Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni logo
ひぐらしのなく頃に
(When Cicadas Cry)
Genre Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Horror, Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Game: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
&
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai
Developer 07th Expansion
Publisher 07th Expansion
Genre Dojin soft, Visual novel
Platform PC, PS2
Released Onikakushi-hen - August 10, 2002 (Comiket 62)
Watanagashi-hen - December 29, 2002 (Comiket 63)
Tatarigoroshi-hen - August 15, 2003 (Comiket 64)
Himatsubushi-hen - August 13, 2004 (Comiket 66)
Meakashi-hen - December 30, 2004 (Comiket 67)
Tsumihoroboshi-hen - August 14, 2005 (Comiket 68)
Minagoroshi-hen - December 30, 2005 (Comiket 69)
Matsuribayashi-hen - August 13, 2006 (Comiket 70)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei - December 31, 2006 (Comiket 71)
Manga
Authored by Karin Suzuragi (Onikakushi-hen & Tsumihoroboshi-hen)
Yutori Hōjō (Watanagashi-hen & Meakashi-hen)
Jirō Suzuki (Tatarigoroshi-hen)
Yoshiki Tonogai (Himatsubushi-hen)
En Kitō (Onisarashi-hen & Utsutsukowashi-hen)
Mimori (Yoigoshi-hen)
Publisher Square Enix (Main series & Yoigoshi-hen)
Kadokawa Shoten (Onisarashi-hen & tsutsukowashi-hen)
Serialized in Gangan Powered (Onikakushi-hen & Tsumihoroboshi-hen)
Gangan WING (Watanagashi-hen & Meakashi-hen)
GFantasy (Tatarigoroshi-hen & Yoigoshi-hen)
Gangan (Himatsubushi-hen)
Comp Ace (Onisarashi-hen & Utsutsukowashi-hen)
Original run March 2006 –
No. of volumes 12 (currently)
Light novel
Authored by Ryukishi07
Artist Yutori Hōjō, Mimori, Jirō Suzuki, Karin Suzuragi, Yoshiki Tonogai
Publisher Flag of Japan Square Enix
Publish date 2006
No. of volumes 3
TV anime
Directed by Chiaki Kon
Studio Flag of Japan Studio Deen
Licensor Flag of United States Geneon
Flag of France Anima
Network Chiba TV, Kansai TV, Tokai TV
Original run April 4, 2006 – September 26, 2006
No. of episodes 26
TV anime : Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai
Directed by Chiaki Kon
Studio Flag of Japan Studio Deen
Network Chiba TV, Kansai TV, Tokai TV
Original run July 2007 –
No. of episodes

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (ひぐらしのなく頃に? lit. When Cicadas Cry), known as When They Cry - Higurashi in the planned English localization of the anime version,[1] is a Japanese murder mystery dojin soft visual novel series based on the NScripter engine, produced by 07th Expansion. The series is focused on a group of young friends and the strange events that occur in the village that they live in. The first game in the series, Onikakushi-hen, was released on August 10, 2002 and the eighth and final game in the original PC series, Matsuribayashi-hen, was released on August 13, 2006. In addition to the original series, new arcs have been created in manga and video game form in order to expand upon the story further.

The series became very popular and was later made into a set of drama CDs; the first, based on the Onikakushi-hen part of the story, was released on May 27, 2005.[2] Later, a manga series adapted from the games began serialization in March 2006 in the Japanese manga magazine Gangan Powered, illustrated by Japanese artist Karin Suzuragi.[3] Following the manga's release, an anime series by the Japanese animation studio Studio Deen aired in Japan weekly, starting on April 4, 2006, and adapted six of the original eight chapters. The second anime series, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai, will begin airing in Japan in July 2007; it will be animated again by Studio Deen.[4]

The naku (なく?) of the title has a double meaning. Firstly, naku can mean "to make sound" (鳴く?), specifically referring to those sounds made by non-human organisms. Secondly, naku can mean "to weep" (泣く?). It so happens that the English verb "to cry" carries the same double meaning as naku. According to the original creator, Ryukishi07, the red Na (な) in the logo is an official part of the title.[5]

