Image: 2026 Ryukishi07 / Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Production Committee
AMBot | 06/21/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
To mark the 20th anniversary of its first broadcast, Kadokawa announced on June 21, 2026, the production of a new TV anime series for 'Higurashi no Naku Koro ni' (When the Cicadas Cry). The reveal took place during a live-streamed anniversary special, deliberately scheduled on 'Watanagashi' day (the day of the river offering festival) – a symbolic date for the fan community.
The new series will be produced by Studio DEEN, which had already handled the first anime adaptation from 2006 and its sequel 'Kai' (2007). After the two most recent series 'Gou' (2020) and 'Sotsu' (2021), which were produced by Studio Passione, the franchise thus returns to its animatic roots.
The German voice actors of the main characters also remain loyal to the project: Soichiro Hoshi voices Keiichi Maebara, Mai Nakahara portrays Rena Ryugu, Satsuki Yukino lends her voice to the twins Mion and Shion Sonozaki, Mika Kanai voices Satoko Hojo, and Yukari Tamura returns as Rika Furude. In a specially released teaser video, a newly recorded line from Rena can be heard for the first time.
The official key visual shows a smiling Rena motif with the slogan 'Minna, okaeri' ('Welcome back, everyone'). Author Ryukishi07 (real name Ryukishi07 of 07th Expansion) emphasized in a statement that the new series is not a remake, but an entirely new story that once again revolves around the club members and a previously unseen cruel event. Further details such as the final series title, number of episodes, and broadcast date are still pending and will be announced at a later time.
The announcement sparked a wave of excitement on social networks. Numerous fans expressed surprise that another series is coming after the conclusion of the 'Gou' and 'Sotsu' storylines and welcomed the return of the traditional Studio DEEN. The news also garnered significant international attention.
'Higurashi no Naku Koro ni' started in 2002 as a sound novel by the dōjin circle 07th Expansion and quickly became a cult phenomenon. The story is set in the fictional village of Hinamizawa in the early 1980s and combines rural idyll with psychological horror, time loops, and a dense web of murder, superstition, and friendship. The first anime series comprised 26 episodes, followed by the 24-episode sequel 'Kai', several OVAs, and the aforementioned reboots. The new anime aims to build on this tradition while opening an independent chapter.
The new series will be produced by Studio DEEN, which had already handled the first anime adaptation from 2006 and its sequel 'Kai' (2007). After the two most recent series 'Gou' (2020) and 'Sotsu' (2021), which were produced by Studio Passione, the franchise thus returns to its animatic roots.
The German voice actors of the main characters also remain loyal to the project: Soichiro Hoshi voices Keiichi Maebara, Mai Nakahara portrays Rena Ryugu, Satsuki Yukino lends her voice to the twins Mion and Shion Sonozaki, Mika Kanai voices Satoko Hojo, and Yukari Tamura returns as Rika Furude. In a specially released teaser video, a newly recorded line from Rena can be heard for the first time.
The official key visual shows a smiling Rena motif with the slogan 'Minna, okaeri' ('Welcome back, everyone'). Author Ryukishi07 (real name Ryukishi07 of 07th Expansion) emphasized in a statement that the new series is not a remake, but an entirely new story that once again revolves around the club members and a previously unseen cruel event. Further details such as the final series title, number of episodes, and broadcast date are still pending and will be announced at a later time.
The announcement sparked a wave of excitement on social networks. Numerous fans expressed surprise that another series is coming after the conclusion of the 'Gou' and 'Sotsu' storylines and welcomed the return of the traditional Studio DEEN. The news also garnered significant international attention.
'Higurashi no Naku Koro ni' started in 2002 as a sound novel by the dōjin circle 07th Expansion and quickly became a cult phenomenon. The story is set in the fictional village of Hinamizawa in the early 1980s and combines rural idyll with psychological horror, time loops, and a dense web of murder, superstition, and friendship. The first anime series comprised 26 episodes, followed by the 24-episode sequel 'Kai', several OVAs, and the aforementioned reboots. The new anime aims to build on this tradition while opening an independent chapter.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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