Higurashi When They Cry Characters Appear With Sanrio Mascots

Higurashi When They Cry Sotsu is collaborating with Sanrio and Premium Shop to create a series of limited edition merchandise. Four pop-up stores will appear throughout Japan, and more information on the specific goods will be revealed as the opening dates draw nearer. The pop-up stores will open in May and last until June. [Thanks, Dengeki Online!]

The four cities and dates are:

• Osaka, Abeno (May 15 – May 23, 2021)
• Aichi, Nagoya (May 22 – May 30, 2021)
• Tokyo, Akihabara (May 29 – June 6, 2021)
• Sendai (May 29 – June 6, 2021)

Sanrio and Higurashi When They Cry first announced this collaboration under the pretense of it being an April Fool’s joke. The official Sanrio Twitter Tweeted a visual of the four main Higurashi girls in Sanrio Puroland with the hashtag “April Fool’s” on March 31, 2021. As well, the Higurashi When They Cry anime Twitter Tweeted a joke summary of the show where, instead of a dam being built in Hinamizawa, workers built a Sanrio Puroland and no tragedy occurred.

Here are the character pairings for the upcoming collaboration:

• Keiichi: We Are Dinosaurs! (Tiran)
• Rena: Hello Kitty
• Mion: Cinnamoroll
• Shion: Pompompurin
• Satoko: Pochaco
• Rika: Kuromi
• Hanyu: My Melody

There is currently no news about what kind of merchandise will be available. However, for players who play the mobile game Higurashi When They Cry Mei, a Sanrio pick-up gacha will appear. What characters will appear on the banner is still undisclosed.

Higurashi When They Cry Sotsu is the upcoming fourth anime season of the Higurashi When They Cry franchise by 07th Expansion. It will air in July 2021.

The Higurashi When They Cry and Sanrio collaboration pop-up stores will appear across Japan from May to June 2021.