For detailed information about this series, visit the 07th Expansion Wiki.
Summary
07th Expansion is a series of visual novels, manga, and audio drama CDs, created by Ryukishi07 and 07th Expansion. There are 3 main entries which together comprise the When They Cry (no Naku Koro Ni) series: Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni, Umineko no Naku Koro Ni, and Ciconia no Naku Koro Ni; and multiple tie-in entries that expand on the world and cosmology of the setting.
The genres vary greatly from horror and murder-mystery to science-fiction and comedy-harem.
Higurashi takes place in 1983, in the small town of Hinamizawa. Keiichi Maebara moves to the town, befriending his classmates. The village appears to be simple, peaceful, and quiet - however, this ends after the annual Watanagashi Festival, a celebration to give thanks to the local god, Oyashiro. Keiichi that every year for the past four years, one person has been murdered and another has gone missing on the evening of the Watanagashi Festival, and is soon drawn into the strange events surrounding the Festival.
Umineko takes place in 1986, during the timeframe of October 4th and October 5th. It starts off on the island of Rokkenjima, owned by the eccentric business Kinzo Ushiromiya. There, the family conference for the Ushiromiya family is taking place, where it will be decided who will get the nearly dead Kinzo's inheritance. However, a typhoon traps the family members on the island, and over the night, strange things start to happen and people start dying.
Ciconia takes place in the 22nd century, 100 years after the end of World War 3. Cutting-edge technology saved the planet from a nuclear winter, allowing its population to reach the tens of billions once more. This eventually gave rise to a new ultimate military technology, the Gauntlet. People who wore these on their left arms were called Gauntlet Knights, and without carrying any additional equipment, they could use this unrivaled power to fly like fighter planes, fight like aircraft carriers and battleships, and repel all sorts of attacks like tanks.
When three worlds become one, Alice will awaken.
Marie is trapped in a horrible situation. She's being constantly tormented by her classmates and regularly molested by her teacher. With nowhere else to turn, she finds herself asking for supernatural help from one of the seven demons of the seven mysteries of her school. All she desires is the death of her cruel classmates and teacher. How far will Marie be willing to go in order to achieve the murders that would free her from her living hell?
Taking place in Japan at the end of World War II. Devastated in the aftermath of defeat, the Japanese government complies with the Allies' reconstruction plan. Japan begins to recover from the loss after a few years, but America and China intricately divide the nation on a municipal level. Eventually, China's military districts become Chinatowns, and places controlled by the United States are Americanized. The many Chinese and American immigrants make Japanese people the minority in their own land. Some Japanese are unwilling to accept this fate and secretly gather their strength to challenge the new system.
It's July 2016, and the Tadamura family gathers in the Hirasaka village for the funeral of the grandmother and head of the family: the young man Yukito, his step-sister Yue, his father Masashi, his uncles Nobuteru and Tsunemasa, and his cousins Terumi and Teruya, all come to pay their last respects.
Haworthia is a short drama-CD made as a prototype for Ciconia no Naku Koro Ni for Ryukishi07 to tests future Ciconia concepts. The story is of a civilization trying to leave their planet which became unhospitable for them, but it became a paradise for an artificial lifeform designed by this civilization. At the end of the drama-CD is revealed that the planet is Earth 500 million of years ago, right at the point of the Cambrian explosion, and that the artificial lifeform is life as we know it.
Kohinata Asanaro is your regular everyday high school student. He likes light novels, porn games, and fantasizing about the girls in his class. One day when walking home from school he inexplicably releases a demon from a sealed bottle. Her name is Zepafur, and she won't rest until her debt is repaid!
"Now begins the Lovey Dovey Harem Royale!" cries the demon, weaving a most curious magic. As a result, Asanaro's regular high school life transforms into a love-comedy series of harem shenanigans, with four girls from his school all vying for his affection!
But...unbeknownst to our dopey protagonist, the four girls are in the midst of a horrific survival game under threat of death and eternal torture. She who fails to capture Asanaro's heart will be confined to the depths of hell.
Power of the Verse
07th Expansion is one of the most powerful visual novel series and fictional verses out there.
