Story overview
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni takes place during June 1983, at a fictional rural village called Hinamizawa (jap. 雛見沢) (based on the village of Shirakawa, Gifu, a World Heritage Site),[1][2] which has a population of approximately 2000. The main character, Keiichi Maebara, moves to Hinamizawa and befriends his new classmates Rena Ryuugu, Mion Sonozaki, Rika Furude, and Satoko Hojo. Keiichi joins their after-school club activities, which consist mostly of card and board games (and punishment games for the loser, usually him.) Hinamizawa appears to be a normal, peaceful, rural village to Keiichi. However, the tranquility abruptly ends after the annual Watanagashi Festival, a celebration to commemorate and give thanks to the local god, Oyashiro. Keiichi learns that every year for the past four years, one person has been murdered and another has gone missing on the day of the Watanagashi Festival. Keiichi himself soon becomes drawn into the strange events surrounding the Watanagashi Festival and Oyashiro. In each story arc, he or one of his friends become paranoid, and a crime is committed. Usually, the crime involves the 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.
Story arcs
Gra posiada kilkanaście rozdziałów (w oryginale jest ich osiem), które dzielą na rozdział pytań oraz na rozdział odpowiedzi. Rozdział odpowiedzi generalnie odwołuje się do historii, które była już w rozdziale pytań, tyle że jest opowidziana z innej perspektywy. Nastepuje zmiana protagonisty do rozwiązania różnych tajemnic oraz 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.
Question arcs
The Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (jap. 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 (jap. 鬼隠し編 Spirited Away by the Demon Chapter); (Wydana 10 października 2002 roku)
- Ten rozdział wprowadza gracza w świat Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. Pokazuje jak wygląda życie w Hinamizawie, kluby pozalekcyjne, oraz przyjaciół głównego bohatera. Jednakże, zmienia się to po Festiwalu Watanagashi, gdyż Keiichi odkrywa, iż nowi przyjaciele skrywają przez nim tajemnice. Ten rozdział sugeruje, że Rena Ryuugu i Mion Sonozaki są mordecami.
- Watanagashi-hen (jap. 綿流し編 Cotton Drifting Chapter); (Wydana 29 grudnia 2002 roku)
- By this chapter, the player should have an overall idea of how life in Hinamizawa is like. Ponownie, zaczęło się niwinnie, wraz ze Festiwalem Wataganashi znowu zapowiadającego początek złowróżbnych wydarzeń w Hinamizawie. An ancient curse strikes, and a pair of sisters are not what they seem. Shion Sonozaki pierwszy raz się pojawia w tym rozdziale, podczas, gdy Mion Sonozaki jest przedstawiona jako przestępca. Jednak, Oishi wierzy, iż Shion podszywała się pod Mion, która zorganizowała akty morderstwa w czasie, gdy znaleziono ciało Mion w studni, a nie Shion.
- Tatarigoroshi-hen (jap. 祟殺し編 Curse Killing Chapter); (Wydana 15 sierpnia 2003 roku)
- Tatarigoroshi-hen is longer than the previous two chapters, and it is considered to be the most depressing and confusing. Keiichi attempts to help out Satoko 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". Despite good (though misled) intentions, Keiichi Maebara is believed by some of the others to be a villain in this chapter.
- Himatsubushi-hen (jap. 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. This chapter takes place five years before the previous three. 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.
Answer arcs
The Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (jap. 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 (jap. 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—a lost love. The first hints of that which ties together the arcs are given.
- Tsumihoroboshi-hen (jap. 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 Keiichi'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 some tips reveal a sinister twist.
- Minagoroshi-hen (jap. 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 (jap. 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.
Three extra chapters were included in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei (jap. 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 (jap. 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 in August 1983. 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: Keiichi is not in Hinamizawa, Rena's parents did not divorce, the dam project was resolved smoothly, and neither Satoko nor Rika's parents died. When Rika believes that she cannot return to her former world and resigns to live in the perfect world for the rest of her life, she awakens, and discovers that everything was a dream created by the coma state.
- Batsukoishi-hen (jap. 罰恋し編 Penalty Loving Chapter)
- A slapstick dream story in which Keiichi and the Soul Brothers fight against the girls by means of the club punishment games. This chapter was originally an epilogue titled Otsukaresama-kai which came with Meakashi-hen, but it was deemed too irrelevant and silly and was removed from subsequent chapters.
- Hirukowashi-hen (jap. 昼壊し編 Daybreak Chapter)
- Hirukowashi-hen is based on Higurashi Daybreak. The main characters are Keiichi Maebara and Rika Furude, and this story is set in a parallel world. One day, Rena accidentally swallows something in her mouth during her usual treasure hunting. According to Rika, the seal of the sacred "Fuwarazu Magatama" pairs were broken and Rena must have accidentally swallowed one of them. The magatama holds mysterious magical powers in which a person that has the red magatama will blindly fall in love with anyone with the white magatama.
