Higurashi: When They Cry watch order
Keiichi moves to the quiet village of Hinamizawa and makes friends fast, until he learns that someone dies and someone vanishes every year during the Watanagashi festival. Based on Ryukishi07's visual novels, each arc replays the same June of 1983 with a different outcome.
First time? Watch the 2006 series, then Kai, then Rei (at least episodes 2–4), then Gou and Sotsu. Don't start with Gou: it looks like a remake but expects you to know the original.
Story order
The main line: the original story across the 2006 series and Kai, Rei's Saikoroshi epilogue, then Gou and Sotsu, which follow on from the original. Nekogoroshi, Kira and Outbreak are side stories and left out.
- Higurashi: When They Cry (2006)
Studio Deen's first season: the four question arcs (Onikakushi 1–4, Watanagashi 5–8, Tatarigoroshi 9–13, Himatsubushi 14–15) and the first two answer arcs (Meakashi 16–21, Tsumihoroboshi 22–26). Each arc restarts the story, so the jumps are on purpose.
- Higurashi: When They Cry – Kai
The second season and the end of the original story. Episode 1 is an epilogue to Tsumihoroboshi, episodes 2–5 are the anime-original Yakusamashi arc, then Minagoroshi (6–13) and the finale, Matsuribayashi (14–24).
- Higurashi: When They Cry – Rei (optional)
Five OVA episodes. Episode 1 (Hajisarashi, a water-park comedy) and episode 5 (Hirukowashi, a cursed-charm romcom) are light side stories. Episodes 2–4 are Saikoroshi, a serious epilogue set after Matsuribayashi that fans recommend.
- Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou
Passione's new series. Its first three arcs (Onidamashi 1–4, Watadamashi 5–8, Tataridamashi 9–13) look like retellings of the original question arcs but play out differently, and from Nekodamashi (14–17) and Satokowashi (18–24) it's all new. Watch it after Kai, not before.
- Higurashi: When They Cry – Sotsu
The direct sequel to Gou and its answer arcs: Oniakashi (1–3), Wataakashi (4–6) and Tatariakashi (7–11) show Gou's first three arcs from the other side, and Kagurashi (12–15) ends the story.
Release order
Everything in the order it came out. The side OVAs are all optional.
- Higurashi: When They Cry (2006)
Studio Deen's first season: the four question arcs (Onikakushi 1–4, Watanagashi 5–8, Tatarigoroshi 9–13, Himatsubushi 14–15) and the first two answer arcs (Meakashi 16–21, Tsumihoroboshi 22–26). Each arc restarts the story, so the jumps are on purpose.
- Higurashi: Nekogoroshi-hen (optional)
A 23-minute bonus episode for buyers of the Japanese season 1 DVDs: a poker-game punishment and a small self-contained mystery. It doesn't move the plot; optional.
- Higurashi: When They Cry – Kai
The second season and the end of the original story. Episode 1 is an epilogue to Tsumihoroboshi, episodes 2–5 are the anime-original Yakusamashi arc, then Minagoroshi (6–13) and the finale, Matsuribayashi (14–24).
- Higurashi: When They Cry – Rei (optional)
Five OVA episodes. Episode 1 (Hajisarashi, a water-park comedy) and episode 5 (Hirukowashi, a cursed-charm romcom) are light side stories. Episodes 2–4 are Saikoroshi, a serious epilogue set after Matsuribayashi that fans recommend.
- Higurashi: When They Cry – Kira (optional)
Four comedy and fan-service OVAs: a punishment-game parody of the first arc, Rika and Satoko as magical girls, a love-triangle romcom and a time-paradox story. Non-canon; skip unless you want more of the cast goofing around.
- Higurashi: When They Cry – Kaku: Outbreak (optional)
A 52-minute what-if OVA in which Hinamizawa is quarantined over a deadly virus. A standalone side story; watch it any time after Kai, or skip it.
- Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou
Passione's new series. Its first three arcs (Onidamashi 1–4, Watadamashi 5–8, Tataridamashi 9–13) look like retellings of the original question arcs but play out differently, and from Nekodamashi (14–17) and Satokowashi (18–24) it's all new. Watch it after Kai, not before.
- Higurashi: When They Cry – Sotsu
The direct sequel to Gou and its answer arcs: Oniakashi (1–3), Wataakashi (4–6) and Tatariakashi (7–11) show Gou's first three arcs from the other side, and Kagurashi (12–15) ends the story.
Explained
Why does the story keep resetting?
Each arc is a separate run through June 1983 with the same characters. The first four arcs (the 'question' arcs) pose the mysteries and end badly; the 'answer' arcs (Meakashi, Tsumihoroboshi, Minagoroshi and Matsuribayashi) show what was really going on. The 2006 series ends partway through the answers, and Kai finishes them.
Is Gou a remake? Can I start with it?
It was marketed like a remake, and its first episodes retell the opening arcs, but it isn't one: Gou follows on from the original story and its twists only land if you've seen the 2006 series and Kai. Most fans and watch guides say to watch the original first. Sotsu is Gou's second half.
Which OVAs matter?
Only Rei's Saikoroshi arc (episodes 2–4) is a real epilogue to the original; it's optional but well liked. Rei's other two episodes, Nekogoroshi, Kira and Outbreak are side stories, comedies or what-ifs that nothing later relies on.
Do I need the visual novels, or Umineko?
No. The anime covers all eight main arcs, though the visual novels (on Steam as Higurashi Hou, with an extra arc added in Hou+) tell them in much more detail. Umineko: When They Cry is a separate series by the same author with a different cast; there are links for people who've seen both, but it isn't part of this watch order.
Is there a new Higurashi anime?
Yes. In June 2026, for the 20th anniversary, Studio Deen announced a new Higurashi TV anime with the original voice cast returning. As of October 2026 there's no release date, and it hasn't been said whether it's a new adaptation of the original story or something else. There are also two live-action films (2008 and 2009) and a 2016 TV drama, all separate from the anime.