NIS America has announced a Blu-ray release for the Umineko When They Cry anime series. The release will be divided into two individual volumes, both with their own special packaging and hardcover art book. Volume 1 will be 18 episodes at a $79.99 MSRP and Volume 2 will be 8 episodes at a $49.99 MSRP. Both volumes will release on December 4th, 2012.

Umineko is based on a 2007 PC game developed by 07th Expansion, and is the third title in the When They Cry series. NIS America offers a detailed plot introduction:

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.

Jared Cyhowski
[Former Staff] Jared is a recent graduate from Fitchburg State University where he studied communications, video production, and English. He enjoys playing video games, watching anime, writing, and of course pizza. His favorite games are Shadow of the Colossus and Final Fantasy IX, but he can’t possibly choose a favorite anime. Jared enjoys following the games industry and observing what will happen next, and he puts out an invitation for discussion on these topics. He loves a great story in these mediums and prefers a stronger narrative design over most features. Jared is personally responsible for creating and managing the Anime section of the website, and hopes to inspired and entertain with everything he writes.