History Franchise / WhenTheyCry

** Chapter 7: ''Minagoroshi-hen'' (皆殺し編, Mass Killing Chapter): The "Rika Arc". Rika and Keiichi band together with the rest of the club, all having realized everything about the time loop and what they had done in the past. They do their best to get past the one hurdle that Rika has deemed impossible to beat--Satoko's abusive uncle Teppei--but are stopped by the real murderer, who is revealed after having been hiding all this time.
** Chapter 8: ''Matsuribayashi-hen'' (祭囃し編, Festival Accompanying Chapter): The "Hanyu Arc". The real murderer's heartbreaking motivations are revealed. The club – plus Hanyu, the police, and other adults of authority – mobilize to save Hinamizawa once and for all.

Independent game developer [=Ryukishi07=] of Creator/SeventhExpansion wanted to make a visual novel that stuck with people after they played it. For inspiration, he looked to one of the industry's pioneers, Creator/KeyVisualArts. Studying their games, he noticed that they all followed a basic structure. The games began with comedy and introduction of the characters and the basic concepts of the world; then the player got to know the characters; then something tragic happened to [[PlayerPunch make the player cry]] just as they'd gotten to care about the cast, accompanied by revelations of the true nature of the world and what had really been going on the whole time; then the story culminated with a miracle to EarnYourHappyEnding. Ryukishi decided that he wanted to make a game like that, too... but he didn't want to (just) [[{{Utsuge}} make his audience cry]] like Key did.

** ''Outbreak''. A story arc of when the world government finds out about the [[spoiler:Hinamizawa Syndrome]]. Pretty much [[CerebusSyndrome as serious as the original arcs]].

** ''Hajisarashi-hen'' (羞晒し編, Shame Exposing Chapter). Keiichi obtains a charmed swimsuit that is said to turn the wearer into a Chick Magnet. While at a public pool the girls learn that it will actually turn him into a narcissist, and a race against time begins to relieve him of his trunks before he completely loses interest in the opposite sex forever! Naturally, Hilarity Ensues.

** ''Ayakashisenshi-hen'' (妖戦し編, Demon Battling Chapter). Rika and Satoko find themselves in another alternate reality where Rika is a MagicalGirl. Unfortunately, everyone are slowly becoming brainwashed minions of "Tokyo Magika".
** ''Musubienishi-hen'' (結縁し編, Affinity Chapter). Keiichi gets caught in a LoveTriangle with Mion, Rena and Shion.
** ''Yumeutsushi-hen'' (夢現し編, Dream Appearing Chapter). A young Rika ends up being transported to the present day and the club tries to find a way to send her back.

Extra arcs that may or may not be canon. In the anime, this is a set of five bonus OVAs.

** ''Onikakushi-hen'' (鬼隠し編, Spirited Away by the Demons Chapter): The "Keiichi arc". Keiichi moves into Hinamizawa and suspects Rena and Mion of involvement with the murders after he finds that they've been lying to him about the village's past.
** ''Watanagashi-hen'' (綿流し編, Cotton Drifting Chapter): The "Mion arc". Mion's twin sister Shion comes to town under mysterious circumstances, and the theory that the murders are committed by demonic possession becomes likely.
** ''Tatarigoroshi-hen'' (祟殺し編, Curse Killing Chapter): The "Satoko arc". Satoko's abusive uncle makes everyone's life miserable when he comes to Hinamizawa, but Keiichi discovers something even worse in the shrine.
** ''Himatsubushi-hen'' (暇潰し編, Time Killing Chapter): The "Akasaka Arc". A flashback arc. Police investigator Mamoru Akasaka relates the events of a kidnapping five years ago in Hinamizawa and the mysterious actions of Rika Furude.
** ''Taraimawashi-hen'' (盥回し編, Rotation Chapter): A [=PS2=]-exclusive version of the game combining ''Watanagashi-hen'' with ''Onikakushi-hen''. It is designed to show what happens if Keiichi doesn't get involved in the mysteries of Hinamizawa.

** ''Someutsushi-hen'' (染伝し編, Stain Following Chapter). An adaptation of Onisarashi-hen to the DS system. A new character, a police officer named Tomoe Minai, is introduced. Features a different ending to that of ''Onisarashi-hen''.
** ''Kagebōshi-hen'' (影紡し編, Silhouette Chapter). The retelling of Someutsushi-hen from Minai's point of view in the same style as ''Watanagashi-hen'' was retold. Features yet another ending different to that of ''Onisarashi'' and ''Someutsushi''.

