When They Cry: Kai - Recommendations

Alt title: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai

If you're looking for anime similar to When They Cry: Kai, you might like these titles.

Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate

The eccentric mad scientist Okabe, his childhood friend Mayuri, and the otaku hacker Daru have banded together to form the Future Gadget Research Laboratory, and spend their days in a ramshackle laboratory hanging out and occasionally attempting to invent incredible, yet generally useless, futuristic gadgets. However, their claymore is a hydrator and their hair dryer flips breakers, and the only invention that’s even remotely interesting is their Phone Microwave, which transforms bananas into oozing green gel. But when an experiment goes awry the gang discovers that the Phone Microwave can also send text messages to the past. And what's more, the words they send can affect the flow of time and have unforeseen, far-reaching consequences...

7 votes

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Reasons you might like Steins;Gate...

LinkSword LinkSword says...

Explicitly telling what these two series have so much in common would be a spoiler in and of itself, so I'll just say if you enjoyed the plight of the protagonists in one of them you're bound to love the other as well.

OchanOtaku OchanOtaku says...

Both Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai and Steins;Gate involve the theme of breaking a terrible fate, and include timetraveling. If you watch both series from start to finish, you'll recognize that those two follow a very similar pattern, although their setting is completely different.

KrXss KrXss says...

Trying to tell why they are similar would spoil both series for you.  Just trust me when i say, if you liked one, you will like the other just the same, if not more so.

proxies proxies says...

the stories are VERY VERY similar to one another. id go as far as to say Steins;Gate may have been based on higurashi-no-naku-koro-ni-kai

tailrena tailrena says...

Both series are suspenseful and have unexpected plot twists. If you like one of them you may enjoy the other.

Sailnir Sailnir says...

Unravelling time lines, a chance to escape fate. These shows are both brilliant and should be in anyone's top anime list.

Pinequeen1 Pinequeen1 says...

goood one

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Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

One night, Madoka has a terrible nightmare – against the backdrop of a desolate landscape, she watches a magical girl battle a terrifying creature, and lose. The next day, the teen's dream becomes reality when the girl – Homura – arrives at Mitakihara Middle School as a transfer student, mysteriously warning Madoka to stay just the way she is. But when she and her best friend Miki are pulled into a twisted illusion world and meet a magical creature named Kyubey, the pair discovers that magical girls are real, and what's more, they can choose to become one. All they must do is sign a contract with Kyubey and agree to fight witches that spread despair to the human world, and in return they will be granted a single wish. However, as Homura's omen suggests, there's far more to becoming a magical girl than Madoka and Miki realize...

4 votes

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Reasons you might like Puella Magi Madoka Magica...

punkgrl326 punkgrl326 says...

While it's a given you must watch the first season of Higurashi first before watching Kai,and while I'd say the premises of both shows are rather different at first glance, the overall backstory behind Higurashi fits in rather closely with Madoka's and both series have continuously startling new revelations about the characters in the series and the fates they've been forced to accept. I would say more but I don't want to give away any spoilers for either series. Just keep in mind, if you liked one there's a good chance you'd probably like the other.

IDDKyewD IDDKyewD says...

Both anime package their dark story in cutsy characters and also, the underlying plot of what is really going on is kind of similar.

pukahuntus pukahuntus says...

Both Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica and Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai tell the story of a girl willing to do anything for the sake of her friends, no matter how painful it may be. Both feature elements of darkness and are full of chilling twists and turns despite appearing cute at first glance. If you expect either of these series to be full of sweetness; prepare to be shocked

GrnEydDvl GrnEydDvl says...

Both of these shows seem on the surface to be happy-go-lucky stories with a group of cute Moe girls, but are actually extremely dark and deep.  The way the stories unfold and the inevitable unraveling of a complicated and gut-wrenching puzzle is very similar.  If you liked one I really think you would like the other.

Penguindrum

Penguindrum

Kamba and Shouma Takakura have taken care of their sickly younger sister Himari since their parents disappeared years ago - that is, until the day she died. But as the boys grieve by her hospital bed, Himari sits up, adorned with a strange penguin hat. Suddenly, the three of them are transported to a vibrant world where the hat, using Himari's body as a puppet, charges these brothers with a task: find the Penguin Drum and their sister's life will be saved! Now aided by some odd penguins they received in the mail, the duo must find this mysterious item or risk losing the sister they care for so much. However, they aren't the only ones with their sights on the Penguin Drum, for new enemies await them around every turn, all connected in ways they would have never imagined...

