When They Cry Series

The **When They Cry Series** (なく頃(ころ)にシリーズ, *Naku Koro ni Shirīzu*) is a series of *doujinshi* mystery visual novels developed by the *doujin* circle 07th Expansion. The series has three main titles, making for a total of 5 main-line games.

## Synopsis

Each title in the *When They Cry Series* features a new self-contained story, although certain elements carry over between them.

### Higurashi

*Higurashi: When They Cry* is set in 1983 and follows Keiichi Maebara, a young boy whose family moved from the city into the rural village of Hinamizawa, a small village with a low but tight-knit population. At first, he enjoys his daily life with his friends, but his perception is changed when he learns the of the hidden side of the town.

### Umineko

*Umineko: When They Cry* is set in 1986 and follows the wealthy Ushiromiya Family as they arrive on Rokkenjima, an island owned by the family head, Kinzou Ushiromiya, for their annual family gathering. However, as the family members began a fierce fight over the inheritance, strange things start happening, the legend of the island's witch, Beatrice, looming over everyone.

## Main Characters

See also: When They Cry Series/Characters (Contains Spoilers)

### Higurashi

* **Keiichi Maebara** (前原(まえばら) 圭一(けいいち), *Maebara Keiichi*)**:** A teenage boy whose family recently moved to Hinamizawa. Immature, loud and stubborn, Keiichi is fairly normal for a boy his age. He cherishes his new life and friends in Hinamizawa, having escaped the harsh life of competition for grades from his previous town.
* **Rena Ryuuguu**(竜宮(りゅうぐう) レナ, *Ryūgū Rena*)**:** A teenage girl, resident of Hinamizawa and classmate and friend of Keiichi. She is a kind and ditzy girl whose head is almost always in the clouds. She has an obsession with cute things, often desiring to take them home, although her view of what counts as 'cute' is rather unusual.
* **Mion Sonozaki** (園崎(そのざき) 魅音(みおん), *Sonozaki Mion*)**:** A teenage girl, resident of Hinamizawa and classmate and friend of Keiichi Maebara. A tomboyish, confident and bold girl, leader of her group of friends.
* **Rika Furude** (古手(ふるで) 梨花(りか), *Furude Rika*)**:** A little girl, resident of Hinamizawa and classmate and friend of Keiichi Maebara. Cute, quiet and refined, she hides a surprising amount of craftiness behind her innocent facade.
* **Satoko Houjou** (北条(ほうじょう) 沙都子(さとこ), *Hōjō Satoko*)**:** A little girl, resident of Hinamizawa and classmate and friend of Keiichi Maebara. She is rambunctious, crafty and energetic, always trying to prank her friends, especially Keiichi.
* **Kuraudo Ooishi** (大石(おおいし) 蔵人(くらうど), *Ōishi Kuraudo*)**:** A mysterious detective working for the Okinomiya Police Department. He seems to be investigating the village of Hinamizawa.

### Umineko

* **Ushiromiya Family** (右代宮家(うしろみやけ), *Ushiromiya Ke*)**:** The main cast of Umineko. A wealthy family assembling on Rokkenjima for the yearly family gathering.
* **Battler Ushiromiya** (右代宮(うしろみや) 戦人(バトラ), *Ushiromiya Batora*)**:** A child of the Ushiromiya family. The second-oldest of the cousins, he is a brash, confident, friendly and cheerful young man. After separating himself from the family, the 1986 family gathering is his first time seeing them in six years.
* **Beatrice** (ベアトリーチェ, *Beatorīche*)**:** A witch rumored to live on Rokkenjima. She is a blonde, blue-eyed beauty depicted in the painting of the Ushiromiya family's mansion's main hall. It is unknown whether or not she exists.