** ''Tsukiotoshi-hen'' (憑落し編, Exorcism Chapter). A [=PS2=]-exclusive arc that resembles ''Tatarigoroshi-hen'' in that Satoko's uncle Teppei is the main threat. Keiichi still takes matters into his own hands, but this time, he is accompanied by Shion and Rena, and all of them start to hallucinate afterward.
** ''Meakashi-hen'' (目明し編, "Eye Opening Chapter"). The "Shion arc". Shion relates her life story and why she is the way she is, culminating in a retelling of what really happened during ''Watanagashi-hen'' (although note that while this arc serves as a POV Sequel to ''Watanagashi-hen'', they are technically different – just nearly identical – timelines).
** ''Utsutsukowashi-hen'' (現壊し編, Reality Breaking Chapter). A manga-only chapter, and a prequel to ''Meakashi-hen''. When Shion is sent off to boarding school, she investigates the murder of a teacher. Cancelled.
** ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen'' (罪滅し編, Atonement Chapter). The "Rena arc". Rena becomes incredibly paranoid and feels forced to kill, threaten, and hide away in order to save the people she loves, but for the first time, others are able to get through to the victim of paranoia. This also reveals the truth about the events of ''Onikakushi-hen''. This arc acts as the end of the first season of the anime.
** ''Yoigoshi-hen'' (宵越し編, Beyond Midnight Chapter). A manga-only AlternateUniverse to ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen''. In 2006, 23 years after the Hinamizawa Disaster, a new group – including a woman claiming to be Mion Sonozaki – meets in abandoned Hinamizawa. This Chapter appears in a third Higurashi DS-port game, with a new character added. In the overall manga series, it is counted as Volumes 9 and 10, placing it in between the two halves of the greater story.
** "Reunion" (サイカイ). An anime-only episode set years after ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen''. This raises many new theories about the Hinamizawa Disaster, only one of which is correct. Similar to a certain TIP in the Visual Novel.
** ''Tokihogushi-hen'' (解々し編, Untangling Chapter). A DS-Port Prequel chapter that involves Tomoe Minai in a case of Rena Ryugu in 1982, one year prior to the events of the story.

** ''Minagoroshi-hen'' (皆殺し編, Mass Killing Chapter). The "Rika Arc". Rika and Keiichi band together with the rest of the club, all having realized everything about the time loop and what they had done in the past. They do their best to get past the one hurdle that Rika has deemed impossible to beat--Satoko's abusive uncle Teppei--but are stopped by the real murderer, who is revealed after having been hiding all this time.
** ''Matsuribayashi-hen'' (祭囃し編, Festival Accompanying Chapter). The "Hanyu Arc". The real murderer's heartbreaking motivations are revealed. The club – plus Hanyu, the police, and other adults of authority – mobilize to save Hinamizawa once and for all.
** ''Miotsukushi-hen'' (澪尽し編, Canal Drying Chapter). A [=PS2=]-exclusive Alternate Universe ending arc in which Rika and Keiichi stand alone instead of with the others, as the Hate Plague goes into overdrive and the events of ''Watanagashi-hen'', ''Tatarigoroshi-hen'' and ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen'' hit them all at once. Several deviations occur from the ''Matsuribayashi-hen'' ending.
** A DS-Port render of ''Miotsukushi-hen'' adds the conclusion of Tomoe Minai's story, that continues from ''Tokihogushi-hen''.
** ''Kokoroiyashi-hen'' (心癒し編, Heart Healing Chapter). A manga-only chapter. The club goes on vacation and attempts to heal after the horrors they've seen and participated in.
* '''Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei'''. Extra arcs that may or may not be canon. In the anime, this is a bonus OVA.
** ''Saikoroshi-hen'' (賽殺し編, Dice Killing Arc). The epilogue. Rika falls into a coma and wakes up in a Wonderful Life scenario, only instead of wishing herself out, she's wished out the DysfunctionJunction of the cast. What didn't kill them, though, once removed, appears to have made them horrible, miserable, selfish people.
** ''Kotohogushi-hen'' (言祝し編, Congratulating Chapter). The DS-Port original chapter that revolves around Hanyuu's past life in Onigafuchi, along with her husband, Riku Furude, and their child, Ouka.
** ''Batsukoishi-hen'' (罰恋し編, Penalty Loving Chapter), also known as ''Otsukaresama-kai''. A gag story set in the after-school club. This was once included as part of ''Kai'', but was considered too lighthearted and silly. In the anime, this arc is replaced with Hajisarashi-hen.
** ''Hirukowashi-hen'' (昼壊し編, Daybreak Chapter), also known as ''Higurashi Daybreak''. A fanmade fighting game that ascended to canon. Rika finds a pair of magatama that will make anyone fall in love, the whole town begins to squabble over them, and Rena accidentally swallows one.
[[index]]
* '''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry light novels'''. Similar to ''Rei'', these are bonus arcs that stand in a group rather than fitting into ''1'' or ''Kai''.
** [[/index]]''Nekogoroshi-hen'' (猫殺し編, Cat Killing Chapter). Mion relates the story of a murdered friend. This was also made into a bonus OVA between the release of the first and second seasons.
** ''Kuradashi-hen'' (蔵出し編, Delivery Chapter). Everything that couldn't be fit into the games, manga, adaptations or TIPS is all right here.