3 votes

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Reasons you might like Penguindrum...

StudioGirlKoi StudioGirlKoi says...

Both shows have a concept around fate, if it is possible to change, and how they can change their fate. The decision to change fate is made by a repeating cycle of tradgedies in Kai, and In Mawaru Penguin Drum fate is questioned concerning Himari's life. Higurashi Kai is more of a horror series, though, but still has the psychological vibe that Mawaru Penguin Drum has. But the representation is different, be aware of that.

pukahuntus pukahuntus says...

To attempt changing fate may drive someone insane. After all- if something is fate then doesn't that mean it's inevitable? But fate is cruel; so cruel that characters in these anime risk body and mind to try and break it.

Gavia Gavia says...

Though the differences between these two are many, there still are some major similarities in the themes they deal with. Both series deal with everything between silliness and cruelty.Both have the plot revolve around fate and characters who try to change it. Lastly, both have a strong cast to relate to, where every single character are humanized by the problems they face and how they deal with them.

Death Note

Death Note

Have you ever felt like the world would be a better place if certain people weren’t around? Such grim daydreams might occur when watching the dismal daily news, but on one fateful day, Light Yagami finds that these daydreams can become reality. By pure happenstance, he comes across a black notebook entitled "Death Note", whose text within states that whoever's name is written on its pages will die. With the aid of the death god Ryuk, Light takes it upon himself to rid the world of its corruption, ushering in a new era of purity one death at a time. But as Ryuk foretells, Light's actions will not go unchallenged...

2 votes

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Reasons you might like Death Note...

isador21 isador21 says...

Both series were about how humans should never try to become gods. They also both had that special "something" that makes you want to know what happens in the next episode and eventually, leads you to finishing the serie and begging for more.

xxSilencexx xxSilencexx says...

Botha re amazing Psychological animes taking the audience full throttle and pushing there reasoning to the very limitations, the supernatural themes make it increasing impossible to predict allowing the maximum enjoy, though in my opinion Higurashi does this a lot better.

Monster

Monster

Dr Kenzo Tenma is a genius surgeon working in post-Cold War Germany who has a bright future ahead of him. He is admired by his colleagues, loved by his patients, and due to marry his boss' daughter, the beautiful Eva Heinemann. One day, when two patients in desperate need of emergency surgery are wheeled into his hospital, Tenma faces a terrible choice of saving the orphaned boy who came first or the mayor of Düsseldorf, whose recovery would raise the hospital's profile and boost his own career. Against the demands of his superior, Tenma does what he believes is right and saves the child. However, his decision not only damages his prospects, but unleashes a chain of events so horrific that it might have come from the depths of his worst nightmares. Laden with guilt, Tenma begins a journey across Germany in search of a formidable young man who will challenge his morals, his love for life, and his very sanity.

2 votes

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Reasons you might like Monster...

Animedreamer240 Animedreamer240 says...

Monster is by far the best recommendation for Higurashi that I can think of. Why? Monster surrounds itself with so many theories, questions, and deep mystery that it is not all that different than Higurashi. Monster contains an intelligent plot that darkens as a horrifying factor slowly reveals itself. It is in fact a classic psychological thriller that delivers a mature masterpiece. If you loved Higuarshi, then you are probably looking for another intelligent mystery series that will keep your heart pumping for more. Pick smart. Pick Monster.

awpaperwings awpaperwings says...

Monster and Higurashi share a strong psychological aspect that I find is rare in anime. Both are heavily violent at times, yet it is not excessive. The two shows also have their differences though–At times Higurashi is peaceful and if not even comedic while Monster remains true to its dark and serious self the entire way through. All in all both of these shows are a great watch for anyone looking for their share of quality, unpredictable psychological mystery anime.

Bokurano

Bokurano

When a group of children discover a strange cave at the beach, their lives are forever changed. Inside they find a hide out filled with computers and a man named Kokopelli who gives them a curious offer: to participate in a special game in which they save Earth from fifteen giant monsters. To defeat the invaders, he will give them a powerful mecha of black armor. The children eagerly sign the contract, name their new weapon Zearth, and must now take turns to pilot it; but the 'game' is in fact all too real and the consequences of battle become the stuff of nightmares. With no option to cancel the contract, is there any way to stop the game before it is too late for all of them?

2 votes

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Reasons you might like Bokurano...

SaiAkuto SaiAkuto says...