## Media

### Higurashi: When They Cry

* **When They Cry 1: Higurashi: When They Cry** (ひぐらしのなく頃(ころ)に, *Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, lit. "When The Cicadas Cry"*)
	+ **Onikakushi Arc** (鬼隠(おにかくし)し編(へん), *Onikakushi-hen, lit. "Demon Abduction Arc"*)
	+ **Watanagashi Arc** (綿流(わたなが)し編(へん), *Watanagashi-hen, lit. "Cotton Drifting Arc"*)
	+ **Tatarigoroshi Arc** (祟殺(たたりごろ)し編(へん), *Tatarigoroshi-hen, lit. "Curse Killing Arc"*)
	+ **Himatsubushi Arc** (暇潰(ひまつぶ)し編(へん), *Himatsubushi-hen, lit. "Time Wasting Arc"*)
* **When They Cry 2: Higurashi: When They Cry Kai** (ひぐらしのなく頃(ころ)に　解(かい), *Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai, lit. "When The Cicadas Cry Answer"*)
	+ **Meakashi Arc** (目明(めあか)し編(へん), *Meakashi-hen, lit. "Eye Opening Arc"*)
	+ **Tsumihoroboshi Arc** (罪滅(つみほろぼ)し編(へん), *Tsumihoroboshi-hen, lit. "Atonement Arc"*)
	+ **Minagoroshi Arc** (皆殺(みなごろ)し編(へん), *Minagoroshi-hen, lit. "Massacre Arc"*)
	+ **Matsuribayashi Arc** (祭囃(ひまつぶ)し編(へん), *Matsuribayashi-hen, lit. "Festival Accompanying Arc"*)
* **When They Cry 2+: Higurashi: When They Cry Rei** (ひぐらしのなく頃(ころ)に　礼(れい), *Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei, lit. "When The Cicadas Cry Gratitude"*)
	+ **Saikoroshi Arc** (賽殺(さいころ)し編(へん), *Saikoroshi-hen, lit. "Dice Killing Arc"*)
	+ **Hirukowashi Arc** (昼壊(ひるこわ)し編(へん), *Hirukowashi-hen, lit. "Day Breaking Arc"*)
	+ **Batsukoishi Arc** (罰恋(ばつこい)し編(へん), *Batsukoishi-hen, lit. "Penalty Loving Arc"*)
* **Higurashi: When They Cry Matsuri** (ひぐらしのなく頃(ころ)に　祭(まつり), *Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Matsuri, lit. "When The Cicadas Cry Festival"*)
	+ **Taraimawashi Arc** (盥回(たらいまわ)し編(へん), *Taraimawashi-hen, lit. "Tub Revolving Arc"*)
	+ **Tsukiotoshi Arc** (憑落(つきおと)し編(へん), *Tsukiotoshi-hen, lit. "Possession Arc"*)
	+ **Miotsukushi Arc** (澪尽(みおつく)し編(へん), *Miotsukushi-hen, lit. "Waterway Exhausting Arc"*)
* **Higurashi: When They Cry Kizuna** (ひぐらしのなく頃(ころ)に　絆(きずな), *Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna, lit. "When The Cicadas Cry Bonds"*)
	+ **Someutsushi Arc** (染伝(そめうつ)し編(へん), *Someutsushi-hen, lit. "Dye Diffusion Arc"*)
	+ **Kageboushi Arc** (影紡(かげぼう)し編(へん), *Kageboushi-hen, lit. "Shadow Spinning Arc"*)
	+ **Tokihogushi Arc** (解々(ときほぐ)し編(へん), *Tokihogushi-hen, lit. "Unraveling Arc"*)
	+ **Yoigoshi Arc** (宵越(かげぼう)し編(へん), *Yoigoshi-hen, lit. "Beyond Midnight Arc"*)
	+ **Kotohogushi Arc** (言祝(ことほぐ)し編(へん), *Kotohogushi-hen, lit. "Congratulating Arc"*)
* **Higurashi: When They Cry Sui** (ひぐらしのなく頃(ころ)に　粋(すい), *Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sui, lit. "When The Cicadas Cry Essence"*)
	+ **Hijisarashi Arc** (羞晒(ひじさら)し編(へん), *Hijisarashi-hen, lit. "Shame Exposing Arc"*)
* **Higurashi: When They Cry Hou** (ひぐらしのなく頃(ころ)に　奉(ほう), *Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Hō, lit. "When The Cicadas Cry Gift"*)
	+ **Outbreak** (アウトブレイク, *Autobureiku*)
	+ **Kamikashimashi Arc** (神姦(かみかしま)し編(へん), *Kamikashimashi-hen, lit. "Boisterous Gods Arc"*)
	+ **Hinamizawa Bus Stop** (雛見沢停留所(ひなみざわていりゅうじょ), *Hinamizawa Teiryūjo*)
* **Higurashi: When They Cry Gou** (ひぐらしのなく頃(ころ)に　業(ごう), *Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gō, lit. "When The Cicadas Cry Karma"*)
	+ **Onidamashi Arc** (鬼騙(おにだま)し編(へん), *Onidamashi-hen, lit. "Demon Deceiving Arc"*)
	+ **Watadamashi Arc** (綿騙(わただま)し編(へん), *Watadamashi-hen, lit. "Cotton Deceiving Arc"*)
	+ **Tataridamashi Arc** (祟騙(たたりだま)し編(へん), *Tataridamashi-hen, lit. "Curse Deceiving Arc"*)
	+ **Nekodamashi Arc** (猫騙(ひまつぶ)し編(へん), *Nekodamashi-hen, lit. "Cat Deceiving Arc"*)
	+ **Satokowashi Arc** (里壊(さとこわ)し編(へん), *Satokowashi-hen, lit. "Village Destroying Arc"*)