Contents

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni takes place during June 1983, at a fictional rural village called Hinamizawa (雛見沢?) (based on the village of Shirakawa, Gifu, a World Heritage Site)[6] [7], which has a population of approximately 2000. The main character, Keichi Maebara, moves to Hinamizawa and befriends his new classmates Rena Ryugu, Mion Sonozaki, Rika Furude, and Satoko Hojo. Keichi joins their after-school club activities, which consist mostly of card and board games. Hinamizawa appears to be a normal, peaceful village to Keichi. However, the tranquility abruptly ends after the annual Watanagashi Festival, a local festivity to commemorate and give thanks to the local god, Oyashiro-sama. Keichi learns that for the past four years, one person has been murdered and another has gone missing, never to be seen again, on the day of the Watanagashi Festival. Keichi himself soon becomes implicated into the strange events surrounding the Watanagashi Festival and Oyashiro-sama. In each story arc, he or one of his friends become paranoid, and a crime is committed. Usually, the crime involves a murder of one of their own friends. While it seems impossible to tell their delusions apart from the mystery of Hinamizawa, slowly the truth is revealed.

[edit] Characters

Main article: List of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni characters

In Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, there are five main characters who appear in almost every scenario. The main protagonist is Keichi Maebara, a young boy who has recently moved to Hinamizawa with his family, and begun to adapt to life in the countryside. Keichi has a natural charisma which allows him to make friends easily. Since Hinamizawa is a small town of about two thousand people, with only a single school, there are not many children around his own age; he easily meets the others his age and becomes friends with them.

One of these good friends is a girl his age named Rena Ryugu. She, like him, is new in Hinamizawa, having only lived there for a year before the story begins. She has an obsession with things she considers to be cute - generally, others don't agree - and will often scavenge for such things at the local dump and bring them back home. Before she met Keichi, Rena became friends with a girl one year older named Mion Sonozaki, who is looked at as the leader of the group and is the president of their club. Mion has a tomboyish personality, a facade for a girlish side she keeps hidden from the others. Mion has a twin sister, Shion, who lives in the nearby town of Okinomiya. Although their personalities are quite different, she and Mion have switched places in the past; the change is nearly indistinguishable.

There are two other girls in the club younger than Keichi, Rena and Mion. One is Satoko Hojo, a clever girl who is quite skilled at setting traps when playing games with her friends. She usually has an energetic and mischievous personality, but this hides a past full of trauma. Satako also had an older brother named Satoshi. Her friend, Rika Furude, is revered by the villagers as the heir of the local shrine and plays the role of a miko in the annual Watanagashi Festival. Despite her young age, she sometimes expresses a type of wisdom which would normally be beyond her years, and is quite fond of sake.

Of the remaining cast, there are those such as Kuraudo Ōishi, a veteran police officer who is dead set on solving the mystery of the yearly murders that occur in Hinamizawa before his retirement. A freelance photographer, named Jirō Tomitake, comes to Hinamizawa occasionally; he seems to be friends with Miyo Takano, a female nurse at the local village clinic who has a keen interest in Hinamizawa's past and culture. She works with Kyōsuke Irie, the head doctor of the clinic who has a severe maid fetish.

There are additional characters not seen in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni proper, who appear in the side-story manga adaptations. In Onisarashi-hen, the main character is a young girl with a bright personality named Natsumi Kimiyoshi, who has just moved away from Hinamizawa. In Yoigoshi-hen, the main character is a man with amnesia named Akira Otobe, who was found wandering in the forest around the deserted Hinamizawa many years later.

