Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Watch Order & Filler List!

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni or Higurashi: When They Cry is easily one of the most renowned horror murder mystery anime in the community. Despite starting as a video game, Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni was massively successful, resulting in a manga adaptation and a nine-part anime adaptation (including OVA and specials).

Unfortunately, the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni timeline is very messy, which can be very daunting for people who are interested in the series. To make things easier for you, we have created an easy watch guide to Higurashi: When They Cry, complete with its chronological order, filler list, and watch links! So with that said, let’s get started!

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Chronological Release Order

TV Series

• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (2006)
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (2007)
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou (2020)
• Higurashi: When They Cry Sotsu (2021)

OVAs

• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: Rei (2009)
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: Kira (2011)
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kaku: Outbreak (2013)

Specials

• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: Nekogoroshi-hen (2007)
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Specials (2007)

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Watch Order & Filler List

Higurashi wraps up the story within two seasons, i.e., Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai. The other 7 installations are side stories that further expand the universe of the series. This means that there are no fillers in Higurashi: When They Cry, but many installations can be skipped (not recommended) since each one is a stand-alone story or arc.

Arcs in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

As I mentioned above, Higurashi’s entire franchise comprises individual storylines that expand the universe. However, it can get very complicated for a first-time viewer, especially when it comes to arcs.

It is recommended that first-time viewers skip over this section and instead follow the chronological order provided in the section above. However, for those who want to rewatch, this section is essential in understanding how the arcs are divided.

Basically, Higurashi divides its arcs and time resets into Questions Arcs and Answers Arcs. Many prefer to jump between the series’ or even skip certain parts to comprehend the show fully. You can find a comprehensive guide to every Higurashi arc below.

Question Arcs

• Onikakushi (Demoning Away Arc) - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (1-4)
• Watanagashi (Cotton Drifting Arc) - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (5-8)
• Tatarigoroshi (Curse Killing Arc) - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (9-13)
• Himatsubushi (Time Killing Arc) - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (14-15)

Answer Arcs

• Meakashi (Eye Opening Arc) - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (16-21)
• Tsumihoroboshi (Atonement Arc) - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (22-26)
• Minagoroshi (Massacre Arc) - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (6-13)
• Matsuribayashi (Festival Accompanying Arc) - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (14-24)

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Watch Links

Higurashi: When They Cry is an anime adapted from a Japanese murder mystery dōjin soft visual novel series produced by 07th Expansion.

The story of Higurashi follows Keiichi Maebara, a boy who has just moved to the quiet little village of Hinamizawa in the summer of 1983. He quickly becomes inseparable friends with schoolmates Rena Ryuuguu, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Houjou, and Rika Furude and lives a good life. However, there's darkness lurking underneath the seemingly idyllic life they are leading.

As the village prepares for its annual festival, Keiichi learns about the local legends surrounding it. To his horror, he discovers that there have been several murders and disappearances in the village that seem to be connected to the festival and the village's patron god, Oyashiro.

When Keiichi tries to ask his friends about these incidents, they are suspiciously silent and refuse to answer his questions. As more and more bizarre and horrific events occur, he wonders just what else his friends might be hiding from him and if he can even trust them at all. With madness and paranoia beginning to take root in Keiichi's heart, he will stumble straight into the horrors and mysteries at work in the village.

Watch Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: Netflix, HIDIVE, Hulu