Life couldn’t be better for Keiichi Maebara. Sure, he’s moved to a sleepy, little town where nothing happens and high school consists of a one-room schoolhouse — but his new friends and fellow students are all cute girls! When he happens upon a story about a grisly local murder, however, his contentment turns to uneasiness as he finds himself drawn into a web of silent intrigue that involves his newfound friends…and threatens his very existence....
The story of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is divided into a total of eight chapters: four "Question" arcs and four "Answer" arcs. Each chapter keeps the same main characters, but ends in a different way. However, each chapter gives valuable answers, hints, and clues to the previous one, while at the same time bringing forth even more mysteries.
The question arcs are:
1. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Onikakushi Hen
2. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Watanagashi Hen
3. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Tatarigoroshi Hen
4. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Himatsubushi Hen
The answer arcs are:
5. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai - Meakashi Hen
6. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai - Tsumihoroboshi Hen
7. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai - Minagoroshi Hen
8. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai - Matsuribayashi Hen
The side story arcs are:
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Onisarashi Hen
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Yoigoshi Hen
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Kataribanashi Hen
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai - Utsutsukowashi Hen
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Kokoro Iyashi Hen
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Hirukowashi Hen
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jan - Tsubamegaeshi Hen
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei - Saikoroshi Hen