* '''Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kira'''. More extra arcs that are probably not canon. An anime OVA that contains Batsukoishi-hen and three all-new episodes. Notable for being much more lighthearted and silly than even ''Rei'' and containing very high amounts of fanservice.

* '''Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kaku'''.
** ''Outbreak''. A story arc of when the world government finds out about the [[spoiler:Hinamizawa Syndrome]]. Pretty much [[CerebusSyndrome as serious as the original arcs]].
* '''Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou''': A new 2020 anime series, originally advertised as a remake of the original anime, but revealed to be a StealthSequel after its release.

* '''Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sotsu''': The direct continuation to ''Gou''.
* '''[[VideoGame/HigurashiWhenTheyCryMei Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Mei]]''': A smartphone game with gacha elements, released in Fall 2020 to tie in with the release of ''Gou''. Set ten years after the Great Hinamizawa Disaster, three girls investigate what really happened and find themselves sent back in time a few days before the tragedy.
[[/folder]]

!!When They Cry 1: [[VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]]''' (Higurashi: When the Cicadas Cry)

!!When They Cry 2: [[VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai]]''' (Higurashi: When the Cicadas Cry: Solutions)

!! '''When They Cry 1: [[VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]]''' (Higurashi: When the Cicadas Cry)'''

*** ''Taraimawashi-hen'' (盥回し編, Rotation Chapter): A [=PS2=]-exclusive version of the game combining ''Watanagashi-hen'' with ''Onikakushi-hen''. It is designed to show what happens if Keiichi doesn't get involved in the mysteries of Hinamizawa.

*** ''Someutsushi-hen'' (染伝し編, Stain Following Chapter). An adaptation of Onisarashi-hen to the DS system. A new character, a police officer named Tomoe Minai, is introduced. Features a different ending to that of ''Onisarashi-hen''.
*** ''Kagebōshi-hen'' (影紡し編, Silhouette Chapter). The retelling of Someutsushi-hen from Minai's point of view in the same style as ''Watanagashi-hen'' was retold. Features yet another ending different to that of ''Onisarashi'' and ''Someutsushi''.
[[index]]
* '''When They Cry 2: [[VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai]]''' (''When the Cicadas Cry: Solutions''). A direct continuation of the previous, which answers the many questions raised by it. Although some of these arcs appear in the first season of TheAnimeOfTheGame, they are considered part of ''Kai'' in the games themselves. Keiichi is replaced by Rika as the main character, but as with ''Himatsubushi-hen'', some arcs are told by other characters.
** [[/index]]''Tsukiotoshi-hen'' (憑落し編, Exorcism Chapter). A [=PS2=]-exclusive arc that resembles ''Tatarigoroshi-hen'' in that Satoko's uncle Teppei is the main threat. Keiichi still takes matters into his own hands, but this time, he is accompanied by Shion and Rena, and all of them start to hallucinate afterward.

*** ''Utsutsukowashi-hen'' (現壊し編, Reality Breaking Chapter). A manga-only chapter, and a prequel to ''Meakashi-hen''. When Shion is sent off to boarding school, she investigates the murder of a teacher. Cancelled.

*** ''Yoigoshi-hen'' (宵越し編, Beyond Midnight Chapter). A manga-only AlternateUniverse to ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen''. In 2006, 23 years after the Hinamizawa Disaster, a new group – including a woman claiming to be Mion Sonozaki – meets in abandoned Hinamizawa. This Chapter appears in a third Higurashi DS-port game, with a new character added. In the overall manga series, it is counted as Volumes 9 and 10, placing it in between the two halves of the greater story.
*** "Reunion" (サイカイ). An anime-only episode set years after ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen''. This raises many new theories about the Hinamizawa Disaster, only one of which is correct. Similar to a certain TIP in the Visual Novel.
*** ''Tokihogushi-hen'' (解々し編, Untangling Chapter). A DS-Port Prequel chapter that involves Tomoe Minai in a case of Rena Ryugu in 1982, one year prior to the events of the story.

*** ''Miotsukushi-hen'' (澪尽し編, Canal Drying Chapter). A [=PS2=]-exclusive Alternate Universe ending arc in which Rika and Keiichi stand alone instead of with the others, as the Hate Plague goes into overdrive and the events of ''Watanagashi-hen'', ''Tatarigoroshi-hen'' and ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen'' hit them all at once. Several deviations occur from the ''Matsuribayashi-hen'' ending.
*** A DS-Port render of ''Miotsukushi-hen'' adds the conclusion of Tomoe Minai's story, that continues from ''Tokihogushi-hen''.

