After the release of the seventh chapter of Higurashi, Higurashi: When They Cry Gou, the high demand for the popular psychological horror series only grew. This past spring, Funimation announced a new eighth season called Higurashi: When They Cry - SOTSU.
Gearing up for the season premiere in early July, Funimation released a new trailer teasing the highly demanded new chapter to Higurashi. With so many new horror anime adaptions like Trese, this new chapter is sure to become another must-watch season.
The Higurashi trailer is stark and bleak, starting by going through the different characters who are drawn in an almost kawaii animation style. As it progresses, the trailer adds more opposing images of gore, blood, and weapons. The trailer also draws on the psychological and emotional aspects of the show, often showing one character alone in moments of deep thought, despair, or hopelessness. The characters are animated in bright colors and many backgrounds are murky and dark. Funimation's previous trailer focused on a few main characters of the show, but this one gives viewers a look at the whole Hinamizawa friend group.
Higurashi was originally a graphic novel series that was first adapted into a show in 2006. The Japanese murder mystery series has since gained a lot of attention, putting out two seasons in 2007 and more in 2009, 2011, and 2013. After a long hiatus, the seventh season mentioned above returned in 2020 on Funimation and the show's demand continues to rise. The show is now considered a must-watch for fans of horror and psychological animes like The World YAMIZUKAN, Shikki, and Tokyo Ghoul. Higurashi's signature is its horribly gory, violent scenes and evil characters holding a peculiar psychosis. Filled with blood baths and scheming villains, Higurashi is not for the faint of heart - or stomach.
Female Japanese anime artist Chiaki Kon returns to direct the season. Kon recently directed Sailor Moon Eternal, which came out in January 2021, and she is known for her incredible visual storytelling. Some returning voice cast members include: Sōichiro Hoshi as Keiichi Maebara, Mai Nakahara as Rena Ryūgū, Satsuki Yukino as Mion Sonozaki,Yukari Tamura as Rika Furude, Mika Kanai as Satoko Hōjō, Toru Ohkawa as Jirō Tomitake, Chafurin as Kuraudo Ooishi, Miki Itō as Miyo Takano, and Toshihiko Seki as Kyōsuke Irie.
News of the latest Higurashi show arrived as Funimation was amid its Summer Season Preview. The event included tons of new information and trailers regarding the company's summer releases.
Watch Higurashi: When They Cry - SOTSU July 1st, 2021, on Funimation.
Source: Funimation