- 【2025 Edition】The Complete Watch Order Guide to Higurashi: When They Cry — Easy for Beginners!
- 🔪 What Is Higurashi: When They Cry About?
- 🧭 Complete Higurashi Anime Watch Order (2025 Edition)
- 🧠 Want to Understand It Deeper?
- 🎥 Where to Watch Higurashi: When They Cry (2025 VOD Availability in Japan)
- 🇯🇵 Watching Japanese Streaming Services from Abroad? Here’s What You Need to Know!
- 🌍 Higurashi: When They Cry — International Streaming Availability (2025)
- 💖 Higurashi: When They Cry — Fan Highlights & Oshi-Katsu Guide (By Series)
- 📝 Final Thoughts – Ready to Dive Into Hinamizawa?
- ✅ Before You Go…
【2025 Edition】The Complete Watch Order Guide to Higurashi: When They Cry — Easy for Beginners!
🚀 TL;DR: The Best Watch Order Is:
Season 1 (Original) → Season 2 (Kai) → OVAs (Rei, Kira, Outbreak) → Gou → Sotsu
Good news: the release order matches the chronological order, so you can enjoy it without getting confused!
📖 What You’ll Learn in This Guide:
✅ The best viewing order — for newcomers and returning fans
✅ What to expect from each season and OVA
✅ Streaming availability — where you can watch it in 2025
🔪 What Is Higurashi: When They Cry About?
Hey there! I’m an anime lover who’s obsessed with small-town horror mysteries 👋
If you’ve ever thought:
“Higurashi looks interesting… but where do I start?”
“There are so many titles, I’m kinda lost…”
You’re not alone! The Higurashi anime may look complex at first glance, but the truth is — once you know the order, it’s actually super beginner-friendly.
Set in the quiet rural village of Hinamizawa in 1983, the story follows a group of teens caught in a terrifying loop of mysterious deaths and disappearances.
But Higurashi isn’t just horror — it’s a powerful blend of mystery, suspense, friendship, tragedy, and even hope.
And yes… there’s blood. But also heart.
You’ll fall in love with the characters — especially the unforgettable Rika, and the deceptively sweet (but totally unhinged) Rena. Their emotional arcs and the “something’s not right” atmosphere are what make Higurashi so unique.
💖 Ready to Dive Deeper? Check Out the Official Anime Website for Visuals, Cast, and Staff Info →▶ Official Website Here
🧭 Complete Higurashi Anime Watch Order (2025 Edition)
For Beginners & Fans Who Want to Dive Deep
🔰 Recommended Watch Order (Release Order = Best For First-Time Viewers)
| Order | Title | Format | Episodes | Year | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (Season 1) | TV | 26 | 2006 | Introduces the mystery arcs (Question Arcs) |
| 2 | Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (Season 2) | TV | 24 | 2007 | Solves the mysteries (Answer Arcs) |
| 3 | Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei | OVA | 5 | 2009 | Bonus aftermath stories, especially “Saikoroshi-hen” |
| 4 | Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kira | OVA | 4 | 2011 | Comedy & parody extras (not essential but fun) |
| 5 | Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: Outbreak | OVA | 1 | 2013 | Alternate virus-themed horror story |
| 6 | Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou | TV | 24 | 2020 | A new timeline with shocking twists |
| 7 | Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sotsu | TV | 15 | 2021 | Direct sequel to Gou, concludes the reboot saga |
🌟 Why This Order?
Watching in release order is the best way to understand the story naturally, especially for first-timers. Here’s why:
- The original 2006–2007 series (Seasons 1 & 2) builds the foundation. It splits into question arcs (mysteries) and answer arcs (resolutions). Skipping this will leave you completely lost later on.
- The 2020 reboot series (Gou/Sotsu) is not a remake. It’s a continuation with twists that heavily spoil the original. Watching it first would ruin the emotional impact and plot reveals.
- The OVAs like Rei add emotional closure or comic relief. Not mandatory, but watching them gives you a deeper love for the characters — especially after all the dark stuff.
🎧 Pro tip: If you’re the type who loves watching mysteries unfold with full emotional weight, go in this order and let the suspense and payoff hit you the way the creators intended!
🧠 Want to Understand It Deeper?