*** ''Kotohogushi-hen'' (言祝し編, Congratulating Chapter). The DS-Port original chapter that revolves around Hanyuu's past life in Onigafuchi, along with her husband, Riku Furude, and their child, Ouka.

!! '''When They Cry 1: [[VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]]''' (Higurashi: When the Cicadas Cry)

* Original Arcs:

*** ''Taraimawashi-hen'' (盥回し編, Rotation Chapter): A [=PS2=]-exclusive version of the game combining ''Watanagashi-hen'' with ''Onikakushi-hen''. It is designed to show what happens if Keiichi doesn't get involved in the mysteries of Hinamizawa.

* '''When They Cry: [[VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]]''' (Higurashi: When the Cicadas Cry): Hinamizawa, a small village in TheEighties is plagued by a curse in which, every year, one villager is found murdered and another is never seen again. Keiichi Maebara, the new kid in town, begins to uncover the secrets of the village and is driven further into fear and paranoia as he watches his new friends succumb to madness. This year, it looks as if the whole village is marked for death...

The series is mapped out like this:[[note]] This list uses the Yen Press translations for the English names of the arcs/chapters that appear in the manga.[[/note]]

!'''When They Cry: [[VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]]''' (Higurashi: When the Cicadas Cry): Hinamizawa, a small village in TheEighties is plagued by a curse in which, every year, one villager is found murdered and another is never seen again. Keiichi Maebara, the new kid in town, begins to uncover the secrets of the village and is driven further into fear and paranoia as he watches his new friends succumb to madness. This year, it looks as if the whole village is marked for death...

* '''Original Arcs''':

[[index]]
[[folder:When They Cry 1 & 2: Higurashi]]
* '''When They Cry: [[VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]]''' (Higurashi: When the Cicadas Cry): Hinamizawa, a small village in TheEighties is plagued by a curse in which, every year, one villager is found murdered and another is never seen again. Keiichi Maebara, the new kid in town, begins to uncover the secrets of the village and is driven further into fear and paranoia as he watches his new friends succumb to madness. This year, it looks as if the whole village is marked for death...
** [[/index]]''Onikakushi-hen'' (鬼隠し編, Spirited Away by the Demons Chapter): The "Keiichi arc". Keiichi moves into Hinamizawa and suspects Rena and Mion of involvement with the murders after he finds that they've been lying to him about the village's past.

* '''When They Cry: [[VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]]''' ("When the Cicadas Cry"): Hinamizawa, a small village in TheEighties is plagued by a curse in which, every year, one villager is found murdered and another is never seen again. Keiichi Maebara, the new kid in town, begins to uncover the secrets of the village and is driven further into fear and paranoia as he watches his new friends succumb to madness. This year, it looks as if the whole village is marked for death...

** ''Onisarashi-hen'' (鬼曝し編, "Demon Exposing Chapter"). A manga-only side-story. In a timeline where the Great Hinamizawa Disaster occurred, a young girl named Natsumi's life is still ruined despite moving away from Hinamizawa before the massacre.
*** ''Someutsushi-hen'' (染伝し編, "Stain Following Chapter"). An adaptation of Onisarashi-hen to the DS system. A new character, a police officer named Tomoe Minai, is introduced. Features a different ending to that of ''Onisarashi-hen''.
*** ''Kagebōshi-hen'' (影紡し編, "Silhouette Chapter"). The retelling of Someutsushi-hen from Minai's point of view in the same style as ''Watanagashi-hen'' was retold. Features yet another ending different to that of ''Onisarashi'' and ''Someutsushi''.

** [[/index]]''Tsukiotoshi-hen'' (憑落し編, "Exorcism Chapter"). A [=PS2=]-exclusive arc that resembles ''Tatarigoroshi-hen'' in that Satoko's uncle Teppei is the main threat. Keiichi still takes matters into his own hands, but this time, he is accompanied by Shion and Rena, and all of them start to hallucinate afterward.

*** ''Utsutsukowashi-hen'' (現壊し編, "Reality Breaking Chapter"). A manga-only chapter, and a prequel to ''Meakashi-hen''. When Shion is sent off to boarding school, she investigates the murder of a teacher. Cancelled.
** ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen'' (罪滅し編, "Atonement Chapter"). The "Rena arc". Rena becomes incredibly paranoid and feels forced to kill, threaten, and hide away in order to save the people she loves, but for the first time, others are able to get through to the victim of paranoia. This also reveals the truth about the events of ''Onikakushi-hen''. This arc acts as the end of the first season of the anime.
*** ''Yoigoshi-hen'' (宵越し編, "Beyond Midnight Chapter"). A manga-only AlternateUniverse to ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen''. In 2006, 23 years after the Hinamizawa Disaster, a new group – including a woman claiming to be Mion Sonozaki – meets in abandoned Hinamizawa. This Chapter appears in a third Higurashi DS-port game, with a new character added. In the overall manga series, it is counted as Volumes 9 and 10, placing it in between the two halves of the greater story.

