'Legend of the Galactic Heroes' and 'Higurashi no Naku Koro ni' Licensed for North America [Update 7/3]

by Stark700
Jul 2, 2015 3:06 PM | 90 Comments

Sentai Filmworks announced at their Anime Expo panel that they have acquired the Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu (Legend of the Galactic Heroes) anime series. It was also announced that Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When They Cry) and Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (When They Cry 2), as well as Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei (When They Cry Gratitude) have been licensed.

In addition to the anime, Viz Media's panel announced plans for the release of the first three volumes of Legend of the Galactic Heroes light novels in North America. The first volume is set to hit shelves on March 8, 2016, with the other two coming later in the year.

The original light novel series of the Legend of the Galactic Heroes series, written by Yoshiki Tanaka, follows the rise to fame of two militant rivals, Reinhard von Musel and Yang Wen-Li. In 1988, it won the Seiyun Award for Best Japanese Long Story and received a 110-episode OVA adaptation, animated by Artland and directed by Noboru Ishiguro. The anime series continued its production through 2000.

Source: Tweet 1, 2, 3, 4

News submitted by vodall

The anime licenses by Sentai Filmworks were not added to the article in the first iteration. It has since been updated with the correct information.

Licenses Anime Expo

20 of 90 Comments Recent Comments

StephanieNicole said:
So are we ever going to get a dub for Higurashi or what? Because I looked at Sentai's filmworks catalog and Higurashi wasn't even on there. I'm starting to think that it's never gonna happen, considering it's been so long and there hasn't been any news since this was announced almost two years ago

All three seasons are on rightstuf on Bluray.

http://www.rightstufanime.com/When-They-Cry-Season-1-Blu-ray
http://www.rightstufanime.com/When-They-Cry-Kai-Season-2-Blu-ray
http://www.rightstufanime.com/When-They-Cry-Rei-Season-3-Blu-ray

As for a dub I doubt it since Geneon did not profit well from the first season's dub. So Sentai won't risk dubbing something that they know will not sell much.

Jan 4, 2017 7:03 PM by Roloko

So are we ever going to get a dub for Higurashi or what? Because I looked at Sentai's filmworks catalog and Higurashi wasn't even on there. I'm starting to think that it's never gonna happen, considering it's been so long and there hasn't been any news since this was announced almost two years ago

Dec 29, 2016 9:57 AM by StephanieNicole

black1blade said:

Roloko said:

My biggest worry about all of this is that if it is DVD only they don't have the right aspect ratio cause I don't want it to be letter boxed in. I have a 32' in the living room and I really want to watch this with my Dad and it would be a shame if it doesn't fit the entire screen. I tried messing with the aspect on my older Gundam/anime boxsets, but nothing worked and it was still letter boxed. -___-

The show is made in 4:3. The only way of changing that is to stretch everything and make it look like shit.

Oh I see well that sucks now I'm pulling for Sentai to get the Blurays xD

Aug 13, 2015 9:22 AM by Roloko

i thought Funimation acquired the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When they Cry)

Aug 13, 2015 9:05 AM by LoveMyAnime4Life

Roloko said:

Farabeuf said:

I certainly hope we get the BD's although I worry that because Japan and the US have the same BD region, sometimes they're only willing to sell DVD license for fear of reverse importation.

The show is made in 4:3. The only way of changing that is to stretch everything and make it look like shit.

Jul 18, 2015 2:49 PM by black1blade

Farabeuf said:

Roloko said:

I certainly hope we get the BD's although I worry that because Japan and the US have the same BD region, sometimes they're only willing to sell DVD license for fear of reverse importation.

Jul 18, 2015 2:37 PM by Roloko

It's about time...Might as well sell my Geneon DVDs

Jul 17, 2015 2:00 PM by DeusExMavro

Watching LoGH rn and loving it, Higurashi hopefully will get a re-dub (even though I switched to the subs of it already) to replace that god awful dub it has.

Jul 13, 2015 8:30 AM by chinesecartoonz

Farabeuf said:

Roloko said:

Not to mention the amount of VA's they'd have to get their hands on. The cast is huge!

I certainly hope we get the BD's although I worry that because Japan and the US have the same BD region, sometimes they're only willing to sell DVD license for fear of reverse importation.

The blu ray transfer is bad anyway apparently.

Jul 11, 2015 9:33 AM by black1blade

Brego1 said:

Farabeuf said:
Now I find out that the novels are coming as well. I'm ecstatic. I've been waiting for this for years.

Better get my wallet ready.

Get ready for some steep prices. 110 episodes won't come cheap.

Do you know how it's now?
http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Galactic-Heroes-Blu-ray-Box1/dp/B002N5P2QC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436632315&sr=8-1&keywords=legend+of+the+galactic+heroes

800$

it would at least be more reasonable after it's licensed

Jul 11, 2015 9:32 AM by TheMiracleHagen

Whoa, I can't believe this is actually happening. This is great news!

Jul 5, 2015 6:01 AM by quukii

Roloko said:

ex_necross said:
Does this mean finally a dub, or just a domestic release?

Jul 5, 2015 5:41 AM by Farabeuf

FINALLY! Hopefully it'll get the recognition by the anime community as a whole that's long overdue if you ask me.

Jul 5, 2015 3:50 AM by LoveLikeBlood

Roloko said:
I'm not buying the novels until I know all of them are coming out cause if it sells like shit then I'll have an incomplete collection.

This.
I am really interested for the books and looked for them before the announcement but I am not going to take the risk to start buying something on the not improbable chance that they stop translating it after a few volumes.
If they keep the pace of 3 volumes per year it will nearly take 5 years to complete... If they manage to complete the series that's when I am going to buy hoping that it won't be out of print or that a e-book version is available.

Jul 5, 2015 3:25 AM by Yzeelb

Moodie said:
Oh god now more ppl will get to be special snow flakes

ichii_1 said:
I think the mal elitists and their sheep herd deserves the credit for hyping this up to this level.
"salutes"

Jul 4, 2015 8:54 PM by Aqutan

Since Sentai is probably going to go with sub only for Higurashi, I'll be sticking with the Australia import.

Jul 4, 2015 2:53 PM by Gogetters

ex_necross said:
Does this mean finally a dub, or just a domestic release?

I doubt LoGH will be dubbed too old plus too expensive cause if they also got the Gaidens thats 160 episodes total. Its going to be a subbed only release unless Sentai is going to take that drastic step which they probably won't its way too risky. I just want it on Bluray since they exist in Japan.

Higurashi will most likely get the sub only release treatment too like with Familiar of Zero now unlike with LoGH it has a good chance of getting a dub if both the second season and OVAs sell well for them. The only thing is if they will call back the old cast or re-cast with their own VAs.

Jul 4, 2015 10:57 AM by Roloko

Higurashi is getting licensed! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best news ever! It really deserves a lot more love.

Jul 4, 2015 10:37 AM by ArcticSun417

Well, this is fucking awesome.

Jul 4, 2015 10:33 AM by Ston3_FreeN7

I'm happy that Higurashi and LOGH are finally licensed. Now I'm just waiting for Kaiji.

Jul 4, 2015 7:23 AM by hirahira

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