Above is only temporary package art, subject to change.
At least weekends Otakon, NIS America announced that they would be releasing Umineko no Naku Koro ni (Under the title Umineko: When They Cry) this December. A few more details have emerged today about their release. There will be two Premium Edition releases for this series for which both will be released in December 2012 on Blu-ray only. While you may be thinking that they would be spreading the series episodes half and half over two volumes, they have decided that the first volume will consist of Episodes 1 – 18 (Containing arcs Legend of the Golden Witch, Turn of the Golden Witch and Banquet of the Golden Witch) while the second will consist of Episodes 19 – 26 (The fourth arc Alliance of the Golden Witch)
The contents of each volume are as follows:
Volume 1
A hardcover art book (full color, approx. 28 pages) which will provide a deeper understanding of the series with an in-depth story analysis, detailed character bios, character sketches, and a full episode guide. This release will contain two blu-ray discs and will set you back $79.99 MSRP.
Volume 2
– A hardcover art book (full color, approx. 28 pages) which will enhance the viewing experience with an in-depth story analysis, detailed character bios, vivid illustrations, character sketches, and a full episode guide
– Bonus features: Clean opening and ending
This release will contain only a single blu-ray disc but will only set you back $49.99.
As with all other NIS America anime releases, the Premium Edition will be the first release of the series to be made and will only feature Japanese dubs with English subtitles. Both will be available on the 4th December 2012.
About Umineko no Naku Koro ni
Storyline
The affluent Ushiromiya family patriarch, Kinzo, is on his deathbed, and his family has assembled at their private island to discuss the division of his estate. As they bicker over their father’s immense inheritance, a typhoon closes in, trapping them on the island. They suddenly receive an eerie word of warning…and then, in the dead of night, the murders begin. One by one, family members are discovered murdered in bizarre and inhuman ways. Some within the family turn to superstition, blaming it on a witch rumored to inhabit the island. But one of them—the young Battler Ushiromiya—refuses to accept the supernatural and vows to uncover the real killer behind the seemingly impossible slaughters. He soon finds himself confronted by the apparent witch, and enters into a life-or-death battle for the truth.
Voice Cast
Daisuke Ono as Battler Ushiromiya (WAGNARIA!!, Higurashi WHEN THEY CRY)
Sayaka Ohara as Beatrice (Fate/Zero, Toradora!, anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, bunny drop)
Yui Horie as Maria Ushiromiya (Toradora!, Zakuro, Persona 4)
Marina Inoue as Jessica Ushiromiya (Gurren Lagann, High School of the Dead)
Kenichi Suzumura as George Ushiromiya (Daily Lives of High School Boys, Gintama)
Rie Kugimiya as Shannon (Toradora!, Fullmetal Alchemist, Shakugan no Shana)
Yu Kobayashi as Kanon (Baccano, Occult Academy, Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge)Staff
Director: Chiaki Kon (Higurashi WHEN THEY CRY, Zakuro, Nodame Cantabile)
Animation produced by: Studio DEEN (Higurashi WHEN THEY CRY, Fate/stay night, Hell Girl)
