Announcement of SoulChat Production for 'Higurashi: When They Cry'
SoulStudio Inc. has announced the production of 'SoulChat,' a chat content for the popular mystery work 'Higurashi: When They Cry.' Users can interact with characters from the work on LINE and experience the story.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 19:03
- 🔍 Collected: April 9, 2026 at 10:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 13:32 (267h 1m after Collected)
SoulStudio Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: MOTO Shiki) is pleased to announce the decision to produce 'SoulChat,' a chat content that allows users to actively experience the story of the popular work 'Higurashi: When They Cry,' originally created by Ryukishi07.
SoulChat is a new content format where users become residents of the work's world and experience the story by interacting with the characters. We have now decided to produce a SoulChat for the mystery-horror work 'Higurashi: When They Cry,' which has been loved for many years in Japan and around the world.
SoulChat: https://soulchat.jp/
■ Content Overview
・Title: 'Higurashi: When They Cry' SoulChat
・Planning/Production/Development/Operation: SoulStudio Inc.
・Distribution: SoulStudio Inc.
・Distribution App: LINE
・Character LINE Account Types: Two types - original illustration version and modern-style illustration version
・Country of Deployment: Japan
・Target Arcs: Onikakushi-hen, Watanagashi-hen, Tatarigoroshi-hen, Himatsubushi-hen, Meakashi-hen, Tsumihoroboshi-hen, Minagoroshi-hen, Matsuribayashi-hen
・Target Characters: The characters you can interact with change with each arc.
・Release Schedule
Onikakushi-hen: April 17, 2026 (Friday) *Other arcs are scheduled for release between 2026 and 2028.
・Rights Notation: ©Ryukishi07 / 07th Expansion
■ Experience Content
1. Realistic Interaction
Characters have their original values, personalities, memories, and life patterns. They may reply late when they are sleeping or busy, providing an experience as if you are really interacting with them.
2. Experience the Story as a Resident of the Work's World
Participants can freely decide their own settings and interact with characters as residents of the work's world. By proceeding with quests, the story's events unfold, leading to the ending.
■ Price
- Onikakushi-hen
・Hinamizawa Stay Pass (10 days): 1,100 JPY *Interact with Rena Ryugu, Mion Sonozaki, and Keiichi Maebara
・Hinamizawa Tour Pass (2 days): 300 JPY *Interact with Rena Ryugu, Mion Sonozaki, and Keiichi Maebara
・Interaction Pass with Rena (10 days): 550 JPY *Interact with Rena Ryugu
* The structure for Watanagashi-hen and subsequent arcs is undecided.
■ About 'Higurashi: When They Cry'
'Higurashi: When They Cry' is a work released in 2002 as a doujin game (sound novel) by Ryukishi07, the representative of 07th Expansion. Set in the fictional village of Hinamizawa in Showa 58, the story depicts the protagonist Keiichi Maebara and his friends approaching the mystery of a series of bizarre deaths occurring in the village. It has been developed into various media mixes such as anime, manga, and live-action movies, and is a representative mystery of Japan.
SoulChat is a new content format where users become residents of the work's world and experience the story by interacting with the characters. We have now decided to produce a SoulChat for the mystery-horror work 'Higurashi: When They Cry,' which has been loved for many years in Japan and around the world.
SoulChat: https://soulchat.jp/
■ Content Overview
・Title: 'Higurashi: When They Cry' SoulChat
・Planning/Production/Development/Operation: SoulStudio Inc.
・Distribution: SoulStudio Inc.
・Distribution App: LINE
・Character LINE Account Types: Two types - original illustration version and modern-style illustration version
・Country of Deployment: Japan
・Target Arcs: Onikakushi-hen, Watanagashi-hen, Tatarigoroshi-hen, Himatsubushi-hen, Meakashi-hen, Tsumihoroboshi-hen, Minagoroshi-hen, Matsuribayashi-hen
・Target Characters: The characters you can interact with change with each arc.
・Release Schedule
Onikakushi-hen: April 17, 2026 (Friday) *Other arcs are scheduled for release between 2026 and 2028.
・Rights Notation: ©Ryukishi07 / 07th Expansion
■ Experience Content
1. Realistic Interaction
Characters have their original values, personalities, memories, and life patterns. They may reply late when they are sleeping or busy, providing an experience as if you are really interacting with them.
2. Experience the Story as a Resident of the Work's World
Participants can freely decide their own settings and interact with characters as residents of the work's world. By proceeding with quests, the story's events unfold, leading to the ending.
■ Price
- Onikakushi-hen
・Hinamizawa Stay Pass (10 days): 1,100 JPY *Interact with Rena Ryugu, Mion Sonozaki, and Keiichi Maebara
・Hinamizawa Tour Pass (2 days): 300 JPY *Interact with Rena Ryugu, Mion Sonozaki, and Keiichi Maebara
・Interaction Pass with Rena (10 days): 550 JPY *Interact with Rena Ryugu
* The structure for Watanagashi-hen and subsequent arcs is undecided.
■ About 'Higurashi: When They Cry'
'Higurashi: When They Cry' is a work released in 2002 as a doujin game (sound novel) by Ryukishi07, the representative of 07th Expansion. Set in the fictional village of Hinamizawa in Showa 58, the story depicts the protagonist Keiichi Maebara and his friends approaching the mystery of a series of bizarre deaths occurring in the village. It has been developed into various media mixes such as anime, manga, and live-action movies, and is a representative mystery of Japan.
FAQ
What is SoulChat 'Higurashi When They Cry'?
It's a new chat content where you can converse with characters from 'Higurashi When They Cry' and experience the story through LINE.
When can I play?
The first scenario, 'Oni-Hide Edition,' has been released since April 17, 2026. Other editions will be released sequentially.
How much does it cost?
For 'Oni-Hide Edition,' multiple pricing plans are available depending on the interaction period and character, ranging from 300 to 1,100 yen.