- Essential Knowledge for First-Time Viewers of “Higurashi When They Cry”
- The World of “Higurashi When They Cry”
- Key Terms in the “Higurashi When They Cry” Series
- Main Characters in the “Higurashi When They Cry” Series
Essential Knowledge for First-Time Viewers of “Higurashi When They Cry”
First, let’s explain the world and general storyline of the “Higurashi When They Cry” series.
If you’re new to the series, having some background knowledge will make it easier to understand, so please take a look.
The World of “Higurashi When They Cry”
“Higurashi When They Cry” is a horror-mystery anime based on a visual novel created by the doujin circle “07th Expansion” between 2002 and 2006.
The story begins with the protagonist, Keiichi Maebara, moving from Tokyo to the small village of Hinamizawa, with a population of around 2,000.
While Keiichi expects to enjoy peaceful days at his new school, he and his friends get caught up in a series of gruesome murders and mysterious disappearances.
Clues are scattered throughout the story, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as they wonder, “Can the mystery be solved?” and “Will there be a happy ending?”
Key Terms in the “Higurashi When They Cry” Series
- Watanagashi
- An annual festival held in Hinamizawa every June. Since 1979, there have been incidents of one person disappearing and another dying each year for four consecutive years.
- Oyashiro-sama
- Once known as Onigafuchi Village, Hinamizawa was feared by surrounding villages for its man-eating demons. A mysterious entity called Oyashiro-sama appeared and calmed the demons, becoming the main deity worshipped at the Furude Shrine.
- Hinamizawa Syndrome
- A local disease affecting Hinamizawa residents, causing delusions, hallucinations, and extreme paranoia leading to violent behavior.
- Dam Construction
- In the 1970s, there was a plan to submerge the entire village of Hinamizawa for a dam project. The plan was halted after large-scale protests by the villagers.
- Three Families
- Refers to the Furude, Sonozaki, and Kimiyoshi families, who have traditionally overseen the village.
Main Characters in the “Higurashi When They Cry” Series
The “Higurashi When They Cry” anime is told from the perspectives of seven main characters, including the protagonist. To help follow the story, here are brief profiles of these key characters.
Main Characters and Their Voice Actors
- Keiichi Maebara (Voiced by: Soichiro Hoshi)
- A smart and talkative boy who moves to Hinamizawa from Tokyo. Known among his club members as the “Magician of Words.”
- Rena Ryuuguu (Voiced by: Mai Nakahara)
- Keiichi’s classmate and close friend who walks to school with him every morning. Her real name is Reina, but she prefers to be called Rena. She has a habit of collecting cute things she finds.
- Mion Sonozaki (Voiced by: Satsuki Yukino)
- An upperclassman of Keiichi and the heir to the Sonozaki family. She is the class representative and has a twin sister, Shion. Despite her serious demeanor, she enjoys playing club activities with her friends.
- Shion Sonozaki (Voiced by: Satsuki Yukino)
- Mion’s twin sister. Although they look identical except for their hairstyles, they sometimes switched places to play pranks when they lived together.
- Satoko Houjou (Voiced by: Mika Kanai)
- Skilled at setting traps. She awaits the return of her brother, who disappeared a year ago.
- Rika Furude (Voiced by: Yukari Tamura)
- The sole daughter of the Furude Shrine. She lives with her classmate Satoko.
- Mamoru Akasaka (Voiced by: Daisuke Ono)
- A detective from the Metropolitan Police Department, known for his strong sense of justice. He first appears in the “Himatsubushi Arc.”
About the “Question Arcs” and “Answer Arcs”
The “Higurashi When They Cry” series is divided into “Question Arcs” and “Answer Arcs.” In the Question Arcs, events unfold, and their corresponding Answer Arcs solve the mysteries.
Although the story progresses from episode to episode, each arc concludes its narrative, which can be confusing for first-time viewers.
Here’s a detailed explanation in the next section.
Three Viewing Orders for the “Higurashi When They Cry” Series
For Those Who Want to Immerse in the World: Watch from the First Season
To fully enjoy the “Higurashi When They Cry” series, it’s best to watch it in order of release. This allows you to follow the characters’ growth and the progression of the story naturally.
- Season 1: “Higurashi When They Cry” (2006)
- Season 2: “Higurashi When They Cry: Kai” (2007)
- Season 3: “Higurashi When They Cry: Rei” (2009)
- Season 4: “Higurashi When They Cry: Kira” (2011)
- Season 5: “Higurashi When They Cry: Gou” (2020)
- Season 6: “Higurashi When They Cry: Sotsu” (2021)
Watching in this order lets you fully appreciate the character development and the world-building across the entire series.
For Those Who Want to Deepen Their Understanding: Alternate Between “Question Arcs” and “Answer Arcs”
If you want to understand the story more deeply, try alternating between the Question Arcs and the Answer Arcs. This way, you can follow the mysteries and their resolutions in a more organized manner.
- Onikakushi Arc (Question Arc): Season 1, Episodes 1-4
- Tsumihoroboshi Arc (Answer Arc): Season 1, Episodes 22-26
- Saikai (Answer Arc): Season 2, Episode 1
- Watanagashi Arc (Question Arc): Season 1, Episodes 5-8
- Meakashi Arc (Answer Arc): Season 1, Episodes 16-21
- Tatarigoroshi Arc (Question Arc): Season 1, Episodes 9-13
- Yakusamashi Arc (Supplementary Arc): Season 2, Episodes 2-5
- Minagoroshi Arc (Answer Arc): Season 2, Episodes 6-13
- Himatsubushi Arc (Past Episodes): Season 1, Episodes 14-15
- Matsuribayashi Arc (Overall Answer): Season 2, Episodes 14-24
Following this order will help you clearly understand the structure and the resolution of the mysteries in the series.
For Those Short on Time: Watch Only the Fifth and Sixth Seasons
If you’re pressed for time and can’t watch from the first season, starting from the fifth season is a viable option.
The fifth season, “Gou,” and the sixth season, “Sotsu,” are essentially reboots of the first and second seasons, featuring the same timeline and characters.
Even newcomers can enjoy the series by watching these two seasons alone. Just remember, “Sotsu” is the answer arc for “Gou,” so watching them together is recommended.
- Season 5: “Higurashi When They Cry: Gou” (2020)
- Season 6: “Higurashi When They Cry: Sotsu” (2021)
Where to Watch
The “Higurashi When They Cry” series is available on the following streaming services:
- Netflix: Available in some countries. The lineup varies by region, so please check in advance.
- Crunchyroll: Available with English subtitles. Accessible in the USA, Canada, the UK, and many other countries.
- Hulu: Available in the USA and Japan through Hulu Japan.
- Funimation: Available in North America. English dubbed versions are also provided.
- Amazon Prime Video: Some seasons are available. The lineup varies by region, so please check in advance.
Streaming availability may change, so make sure to check the latest information on each service.
Summary
The “Higurashi When They Cry” series captivates fans with its unique world and intricate storyline.
Whether you want to experience the series fully from the first season, understand the story deeply by alternating between Question and Answer Arcs,
or quickly enjoy the core by watching only the fifth and sixth seasons, there’s a viewing method for everyone.
Enjoy the world of “Higurashi When They Cry” in a way that suits you best.
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