While this work has become famous through its anime and manga, it was originally a computer game by the doujin circle "07th Expansion." It is a sound novel, directed and written by Ryukishi07. The game, manga, and anime are all divided into a question section and an answer section, and are structured so that you cannot grasp the full story unless you play and read both. The official title is "Higurashi When They Cry," with the "na" in red, and the "C" in the English title "When They Cry" is also in red. The story is brutal and thrilling, something you would never imagine from its cute characters, and it is also an excellent horror work. Set in a parallel world, this work can be difficult to know which part to start with if you didn't watch it in real time. This time, we'll introduce how to watch the anime version, following the broadcast order. Season 1: "Higurashi When They Cry" from April to September 2006, Season 2: "Higurashi When They Cry Kai" from July to December 2007.
The basic structure is that the first season is the question section, and the second season is the answer section.
"Onikakushi-hen" Episodes 1-4 (Season 1)
Episode 1: "Onikakushi-hen" Part 1 "The Beginning"
Episode 2: "Onikakushi-hen" Part 2 "The Secret"
Episode 3: "Onikakushi-hen" Part 3 "Suspicion"
Episode 4: "Onikakushi-hen" Part 4 "The Distortion"
This episode marks the beginning of the story, depicting Keiichi's life after he has just moved to Hinamizawa from Tokyo.
This part focuses mainly on Keiichi's interactions with Rena.
"Watanagashi-hen" Episodes 5-8 (Season 1)
Episode 5 "Watanagashi-hen" Part 1 "Jealousy"
Episode 6 "Watanagashi-hen" Part 2 "Takano"
Episode 7 "Watanagashi-hen" Part 3 "Lies"
Episode 8 "Watanagashi-hen" Part 4 "Wish"
This episode focuses on Mion. When Keiichi sees her working part-time at a restaurant, it is revealed that Mion has a twin sister.
Invited by his sister Shion and her friends, Keiichi ends up breaking into the ritual equipment hall of Furude Shrine. This is where the events begin to unfold...
"Tatarigoroshi-hen" Episodes 9-13 (Season 1)
Episode 9 "Tatarigoroshi-hen" Part 1: "Brother"
Episode 10 "Tatarigoroshi-hen" Part 2: "Bonds"
Episode 11 "Tatarigoroshi-hen" Part 3: "Boundary"
Episode 12 "Tatarigoroshi-hen" Part 4: "Lost Things"
Episode 13 "Tatarigoroshi-hen" Part 5 "Apology"
This section focuses on Satoko and her brother Satoshi.
Why are the two members of the Hojo family so hated in their village? Will Keiichi be able to save Satoko, who is being abused?
Contrary to everyone's wishes, the story takes a turn for the worst.
"Killing Time Arc" Episodes 14-15 (Season 1)
Episode 14: "Killing Time Arc" Part 1: "Hinamizawa"
Episode 15: "Killing Time Arc" Part 2: "Omen"
The episodes up to this point, from the "Demon-Hiking Arc" to the "Tatarigoroshi Arc," follow the same chronological order, but this part is set in Hinamizawa five years earlier.
The protagonist, Mamoru Akasaka, met a young Rika in Hinamizawa five years ago and made a promise to her. However, the shock of losing his wife and child causes Akasaka to forget his promise.
Will this promise ever be fulfilled...?
"Meakashi-hen" Episodes 16-21 (Season 1)
Episode 16 "Meakashi-hen" Part 1: "First Love"
Episode 17 "Meakashi-hen" Part 2: "Payback"
Episode 18 "Meakashi-hen" Part 3: "Demon Bloodline"
Episode 19 "Meakashi-hen" Part 4: "Revenge"
Episode 20 "Meakashi-hen" Part 5: "Cold Hands"
Episode 21 "Meakashi-hen" Part 6 "Condemnation"
From here on, we enter the answer arc. In the original manga, the answer arc is titled "Higurashi When They Cry Kai," but in the anime, the "Meakashi-hen" and "Tsumihoro-hen" arcs are incorporated into the first season of "Higurashi When They Cry."
This part serves as the answer to the "Watanagashi-hen" arc.
"Tsumihoroboshi-hen" Episodes 22-26 (Season 1)
Episode 22 "Tsumihoroboshi-hen" Part 1: "Happiness"
Episode 23 "Tsumihoroboshi-hen" Part 2: "Place of Return"
Episode 24 "Tsumihoroboshi-hen" Part 3: "Document No. 34"
Episode 25 "Tsumihoroboshi-hen" Part 4: "Earth Invasion"
Episode 26 "Tsumihoroboshi-hen" Part 5 "Retake"
In this part, which is the answer to the "Onikakushi-hen" arc, the mystery of the entire story, common to each part, is gradually unraveled.
