The drama CD adaptation of the main eight arcs of Higurashi When They Cry was produced by HOBiRECORDS from 2005 to 2012. Unlike other media adaptations, the drama CDs are characterized by their extensive use of music and sound effects from the original sound novels, as well as Ryukishi07 serving as supervisor and drawing cover art for the first six arc adaptations (with the Minagoroshi and Matsuribayashi CD covers being drawn by Namikai Harukaze). Each adaptation is over 200-300 minutes long and contains 3-6 discs. Each release also includes full-color booklets with text TIPS and passwords that granted access to audio TIPS if entered on a hidden page of the official website. Due to fan demand, audio TIPS from the first five arcs would later be released in CD quality on two Append Discs.
Release Information[]
The drama CDs for the first 6 arcs were published by HOBiRECORDS and distributed by WAYUTA in collaboration with Geneon Entertainment, while the final two arcs were both published and distributed by the former. As the amount of content for each arc increased, the two longest arcs, Minagoroshi and Matsuribayashi, were split into two and three CD sets respectively. The question arcs would later be rereleased, both separately and in a bundle pack, as part of the "HOBiRECORDS Selection" in 2013, distributed by HOBiBOX. Aside from updated copyright information, the content of the rereleases remained the same.
In addition to the main arc CDs, HOBiRECORDS also published two single CDs containing songs that play at the end of the Meakashi and Tsumihoroboshi adaptations, "you" and "Ano Hi, Ano Basho, Subete ni "Arigatou."" The CD for the former includes cover art by Fujiwara Warawara and a vocal version of "Thanks" arranged by dai, which was used as the opening theme for Meakashi. The CD for the latter includes cover art by Miharu and a new song called "Overload" by Hatori Fūga (who also provided vocals for the original version of "Ano Hi, Ano Basho, Subete ni "Arigatou"" included on the CD) which is interspersed with dialogue written by Ryukishi07.
In 2005 and 2007, HOBiRECORDS published two "append discs" which contain audio TIPS from the first five arcs originally downloadable from a hidden page. The first append disc includes a special drama "The Family Head's White Day" (当主のホワイトデー Tōshu no howaito dē) (6 minutes in length), which is based on the original story by Fujitaka, the artist who drew the cover illustration for the CD, and a booklet containing a special interview between Ryukishi07 and voice actress Kaori Mizuhashi. The second append disc's cover art was provided by Kurahana Chinatsu.
Voice Cast[]
As this was the first adaptation of Higurashi to feature voice acting, there are some differences in the characters' performances compared to later adaptations, such as the feeble, gloomy image of Rika's voice in the early parts of Onikakushi and other arcs. The cast of the drama CDs was also chosen by Ryukishi07 himself, though some of the cast was changed for the anime and PS2 versions due to scheduling conflicts and other reasons (according to the production diary on the official drama CD website). Subsequent drama CDs released by Frontier Works follow the cast of the anime adaptation.
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Yasunori Matsumoto |
| Keiichi Maebara | Soichiro Hoshi |
| Rena Ryuugu | Mai Nakahara |
| Mion Sonozaki | Satsuki Yukino |
| Satoko Houjou | Mika Kanai |
| Rika Furude | Yukari Tamura |
| Kuraudo Ooishi | Chafurin |
| Jirou Tomitake | Toru Okawa |
| Miyo Takano | Miki Ito |
| Rumiko Chie | Fumiko Orikasa |
| Ichirou Maebara | Yasunori Matsumoto |
| Aiko Maebara | Naoko Matsui |
| Daiki Tomita | Megumi Matsumoto |
| Suguru Okamura | Fujiko Takimoto |
| Katsuya Kumagai | Takuo Kawamura |
| Principal | Yosuke Akimoto |
| Kyousuke Irie | Toshihiko Seki |
| Teppei Houjou | Katsuhisa Houki |
| Yukikazu Kameda | Kazunari Tanaka |
| Mamoru Akasaka | Takehito Koyasu |
| Oryou Sonozaki | Shizuka Okohira |
| Kiichirou Kimiyoshi | Masaaki Tsukada |
| Oyassan | Kazuya Tatekabe |
| Sato | Cho (Yuichi Nagashima) |
| Tatsuyoshi Kasai | Fumihiko Tachiki |
| Kidnapper | Juurouta Kosugi |
| Yukie Akasaka | Rie Kanda |
| Makino | Shoto Kashii |
| Satoshi Houjou | Mitsuki Saiga |
| Rina Mamiya | Kyoko Hikami |
| Akane Sonozaki | Kikuko Inoue |
| Okonogi | Juurouta Kosugi |
| Rena's Father | Kazuya Ichijo |
| Old Guy in Forensics | Kenchi Ogata |
| Hanyuu | Yui Horie |
| Miyoko Tanashi | Fuyuka Ono |
| Hifumi Takano | Ikuo Nishikawa |
Main story[]
| Arc | Cover | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Onikakushi |  |
May 27, 2005 June 28, 2013 (rerelease) |
| Watanagashi |  |
December 22, 2005 June 28, 2013 (rerelease) |
| Append Disc 01 |  |
December 29, 2005 (Comiket pre-sale)
January 20, 2006 (mail-order) |
| Tatarigoroshi |   |
June 28, 2006 June 28, 2013 (rerelease) |
| Himatsubushi |   |
December 27, 2006 June 28, 2013 (rerelease) |
| Meakashi |   |
June 27, 2007 |
| Append Disc 02 |   |
October 26, 2007 |
| Tsumihoroboshi |   |
February 22, 2008 |
| Minagoroshi Part 1 |   |
January 28, 2011 |
| Minagoroshi Part 2 |   |
January 28, 2011 |
| Matsuribayashi Part 1 |   |
January 27, 2012 |
| Matsuribayashi Part 2 |   |
January 27, 2012 |
| Matsuribayashi Part 3 |   |
March 9, 2012 |
Kataribanashi[]
- Main article: Kataribanashi#Drama CDs