[edit] Story arcs

In the Higurashi games, there are several story arcs, the original eight of which are referred to as either Question arcs or Answer arcs. The Answer arcs generally recapitulate the events of the corresponding Question arc, but from a different perspective, using the change of protagonist to solve various mysteries and come to a different conclusion. Each of the eight original games for the PC represented separate arcs of the overall storyline. Although apart from the main Question/Answer relationship the stories of the arcs are not directly connected, a multitude of parallels exist which allow the observant reader to gain extra insight into the mystery.

[edit] Question arcs

The Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (ひぐらしのなく頃に When Cicadas Cry?) games form the Question arcs. These first four games of the series were meant to give the player a sense of the world where the story takes place and introduce the mysterious circumstances surrounding the village of Hinamizawa. Since there are no concrete answers given to the questions that the story presents in these arcs, the Question arcs allow the player to form his or her own opinions about the events taking place in Hinamizawa.

Onikakushi-hen (鬼隠し編 Demoning Away Chapter)?, (Released August 10, 2002)
This chapter introduces the player to the world of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. The player is shown the simple rural life of Hinamizawa, the after-school club activities, and the friendships of the main characters. However, things take a turn for the sinister after the Watanagashi Festival, when Keichi discovers what his new friends have been concealing from him... This chapter implies that Rena Ryugū is the "villain".
Watanagashi-hen (綿流し編 Cotton Drifting Chapter)?, (Released December 29, 2002)
By this chapter, the player should have an overall idea of how life in Hinamizawa is like. Once again, this chapter begins innocently, with the Watanagashi Festival again marking the start of the sinister events in Hinamizawa. An ancient curse strikes, and a pair of sisters are not what they seem. Shion Sonozaki makes her first appearance in this chapter, while Mion Sonozaki is portrayed as the "villain."
Tatarigoroshi-hen (祟殺し編 Curse Killing Chapter)?, (Released August 15, 2003)
Tatarigoroshi-hen is longer than the previous two chapters, and it is considered to be the most depressing and confusing. Keichi attempts to help out a friend with drastic measures, but as more and more people die, it's clear he is not the only one involved in this. This time, the spotlight shines on Satoko Hojo as being the "victim." Keichi Maebara is portrayed as the "villain" in this chapter.
Himatsubushi-hen (暇潰し編 Time Wasting Chapter)?, (Released August 13, 2004)
Himatsubushi-hen is both a direct prequel and a direct sequel to Tatarigoroshi-hen. In contrast to the first three chapters, this chapter is shown through the eyes of Mamoru Akasaka, a young police investigator from Tokyo who comes to Hinamizawa in order to investigate a kidnapping of a politician's grandchild. Soon, he too becomes implicated into the mysteries of Hinamizawa. This chapter focuses on Rika Furude as being the "key part" of the mystery.

[edit] Answer arcs

The Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (ひぐらしのなく頃に解 When Cicadas Cry Solutions?) games form the Answer arcs. The last four games released in the series, were, in contrast to the Question arcs, meant to answer all of the questions presented in the first half of the series. These arcs can be considered the "solutions" of the previous arcs. Note that each Answer arc game contains all of the previous Answer arcs.

Meakashi-hen (目明し編 Eye Opening Chapter)?, (Released December 30, 2004)
Solution to Watanagashi-hen. Meakashi-hen consists of the events of Watanagashi-hen told from the perspective of Shion Sonozaki, with only a few minor variations. In this chapter, the audience sees the true reason for the criminal's murderous actions in Watanagashi-hen - love. The first hints appear about the truth that ties together the various story arcs as well.
Tsumihoroboshi-hen (罪滅し編 Atonement Chapter)?, (Released August 14, 2005)
Solution to Onikakushi-hen. Unlike Meakashi-hen, Tsumihoroboshi-hen's story is drastically different from the plot of its Question arc. In Tsumihoroboshi-hen, Rena experiences a situation similar to Keichi's in Onikakushi-hen, as she makes a terrible mistake and becomes distrustful of her former friends. It is the first chapter with a (seemingly) happy ending, although the TIPS reveal a sinister twist.
Minagoroshi-hen (皆殺し編 Massacre Chapter)?, (Released December 30, 2005)
On the surface, Minagoroshi-hen, is the solution to Tatarigoroshi-hen; however, it answers most of the major common mysteries of the previous arcs. It is told from the perspective of Rika Furude. Most notably, the true identity of the murderer is finally revealed in Minagoroshi-hen. After Minagoroshi-hen, one more effort is needed to seal the story into a happy ending.
Matsuribayashi-hen (祭囃し編 Festival Accompanying Chapter)?, (Released August 13, 2006)
In Minagoroshi-hen, the mastermind of the murders was revealed. This time, all the pieces of the puzzle are in place. The last step for the characters to take is putting the pieces together in order to defeat the culprit, obtain the miracle, and break through the barrier of June 1983. Matsuribayashi-hen is a "Good End" in which no major deaths occur.