Both series are stories about people who know that they are going to day. We can watch their movements and see what is happening to them just before the death. But both of them also show how we can change our life and face the destiny and fight it. If you like a deeply psychologic series you will like the one i recommend for sure.

Rfsancho Rfsancho says...

Both of the series have a dark plot to them, where characters must keep pushing toward a seemingly pyrrhic victory. You will enjoy how the plots unravel in a very similar fasion.

Elfen Lied

Elfen Lied

For Kouta and Yuka, finding the bloody naked young girl on the beach would change their lives forever, for better or for worse. Unable to speak or function as a normal human being, she is named Nyu by the duo, and taken into their home in an effort to save her. But what neither teenager knows is that this innocent young girl is actually a killing machine -- an experiment gone terribly wrong -- and it is only a matter of time before the murderer in her awakens again...

2 votes

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Reasons you might like Elfen Lied...

chii chii says...

Both anime have characters engaged in bloody acts of violence, torture, death, and brutality. Yet when they aren't killing they are very sweet and loving. Elfen Lied is more about the gore where Higurashi Kai is more about the horror/mystery of what is happening. If you liked one you will like the other.

rickshaw94 rickshaw94 says...

These two animes are very similar. Both have an abundance of killing and gore, as well as a very emotional storyline/plot. Both shows also require a lot of thinking to understand the plot and you will be very eager to see what happenes next.If You liked one your sure to enjoy the other!

Hell Girl

Hell Girl

Has someone done something to hurt you or the ones you love? Are you seeking revenge? Rumor has it that there’s a website that can service your needs. Titled “Hotline to Hell”, it contains a form that can be accessed only at midnight. Type in a name, and the Hell Girl will carry out your bidding – for a price. For though your appetite for revenge will be satisfied, your soul will also be condemned to hell after you die. But who is the Hell Girl, and does she care whether your revenge is justified? Apparently not, as long as she gets more souls…

2 votes

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Reasons you might like Hell Girl...

piffleprincess piffleprincess says...

If you like either Jigoku Shoujo or any of the Higurashi installments, you will enjoy the other. 

While both series differ from each other in how the plot is carried out and specific situations, both deal with fate, destiny, curses, and psychological drama of a particular town.  Instances that seem unrelated in each seem to pull together in the end to complete the plot and give the viewer a good sense of closure.  Both have excellent scripts, pacing, development, and execution.  Higurashi, however, does tend to be more graphic in nature.

chii chii says...

Plot wise these are completely different but they are still very similar. In Higurashi Kai the characters are moving towards getting out of their fated situation loop and has an actual plot to the anime where in Jigoku Shoujo the characters are choosing their fate and it's episodic even with what little plot it has. If you liked one check out the other.

Okamikakushi: Masque of the Wolf

Okamikakushi: Masque of the Wolf

Kuzumi Hiroshi moves with his crippled sister and his father to the remote city of Jouga, which is famous for its hassaku citrus and the rumors that a species of enormous wolves once lived in the area. While some of the residents are more than friendly, when people begin to vanish suddenly, it becomes apparent that something sinister is afoot...

2 votes

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Reasons you might like Okamikakushi: Masque of the Wolf...

x5ga x5ga says...

Both anime have a similar plot and characters. We have the small town setting, the boy who just moved in, local legends, the townspeople who seem to hide a grim secret and some mysterious disappearances.

Nicknames Nicknames says...

if you liked Higurashi no Naku Koro ni kai you'd like Ookami Kakushi because both of them have a male protagonist who moves to a little town with a dark secret and both protagonist tries to find what's going on in the town. Also both are mystery/horror anime based on visual novels made by the same author.

Mind Game

Mind Game

Nishi has been in love with Myon since he was 9 years old. They both had feelings for each other, but due to Nishi's cowardice their relationship never became more than friendship. Now, in the present, Nishi is 20 years old and aims to be a great manga artist; but he still loves Myon. After years of being apart they meet again, but she tells him that she's thinking of marrying her boyfriend. Nishi is still a coward so he accepts it and wishes her luck. While they're talking at her older sister's restaurant a pair of yakuza walk in looking for their father. One of the yakuza starts harassing Myon and out of anger Nishi chooses to finally take a stand -- but he is shot and dies. Now, in limbo, he chooses to live again; but will he really live any differently than before?

1 vote

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Reasons you might like Mind Game...

eaper eaper says...

This may seem like a stretch, but I believe that each show has a similar mentality that "will can defeat fate," that one shouldn't give up, and they both are centered around 2nd chances. Although completely different in terms of story and animation, they share a similar message.