Higurashi When They Cry
 | |
| Genre | Murder mystery
Psychological horror Supernatural horror |
|---|---|
| Opening theme | Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni |
| Country of origin | Zhiguryia |
| Original language(s) | Zhiguryian |
| Production company(s) | Hiroi Entertainment |
| Release | |
| Original network | ZhiguryiaAnime |
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, also known as When They Cry, is a popular anime series based on the Zhiguryian visual novel of the same name created by Hyukishi07. The anime adaptation, which aired in multiple seasons, has garnered a dedicated fanbase and has been praised for its gripping storyline, complex characters, and intense horror elements.
Plot
In June 1983, Keiichi Maebara moves to the village of Hinamizawa (雛見沢) and befriends classmates Mion Sonozaki, her twin sister Shion, Rena Ryūgū, Rika Furude, and Satoko Hōjō. Keiichi soon learns of the village's annual Watanagashi Festival, a celebration dedicated to the local deity Oyashiro. Hinamizawa initially seems calm and peaceful, but shortly before the festival, Keiichi learns that for four years in a row, murders and disappearances have been taking place on the day of the festival. This chain of incidents remains unsolved and has come to be known as the "Oyashiro Curse" by the superstitious villagers. The day after this year's festival, police discover the corpse of visiting freelance photographer Jirō Tomitake, who appears to have torn his throat out with his bare hands, and the charred body of Miyo Takano, a nurse in the village clinic. In most chapters of the game, Keiichi or one of his friends attempts to investigate the mysteries of Hinamizawa and the Oyashiro Curse, only to succumb to paranoia and homicidal rage. A few days after the festival, Rika's body is found in the family shrine dedicated to Oyashiro. On the same day, a cataclysm befalls the village and wipes out the population, which is explained by the media as a release of swamp gas.
The answer arcs reveal that each preceding arc is an alternate reality in which Rika tried and failed to save herself and her friends. As a priestess of the Furude Shrine, Rika can communicate with the spirit Hanyū, who served as the basis for Oyashiro and is the ancestress of the Furude clan. Each time Rika died, Hanyū would move her to another reality; however, the very ending of Rika's life is not retained in her memories when she transfers, obstructing her from knowing the cause of her death. In the final two chapters, it is revealed that the village's local clinic is secretly a government institute investigating a mysterious parasite in the village that causes Hinamizawa Syndrome; a disease that induces paranoia, delusion, and homicidal rage in its victims before pushing them to tear out their own throats. This disease is responsible for instigating the characters to commit murders in the previous arcs, and some of the incidents in the earlier years were caused by it. The rest of the incidents were caused by Miyo, who had killed Tomitake and faked her death, using the Oyashiro Curse as a cover. Hinamizawa Syndrome manifests in those experiencing extreme stress or those who move a distance away from the "Infection Queen", who releases a pheromone that prevents the aggravation of the villagers' condition. The women of the Furude clan have all acted as Infection Queens, and Rika is the sole remaining member of the line after the death of her parents in the 1981's incident.
The theory by Miyo's adoptive grandfather, Hifumi Takano, is that if there is no Infection Queen, all villagers will succumb to the syndrome, and a mass outbreak of violence will occur. In some of the realities, Shion, succumbing to Hinamizawa Syndrome, kills Rika; however, life in Hinamizawa goes on, showing that Hifumi's theories have been exaggerated. In most of the realities, Miyo kills Rika, and the threat of the mass outbreak convinces the government to massacre the village, with the release of swamp gas being a cover story. Miyo's motive is to vindicate the work of Hifumi and force his work to be recognized after he was mocked and shamed by the government and scientific community for his thesis about the disease. After several hundred loops, Keiichi becomes either vividly or subconsciously aware of the previous realities, allowing him to avoid several critical points where various characters would be murdered or driven insane. In the final loop, the group asks Hanyū to join them, and the spirit manages to manifest a physical body. With her assistance and all of the knowledge and allies they have formed along the way, they thwart Miyo's plan and go on to live happy lives afterward. In the secret ending, Rika travels back to the past to prevent Miyo's suffering from the traumatic childhood that led her to become who she was.
Animation and Soundtrack
The anime is known for its distinctive animation style, which combines cute character designs with dark and violent scenes, creating a stark contrast that adds to the horror elements of the series. The soundtrack is also noteworthy, with its eerie and atmospheric music enhancing the tense and mysterious atmosphere of the story.
Reception
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - When They Cry has received positive reviews for its gripping plot, memorable characters, and intense horror elements. Fans have praised its intricate and suspenseful storytelling, as well as its unique blend of horror, mystery, and psychological themes. The anime has been well-received for its ability to create a sense of unease and tension, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the series.
Legacy
The anime adaptation of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni has gained a dedicated fanbase and has influenced the horror and thriller genres in anime. It has also spawned various spin-offs, sequels, and adaptations in different media formats, further expanding the story and its world. The series' popularity has led to renewed interest in the original visual novel and has introduced new fans to the franchise.
In conclusion, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - When They Cry is a popular anime series known for its gripping plot, complex characters, and intense horror elements. Its unique blend of mystery, psychological themes, and horror elements has captivated fans and has left a lasting impact on the genre, making it a beloved and memorable anime adaptation.