Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni / When They Cry Series

(Work in progress)

About

When They Cry is a pair of murder mystery dōjin sound novels developed released in 2006 and 2007. The pair consists of the psychological horror, Higurashi When They Cry (ひぐらしのなく頃に Higurashi no Naku Koro ni translated to When the Cicadas Cry) ^[1], and Umineko: When They Cry (うみねこのなく頃に Umineko no Naku Koro ni translated to When the Seagulls Cry) ^[2]. Both were developed by the dojin circle, 07th Expansion. The pair are significantly known for its gore, even making Umineko an A-rating.

Left is Higurashi and right is Umineko.

Premise

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

Higurashi is about boy named Keiichi Maebara who recently moves into the remote village of Hinimizamwa. As the story progresses, secrets of the village are revealed, such as a illness called the Hinimizamwa Syndrome which goes people to go insane. It is later revealed that the characters are stuck in some sort of time loop, with each time they die, being reborn again in a different timeline.

The main story is divided into 8 games/arcs that are separated into two titles: Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni and Higurashi no Naku Koro Kai.

The games/arcs for Higurashi include: Onikakushi-hen, Watanagashi-hen, Tatarigoroshi-hen, and Himatsubushi-hen. These are called the "question arcs".

The games/arcs for Higurashi Kai include:Meakashi-hen, Tsumihoroboshi-hen, Minagoroshi-hen, and Matsuribayashi-hen. These are called the "answer arcs".

As a bonus, extra games/arcs were added to the series. They can be seen here.

Umineko No Naku Koro Ni

Umineko's story division follows the same with Higurashi. The stories are separated into 8 games. These are called games in a chessboard sense. The main story is separated into two titles: Umineko no Naku Koro Ni and Umineko no Naku Koro Ni Chiru.

The games/arcs for Umineko no Naku Koro ni are: Legend of the Golden Witch, "Turn of the Golden Witch", Banquet of the Golden Witch, and Alliance of the Golden Witch. These are similar to the question arcs for Higurashi in terms of giving the player a "sense of the world around them".

The games/arcs for Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru are:End of the Golden Witch, Dawn of the Golden Witch, Requiem of the Golden Witch, and Twilight of the Golden Witch. These are called the "core arcs".

Umineko is about the wealthy Ushiromiya family consisting of 18 members (very crucial to the plot) that takes place during their family reunion (also to discuss the heir to the Ushiromiya name and wealth) on a remote island, "Rokkenjima". The family members are sent a letter saying that whoever figures out the epitaph will indefinitely become heir to the Ushiromiya name. Mystery murders following the epitaph take place.

Similar to Higurashi, Umineko contains bonus arcs. They can be found here.

In Popular culture

The series is very well known in both Japan and among western audiences (considerably less so with Umineko as of this time). Both series have anime and manga adaptations. As of 7/30/2012, Nis America announced that the anime for Umineko would be localized (not dubbed) for an American release in 12/2012. On a side note, there is a considerable movement to localize the visual novel, which interestingly enough, has its origins in the Nippon Ichi fandom.

The popularity of Higurashi caused a sizable surge in tourism to Shirakawa, the village that Hinimizawa is a near perfect replica of. The shrine there had to replace their shrine wall after the previous one was loaded to the brim with Higurashi related things.

When They Cry is very popular on 4chan, especially on /a/ and /b/. The popularity is great enough that there is a day dedicated to Higurashi called "Rena Day" on 07/07.

Related Memes

Uso Da!

Uso Da! (嘘だ!) is a memorable quote that translates to "liar" or "That's a lie". It is said by Rena Ryugu after exposing a lie by Keiichi Maebara. The quote is used as a response on 2chan and 4chan if it is believed a poster is lying.

Nipah

Nipah (sometimes as "Nipaa") is a catchphrase usually said by Rika Furude to express happiness. Along with Uso Da, it grew in popularity amongst fans of Higurashi and others.

Omochikaeri

Omochikaeri is another catchphrase said by Rena that translates to "I'm taking it home with me!". The phrase is usually associated with something of cuteness.

Oh Desire

Oh Desire is a meme featuring Kinzo Ushiromiya by put his face on various images. Some of these images can be associated with Beatrice and Battler Ushiromiya.

Higurashi When They Cry Kai Opening Parodies

Higurashi When They Cry Kai Opening Parodies are parody video remixes of the opening to the Higurashi Kai anime.

Shion Laugh

Shion Laugh is still image/gif of Shion Sonozaki laughing manically. It's often parodied by putting someone else in her place.

Characters (canon)

• Rena Ryugu (Nick named Cleaver Girl for her trademark weapon, actually a bill hook. Origin of Uso Da and I'm taking it home with me.)
• Shion Sonozaki (Twin sister of Mion. Nick named That Psycho Yandere Chick Who Tortured Everyone to Death for her infamous/horrific actions in Watanagashi and Meakashi hen)
• Bernkastel (Witch of Miracles. Cruelest Witch in The World. Nick named "Trollkastel" for being one of the most infamous, malicious trolls in all of fiction. Only Terumi Yuuki from Blaz Blue is comparable to her in this regard. Is actually a splinter persona of Rika Furude, symbolic of all the bitterness and rage of the Rikas that did not survive. released from Rika's subconscience after breaking free of the June 1983 cycle. )
• Rosa Ushiromiya ("Best Mom Ever" due to her very abusive treatment of her daughter Maria. Strong evidence in favor of her having Split Personality Disorder. There is a popular alternate theory going round that she is the prime culprit of the mass murders with George as the secondary culprit and Dr. Nanjo as the accomplice.)
• Rika Furude (Main character of Higurashi in the last two arcs. Is the origin of the Nipah meme. Voted most moe character in 2007.)
• Kinzo Ushiromiya (Origins of the OH Desire/ Kinzo Shop meme. Is already dead.)
• Miyo Takano (Named "Droopy-tan" for her perpretually stoned looking expression.)
• Detective Oooishi (Named "Mr. Delicious" due to his name and his drowling voice.)

Relations to other works/memes/fandoms.

Nippon Ichi:

The When They Cry and Nippon Ichi fandoms tend to get along very well, with much intersect (there are a reasonably decent amount of Nippon Ichi fans that are also fans of When They Cry). One of the influencing factors in the localization of the Umineko anime state side was a movement within the Nippon Ichi fandom.

Atlus

Similar to the relationship between the fandoms and When They Cry and Nippon Ichi. The movement to localize Umineko is also very strong in this community as well. Similar deal with Arc-Sys.

Puella Madoka Magi Magica.

Due to the work being very dark and copious amounts of tears being shed by the cast, the show is jokingly given the nick name "Shouen Magica No Naku Koro Ni". Due to the many common circumstances between Homura Akemi and Rika Furude, Homura is given the nick name, "Homurika" as a joke.

School Days.

The same events that triggered "Nice Boat" also affected Higurashi, resulting in episodes of the Higurashi Kai anime to be temporarially pulled. There is speculation that the Nice Boat incident may of actually been out of fear towards Higurashi, since the murder weapon in question is very similar to Rena's weapon of choice.

Kodomo No Jikan Ending Parodies

A parody video involving Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni was the catalyst for this meme becoming popular.

Search Interest

Analyzed by region, Higurashi has the highest search volume in America, Canada, Australia, and Japan. For Umineko, that order is Japan, Canada, America, and Australia. Search interest for the series peaked around mid 2009.

External References

^[1] Wikipedia- Higurashi: When They Cry

^[2] Wikipedia- Umineko: When They Cry

^[3] Wikipedia- 07th Expansion