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The talented team over at 07th Expansion knows how to make a masterful, complicated, and engrossing story. The folks did it with Higurashi first, and then soon after again with Umineko. More importantly, everyone involved is a master of Japanese horror, which not enough visual novels and anime do well. As such, it is high time for Umineko, one of the best horror anime of all time, to make a long-awaited return.

Umineko has a pretty straightforward initial premise with an execution that is anything but simple. It tells the story of a family that gathers on an island, only to become stranded there. Thus ensues some wild and horrifying murders that can’t be easily explained. Is it supernatural? A human serial killer? Therein lies the true mystery of this anime.

I would argue the premise of this series and the spooky vibes are, at times, more compelling and intriguing than even Higurashi, which I also adore. It has a structure quite similar to its predecessor in the original visual novel, too, splitting between its four question arcs and four answer ones. Unfortunately, the original anime focused solely on the question side.

As such, fans are left with some of the worst lingering questions with no answers and it has been like this since the anime’s release in 2009. That is quite a long time to wait without any resolution whatsoever. Of course, you can play the original visual novels, read the manga, or even the novelization series for the answers if you’d like.

But I think it is a shame to make fans go that route, especially since Higurashi is complete in anime form. In fact, it is so complete that it got a full-on two-season sequel, despite being seemingly finished, from 2020-2021. This makes the situation all the more worse for Umineko that has nothing but a single 26 episode season.

At this point, it feels necessary to do a full-on Umineko remake. And this would be great since it would have much better animation and usher in a new audience. This remake season could be a precursor to a second season finally diving into the answers. I hate to get my hopes up, but it actually feels like the right time to do this as well.

After all, we got Higurashi’s surprise return fairly recently. Then there is the almost renaissance of whodunnits in recent years. The likes of Among Us, the Knives Out series, and Hercule Poirot’s recent trilogy all help to popularize this genre. And given how unique Umineko‘s take on murder mysteries is, it can stand out even further.

The one possible hitch in this plan is who would make the Umineko anime. ione created the recent Higurashi sequels, so it seems like a likely candidate. However, it is quite busy right now with a lot of and current series like Chained Soldier Season 2, Nukitashi the Animation, and Loner Life in Another World.

Fans would likely either have to wait even longer for this legendary horror anime series to return or another studio would have to handle it. Regardless, I do hope it returns and gets the justice it deserves. The intense murders, locked room mysteries, and surprises would fit so well in today’s landscape. And this is before the epic and memorable characters like protagonist Battler and the evil witch Beatrice, who might even more be iconic than the Higurashi cast. Hopefully, we finally see one of the best horror anime series of all time, Umineko, return soon.

Umineko: When They Cry is not currently available to stream on any legal service in North America.

The post The Incredible Umineko Horror Anime Needs to Return appeared first on Siliconera.

The Steam Autumn Sale is on, and includes a developer-wide discount on games by 07th Expansion, the group led by Ryukishi07, future writer for Silent Hill f [Thanks, Wario64!]

The 07th Expansion developer sale puts a temporary cut to prices on all the games offered on Steam by the studio. Discounts range from 10% off to 50% off. In some regions, this puts the minimum price for some items at under $2 USD.

The 07th Expansion games on sale include the episodes of the Higurashi When They Cry series, as well as the Umineko When They Cry titles, and the latest game in the franchise, Ciconia When They Cry. The only game not discounted is the first chapter of Higurashi When They Cry, because it's already free.

Higurashi When They Cry is a murder mystery set in the sleepy rural town of Hinamizawa. Keiichi Maebara, a new arrival in town, learns that murders and disappearances accompany the annual Watanagashi festival, and that the town is thought to be "cursed" by its guardian deity, Oyashiro.

Umineko When They Cry takes place on a private island, where the wealthy clan Ushiromiya has gathered to negotiate an inheritance. Unfortunately for all involved, the "Golden Witch" Beatrice is involved in the proceedings. A fighting game, Umineko: Golden Fantasia, is also on sale.

Only the first "phase" of Ciconia When They Cry has been released so far, with four episodes planned. Rather than the 1980s periods favored by Higurashi and Umineko, Ciconia is set after World War III, and follows young "Gauntlet Knights" as they try to prevent World War IV from breaking out.

Check out the full list of games in the 07th Expansion sale at this link. Prices can vary based on region and currency. The Steam Autumn Sale ends on November 29, 2022.

The post 07th Expansion Dev Sale Highlights Games from Silent Hill f’s Writer appeared first on Siliconera.