Try the “Alternating Arc Watch Order” for Better Clarity
This order is perfect for viewers who want to watch each mystery arc followed by its matching resolution, so you never get lost in confusion.
| Order | Episodes to Watch | Arc | Arc Type | Series | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ep. 1–4 | Onikakushi-hen | Question Arc | S1 | The creepy start – paranoia kicks in fast! |
| 2 | Ep. 22–26 (S1) + Ep. 1 (S2) | Tsumihoroboshi-hen + “Saikai” | Answer Arc | S1 + S2 | Ties up Onikakushi’s loose ends |
| 3 | Ep. 5–8 | Watanagashi-hen | Question Arc | S1 | Suspicion turns inward… |
| 4 | Ep. 16–21 | Meakashi-hen | Answer Arc | S1 | Same event from a different POV. Brilliant twist! |
| 5 | Ep. 9–13 | Tatarigoroshi-hen | Question Arc | S1 | Shifts tone into something much darker |
| 6 | S2 Ep. 2–5 | Yakusamashi-hen | Bridge/Side Arc | S2 | Fills in emotional and thematic gaps |
| 7 | S2 Ep. 6–13 | Minagoroshi-hen | Major Answer Arc | S2 | Everything starts to unravel (in a good way) |
| 8 | Ep. 14–15 | Himatsubushi-hen | Past Arc | S1 | Set before everything – explains a key event |
| 9 | S2 Ep. 14–24 | Matsuribayashi-hen | Final Answer Arc | S2 | The grand resolution – prepare tissues 😭 |
💡 Why This Method Works
If you’re the type who says, “Wait, what just happened? Who’s dead again?” — this alternating method helps you:
- Understand each mystery without waiting 10 episodes for the explanation.
- Avoid forgetting details between arcs.
- Get immediate closure — so the emotional build-up doesn’t get lost.
🌟 Recommended only if:
You’re already familiar with how “arc-based” mystery series work, or you’re rewatching and want to better analyze the puzzle pieces.
✨ Bonus Tips From a Fellow Fan
- Watch Rei after Kai. The Saikoroshi-hen arc especially hits hard emotionally once you’ve seen how everything resolves.
- Gou & Sotsu should never be your first Higurashi. It assumes you know everything already — and rewrites parts of it too!
- Kira & Outbreak are optional, but fun. Kira is fanservicey fun, and Outbreak is like “What if Higurashi became a zombie movie?” 🍿
🎥 Where to Watch Higurashi: When They Cry (2025 VOD Availability in Japan)
| VOD Service | Season 1 <br>(Higurashi) | Season 2 <br>(Kai) | OVA <br>(Rei) | OVA <br>(Kira) | OVA <br>(Outbreak) | Gou | Sotsu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dAnime Store | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | ❌ | 🔴 | 🔴 |
| U-NEXT | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | ❌ | 🔴 | 🔴 |
| Abema Premium | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Hulu (JP) | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | ❌ | 🔴 | 🔴 |
| Amazon Prime Video JP | ⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐ | ❌ | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| DMM TV | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | 🔴 | ❌ | 🔴 | 🔴 |
💡 Which Platform Should You Choose?
- Best overall:
→ dAnime Store or U-NEXT – They offer every season and OVA (except Outbreak) under one roof and fully subbed. Great for binging! - Budget-friendly:
→ Hulu – Includes all main content like the first two seasons and the OVAs. - Amazon Prime Video (JP):
→ Rentals only, which can be useful if you only want to check out one specific arc. Outbreak is actually available here, unlike other platforms. - Abema Premium:
→ Only good for Gou and Sotsu. Not ideal for series newcomers.
📌 Note:
Availability is based on April 2025 data. For the latest info, always double-check the official site of each VOD platform.
🇯🇵 Watching Japanese Streaming Services from Abroad? Here’s What You Need to Know!
- Most services are geo-locked to Japan.
→ You’ll need a Japanese IP address (VPN) to access most Japanese platforms like dAnime Store, U-NEXT, ABEMA, etc. - No English subtitles (usually).
→ Japanese services mainly cater to native speakers—subtitles are usually in Japanese only. - Payment requires Japanese methods.
→ Some platforms require a Japanese credit card, address, or phone number to sign up. - Amazon Prime Video JP is region-specific.
→ Even if you have Amazon Prime in your country, you’ll need a Japanese Prime account to watch JP-only titles. - Streaming schedules follow Japan Time (JST).
→ New episodes drop based on JST, so time differences may apply.
📝 Bonus Tip:
Some global services (like Netflix or Disney+) also offer Japanese-only exclusives, but availability and subtitles vary by region. Always check your local library!
🌍 Higurashi: When They Cry — International Streaming Availability (2025)
| Platform | Regions Available | Seasons/Content | Subtitles / Dub | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, many others | Higurashi: Gou (2020), Sotsu (2021); older seasons vary by region | English subs, some regions may have English dub | Main global license holder for the new series. Best platform for worldwide access. |
| Hulu (US) | USA only | Higurashi: Gou | English subtitles | Limited selection; older seasons not available on US Hulu. |
| Netflix | Varies by country (limited) | “When They Cry” may appear in some regions but often not available | Subs/dubs depend on region | In many countries, the title is listed but unavailable to stream. Availability highly inconsistent. |
| Amazon Prime Video | Global (varies by title) | Some seasons/OVAs available for purchase or rental only | Varies by region | Not usually included with subscription; mainly a pay‑per‑episode option. |
| Apple TV / iTunes | USA, Canada, Europe | Select seasons available for purchase only | English subs | No subscription streaming; buy/rent model. |
| JustWatch Results (example: Canada) | Canada | No major streaming availability for older series | — | Only rental/purchase options for some seasons. Availability very limited. |
📝 Quick Summary
- Best platform worldwide: Crunchyroll → has Gou and Sotsu almost everywhere.