[edit] Extra arcs

Three extra chapters were included in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei (ひぐらしのなく頃に礼 When Cicadas Cry Gratitudes?), two of which were newly created. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei was released on December 31, 2006.

Saikoroshi-hen (賽殺し編 Dice Killing Chapter?)
Saikoroshi-hen is an epilogue of Matsuribayashi-hen which takes place two months after the events of it. Rika falls into a coma after a car accident, but she wakes up in a totally different world, where none of the tragic events of the main series ever happened: Keichi isn't in Hinamizawa, Rena's parents didn't divorce, the dam project was resolved smoothly, and neither Satoko nor Rika's parents died. Unfortunately, this perfect world drives Rika insane, and she becomes the "villain."
Batsukoishi-hen (罰恋し編 Penalty Loving Chapter?)
A slapstick dream story in which Keichi and the Soul Brothers fight against the girls by means of the club punishment games. This chapter was originally an epilogue entitled Otsukaresama-kai which came with Meakashi-hen, but it was deemed too irrelevant and silly and was removed from subsequent chapters.
Hirukowashi-hen (昼壊し編 Daybreak Chapter?)
Hirukowashi-hen is based on Higurashi Daybreak. Rena accidentally swallows a magatama that causes her to instantly fall in love with the holder of the paired magatama. Misadventures ensue.

[edit] Side stories

These side stories are original chapters serialized in manga form which supplement the games and partially continue the story.

Onisarashi-hen (鬼曝し編 Demon Exposing Chapter?)
In Onisarashi-hen, a former resident of Hinamizawa named Natsumi is introduced, and her life after the Hinamizawa disaster is explored.
Yoigoshi-hen (宵越し編 Overnight Chapter?)
Since Minagoroshi-hen is a solution to the previous arcs, it would've been impossible to serialize it alongside Meakashi-hen and Tsumihoroboshi-hen. Therefore, a new story, Yoigoshi-hen, which focuses on Hinamizawa in the present day, was introduced for the purposes of the manga. TIPS for this chapter can be read via mobile phone at Gangan MOBILE. This chapter focuses on a tabloid reporter named Arakawa who travels to Hinamizawa after its lockdown is finally ended.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Utsutsukowashi-hen (ひぐらしのなく頃に怪 現壊し編 When Cicadas Cry Mysteries - Reality Breaking Chapter?)
A prequel to Meakashi-hen. Shion is sent away to the all-girls school, St. Lucia Academy, for confinement. One day, a male teacher's body was found in the school swimming pool and the first discoverer, Kōsaka Mizuho, is summoned to the chairman's office to report the details. Shion hears rumors about how Mizuho's grandmother is after Mizuho's life and the girl is taking refuge in the school, so Shion approaches the aloof Mizuho. The chapter started serialization in volume 10 (December 2006) of Comp Ace.

[edit] PlayStation 2 game

Three original chapters were created for the PlayStation 2 version Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Matsuri, by Alchemist.

