Keiichi Maebara has just moved to a seemingly peaceful new town. He’s making friends and generally enjoying his life until one day he learns of a grisly murder that took place in the little village. His friends won’t give him any details which only adds to Keiichi’s uneasiness. After learning at the town’s annual festival that a death has occurred on that night every year for the past four years, Keiichi is drawn into a web of intrigue to help unravel the mystery of these murders. Things only get more dangerous when he learns that some of his new friends may be involved!

The story of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is divided into a total of eight chapters: four "Question" arcs and four "Answer" arcs. Each chapter keeps the same main characters, but ends in a different way. However, each chapter gives valuable answers, hints, and clues to the previous one, while at the same time bringing forth even more mysteries.

This is regarded as the chapter where "the best situation has been provided," but it takes the courage of a certain character to change the course. This will answer everything, however there is one chapter left - Matsuribayashi-hen.

The question arcs are:
1. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Onikakushihen
2. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Watanagashihen
3. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Tatarigoroshihen
4. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Himatsubushihen

The answer arcs are:
5. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai - Meakashihen
6. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai - Tsumihoroboshihen
7. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai - Minagoroshihen
8. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai - Matsuribayashi-hen

The side story arcs are:
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Onisarashihen
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Yoigoshihen
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Utsutsukowashi-hen
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Kokoro Iyashihen