When They Cry (franchise)

When They Cry is the English term for the wide-ranging media mix franchise adapted from the works of Ryukishi07 and 07th Expansion. The franchise was created with the release of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, a murder mystery visual novel characterized by looping storylines, psychological horror, and an isolated village setting. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni has become its own subfranchise, spawning several manga adaptations and spin-offs as well as several anime adaptations. The wider When They Cry franchise has since grown to include 07th Expansion's subsequent titles Umineko no Naku Koro ni, a metafictional murder mystery set on a private island, and Ciconia no Naku Koro ni, a futuristic military thriller featuring human superweapons caught up in eschatological conspiracies. All members of the When They Cry franchise feature similar naming schemes, loosely connected continuities, and psychological story elements.

Visual novels

Release timeline
2002Onikakushi-hen
Watanagashi-hen
2003Tatarigoroshi-hen
2004Himatsubushi-hen
Meakashi-hen
2005Tsumihoroboshi-hen
Minagoroshi-hen
2006Matsuribayashi-hen
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei
2007Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Matsuri
Legend of the Golden Witch
Turn of the Golden Witch
2008Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna: Dai Ichi Kan "Tatari"
Banquet of the Golden Witch
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna: Dai Ni Kan "Sō"
Alliance of the Golden Witch
2009End of the Golden Witch
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna: Dai San Kan "Rasen"
Dawn of the Golden Witch
2010Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna: Dai Yon Kan "Kizuna"
Requiem of the Golden Witch
Twilight of the Golden Witch
Umineko no Naku Koro ni Tsubasa
2011Umineko no Naku Koro ni Hane
2012
2013
2014Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Hou
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019Umineko no Naku Koro ni Saku
Phase 1: For You, the Replaceable Ones

List of When They Cry visual novels

In other media

Anime series

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni26April 4, 2006 (2006-04-04)September 26, 2006 (2006-09-26)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai24July 6, 2007 (2007-07-06)December 17, 2007 (2007-12-17)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei5February 15, 2009 (2009-02-15)August 21, 2009 (2009-08-21)
Umineko no Naku Koro ni26July 2, 2009 (2009-07-02)December 24, 2009 (2009-12-24)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kira4July 21, 2011 (2011-07-21)January 25, 2012 (2012-01-25)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kaku1August 15, 2013 (2013-08-15)August 15, 2013 (2013-08-15)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou24October 1, 2020 (2020-10-01)March 18, 2021 (2021-03-18)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sotsu15July 1, 2021 (2021-07-01)September 30, 2021 (2021-09-30)

Manga

Manga released in English
Manga not released in English

Other works by 07th Expansion

07th Expansion is also responsible for several works not explicitly part of the When They Cry franchise. These works often contain homages to the When They Cry franchise in some way or another.

Works loosely related to the When They Cry franchise
Works unrelated to the When They Cry franchise