Taraimawashi-hen (盥回し篇 Whirligig Chapter?)
At first glance, this additional "Question Arc" is a retelling of Onikakushi-hen. However, this chapter in fact contains the events of Watanagashi-hen. After learning the secrets of Hinamizawa, Keichi decides to ignore everything and enjoy his peaceful school life; this action leads to a tragic series of events. Shion Sonozaki is the "villain" of this chapter, while Mion being the "victim".
Tsukiotoshi-hen (憑落し篇 Exorcism Chapter?)
Although Tsukiotoshi-hen does not provide many answers, per se, since it relates what went wrong in Watanagashi/Meakashi-hen and Tatarigoroshi-hen, it is still considered an Answer Arc. In order to save Satoko, Shion, Keichi and Rena decide to kill Teppei. But after the murder is done, Rena starts to act strangely, and Keichi thinks he hears "Oyashiro" talking to him...
Miotsukushi-hen (澪尽し篇 Canal Drying Chapter?)
After finding out who the real murderer is, Rika and Keichi decide to put an end to the whole mystery, but they are in a different situation than Matsuribayashi-hen. Before they can do anything, they have to solve other people's problems first. The "problems" of Watanagashi/Meakashi-hen, Tatarigoroshi-hen, and Tsumihoroboshi-hen are met here and all of them must be solved. While Matsuribayashi-hen is the epilogue of PC-port games, it is considered to be the "Good End" of the series. According to the original author, Miotsukushi-hen should be considered "True End" of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (implying that it will be a bittersweet, but more meaningful ending).
Spoilers end here.

[edit] Adaptations

[edit] Visual novels

[edit] PC

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni became immensely popular in Japan; over 100,000 copies of the original games were sold,[8] a feat not attained by a dōjin game since Type-Moon released Tsukihime.

Many fans attribute the game's success to the bone-chilling suspense and horror the novel portrays, with no definite answer provided. The player is left with clues and hints to ponder about the mystery. Fan-based community boards emerged where fans began discussing their own theories. The popularity of the games grew exponentially as many took interest in their well-outlined script and story, which eventually led the game to be showcased in large gaming magazines with positive reviews.

The first game of the Higurashi visual novel video game series, entitled Onikakushi-hen, was first released on August 10, 2002. This was the first chapter of the Question arcs, which went under the title Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. Later, the fifth game and first chapter of the Answer arcs, Meakashi-hen, was released on December 30, 2004. The games in the Answer arcs used the title Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai.

The game is divided into a total of eight chapters: four Question arcs and four Answer"arcs. Each chapter keeps the same cast of main characters, but ends in a different way. All of the chapters give valuable answers, hints, and clues to the previous one, while at the same time bringing forth even more mysteries.

The game utilizes intermissions where the player can obtain several TIPS. These TIPS allows the player to read various supplementary information that may or may not be useful in solving the mystery. For example, one of the TIPS can be as simple as "this is a small village; children who go to this school are combined into one classroom regardless of what grade or year they are in." On the other hand, they can provide valuable hints, such as being able to read the excerpts of the newspaper articles regarding the murders that occurred in Hinamizawa.[9]

At the beginning of each of the story arcs, a cryptic poem by someone known as Frederica Bernkastel is read; these reveal some of what is going to happen in the following arc.

Higurashi Daybreak is a fan-made Higurashi game featuring an original scenario by Ryukishi07, developed by Twilight Frontier, the creators of Immaterial and Missing Power and Eternal Fighter Zero. It is a versus third-person shooter in which most of the characters of the main Higurashi series are playable.

[edit] PlayStation 2

A video game console port was released as Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Matsuri (ひぐらしのなく頃に祭 When Cicadas Cry Festival?) by Alchemist on February 22, 2007 for the Playstation 2.[10] This is the third dōjin game to be ported to a video game console; the first was Hanakisō by HaccaWorks* , and the second was Melty Blood from French-Bread. Although Higurashi was the first to have a video game console port announced, its longer development time made it the third to be released. The PS2 port differs from the original game series in that it includes full voice acting, redrawn CGs, and integration of the Question arcs starring Keichi into a single branching storyline.