### Umineko: When They Cry

* **When They Cry 3: Umineko: When They Cry** (うみねこのなく頃(ころ)に, *Umineko no Naku Koro ni, lit. "When The Seagulls Cry"*)
	+ **Episode 1: Legend of the Golden Witch**
	+ **Episode 2: Turn of the Golden Witch**
	+ **Episode 3: Banquet of the Golden Witch**
	+ **Episode 4: Allience of the Golden Witch**
* **When They Cry 4: Umineko: When They Cry Chiru** (うみねこのなく頃(ころ)に　散(ちる), *Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru, lit. "When The Seagulls Cry Scattering"*)
	+ **Episode 5: End of the Golden Witch**
	+ **Episode 6: Dawn of the Golden Witch**
	+ **Episode 7: Requiem of the Golden Witch**
	+ **Episode 8: Twilight of the Golden Witch**
* **When They Cry 4+: Umineko: When They Cry Tsubasa** (うみねこのなく頃(ころ)に　翼(つばさ), *Umineko no Naku Koro ni Tsubasa, lit. "When The Seagulls Cry Wings"*)
	+ **Bern's Letter** (ベルンの手紙(てがみ), *Berun no Tegami*)
	+ **The Witches' Tanabata Isn't Sweet** (魔女達(まじょたち)の七夕(たなばた)は甘(あま)くない, *Majotachi no Tanabata wa Amakunai*)
	+ **Game Master BATTLER!** (ゲームマスターバトラ！, *Gēmu Masutā Batora*)
	+ **Jessica's Mother's Day Present** (朱志香(ジェシカ)の母(はは)の日(ひ)プレゼント, *Jeshika no Haha no Hi Purezento*)
	+ **Jessica and the Love Charm** (朱志香(ジェシカ)と恋(こい)のおまじない, *Jeshika to Koi no Omajinai*)
	+ **Memoirs of the ΛΔ**
	+ **Notes from a Certain Chef** (ある料理人(りょうりにん)の雑記(ざっき), *Aru Ryōrinin no Zakki*)
	+ **Labor Thanksgiving Day Gifts** (勤労感謝(きんろうかんしゃ)の日(ひ)の贈(おく)り物(もの), *Kinrōkanshanohi no Okurimono*)
	+ **The Seven Sisters' Valentine** (七姉妹(ななしまい)のバレンタイン, *Nana Shimai no Barentain*)
	+ **Beatrice's White Day** (ベアトリーチェのホワイトデー, *Beatorīche no Howaito Dē*)
	+ **Cornelia the New Priest** (新人司祭(しじんしさい)コーネリア, *Shinjin Shisai Kōneria*)
	+ **Whose Tea Party?** (だれのおちゃかい？, *Dare no Ochakai?*)
	+ **Valentine's Day Letters** (バレンタインペーパー, *Barentain Pēpā*)
	+ **To Mount Purgatory, Sakutaro** (さくたろう、煉獄山(れんごくさん)へ, *Sakutarō, Rengoku-san e*)
	+ **Arigato For 556**
* **When They Cry 4+: Umineko: When They Cry Hane** (うみねこのなく頃(ころ)に　羽(はね), *Umineko no Naku Koro ni Hane, lit. "When The Seagulls Cry Feathers"*)
	+ **Jessica and the Killer Electric Fan** (朱志香(ジェシカ)と殺人扇風機(さつじんせんぷうき), *Jeshika to Satsujin Senpūki*)
	+ **Forgery no. XXX** (戯書(ぎしょ)Ｎｏ,×××, *Gisho no. XXX*)
* **When They Cry 4+: Umineko: When They Cry Saku** (うみねこのなく頃(ころ)に　咲(さく), *Umineko no Naku Koro ni Saku, lit. "When The Seagulls Cry Bloom"*)
	+ **07th Theater** (０７ｔｈシアター, *07th Shiatā*)
	+ **Our Confession** (我(われわれ)らの告白(こくはく), *Warera no Kokuhaku*)
	+ **Episode 9: Last note of the Golden Witch**

### Ciconia: When They Cry

* **When They Cry 5: Ciconia: When They Cry** (キコニアのなく頃(ころ)に, *Kikonia no Naku Koro ni, lit. "When The Storks Cry"*)
	+ **Phase 1: For You, the Replaceable Ones** (代(か)わりのいる君(きみ)たちへ, *Kawari no iru kimitachi e*)