A newHigurashi no Naku Koro nianimewas announcedwith key visuals showing iconicHigurashicharacter Rena Ryugu and a teaser trailer. This anime adaptation of 07th Expansion and Ryukishi07’s classic visual novel will have a brand new character design by Akio Watanabe. He’s the character designer ofNurse Witch Komugi, Monogatari Series, Grisaia Series,and part of thePretty Rhythmfranchise.The anime is produced by Infinite and the anime studio is Studio Passione.
We have no information yet regarding whether this newHigurashianime project will be a TV anime series or a movie.
Higurashi no Naku Koro niis originally a series of horror visual novels, and it’s the first part of theWhen They Cryseries. The very firstHigurashigame was released by 07th Expansion at Comiket 62 in August 2002, and it became a cultural phenomenon.
Higurashialready got multiple anime adaptations in the past. Most notably, a first season of 26 episodes aired in 2006, and a second season of 24 episodes aired in 2007. These two anime seasons adapted the 8 original arcs/games of the visual novel series. While we have no info yet regarding what this new anime will end up covering, it’s highly likely it’ll be the originalHigurashiarcs again, seeing the teaser trailer.
Personally speaking, I’m incredibly hyped by this new anime announcement seeingHigurashiand Ryukishi07’s works are among my favorite franchises ever. The previousHigurashianime seasons are pretty good entry points to get into the franchise, but they are vastly inferior to the original games or the incredible manga adaptations. Hopefully, this new anime won’t disappoint and will do justice to the series.
To celebrate this announcement, starting January 8, all the previousHigurashianime including the 2 TV seasons and the OVAs will restart airing on AT-X in Japan.
TheHigurashigames are available in English on PC via Steam, with a different character design than the original ugly but charming illustrations by Ryukishi07. The eight original arcs plus the many other arcs released after that are all compiled in a Japan-exclusive PS4 game titledHigurashi no Naku Koro ni Hou. The game is also available on Switch but is missing one arc compared to the PS4 version.
The second part of theWhen They Cryseries,Umineko, is also available in English on Steam. A new version ofUminekocontaining every single arc is also coming to PS4 and Switch in Japan but has no release date yet.
Ryukishi07 and 07th Expansion are currently working on the third part of theWhen They Cryseries, titledCiconia. The first game launched worldwide on June 25, 2025, on Steam. Ryukish07 recently revealedCiconiawill have four games in total and explainedhow 07th Expansion changed over two decades.
This announcement about a newHigurashianime was teased by Ryukishi07 during new yearswhen he also mentionedCiconia Phase 2is getting delayed.
Last but not least, 07th Expansion is currently working on a brand new IP titledKaleidoscope of Phantasm Prison,also known asGensou Rougoku no KaleidoscopeorGerokasu. This horror game was supposed to launch on July 25, 2025, on PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch,but was indefinitely delayed. If you wish to learn more, we translated the game’sstory details.themain characters' profiles,andcomments from the staff and cast.
The newHigurashianime’s teaser trailer and key visual by Akio Watanabe are included below.
Update:It’s worth pointing out the key visual with Rena was first teased at the end of theHigurashianime marathon on Niconico on June 11, 2025.