*** ''Tokihogushi-hen'' (解々し編, "Untangling Chapter"). A DS-Port Prequel chapter that involves Tomoe Minai in a case of Rena Ryugu in 1982, one year prior to the events of the story.
** ''Yakusamashi-hen'' (厄醒し編, "Disaster Awakening Chapter"). An anime-only arc personally requested by the game's creator to fill in the plot holes left by the first season. Along with new character Hanyu, Rika hints at her true nature and why she is at the center of the mystery, and Satoko attempts to solve it on her own.
** ''Minagoroshi-hen'' (皆殺し編, "Mass Killing Chapter"). The "Rika Arc". Rika and Keiichi band together with the rest of the club, all having realized everything about the time loop and what they had done in the past. They do their best to get past the one hurdle that Rika has deemed impossible to beat--Satoko's abusive uncle Teppei--but are stopped by the real murderer, who is revealed after having been hiding all this time.
** ''Matsuribayashi-hen'' (祭囃し編, "Festival Accompanying Chapter"). The "Hanyu Arc". The real murderer's heartbreaking motivations are revealed. The club – plus Hanyu, the police, and other adults of authority – mobilize to save Hinamizawa once and for all.
*** ''Miotsukushi-hen'' (澪尽し編, "Canal Drying chapter"). A [=PS2=]-exclusive Alternate Universe ending arc in which Rika and Keiichi stand alone instead of with the others, as the Hate Plague goes into overdrive and the events of ''Watanagashi-hen'', ''Tatarigoroshi-hen'' and ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen'' hit them all at once. Several deviations occur from the ''Matsuribayashi-hen'' ending.

** ''Kokoroiyashi-hen'' (心癒し編, "Heart Healing chapter"). A manga-only chapter. The club goes on vacation and attempts to heal after the horrors they've seen and participated in.

** ''Saikoroshi-hen'' (賽殺し編, "Dice Killing Arc"). The epilogue. Rika falls into a coma and wakes up in a Wonderful Life scenario, only instead of wishing herself out, she's wished out the DysfunctionJunction of the cast. What didn't kill them, though, once removed, appears to have made them horrible, miserable, selfish people.
*** ''Kotohogushi-hen'' (言祝し編, "Congratulating Chapter"). The DS-Port original chapter that revolves around Hanyuu's past life in Onigafuchi, along with her husband, Riku Furude, and their child, Ouka.
** ''Batsukoishi-hen'' (罰恋し編, "Penalty Loving"), also known as ''Otsukaresama-kai''. A gag story set in the after-school club. This was once included as part of ''Kai'', but was considered too lighthearted and silly. In the anime, this arc is replaced with Hajisarashi-hen.
** ''Hirukowashi-hen'' (昼壊し編, "Daybreak chapter"), also known as ''Higurashi Daybreak''. A fanmade fighting game that ascended to canon. Rika finds a pair of magatama that will make anyone fall in love, the whole town begins to squabble over them, and Rena accidentally swallows one.

** [[/index]]''Nekogoroshi-hen'' (猫殺し編, "Cat Killing chapter"). Mion relates the story of a murdered friend. This was also made into a bonus OVA between the release of the first and second seasons.
** ''Kuradashi-hen'' (蔵出し編, "Delivery chapter"). Everything that couldn't be fit into the games, manga, adaptations or TIPS is all right here.
** ''Hajisarashi-hen'' (羞晒し編, "Shame Exposing chapter"). Keiichi obtains a charmed swimsuit that is said to turn the wearer into a Chick Magnet. While at a public pool the girls learn that it will actually turn him into a narcissist, and a race against time begins to relieve him of his trunks before he completely loses interest in the opposite sex forever! Naturally, Hilarity Ensues.

** ''Ayakashisenshi-hen'' (妖戦し編, "Demon Battling chapter"). Rika and Satoko find themselves in another alternate reality where Rika is a MagicalGirl. Unfortunately, everyone are slowly becoming brainwashed minions of "Tokyo Magika".
** ''Musubienishi-hen'' (結縁し編, "Affinity chapter"). Keiichi gets caught in a LoveTriangle with Mion, Rena and Shion.
** ''Yumeutsushi-hen'' (夢現し編, "Dream Appearing chapter"). A young Rika ends up being transported to the present day and the club tries to find a way to send her back.

