The village was once supposed to be sent to the bottom of the dam, but it still exists thanks to the whole village's effort to fight the pressure that tried to drive Hinamizawa under the water.

One day, villagers and children in Hinamizawa welcome transfer student, Maebara Keiichi. Keiichi used to live in a city and is not accustomed to living in such a rural area, but Rena, Mion, and other students talk to him and they become good friends. Keiichi gradually enjoys leading a life in Hinamizawa. And he thinks this pleasant life---will last forever. Until the day when an annual traditional festival at the village, "Watanagashi".

In June of the 58th year of the Showa Era (1981),
Around the time the evening cicada (Higurashi) cry,
Ordinary life suddenly ends, and tragic events begin
And break the relationship between friends...

Keiichi Maebara

Voice Actor: Soichiro Hoshi

A boy who recently moves to Hinamizawa. He is called "Magician of Words" because of his great ability to influence people with words. On the other hand, when he gets confused, he gets so bad at talking that no one is able to understand him. He is good at academics and smart, but still needs to work more to be perfect. He is so bad at cooking that he once almost set his house on fire when he was cooking vegetables. With his kind and friendly personality, he gets along with the people in the village very quickly.

Rena Ryugu

Voice Actor: Mai Nakahara

She moved from Ibaraki a year before Keiichi transferred to Hinamizawa. She is in the same grade in school as Keiichi, and are both good friends. She is so obsessed with cute things that she always tries to take them home regardless if they are objects or people. Mai is usually calm, but is really scary when she gets angry. She believes in "Oyashiro-sama" in Hinamizawa, and completely changes when someone denies that "Oyashiro-sama is real."

Mion Sonozaki

Voice Actor: Satsuki Yukino

An upperclassman in Hinamizawa branch school, where Keiichi and Rena go. She has a kind personality and sometimes shows her leadership towards her friends and lowerclassmen. She starts "the school club" and plays several games after school together with Rena, Rika, and Satoko.

Shion Sonozaki

Voice Actor: Satsuki Yukino

Twin junior sister of Mion. She cherishes Satoko like a real little sister. She works for Angel Mort, which is famous and popular as its sexy costume.

Satoko Hojo

Voice Actor: Mika Kanai

The younger sister of Satoshi and a lowerclassman of Keiichi and Rena at Hinamizawa branch school. Since she hates losing and sometimes cries after being teased by others but she is very good at setting up traps!

Rika Furude

Voice Actor: Yukari Tamura

Another lowerclassman of Keiichi and Rena at Hinamizawa branch school. She has a cute appearance with long hair, and has a unique way of speaking by adding "~nanodesu" and "nipa-" to her sentences.. She serves as the shrine maiden at the "Watanagashi Festival".