The PS2 port includes the first seven PC arcs (Matsuribayashi-hen is excluded) and three original "Final" arcs - Taraimawashi-hen, Tsukiotoshi-hen and Miotsukushi-hen. After the original seven arcs are cleared, the first two "Final" arcs will be available. Furthermore, when these two "Final" arcs are cleared, the epilogue, Miotsukushi-hen, will be unlocked.

[edit] Drama CDs

Sold by Wayuta
  1. Onikakushi-hen (Released May 27, 2005)
  2. Watanagashi-hen (Released December 22, 2005)
  3. Append Disc 01 (Released January 20, 2006)
  4. Tatarigoroshi-hen (Released June 28, 2006)
  5. Himatsubushi-hen (Released December 27, 2006)
Sold by Frontier Works
  1. Anthology Drama CD 1 (Released December 22, 2005)
  2. Anthology Drama CD 2 (Released March 24, 2006)

[edit] Manga

There are six main titles in the Higurashi manga series, spanning the four "question" arcs and the first two "answer" arcs. Each of these are rather short and are to be compiled into two tankōbon for each title. There are also three side-story manga, not based on the original game series.

[edit] Side stories

Onisarashi-hen (鬼曝し編 Demon Exposing Chapter?)
Onisarashi-hen Vol. 1 Onisarashi-hen Vol. 2
Manga art: En Kitō
Serialized in Vol.1 (March 2005) - Vol.8 (July 2006) of Comp Ace.
Vol. 1: (Japan) ISBN 978-4-04-713815-5 (Hong Kong, Taiwan) ISBN 978-986-174-170-3
Vol. 2: (Japan) ISBN 978-4-04-713862-9 (Hong Kong, Taiwan) ISBN 978-986-174-245-X
Yoigoshi-hen (宵越し編 Overnight Chapter?)
Manga art: Mimori
Serialized in August 2006 issue of G-Fantasy.
Vol. 1: ISBN 978-4-7575-1931-1
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Utsutsukowashi-hen
(ひぐらしのなく頃に怪 現壊し編 When Cicadas Cry Mysteries - Reality Breaking Chapter?)
Manga art: En Kitō
Serialized in Vol.10 (December 2006) issue of Comp Ace.

[edit] Light novels

Nekogoroshi-hen
Nekogoroshi-hen

Three light novels of Higurashi were released as a bonus to those who bought the manga.

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gaiden Nekogoroshi-hen
(ひぐらしのなく頃に外伝 猫殺し編 When Cicadas Cry Extra - Cat Killing Chapter?)
Written by: Ryukishi07
Illustrations by: Karin Suzuki, Yutori Hōjō, Jirō Suzuki (the three manga artists of the first three manga)
This novel was sent out to those who bought Onikakushi-hen Vol. 1, Watanagashi-hen Vol. 1, and Tatarigoroshi-hen Vol. 1. One needed to send the cut out stamps in all three of these manga by the deadline in order to receive this special short story. The storyline of Nekogoroshi-hen is divided into two parts. The first half consists of average club activities, with the usual members playing poker with embarrassing penalties. In the second half, the club members decide to head to the abandoned Yagouchi Quarry on the outskirts of Hinamizawa. Mion tells the tale of how one of her childhood friends, called Friend A, went missing while playing hide-and-seek near the area. Friend A was found by his father, but they were found dead in their car on the way home when they went off a cliff. It was rumored that they fell victim to the poisonous gases that leaked from the "hole", which supposedly leads to hell.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kuradashi-hen
(ひぐらしのなく頃に 蔵出し編 When Cicadas Cry - Warehouse Clearance Chapter?)
Written by: Ryukishi07
Illustrations by: Tonogai Yoshiki, Karin Suzuki, Yutori Hōjō, Mimori
This novel was sent out to those who have bought Himatsubushi-hen Vol. 2, Tsumihoroboshi-hen Vol. 1, Meakashi-hen Vol. 1, and Yoigoshi-hen Vol. 1. One will need to send the cut out stamps in all four of these manga by a certain deadline in order to receive this special short story. Similar to Nekogoroshi-hen, the illustrations in this novel will be done by the respective manga artists of the four manga. As the title implies, this novel will be a compilation of the ideas and stories that Ryukishi07 couldn't incorporate into the game.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Hajisarashi-hen
(ひぐらしのなく頃に 羞晒し編 When Cicadas Cry - Shyness Exposing Chapter?)
Written by: Ryukishi07
Illustrations by: rato
This novel was included with the limited edition of the PS2 game "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Matsuri."