** ''Onidamashi-hen'' (鬼騙し編, "Demon-Deceiving Chapter"): After the conclusion of ''Kai'', Rika finds herself back in the past, in what seems to be a repeat of the events of ''Onikakushi-hen''. However, certain things are different this time.
** ''Watadamashi-hen'' (綿騙し編, "Cotton-Deceiving Chapter"): An arc which initially appears to be a repeat of the events of ''Watanagashi-hen'', but eventually takes a different turn.
** ''Tataridamashi-hen'' (祟騙し編, "Curse-Deceiving Chapter"): Similarly to the above, this arc initially appears to be a repeat of the events of ''Tatarigoroshi-hen''.
** ''Nekodamashi-hen'' (猫;騙し編, "Cat-Deceiving Chapter"): Departing from arcs that appear to repeat previous timelines, Rika struggles to find the culprit and solve the mystery behind her forced return to the past.
** ''Satokowashi-hen'' (郷壊し編, "Village-Destroying Chapter"): Rika's life after the happy ending of ''Matsuribayashi-hen'' is shown, and the new culprit and their motivations are finally revealed.

* '''When They Cry: [[VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]]''' ("When the Cicadas Cry"). Hinamizawa, a small village in TheEighties is plagued by a curse in which, every year, one villager is found murdered and another is never seen again. Keiichi Maebara, the new kid in town, begins to uncover the secrets of the village and is driven further into fear and paranoia as he watches his new friends succumb to madness. This year, it looks as if the whole village is marked for death...
** [[/index]]''Onikakushi-hen'' (鬼隠し編, "Spirited Away by the Demons Chapter"). The "Keiichi arc". Keiichi moves into Hinamizawa and suspects Rena and Mion of involvement with the murders after he finds that they've been lying to him about the village's past.
** ''Watanagashi-hen'' (綿流し編, "Cotton Drifting Chapter"). The "Mion arc". Mion's twin sister Shion comes to town under mysterious circumstances, and the theory that the murders are committed by demonic possession becomes likely.
*** ''Taraimawashi-hen'' (盥回し編, "Rotation Chapter"). A [=PS2=]-exclusive version of the game combining ''Watanagashi-hen'' with ''Onikakushi-hen''. It is designed to show what happens if Keiichi doesn't get involved in the mysteries of Hinamizawa.
** ''Tatarigoroshi-hen'' (祟殺し編, "Curse Killing Chapter"). The "Satoko arc". Satoko's abusive uncle makes everyone's life miserable when he comes to Hinamizawa, but Keiichi discovers something even worse in the shrine.
** ''Himatsubushi-hen'' (暇潰し編, "Time Killing Chapter"). The "Akasaka Arc". A flashback arc. Police investigator Mamoru Akasaka relates the events of a kidnapping five years ago in Hinamizawa and the mysterious actions of Rika Furude.

*** ''Utsutsukowashi-hen'' (現壊し編, "Reality Breaking Chapter"). A manga-only chapter, and a prequel to ''Meakashi-hen''. When Shion is sent Off to boarding school, she investigates the murder of a teacher. Cancelled.

* '''Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou'''. A new 2020 anime series, originally advertised as a remake of the original anime, but revealed to be a StealthSequel after its release.
** ''Onidamashi-hen'' (鬼騙し編, "Demon-Deceiving Chapter"). After the conclusion of ''Kai'', Rika finds herself back in the past, in what seems to be a repeat of the events of ''Onikakushi-hen''. However, certain things are different this time.
** ''Watadamashi-hen'' (綿騙し編, "Cotton-Deceiving Chapter"). An arc which initially appears to be a repeat of the events of ''Watanagashi-hen'', but eventually takes a different turn.
** ''Tataridamashi-hen'' (祟騙し編, "Curse-Deceiving Chapter"). Similarly to the above, this arc initially appears to be a repeat of the events of ''Tatarigoroshi-hen''.
** ''Nekodamashi-hen'' (猫;騙し編, "Cat-Deceiving Chapter"). Departing from arcs that appear to repeat previous timelines, Rika struggles to find the culprit and solve the mystery behind her forced return to the past.
** ''Satokowashi-hen'' (郷壊し編, "Village-Destroying Chapter"). Rika's life after the happy ending of ''Matsuribayashi-hen'' is shown, and the new culprit and their motivations are finally revealed.
* '''Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Satsu'''. The direct continuation to ''Gou''.
* '''[[VideoGame/HigurashiWhenTheyCryMei Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Mei]]'''. A smartphone game with gacha elements, released in Fall 2020 to tie in with the release of ''Gou''. Set ten years after the Great Hinamizawa Disaster, three girls investigate what really happened and find themselves sent back in time a few days before the tragedy.

** [[/index]]''Onikakushi-hen'' (鬼隠し編, "Abducted By Demons Arc"). The "Keiichi arc". Keiichi moves into Hinamizawa and suspects Rena and Mion of involvement with the murders after he finds that they've been lying to him about the village's past.
** ''Watanagashi-hen'' (綿流し編, "Cotton-Drifting Arc"). The "Mion arc". Mion's twin sister Shion comes to town under mysterious circumstances, and the theory that the murders are committed by demonic possession becomes likely.