- Best free option (region‑locked): Ani‑One YouTube → only in Southeast/South Asia.
- Hard to stream globally: Original 2006–2011 seasons + OVAs → mostly rental‑only or unavailable in many regions.
- Netflix: Unreliable; often shows the title but says “not available in your country.”
- Hulu: Only Gou, US‑only.
- Prime Video / iTunes: Mostly rental/purchase titles.
💖 Higurashi: When They Cry — Fan Highlights & Oshi-Katsu Guide (By Series)
| Series | Emotional Highlights | Why Your Oshi Shines | Oshi-Katsu Fan Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (Original) | Each arc shows how an ordinary day can collapse into madness. The final lines of each arc hit harder than you’d expect… | Rena: Sweet smile hides something scary 😱 Mion: Tough but gentle — underrated queen | Watch closely for Rena’s shift in tone. The “USO DA!” scene is legendary. A must-see moment for horror fans. |
| Season 2 (Kai) | Secrets are revealed, and the emotional payoff is real. Friendship and hope shine in the darkness. | Rika: Fighting fate again and again 💔 Satoko: Sweet smile with a hint of shadow | If you’re Team Rika, this season will destroy (then rebuild) you. So many tearjerker moments. |
| OVA Rei | A peaceful “what-if” world. Rika explores what life could be like without the curse. It’s bittersweet and beautiful. | Rika: Her inner conflict between freedom and connection hits deep 🕊️ | Saikoroshi-hen is basically Rika’s solo movie. A healing arc for Rika stans. |
| OVA Kira | Total comedy chaos. The characters go off the rails in the best way. Great for cooling down after heavy episodes. | Keiichi & Satoko: Goofballs in charge. Their dynamic is gold. | Cosplay, hijinks, and fanservice galore. Think of this as “Higurashi but make it cute and cracky.” |
| OVA Outbreak | A wild “what if Hinamizawa turned into a zombie outbreak?” story. Super intense and a nice horror twist. | Keiichi: Hero mode activated. Rena: Badass protector energy 💥 | Perfect if you love “what-if” action horror. Satoko with a shotgun? Yes please. |
| Gou | Looks like a remake… but surprise! It’s a whole new timeline with shocking twists. | Satoko: Goes full villain arc. Her transformation broke the fandom. | Satoko stans, buckle up. This is her show now. Big emotional and moral gray-zone energy. |
| Sotsu | Reveals the “behind the scenes” of Gou. Slow burn but crucial for understanding the full story. | Rika & Satoko: Their toxic-yet-deep connection steals the spotlight | The Rika x Satoko (RikaSato) dynamic hits different here. Get ready to scream and sob. |
💡 How to Enjoy Higurashi Through Oshi-Katsu
- Each arc shifts perspectives — so re-watching from your favorite character’s POV unlocks so much more depth.
- The OVAs are great as emotional reset points. After the chaos of the main story, take a breather before jumping back in.
- Rika and Satoko’s relationship evolves in complex, often painful ways. Whether you see it as friendship, obsession, or something more, there’s so much to unpack — perfect for character analysis fans.
📝 Final Thoughts – Ready to Dive Into Hinamizawa?
Higurashi: When They Cry isn’t just a horror anime — it’s an emotional rollercoaster full of mystery, friendship, fear, and fate.
Whether you’re here for the creepy vibes, the mind games, or the tragic beauty of Rika and Satoko’s bond, there’s something unforgettable waiting for you in every arc.
If you’re new to the series, start with the release order and let the chaos unfold as intended.
If you’re rewatching or want to go deep, try the arc-by-arc watch method to really absorb the story.
And if you’re just here for the oshi-katsu, you’re absolutely valid — this series has some of the most intense character glow-ups and meltdowns in anime history.
So grab your headphones, turn down the lights (or don’t 😅), and get ready to uncover the truth hidden in Hinamizawa.
Just remember… whatever you do, don’t skip the OPs. They hit harder the more you watch. 🎵
🎀 Thanks for reading!
If this guide helped, feel free to share it with your fellow anime friends or link it in your MAL/Reddit discussions.
Wanna know where to stream it or how to support your oshi with merch? I’ve got guides for that too! Just ask. 💬
Happy watching — and may Oyashiro-sama bless your journey… or curse it 👀🩸
✅ Before You Go…
📌 Looking for more watch order guides?
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