A Higurashi When they Cry and Umineko When They Cry dual pack for the Nintendo Switch is scheduled to release in March 2021. This version will come with an exclusive wall tapestry and game sleeve. Both of these items feature Rika Furude and Bernkastel. Consumers can get their hands on the Higurashi When they Cry and Umineko When They Cry dual pack on March 25, 2021. [Thanks, Gamer!]

The version with the included tapestry and game sleeve will exclusively be sold through Japanese retailer Rakuten. The dual pack will cost ¥11,990 (or roughly $113) and will ship around the expected release date. Additionally, consumers can purchase a character fine board which features the special tapestry illustration included in the dual pack. This will cost 4,400 (or approximately $41).

Recently, a Higurashi When They Cry and Umineko When They Cry board game was announced. The board game is currently in production and will set players in the middle of a series of mysterious murders. Inspired by the events of both titles, series creator Ryukishi07 will oversee production.

Higurashi When They Cry and Umineko When They Cry are immediately available for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 as individual purchases to Japanese audiences. Global audiences can purchase both titles individually for PC. The dual pack will release on March 25, 2021.

The post Higurashi and Umineko Dual Pack for Nintendo Switch to Release in March appeared first on Siliconera.

Studio OZON announced that a Higurashi When They Cry and Umineko When They Cry murder mystery board game is currently in production. However, details about the project are scarce. More updates about the board game will be disclosed through the Studio OZON Twitter. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]

The board game will be produced by Joldeeno. Higurashi When They Cry and Umineko When They Cry series creator Ryukishi07 will help oversee the production of the project. The Higurashi When They Cry and Umineko When They Cry murder mystery board game will task players with uncovering the truth behind fictional murder cases.

A new Higurashi anime released in late 2020. The latest Higurashi When They Cry series is less of a remake of the original animated series that debuted in 2006 and instead is another storyline that explores an alternate timeline.

In October 2020, Square Enix made the first eight episodes of Umineko When They Cry available to read entirely for free. However, this offer was only available for a limited time.

Higurashi When they Cry Hou is immediately available for PCs worldwide. It is also available on the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in Japan. Umineko no Naku Koro ni originally released for PC in Japan in 2007. A worldwide release followed in 2016.

The post Higurashi When They Cry and Umineko When They Cry Murder Mystery Board Game Announced appeared first on Siliconera.

ZTS has released some Umineko When They Cry songs people have never had a chance to hear. A new album has appeared on Bandcamp called Umineko no Naku Koro ni Unfinished Unused Songs and, as you might guess, features songs that never ended up being finished or used.

This ZTS album has eight tracks. It is a “name your price” digital copy with no minimum payment required, so someone could immediately grab all of these Umineko When They Cry songs for free. No details about where these songs could have originally appeared were provided.

Here is the full tracklist for this collection of unfinished and unused Umineko no Naku Koro ni songs.

1. “Gray Rain”
2. “Homicide Vison”
3. “istration”
4. “Reject”
5. “Testifier”
6. “Lastend(dream)”
7. “Feather”
8. “Hukakusekai”

This is the first album ZTS has released on Bandcamp since 2011’s Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru Musicbox Red album. The composer first teased the release of these latest tracks on Twitter on November 7, 2019.

The Umineko no Naku Koro ni series is available on PCs. The next entry will be Ciconia When They Cry, and a PC demo is immediately available in English.

The post Umineko When They Cry Unfinished Unused Songs Released appeared first on Siliconera.

People looking forward to helping fund the Umineko When They Cry: Gold Edition will need to wait a bit longer for the project from Catbox Creative, 07th Expansion, and MangaGamer. It has been delayed for a second time. However, to make up for it, one of the voice actors and one of the backer rewards have been revealed.

As a reminder, the Umineko When They Cry: Gold Edition Kickstarter was supposed to begin on November 7, 2018. However, on November 7, 2018, Catbox Creative said on Twitter that its start date was delayed until November 14, 2018, due to a desire to bring even more content due to people showing a “overwhelming positive response.” On November 14, 2018, the latest Twitter update revealed another delay had been caused by a member of the launch team falling ill and did not offer an updated Kickstarter launch date.

Due to a health emergency affecting an essential member of our launch team, we are deeply sorry to say that the start time for the #UminekoGold Kickstarter must be slightly delayed. We will launch as soon as we receive word from our colleague that we’re out of the woods! (1/2)

— Catbox Creative (@CatboxCreative) November 14, 2018

As for the new reveals, it turns out Linda Young will be voicing Chiyo Kumasawa. Young is known for being Frieza in Dragon Ball Z, Genkai in Yu Yu Hakusho, Porlyusica in Fairy Tail, and the narrator in My Bride is a Mermaid.