** ''Tatarigoroshi-hen'' (祟殺し編, "Curse Killing Arc"). The "Satoko arc". Satoko's abusive uncle makes everyone's life miserable when he comes to Hinamizawa, but Keiichi discovers something even worse in the shrine.
** ''Himatsubushi-hen'' (暇潰し編, "Time Killing Arc"). The "Akasaka Arc". A flashback arc. Police investigator Mamoru Akasaka relates the events of a kidnapping five years ago in Hinamizawa and the mysterious actions of Rika Furude.
** ''Onisarashi-hen'' (鬼曝し編, "Demon Exposing Arc"). A manga-only side-story. In a timeline where the Great Hinamizawa Disaster occurred, a young girl named Natsumi's life is still ruined despite moving away from Hinamizawa before the massacre.

*** ''Kagebōshi-hen'' (影紡し編, "Silhouette chapter"). The retelling of Someutsushi-hen from Minai's point of view in the same style as ''Watanagashi-hen'' was retold. Features yet another ending different to that of ''Onisarashi'' and ''Someutsushi''.

** [[/index]]''Tsukiotoshi-hen'' (憑落し編, "Exorcism chapter"). A [=PS2=]-exclusive arc that resembles ''Tatarigoroshi-hen'' in that Satoko's uncle Teppei is the main threat. Keiichi still takes matters into his own hands, but this time, he is accompanied by Shion and Rena, and all of them start to hallucinate afterward.
** ''Meakashi-hen'' (目明し編, "Eye Opening Arc"). The "Shion arc". Shion relates her life story and why she is the way she is, culminating in a retelling of what really happened during ''Watanagashi-hen'' (although note that while this arc serves as a POV Sequel to ''Watanagashi-hen'', they are technically different – just nearly identical – timelines).
*** ''Utsutsukowashi-hen'' (現壊し編, "Reality Breaking chapter"). A manga-only chapter, and a prequel to ''Meakashi-hen''. When Shion is sent Off to boarding school, she investigates the murder of a teacher. Cancelled.
** ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen'' (罪滅し編, "Atonement Arc"). The "Rena arc". Rena becomes incredibly paranoid and feels forced to kill, threaten, and hide away in order to save the people she loves, but for the first time, others are able to get through to the victim of paranoia. This also reveals the truth about the events of ''Onikakushi-hen''. This arc acts as the end of the first season of the anime.
*** ''Yoigoshi-hen'' (宵越し編, "Beyond Midnight Arc"). A manga-only AlternateUniverse to ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen''. In 2006, 23 years after the Hinamizawa Disaster, a new group – including a woman claiming to be Mion Sonozaki – meets in abandoned Hinamizawa. This Chapter appears in a third Higurashi DS-port game, with a new character added. In the overall manga series, it is counted as Volumes 9 and 10, placing it in between the two halves of the greater story.

** ''Yakusamashi-hen'' (厄醒し編, "Disaster Awakening chapter"). An anime-only arc personally requested by the game's creator to fill in the plot holes left by the first season. Along with new character Hanyu, Rika hints at her true nature and why she is at the center of the mystery, and Satoko attempts to solve it on her own.
** ''Minagoroshi-hen'' (皆殺し編, "Massacre Arc"). The "Rika Arc". Rika and Keiichi band together with the rest of the club, all having realized everything about the time loop and what they had done in the past. They do their best to get past the one hurdle that Rika has deemed impossible to beat--Satoko's abusive uncle Teppei--but are stopped by the real murderer, who is revealed after having been hiding all this time.
** ''Matsuribayashi-hen'' (祭囃し編, "Festival Accompanying Arc"). The "Hanyu Arc". The real murderer's heartbreaking motivations are revealed. The club – plus Hanyu, the police, and other adults of authority – mobilize to save Hinamizawa once and for all.

So began ''When They Cry''. This is a SeriesFranchise of linear [[VisualNovel sound novels]], anime, console games, and manga by 07th Expansion, a doujin group that became famous with the series' first installment, ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry''. ''When They Cry'' is broken up into a series of supernatural murder mysteries, which are further broken up into individual games, each covering one story arc. These arcs are marked by [[GroundhogDayLoop time starting over from a certain point]] with the dead members of the cast brought back to life for mysterious reasons. The series itself is probably most well known for the sheer amount of CuteAndPsycho characters in it’s cast (hell, the trope page image shows Rena Ryuguu).

For examples and series-specific notes, please see ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'' and ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry''. Also see ''Manga/HiganbanaNoSakuYoruNi'', a manga/visual novel penned by [=Ryukishi07=], and ''VisualNovel/RoseGunsDays'', a visual novel by 07th Expansion, neither of which are related to the main series games.

** ''Alliance of the golden witch''. The "Ange Arc." The future of 1998 is explored as the sole survivor of the Ushiromiya family, Ange, explores the nature of magic and witches.

