Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

Keiichi Maebara has just moved to the quiet little village of Hinamizawa in the summer of 1983, and quickly becomes inseparable friends with schoolmates Rena Ryuuguu, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Houjou, and Rika Furude. However, darkness lurks underneath the seemingly idyllic life they lead.

As the village prepares for its annual festival, Keiichi learns about the local legends surrounding it. To his horror, he discovers that there have been several murders and disappearances in the village in the recent years, and that they all seem to be connected to the festival and the village's patron god, Oyashiro. Keiichi tries to ask his new friends about these incidents, but they are suspiciously silent and refuse to give him the answers he needs. As more and more bizarre events occur, he wonders just what else his friends might be keeping from him, and if he can even trust them at all.

When madness and paranoia begin taking root in Keiichi's heart, he will stumble straight into the mysteries at work in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, a story that is told across multiple arcs.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Furude, Rika Main

Tamura, Yukari Japanese

Ryuuguu, Rena Main

Nakahara, Mai Japanese

Sonozaki, Shion Main

Yukino, Satsuki Japanese

Sonozaki, Mion Main

Yukino, Satsuki Japanese

Maebara, Keiichi Main

Hoshi, Souichirou Japanese

Houjou, Satoko Main

Kanai, Mika Japanese

Takano, Miyo Supporting

Itou, Miki Japanese

Ooishi, Kuraudo Supporting

Chafurin Japanese

Houjou, Satoshi Supporting

Kobayashi, Yuu Japanese

Akasaka, Mamoru Supporting

Ono, Daisuke Japanese

Urasaki, Nobumitsu Producer

Hyuuga, Yasutaka Producer

Oomori, Hiroyuki Producer

Danno, Yoshito Assistant Producer

Reviews

Sep 3, 2024

Drewge

Recommended

Higurashi is an amazing anime.

This review won't be long, I wont provide a summary. It is only meant to give a better idea of what to expect when watching this anime.

I am going to start by saying that Higurashi is not an anime for those who are unable to piece together information given over multiple arcs.
That said, this anime is broken up into four main arcs in which a different character will fall victim to "Oyashiro-sama's curse". There is also one mini arc that provides some backstory, and one arc which is a retelling of one of the main arcs, but from a different perspective. ... The real gem to this anime is the subtle hints that are provided throughout each arc. Each arc has a set of consistencies that can help lead to solving the mystery of Oyashiro-sama before you even watch the answer arcs in Higurashi-Kai, IF you are able to pay attention to details and put two and two together.
Another thing I would note is that the series was meant to be watched in two parts. Even if you have questions like "why would they tell different stories every arc, everything is so different I can't figure out the mystery" I promise you that the answers are all in Higurashi-Kai, so stick it out.

I would venture to guess that most of the negative reviews are by people who were frustrated that this "mystery" anime didn't spell things out clearly for them and they not only missed the subtle details, but also did not watch Higurashi-Kai to get their answers.

I wont go and say that this anime is the greatest mystery/thriller/suspense, but its damn close.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Drewge (1)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Apr 29, 2023

crescxnt

Mixed Feelings

After dropping this series for about 2 years (or technically putting it on hold), I finally came back to try and finish this anime just because of how renowned it is as a psychological horror. I didn't want to miss out and was curious about it. I'm quite glad I finally am able to finish it.

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is definitely hard to get into and understand without any background knowledge of how it works. Going into it, all I knew was how gruesome, twisted, and shocking it is. What confused me the most is how every few episodes is a different arc. While ... watching, I had so many questions about what was going on and really just wanted a bit of explanation but after a few arcs and still no answer to what was happening, I think that's what made me lose interest. I had to search and read the summary of all the episodes/arcs to understand the whole story and everything that happened. After finishing the anime and finally understanding the story, I see why it was structured like that but it was still difficult to sit through the anime not understanding things. I was more confused than scared.