The fact that the question and answer parts are not broadcast in the same order makes the anime even more complicated.
"Yakusarashi-hen" Episodes 2-5 (Season 2)
Episode 1: "Saikai"
Episode 2: "Yakusarashi-hen" Part 1: "Tag"
Episode 3: "Powerlessness"
Episode 4: "Yakusarashi-hen" Part 3: "Predestined Harmony"
Episode 5 "The Awakening Arc" Part 4: "The Great Hinamizawa Disaster"
The first episode of the second season, "Saikai," is a sequel to "The Atonement Arc," set approximately 25 years later. It is based on the "Devil's Script" from the original manga and adds an original story.
The "Awakening Arc" is also an original anime episode, focusing on Satoko, and is characterized by its strong comedy elements and many light-hearted scenes.
"Minagoroshi-hen" Episodes 6-13 (Season 2)
Episode 6: "Minagoroshi-hen" Part 1: "The Law of the Maze"
Episode 7: "Minagoroshi-hen" Part 2: "How to Change Fate"
Episode 8: "Minagoroshi-hen" Part 3: "Waves"
Episode 9: "Minagoroshi-hen" Part 4: "Negotiation"
Episode 10: "Minagoroshi-hen" Part 5: "Confrontation"
Episode 11: "Minagoroshi-hen" Part 6: "Strong Will"
Episode 12 "Massacre Arc" Part 7: "Hinamizawa Syndrome"
Episode 13: "Massacre Arc" Part 8: "The End"
This episode focuses on the mysterious Rika, and introduces Hanyuu, a key character in the story.
Most of the mysteries surrounding Hinamizawa are solved here, and although it's not explicitly stated, this scenario also provides the answer to the "Tatarigoroshi Arc."
"Matsuribayashi-hen" Episodes 14-24 (Season 2)
Episode 14 "Matsuribayashi-hen" Part 1 "34"
Episode 15 "Matsuribayashi-hen" Part 2 "Wriggling"
Episode 16 "Matsuribayashi-hen" Part 3 "The Beginning of the End"
Episode 17 "Matsuribayashi-hen" Part 4 "Conspiracy"
Episode 18 "Matsuribayashi-hen" Part 5 "The Last Piece"
Episode 19, "Matsuribayashi-hen," Part 6: "The Beginning"
Episode 20, "Matsuribayashi-hen," Part 7: "The Trap"
Episode 21, "Matsuribayashi-hen," Part 8: "48 Hours"
Episode 22, "Matsuribayashi-hen," Part 9: "Attack and Defense"
Episode 23, "Matsuribayashi-hen," Part 10: "Blood Battle"
Episode 24, "Matsuribayashi-hen," Part 11: "The End"
Continuing from the previous installment, "Massacre-hen," the story continues with Rika as the main character.
Important details are discussed throughout the "Higurashi When They Cry" series, and the truth about Hinamizawa Syndrome is revealed.
Season 3 and 4 will be released as OVAs!
Due to the popularity of the second season, a third and fourth season were produced, but they were released on DVD and Blu-ray rather than as a TV anime.
Higurashi When They Cry Rei (Third Season)
Consisting of three arcs and five episodes: "Shameful Exposure Arc," "Sai-Koroshi Arc," and "Hiru-Kurabushi Arc," it was released from February to September 2009.
It is based on the fan disc of the Higurashi When They Cry video game.
"Higurashi When They Cry Kira" (Season 4)
It consists of four chapters: "Batsukoishi-hen ~Joy~," "Yokai-hen ~Tsutomu~," "Yuenshi-hen ~Ai~," and "Yume-arashi-hen ~Happiness~."
It was released on July 21, 2011, as a "Higurashi 10th Anniversary Commemoration" and all episodes except for "Batsukoishi-hen ~Joy~" are completely original.
Will watching it in this order deepen your understanding?! Recommended viewing order for the anime version
What did you think?
Higurashi When They Cry has various scenarios set in the same timeline, making it difficult to understand everything in just one viewing.
The typical way to watch it is to watch all of the question sections first, then the answer sections, but I think watching one part of the question section and then the corresponding answer section will also deepen your understanding.
Also, as the anime version does not cover all of the original work, if you want to know more, I recommend playing the game or reading the manga.