Finally, one of the physical products in the Umineko When They Cry: Gold Edition Kickstarter will be a deck of playing cards. All 54 will be themed, with character art on the front and roses, stakes, wings, and butterflies replacing the normal hearts, spades, diamonds, and clubs suits.

Umineko When They Cry is immediately available for PCs.

The post Umineko When They Cry: Gold Edition Kickstarter Delayed For A Second Time appeared first on Siliconera.

Catbox Creative have announced that they are teaming up with MangaGamer, 07th Expansion, Witch Hunt Translation Group, and Sound Cadence Studios to bring an updated version of Umineko When They Cry to Western audiences via Kickstarter, called Umineko When They Cry: Gold Edition. All players who already own Umineko When They Cry on Steam will be able to access the contents of Gold Edition if the Kickstarter succeeds.

Gold Edition is set to have a full North American voice cast approved by Umineko creator Ryukishi07, a graphics update that adds the option to use the updated visuals from the PS3 games “Rondo of the Witch and Reasoning” and “Nocturne of Truth and Illusions", as well as completely new content by Ryukishi07. Furthermore, a fully voiced audio drama series called “Voices of Rokkenjima” will be released on iTunes for free.

Here are the voice cast announced so far:

• Battler Ushiromiya: Kyle Igneczi
• George Ushiromiya: Josh Grelle
• Jessica Ushiromiya: Brittney Karbowski
• Maria Ushiromiya: Sarah Wiedenheft
• Kanon: Bryson Baugus
• Eva Ushiromiya: Cynthia Cranz
• Natsuhi Ushiromiya: Wendy Powell
• Hideyoshi Ushiromiya: Kent Williams
• Dr. Terumasa Nanjo: Francis Henry
• Genji Ronoue: Bill Jenkins

Check out the official Kickstarter announcement video below:

Umineko When They Cry: Gold Edition’s Kickstarter campaign is set to last a month, from November 7, 2018 to December 7, 2018. You can find the official site here. Umineko When They Cry is currently available on Steam.

The post Umineko When They Cry: Gold Edition Announced For Kickstarter appeared first on Siliconera.

Umineko – When They Cry (Question Arc), available now on Steam, lets players switch between the game’s original art style and the updated visuals of the new English release.

The murder mystery visual novel’s translation has also been updated from previous versions, but the game’s soundtrack remains the same as the original.

In Umineko - When They Cry (Question Arc), players act as Battler as he investigates several grisly murders that occur during the Ushiromiya family reunion. With ten tons of gold and his family’s lives on the line, Battler must find out who is carrying out these crimes, and if there is indeed a witch using magical powers to kill the victims.

The post Swap Between New & Classic Art Style In Steam Release Of Umineko – When They Cry appeared first on Siliconera.

Mangagamer have stated that the updated version of murder mystery visual novel Umineko – When They Cry (Question Arc), complete with new artwork and a new English translation, will be releasing on their site and Steam on July 8.

This release marks the first time the game will be released completely uncut in the West, and will also feature all of the original game’s soundtrack.

In Umineko – When They Cry (Question Arc), players follow Battler as he tries to piece together a series of murders at the Ushiromiya family’s annual conference on the island of Rokkenjima. Navigating a family torn by a potential inheritance of ten tons of gold, a mysterious riddle, and a person claiming to be a witch, players will have to untangle the game’s many mysteries and seemingly-impossible riddles across several chapters to reach its complex conclusion.

The post Umineko When They Cry (Question Arc) Releasing With New Translation & Art July 8 appeared first on Siliconera.

During Anime Expo 2015, MangaGamer announced that it’s working on a Steam version of murder mystery visual novel Umineko – When They Cry.

It’ll have an updated translation with help from Witch Hunt as well as new character artwork while keeping the original soundtrack. It’ll also be available on MangaGamer’s store alongside Steam and will adhere with original creator 07th Expansion’s episodic release system.

Umineko – When They Cry takes place across eight chapters in which you follower Battler as he investigates a murder at the Ushiromiya family’s annual reunion on island of Rokkenjima. “Battler’s cousin Maria believes the golden witch Beatrice has returned and committed murder through magic, but Battler doesn’t believe in such a fantasy,” writes MangaGamer.

Across the game’s chapters you experience several different ways in which the murder could have gone down. From this, you have to try to piece together the truth and reveal what actually happened during the game’s climactic finale.

The post Umineko – When They Cry Heading To Steam With An Updated Translation appeared first on Siliconera.