At its lowest point, there are casual superhuman characters able to perform 9-C to 8-C feats, followed by avatars of magic beings capable of creating mountains of cake as big as Everest, destroy a 10km island, or even crush the Moon. Further higher exists beings beyond the 5th Dimension and an even higher narrative space from where everything bellow, including the story, is stopped. All of this culminates into a void lacking time and space that is fully connected to all of time-space.
As you go further to the higher points of the cosmology, you have the infinite ladder that makes up all of existence, a High 1-B hierarchy of layers, each lower layer being complete fiction from the point of view of the higher one, populated by being capable of easily traversing said layers. Beings of the Witch Domain resides in the middle of said ladder, with the strongest nearing the top of it.
The True Form of Featherine, a Creator, also exists fully transcendent of everything and freed from all restrictions, residing on a 1-A level from where the difference between Domains is to her nothing more than the difference between the backgrounds of a stage.
Supporters/Opponents/Neutral
Supporters
- Promestein
- The real cal howard
- Ovy7
- Udlmaster
- CrimsonStarFallen
- First Witch
- Zencha9
- ZERO7772
- Infinity Shun
- MrKerf
- ÆONS
- Guardian Doge
- Catzlaflame
Opponents
Neutral
Explanation of the Cosmology
The 07th Expansion cosmology consists of a metaphysical evolutionary journey of being/spirit, from the point where one's existence is that of a Human, to the almighty and boundless Creator, which resides beyond all restrictions. This journey is divided into two Poles/Sides, the side tossed around by Fate, and the side that creates Fate. Those 2 Poles are themselves divided into multiple existential hierarchies, the hierarchies themselves being divided into existential layers, and even those layers, in some cases, being divided into multiple dimensions.
A vital part of the 07th Cosmology are Kakera or Fragments (sometimes they are also called pieces). They look like small crystals, but they actually are the conceptual form of things such as lower worlds, parallel worlds, fates, possibilities, theories, games, fictional stories, and so on. Their crystallized conceptual forms are part of the higher Domains (Witch Domain and Creator Domain), and only their contents can appear in the Human Domain, be it an entire world, or something more abstract like a feeling. Beings of the higher Domains can merge together Kakera to create stories, as we see above in Higurashi - Matshuribayashi-hen, or Catboxes, as seen in Episode 7 of Umineko
The Human Domain, or "Ningen Domain" (ニンゲンの域), is not just the domain of humans, but the domain of those tossed around by fate, the first Pole/Side. This includes humans, Yokai, ghosts, higher-dimensional beings, aliens, etc.
While the Humans don't have the power to create anything, they have the ground under their feet. This means that Humans don't need to actively define their existence (like higher order beings), and can go day to day without the fear of losing one's self. They also don't evolve through the layers of the Human Domain, as their only form of evolution is into a Higher Order being into the Witch Domain. Humans aren't even aware of the layers of their Domain or about the complexity of their reality, they are pretty much watching the shadows on the cave's wall without knowing of the existence of the fire behind them, or of the world outside of the cave.
The Witch Domain (魔女たちの領域), or the World of the Gods, is the 2nd domain in the cosmology and the first one of the higher pole, or the side that creates fate. This domain is purely abstract in nature and the concepts of the lower domain can be visualized as Kakera.
The words and languages of the Human Domain are limited compared to those in the higher domain, and they can’t express the concepts of the Witch Domain or understand them. So the fictions/stories created by Humans that make up the Human Domain would never be able to reach into this higher domain because of this limitation of expression.
But those limitations aren’t only to language, but to one’s own spirit/being too. The only known ways of reaching into the Witch Domain is by either being led there by a higher being, becoming their Piece or Miko, in this way the higher being guaranteeing your existence in the Witch Domain; or by an internal evolution of the spirit.
The Sea of Oblivion is the void where beings of the higher domains go when their existence gets erased, destroyed, or conceptually denied. It lies at the bottom of the Sea of Fragments, beyond the infinite layers that makes up existence. Concepts such as life and death have no meaning here.
This is the “Hell” where Voyager that “misses a step” on the ladder, or beings that lose their purpose and self to the Sea of Fragments, also go.
Beyond the expansions of the infinite ladder lies The Creator Domain, the last boundary that Featherine reached before becoming a Creator. At this point, the number of restrictions is non-existent.
