Higurashi: When They Cry – SOTSU Anime's Trailer Previews Opening Song

Funimation began streaming an English-subtitled trailer on Thursday for the Higurashi: When They Cry – SOTSU television anime, the follow-up to Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU. The video reveals and previews the anime's opening theme song "Analogy" by returning singer Ayane, who performed two ending theme songs for Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU. The anime's official Japanese website also unveiled a new visual for the anime.

The anime will premiere in July and Funimation will stream the anime as it airs in Japan. Ayane's 13-track Analogy CD will go on sale on July 28.

The Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU premiered on October 1, and the 24th and final episode of Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU aired on March 18. Funimation is streamed the anime as it aired in Japan. The company is also streaming an English dub. The manga adaptation by Tomato Akase launched in Kadokawa's Young Ace Up service on October 2.

The anime's second episode revealed the series' true title as Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU on October 9. Funimation reported the title as the series' "true" title "that the creators intentionally did not reveal to the world until Episode 2."

Returning cast members include Sōichiro Hoshi as Keiichi Maebara, Mai Nakahara as Rena Ryūgū, Satsuki Yukino as Mion Sonozaki, Mika Kanai as Satoko Hōjō, Yukari Tamura as Rika Furude, Chafurin as Kuraudo Ooishi, Toru Ohkawa as Jirō Tomitake, Miki Itō as Miyo Takano, and Toshihiko Seki as Kyōsuke Irie. Yui Horie is playing Hanyu.

The anime was originally scheduled to premiere last July, but it was delayed due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the production schedule.

Ryukishi07 and 07th Expansion are credited with the original work. Keiichiro Kawaguchi is directing the series. Akio Watanabe (Monogatari Series anime franchise) is designing the characters, and Passione (Citrus, Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers, High School DxD Hero) is animating the project. Infinite is producing the series. Naoki Hayashi (Black Fox, Citrus) is in charge of the series composition for the anime. Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor, Mobile Suit Gundam 00) is returning as the composer for the series.

The first Higurashi: When They Cry television anime series aired for 26 episodes in 2006, and the When They Cry II: Solutions (Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Kai) anime aired for 24 episodes in 2007. Geneon Entertainment Inc. released the first anime on DVD in 2007-2008. Funimation then released the anime on DVD in 2009 and 2010. Sentai Filmworks most recently released both anime on Blu-ray Disc and DVD in 2016.

Sources: Funimation's YouTube channel, Higurashi: When They Cry anime's website