One of the more impressive features of the upcoming Higurashi: When They Cry bundle for Playstation 3 and Vita is that the entire game will be voiced and up until now all characters were represented by their original actors. Sadly, the first exception has been announced, as voice actress Eri Kitamura won’t be able to reprise the role of Saeki Chisato due to problems with her health.
Chisato becomes a major character in several story arcs that happen after the Great Hinamizawa Disaster and was prominently featured in the DS-exclusive Higurashi: When They Cry Kizuna. Eri Kitamura, who has also voiced Saya in Blood+, Yui in Angel Beats, and Sayaka from Madoka Magica, will be replaced by Rina Satou, who is best known for her role as Mikoto Misaka in the A Certain Magical Index franchise and has recently appeared as Sailor Mars in Sailor Moon Crystal.
While I doubt many fans will care about this switch, seeing as Chisato is a lesser-known character, it’s a shame to see the role go to someone else, even if Rina Satou is really talented. Kitamura and Satou have also cooperated in the past, specifically in Higurashi‘s spiritual sequel Umineko: no Naku Koro ni, wherein Satou played the orphaned Ange Ushiromiya and Kitamura was the magical familiar Chiester 410.
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