This is the place where Featherine’s true form exists, and, to her, there’s no difference between her human avatar and her Witch avatar, similar to how to an actor there’s no difference between the roles he plays, as they are all just roles in the end.
We also have a more in-depth explanation page.
Terminology
General
The definition of a witch is vague, but the most accepted theory is that one is a witch at the point when they gain a power surpassing humans and are able to use it freely.
Worlds of different fates and circumstances are called fragments, and witches who are able to cross the ocean of endless fragments are called voyagers. It is also another name for a high-order (high-level) witch, and witches who are unable to leave their territories cannot compare with their power.
However, perhaps because they do not have specific territories, their personal values are unstable, and it is easy for their souls to become faint. As a result, it is not rare for voyagers to disappear like scraps of seaweed in the ocean of fragments.
Creators sacred beings who can create 1 in the sea of nothingness. They can give birth to 1 from 0, give birth to the endless, and then return it to 0 again in a flash. Free from all restrictions, the voyagers in particular call them Gods.
In that sense, the Witch of Origins Maria may be the chosen girl who was promised to become a Creator.
Umineko
Truths are an ability used in Umineko no Naku Koro ni. They are rules introduced in a game board for the battle between witches and humans. There are multiple kinds of truth that each have a different function depending on how they are used and who can use them.
A set of demon duel pistols prepared by Zepar and Furfur. The number of shots loaded depends on the format of the duel. In most cases, it holds just a single round.
The emotions of the duelers are loaded into it, and if the bullet grazes any part of the body, the concept of the target will be denied withotu exception. In the past, duels were performed in the classic style of swords, but this took a great deal of time before an outcome was reached, which displeased certain impatient theatergoing witches.
One of the repentance enforcement agencies supervised by the Great Court of Heaven. Its area of jurisdiction is the 7th District. It is made up of 7 Inquisitors of Heresy, with the first-class Archbishop Dlanor at their head, as well with several Assistant Inquisitors. This body is tasked with performing heresy interrogations, carrying out executions, and sometimes bestowing redemption. However, in almost all cases, the Great Court of Heaven considers sending them only after the completion of a heresy interrogation and a tentative guilty verdict, so they are, practically speaking, no different than an execution squad.
One of the Repentance Enforcement Agencies under the direct supervision of the Great Court of Heaven. Responsible for the 8th District.
It has a long history, even among the other enforcement agencies, and is known for its strict and fundamentalist attitude.
Many say that they do not keep up with the times, but they are also highly praised by some for continuing to preserve the basis of the law's spirit to this very day.
A weapon for emergencies used by official Inquisitors of Heresy belonging to Eiserne Jungfrau. Dlanor's primary weapon. Unlike a normal weapon, whose purposes is to cause physical damage, this special tool is known as a conceptual weapon, and it is used to deny the existence of people.
Regardless of whether the target is physical, mental, or conceptual, it is impossible to use any defensive concept, such as physical barriers, mental isolation, and conceptual inheritance, to defend against this weapon. Because the concepts themselves are denied, even the concept of resisting an attack does not exist, and it is impossible for the target to endure regardless of their stamina. Furthermore, all supernatural methods of buying time, such as amelioration, time reversal, revivals, and inheritance are impossible. Because denials of concepts conform to verdict procedures dictated by the Great Court, all future concepts that disobey them will be denied immediately. In addition, when the Red Key forms a complete barrier, all concepts of evasion cannot be successful.
Defense is impossible, evasion is impossible, buying time is impossible. This ultimate conceptual weapon is the embodiment of these three impossibilities.
The primary weapons used by official Inquisitors of Heresy belonging to Eiserne Jungfrau.
Like the Red Key, it is a conceptual weapon, but instead of denying the existence of concepts, it is used to create self-doubt and forces others to deny themselves. For this reason, it is called the Blue Key of Reflection, in contrast with the Red Key of Judgment. Unlike the Red Key, it is possible to evade and defend against it. However, while the Red Key has severe restrictions regarding how it can be used, the Blue Key can be wielded with great ease and manipulated at will in all situations.
Ciconia
Aerial Augmented Infantry, otherwise known as Gauntlet Knights, are soldiers recruited by militaries all over the world and chosen to wield Gauntlets, devices worn on their left arms that grant them various abilities. Gauntlet Knights are said to be fighter jets and aircraft carriers combined into one, having firepower and defense that far surpasses either of them.