Watching the anime for the first time, I remember not expecting how it seemed to be like a normal splice of life at first. Everything seemed very peaceful until mentions of people getting murdered or disappearing each year, how the town is cursed, and how people are becoming insane and paranoid. It is a great way to catch all the viewers off-guard and makes the anime successful as a psychological horror.

If you're into psychological horror and you somehow have not seen this classic, definitely worth a watch. It does teach you some things such as friendship and trust. Even as someone that does not often watch psychological horrors (even though I like and enjoy them) and having a rough time with this anime, I am happy that I watched Higurashi no Naku Koro ni.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by crescxnt (3)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Nov 4, 2023

ShotgunHelmet

Not Recommended

Funny

Fans may tell you that Higurashi When They Cry is an "emotional rollercoaster". It's more like a drive-thru. And you've ordered a nothing burger.

Touted by internet typewriter monkeys as "the best horror anime," Higurashi When They Cry apparently proves that there is no good horror anime. Or, at least, there wasn't any in 2006. Anime fans of the time were so starved for a decent scare that you'd think a white bedsheet with cut-out eye-holes would have done the trick, so Higurashi When They Cry certainly must have blown a handful of otaku minds clean open when it first aired. But the year is ... 2022. We are not cavemen anymore. We have modern sensibilities, technology, therapy.

Higurashi When They Cry wants to be schizophrenic for the internet cool points, because it really has NPD. Higurashi's veneer of depth eventually betrays its superficiality - a façade which, when unveiled, reveals an ugly, seedy interior of poor pacing, one-note character writing, and a series of twists which fail to shock because Higurashi When They Cry never asks the viewer to care. Attempts to manipulate the audience are impotent and unintentionally laughable. I'm glad Hitchcock is dead.

Not to outdo itself, Higurashi When They Cry also boasts a tremendously tacky art style. It would have at least been funnier if they kept the meat mittens.

Reviewer’s Rating: 3

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by ShotgunHelmet (7)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Denpa (+ Adjacent Styles)

by AzafuseKingTora

33 Entries · 13 Restacks

The Knuckleheads' Hall of Fame (Anime) (2024-2025)

by fluffycow17

17 Entries · 6 Restacks

psychological, avant-garde shit

by MyAngelNyaruko

8 Entries · 1 Restacks

New 'Higurashi no Naku Koro ni' Anime Project Announced

A new anime project for the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (Higurashi: When They Cry) visual novel was announced by doujin circle 07th Expansion on Monday. Kadokawa simul...read more

Jan 6, 2020 6:55 AM by Vindstot | Discuss (87 comments)

Q2 2018 Anime & Manga Licenses [Update 5/26]

In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of anime and manga licensed in the second quarter (April-June) of 2018. Spring 2018 anime which were licensed b...read more

Mar 26, 2018 3:00 PM by Snow | Discuss (28 comments)

	what is your favourite higurashi moment (in anime) ? LampWork - Aug 13	24 replies	by Artorias- »» Nov 19, 7:10 AM
	Poll: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Episode 5 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 ) mitsukuni07 - Feb 14, 2008	188 replies	by yakisobaman »» Nov 8, 2:20 PM
	Poll: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Episode 21 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) xo_cl2 - Jan 19, 2008	206 replies	by emivenus »» Nov 7, 4:54 PM
	Poll: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Episode 20 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 ) babykeiji - Apr 16, 2008	199 replies	by emivenus »» Nov 5, 9:26 PM
	Where to watch this Rockyjams909 - Oct 20	9 replies	by emivenus »» Nov 5, 9:22 PM

What Just Happened to the "NEW" Higurashi?

If you've found yourself baffled and confused by episode two... the mysteries have only just begun.

by Shymander

74,445 views

Spoiler

Steam Summer Sale 2019: Top 10 Anime Visual Novel Deals

The biggest game sale of the year is now on, and you can find these visual novels that inspired many of our favorite anime at up to 80% off!

by Shymander

28,852 views