[edit] Anime

See also: List of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni episodes

The first season anime version of Higurashi covers the four question arcs as well as the first two answer arcs. The original Higurashi no Naku Koro ni anime adaptation aired in Japan between April 4, 2006 and September 26, 2006, comprising 26 episodes. The series has finished airing and is currently only available on DVD in Japan. Geneon has licensed the series for release in North America. There will be a second series based on the final two answer arcs of the franchise entitled Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai; it is schedueled to air in Japan in July 2007.[4]

People who had bought all nine of the DVDs had the chance to receive a special anime DVD entitled Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gaiden Nekogoroshi-hen, based on the short story that was given to those who had bought the manga.[11]

[edit] Production staff

[edit] Music

Main article: List of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni soundtracks

[edit] Visual novels

  • The music for the Question arcs consists of license free songs found on the Internet.
  • The music for the Answer arcs was provided by doujin music artists that are fans of Higurashi.
  • A CD album called Thanks/you was released by the doujin music artist, dai. Many of his tracks were used in the Answer arcs. Fans referred to this album as the official soundtrack before the official soundtrack was released.
  • An official soundtrack has since been released for the dōjin game, featuring a majority of the songs featured in the Answer arcs. This 2-disc set is, to date, the most complete collection of songs from the game.

[edit] Anime

The first season's opening theme was "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni" sung by Eiko Shimamiya; it went on sale in Japan on May 24, 2006. The ending theme was "Why, or Why Not" sung by Rekka Katakiri; it was released on June 28, 2006. There have been two original soundtracks released for the anime adaptation. The main composer for the tracks was Japanese composer Kenji Kawai and the albums were produced by Frontier Works. Volume 1 was released on July 21, 2006 and volume 2 was released on October 6, 2006 in Japan. Character song CDs are to be released, sung by voice actors from the anime adaptation; the first is to go on sale on March 28, 2007[12]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Anime New Network page for the anime. Retrieved on 2007-03-23.
  2. ^ Higurashi drama CD official website (Japanese). Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
  3. ^ Gangan Powered official Higurashi site (Japanese). Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
  4. ^ a b Oyashirosama.com on the second anime series release date (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  5. ^ Ryukishi07's official Higurashi game website (Japanese). Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
  6. ^ Hinamizawa is based off of Shirakawa, Gifu (Japanese). Retrieved on 2006-07-12.
  7. ^ More references to Shirakawa, Gifu (Japanese). Retrieved on 2006-07-16.
  8. ^ Article about Higurashi no Naku Koro ni from eg (Japanese). Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
  9. ^ English translations of TIPS at animesuki. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
  10. ^ Official Alchemist Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Matsuri homepage (Japanese). Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
  11. ^ Oyashirosama.com on the special DVD (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
  12. ^ Amazon.co.jp on the first character song CD (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-03-22.

[edit] External links


Higurashi no Naku Koro ni by 07th Expansion
v • d • e
Series: Anime episodes | Characters | Higurashi Daybreak
Question arcs: Onikakushi-hen | Watanagashi-hen | Tatarigoroshi-hen | Himatsubushi-hen
Answer arcs: Meakashi-hen | Tsumihoroboshi-hen | Minagoroshi-hen | Matsuribayashi-hen
Other: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei | Soundtracks
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../h/i/g/Higurashi_no_Naku_Koro_ni_d537.html"