While Knights are capable of feats such as flying and reflecting bullets, there are still risks to be had; improper use of Ricochet Flying can cause Knights to go blind. Test cases of Knights trying to use the Dimension Container and exploding are also common.
The Eight Million System, abbreviated as 8MS, or Eimiss, is a series of nanomachine systems present throughout the A3W world.
Named after a Japanese belief that eight million kami existed in all things, 8MS was first invented in B3W by the Yaoyorozu Nanotech Firm and designed to alter the Earth’s environment to make it more habitable to humans. Since then, countless types of 8MS have been designed for various functions, from purifying the atmosphere and eliminating odors to affecting the rate at which plants grow.
8MS is also present within the human body, with Gauntlet Knights using Anti-G 8MS, necessary implants that allow them to perform Ricochet Flying without destroying their bodies.
A Selcom is technology existing in the A3W world that acts like a computer inside people's brains. People can chat with friends in virtual rooms and play games while focusing on other things in the real world. Selcom usage is tied with P3 levels, as higher levels means a Selcom can be used more easily due to the stress it puts on the brain.
Selcoms have had much technology and apps developed for it, but the most popular is Kizuna, a translation tool which allows users all over the world to easily form friendships with others.
Parallel Processing Power, or P3, is an important part of Gauntlet Knight training. Parallel Processing is where Knights are able to multitask, often focusing on things in real life as they do other things in virtual reality such as playing games or talking in chat rooms. Higher P3 levels means Knights are more adept at multitasking, conserving energy, and combat.
Character Profiles
Almighty Beings
Almighty Beings | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
The Witch of Theatergoing, Drama, and Spectating | ||||
Featherine Augustus Aurora |
Voyagers
Voyagers | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
The Witch of Miracles | The Witch of Certainty | The Witch of Pieces | ||
Bernkastel | Lambdadelta | Piece |
Higurashi
Gods
Gods | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Oyashiro-sama | Devil | |||
Hanyuu Furude | Une |
Humans
Hinamizawa Villagers
Hinamizawa Villagers | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Reincarnation of
Oyashiro-sama |
Kyute Mode | |||
Rika Furude | Ryuuguu Rena | |||
The Magician of Words | Sonozaki Family's
Black Sheep | |||
Keiichi Maebara | Sonozaki Shion |
Umineko
Witches | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
The Golden and
Endless Witch |
The Golden and
Endless Sorcerer |
The Witch of Truth | The Witch of
the Future | |
Beatrice | Battler Ushiromiya | Erika Furudo | Eva-Beatrice | |
The Witch of
Resurrection |
The Finite Witch | The Witch of Origins | ||
Ange Ushiromiya | Virgilia | Maria Ushiromiya |
Eiserne Jungfrau | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Chief Inquisitor
of Eiserne Jungfrau | ||||
Dlanor A. Knox |
SSVD | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Chief Inquisitor
of the SSVD |
Heavenly Cat | |||
Willard H. Wright | Diana |
Furniture | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Bernkastel's
Familiars |
Low-Level Furniture | 27th Ranked
Great Demon |
33rd Ranked
Great Demon | |
Wild Cats | Theory Goats | Ronove | Gaap | |
Purgatory Sisters | Kinzo's Furniture | Kinzo's Furniture | The Imperial
Guard Corps | |
The Seven Stakes | Shannon | Kanon | The Chiester Sisters |
Ushiromiya Family | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Head of the Ushiromiya Family | 4th Ranked of Ushiromiya Family | |||
Kinzo Ushiromiya | Rudolf Ushiromiya | |||
5th Ranked of Ushiromiya Family | 6th Ranked of Ushiromiya Family | Forgery | ||
Rosa Ushiromiya | Jessica Ushiromiya | Black Battler | ||
12th Ranked of Ushiromiya Family | ||||
Kyrie Ushiromiya |
Servants | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Doctor | ||||
Terumasa Nanjo |
Trianthology
Witches | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Alice |
Higanbana
Yokai | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
The Dancing
Higanbana | ||||
Higanbana |
Discussions
Discussion threads involving 07th Expansion Series |