Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: Nekogoroshi-hen

Nekogoroshi-hen, or the Cat-Killing Chapter, was released in 2007 as a direct-to-video special tied to the first season of the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni anime adaptation. Produced by Studio DEEN, this installment originated from a special omake scenario included in the original visual novel series by 07th Expansion. It functions as a brief, surreal bridge between the core mystery arcs, intentionally subverting the audience's expectations by presenting a meta-fictional and lighthearted narrative that contrasts sharply with the franchise's trademark psychological horror.

The production design remains consistent with the visual language established by Studio DEEN for the series, maintaining the deliberate shift between bright, unassuming character designs and sudden, jarring shifts in tone. While it was received by fans as a supplementary curiosity rather than a critical piece of the overarching plot, it remains notable for showcasing the creative versatility of the team, who sought to capture the eccentric humor inherent in Ryukishi07's original writing style.