Manga-exclusive arcs
These side stories are original chapters serialized in manga form which supplement the games and partially continue the story.
- Onisarashi-hen (jap. 鬼曝し編 Demon Exposing Chapter)
- In Onisarashi-hen, a young girl named Natsumi is haunted by the aftermath of the Hinamizawa Disaster. Soon after her grandmother — a former Hinamizawa resident — tells her of Oyashiro's curse, Natsumi finds that her own hands have become covered in blood. Akasaka and Oishi also feature in the story. Onisarashi-hen was later included as part of the Nintendo DS remake Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna as Someutsuhi-hen, with some changes.
- Yoigoshi-hen (jap. 宵越し編 Overnight Chapter)
- This chapter is an epilogue of one of the "possible outcomes" of Tsumihoroboshi-hen, in which Rena burned the school and killed Mion and her friends. Many years later, in 2006, the lock has been lifted and a group of five meet by coincidence, one of them claiming to be Mion, and get dragged into the supernatural aspects of the "Village of the Dead". TIPS for this chapter can be read via mobile phone at Gangan Mobile.
- Utsutsukowashi-hen (jap. 現壊し編 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, Mizuho Kōsaka, 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 the December 2006 issue of Comp Ace.
- Kataribanashi-hen (jap. 語咄し編 Anthology Chapter)
- A collection of reader submitted comics that were created into a story by Ryukishi07.
- Kokoroiyashi-hen (jap. 心癒し編 Heart-Healing Chapter)
- An epilogue to Matsuribayashi-hen where Rika and the others, including Hanyū, go on a summer vacation to heal their hearts, so to speak, after everything they have been through.
PlayStation 2-exclusive arcs
Three original chapters were created for the PlayStation 2 version Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Matsuri, by Alchemist.
- Taraimawashi-hen (jap. 盥回し編 Musical Chairs Chapter)
- An alternate beginning 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, Keiichi 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 becomes the victim. Mion survives and is shown Rena's blood stained hat. Mion talks to Oishi about the incident but dies shorty after.
- Tsukiotoshi-hen (jap. 憑落し編 Exorcism Chapter)
- Although Tsukiotoshi-hen does not provide many answers 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, Keiichi and Rena decide to kill Teppei. But after the murder is done, Rena starts to act strangely, and Keiichi thinks he hears Oyashiro talking to him. Mion notices the change in her friends behavior and takes Shion's place to find out why they are acting this way. Later on, Satoko develops Hinamizawa Syndrome and kills "Shion" before killing herself.
- Miotsukushi-hen (jap. 澪尽し編 Canal Drying Chapter)
- The chapter name Miotsukushi is a pun of Miotsukushi (jap. 澪標 canal sign) and Mi o tsukushi (jap. 身を尽くし), a conjugation of Mi o tsukusu (jap. 身を尽くす serve one's body). This pun is known in Japanese poetry such as haiku. After finding out who the real murderer is, Rika and Keiichi 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.
Anime-exclusive arc
- Yakusamashi-hen (jap. 厄醒し編 Disaster Awakening Chapter)
- This arc was introduced in the second anime series; it aired before Minagoroshi-hen and Matsuribayashi-hen.[3] Yakusamashi-hen interweaves scenes from the Question arcs while giving other information that connects to the last two Answer arcs. Ryukishi07 personally requested Yakusamashi-hen as to include information from the first season that was left out. Yakusamashi-hen takes place in a scenario where Keiichi, Rena, Mion, Rika, Satoko, and Shion all attend the school without issue. Keiichi does not resent his friends for holding secrets thus eliminating an Onikakushi-hen like scenario. In this scenario, Satoko notices Rika's odd behavior and hears her speaking of her inevitable murder; Rika denies Satoko's questions about it. Satoko later witnesses Rika trying to warn Tomitake, thus furthering her suspicion. Satoko then goes through a Tatarigoroshi-hen-like situation, and dies in the hospital once knowing of Rena's message.
DS-exclusive arcs
- Someutsushi-hen (jap. 染伝し編)
- Nowy rodział pytań w grze Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna. It seems to be a retelling of Onisarashi-hen z nowymipostaciami and a few minor differences. In this chapter, the events of Onisarashi-hen play out with the exception of Tomoe added to the equation resulting in a different ending. The major difference is that this chapter's ending is a "bad ending" instead of a "good ending" like in the original storyline. Natsumi zostaje zaifekowana Syndromem Hinamizawy i wbiła nóż w Akirę. Wtedy zaczęła krzyczeć oraz jękać. She is fighting for control of her mind. She stabs herself twice so that she will not hurt Akira or anyone else anymore.
- Kagebōshi-hen (jap. 影紡し編 Silhouette Chapter)
- Nowy rozdział w grze Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna Dainikan Sō. Wersja Onisarashi-hen jest widziana oczami Tomoe Minami, policjantki, która prowadzi śledztwo związane z dziwnymi wydarzeniami dziejących się w całej Japonii.