Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna (ひぐらしのなく頃に 絆 When the Cicadas Cry Bonds) is a series of visual novel ports of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni on the Nintendo DS by Alchemist. Four games were released in total, each containing four chapters.
This series introduces the Advanced Story, a saga of four arcs based upon and expanding the Onisarashi-hen manga, consisting of Someutsushi-hen, Kageboushi-hen, Tokihogushi-hen, and an expanded version of Miotsukushi-hen different from its original debut in Matsuri (later ports split the additional content off as Miotsukushi-hen Ura). Each game includes one of them. Another new arc, Kotohogushi-hen, is introduced in the fourth game.
The third game introduces the visual novel adaptation of the Yoigoshi-hen manga. Since Matsuri does not include Matsuribayashi-hen, Saikoroshi-hen, and Hirukowashi-hen, this is their first inclusion in a console game.
Contents
Development History
Alchemist planned to only release Matsuri, but due to demand from fans of the original Higurashi who didn't own PS2s, Alchemist decided to port it to the DS since it was popular at the time. New arcs were also added to give old fans incentive to buy the new games. It was split into 4 releases because a single DS rom didn't have enough space to fit everything.[1]
Installments
Volume I: Curse
- Chapter 1: Onikakushi-hen
- Chapter 2: Watanagashi-hen
- Chapter 3: Tatarigoroshi-hen
- Side Story: Someutsushi-hen (new)
Volume II: Idea
- Himatsubushi-hen
- Meakashi-hen
- Alternative Hirukowashi-hen
- Kageboushi-hen (new)
Volume III: Spiral
- Tsumihoroboshi-hen
- Minagoroshi-hen
- Yoigoshi-hen (new)
- Tokihogushi-hen (new)
Volume IV: Bonds
Structure

An example choice point from Volume III.
Each game features a choice system based on selecting how a character feels in certain situations, with the story changing appropriately.
Adaptation
Vol. | Cover | Release Date | Chapters |
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1 | ![]() |
March 24, 2011 |
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2 | ![]() |
November 19, 2011 |
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References
- ↑ Developer's interview for Kizuna Volume III: https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2009/06/17/35858.html
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