After a
four-month hiatus, the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Oni manga has resumed
publication with chapter 22, available this Tuesday, June 4th. The previous
chapter was published on January 28th, marking a long hiatus in this dark story
derived from the Higurashi universe.
A story of
secrets and tragedies in the Taisho era
Described
as the "missing link" within the expansive Higurashi: When They Cry
universe, this story arc features the key phrase: "The final demon
awakens. A new Higurashi toward the truth." The story is set in 1923,
during the Taisho era, and tells how a tragedy in Hinamizawa radically
transforms the lives of a young girl and her friends.
The manga
also focuses on Oryō Sonozaki, the feared leader of the Sonozaki clan—one of
the Three Great Families of Hinamizawa—known as the “Empress Sonozaki.”
A turbulent
publishing journey
The manga
originally launched in Futabasha's Monthly Action in February 2022. However,
following the closure of that magazine, the series migrated to the same
publisher's Web Action website in February 2024. So far, three volumes have
been collected in physical format, with the last published in September 2024.
The
expanded Higurashi universe
In addition
to Oni, the franchise has continued to expand with multiple adaptations. In
June 2023, Kei Natsumi launched Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei: Iro Tōtoshi-hen,
considered the “response arc” of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei. This manga
concluded with its fourth volume on February 12.
The first
two Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei manga series, titled Oni Okoshi-hen (by Kei
Natsumi) and Hoshi Watashi-hen (by Seigo Tokiya), were published between
November 2021 and September 2022. Both were collected in two volumes each.
A legacy
that continues to send shivers down the spine
The
Higurashi saga began in 2002 with a visual novel released by 07th Expansion at
Comiket. Since then, it has spawned anime, video game, and numerous manga
adaptations. In 2014, Higurashi: When They Cry Hou was released in Japan for PC
as a thank you to the series' fans.
With the
return of Oni, Hinamizawa fans are once again immersed in a narrative of
mystery, psychological horror, and revelations that promises to leave its mark
on the franchise.
