The creative entity behind the works listed is not an individual named "Seventh Expansion" but rather the Japanese dōjin circle 07th Expansion, led by the writer and illustrator Ryukishi07. Ryukishi07, born in 1973 in Chiba Prefecture, is the original creator and primary author of the When They Cry franchise, which includes the Higurashi and Umineko series. His pen name is derived from the character Lenna Charlotte Tycoon from Final Fantasy V, blending the Dragoon (Ryuukishi) job class with the number 07 from her Japanese name's pronunciation.

Before achieving fame, Ryukishi07 aspired to work in the gaming industry but was unable to secure a position at a game company. He worked as a civil servant while developing games as a hobby. Along with his brother, Yatazakura, he founded 07th Expansion, initially creating cards for the trading card game Leaf Fight. The circle transitioned to sound novels, and Ryukishi07 adapted an earlier unpublished stage play script titled Hinamizawa Teiryūjo (Hinamizawa Bus Stop) into what would become the first chapter of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. He wrote all scenarios, performed all character art and programming for the original PC releases, and managed the circle's operations. Following the commercial success of the Higurashi franchise, he left his civil service career to become a full-time professional writer.

Ryukishi07 is the credited author for all primary When They Cry works, including the original Higurashi visual novel series released across eight chapters between 2002 and 2006. The specific anime and manga titles referenced originate from this series. The anime When They Cry, also known as Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, is an adaptation of the first four game chapters, produced by Studio Deen and directed by Chiaki Kon, airing in 2006. Its sequel, When They Cry Kai, adapted the answer arcs from the game's second half and aired in 2007. The original video animation When They Cry Rei, released in 2009, adapts the fan disc of the same name. The manga Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is a multi-volume adaptation illustrated by various artists, including Karin Suzuragi and Yutori Hōjō, published by Square Enix beginning in 2005.

The title Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gaiden Nekogoroshi-hen is a special light novel side-story written by Ryukishi07. It was released in 2006 as a limited-edition mail-order gift for readers who purchased the first volumes of three different Higurashi manga series. This story was later adapted into an original video animation episode of the same name, When They Cry Nekogoroshi Chapter, released on July 27, 2007, with direction by Chiaki Kon and production by Studio Deen. The plot follows the main characters investigating an abandoned quarry tied to a local urban legend.

Ryukishi07 and 07th Expansion are recognized for pioneering the success of the dōjin soft scene in the 2000s, demonstrating that independently produced visual novels could achieve mainstream commercial success across manga, anime, and live-action film adaptations. The When They Cry franchise is known for its distinctive structure of question and answer arcs, forcing readers to piece together a central mystery across parallel timelines. Recurring themes include paranoia, the unreliability of perception, the nature of fate versus free will, and the power of friendship to overcome seemingly inevitable tragedy. After Higurashi, Ryukishi07 continued the When They Cry series with Umineko no Naku Koro ni, followed by other titles such as Higanbana no Saku Yoru ni, Rose Guns Days, and Ciconia When They Cry, all under the 07th Expansion circle.