** ''Twilight of the golden witch''. The "Battler Arc." The final arc, in which Battler and Beatrice create a special last game in order to help Ange reach the truth. Features the return of virtually the whole CastHerd, the first appearance of six-year-old Ange, yet another new text color, and Multiple Endings.

* '''[[VideoGame/HigurashiWhenTheyCryMei Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Mei]]'''. A smartphone game with gacha elements, released in Fall 2021 to tie in with the release of ''Gou''. Set ten years after the Great Hinamizawa Disaster, three girls investigate what really happened and find themselves sent back in time a few days before the tragedy.

Unlike the previous two series, the setting of Ciconia is in the future. A century has passed after the noctorious WorldWarIII, humanity is starting to recover, with new technologies being born and more peaceful methods are being made to reduce the chance of another war happening as much as possible. The Aerial Judgement Infantries, also known as Gauntlet Knights, are entrusted with the duty of protecting the Walls of Peace, working in five different factions around the world.
Each part of the story is devided into "Phases" instead of the usual Arcs, and there are four Phases in total:

2018 saw to the [[https://twitter.com/07th_official/status/1018148111254896642 announcement]] of ''two'' more installments: A new installment of ''Umineko'', and an entirely new installment of the franchise titled ''[[VisualNovel/CiconiaWhenTheyCry Ciconia no Naku Koro ni]]'' ("When the Storks Cry"), which released on October 3, 2019.

%% * AdaptationDyeJob: Is more-or-less guaranteed to happen to at least one character in an adaptation.
%%* AbusiveParents:
%%** Mion and Shion's Abusive Grandparent, Oryou. Oryou has a HiddenHeartOfGold.
%% ** Rosa Ushiromiya is shown to have her reasons for being so abusive (even though her behavior still isn't excusable).
%% * AllThereInTheManual: The TIPS as well as different arcs that are unique to one medium only.

%% * AnyoneCanDie: Multiple times, in fact.

%% * BadassFamily The Sonozakis and the Ushiromiyas, respectively.

* DeathIsCheap : Initially it seems this way, since the GroundhogDayLoop is in effect, [[spoiler:but in both series, it's subverted. The characters may be alive and kicking again at the beginning of each arc, but their selves who died in the previous world are actually dead for good. [[PlayedWith Played with]], [[Main/DiscussedTrope discussed]], and even further [[Main/SubvertedTrope subverted]] in the cases of Higurashi's Rika and characters in Umineko's meta-world. ]]

** ''Onidamashi-hen'' (鬼騙し編, "Demon-Deceiving Chapter"). After the conclusion of ''Kai'', Rika finds herself back in the past, in what seems to be a repeat of the events of ''Onikakushi-hen''.
** ''Watadamashi-hen'' (綿騙し編, "Cotton-Deceiving Chapter"). An arc which initially appears to be a repeat of the events of ''Watanagashi-hen''.

** ''Onidamashi-hen'' (鬼騙し編, "Deceived by Demons Chapter"). After the conclusion of ''Kai'', Rika finds herself back in the past, in what seems to be a repeat of the events of ''Onikakushi-hen''.

* DeathIsCheap : Initially it seems this way, since the GroundhogDayLoop is in effect, [[spoiler:but in both series, it's subverted. The characters may be alive and kicking again at the beginning of each arc, but their selves who died in the previous world are actually dead for good. [[PlayedWith Played with]], [[Main/DiscussedTrope discussed]], and [[Main/SubvertedTrope subverted]] in the cases of Higurashi's Rika and characters in Umineko's meta-world. ]]

* DeathIsCheap : Initially it seems this way, since the GroundhogDayLoop is in effect, [[spoiler:but in both series, it's subverted. The characters may be alive and kicking again at the beginning of each arc, but their selves who died in the previous world are actually dead for good. [[PlayedWith/Played with]], [[Main/DiscussedTrope discussed]], and [[Main/SubvertedTrope subverted]] in the cases of Higurashi's Rika and characters in Umineko's meta-world. ]]

* DeathIsCheap : Initially it seems this way, since the GroundhogDayLoop is in effect, [[spoiler:but in both series, it's subverted. The characters may be alive and kicking again at the beginning of each arc, but their selves who died in the previous world are actually dead for good. PlayedWith, [[Main/DiscussedTrope discussed]], and [[Main/SubvertedTrope subverted]] in the cases of Higurashi's Rika and characters in Umineko's meta-world. ]]

* DeathIsCheap : Initially it seems this way, since the GroundhogDayLoop is in effect, [[spoiler:but in both series, it's subverted. The characters may be alive and kicking again at the beginning of each arc, but their selves who died in the previous world are actually dead for good. PlayedWith, [[Main/DiscussedTrope discussed]], and [[Main/SubvertedTrope subverted]] in the cases of Higurashi's Rika and characters in Umineko's meta-world.