Life couldn’t be better for Keiichi Maebara. Sure, he’s moved to a sleepy, little town where nothing happens and high school consists of a one-room schoolhouse — but his new friends and fellow students are all cute girls! When he happens upon a story about a grisly local murder, however, his contentment turns to uneasiness as he finds himself drawn into a web of silent intrigue that involves his newfound friends…and threatens his very existence.

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.

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 - Hirukowashi-hen
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei - Saikoroshihen