Ryukishi07

is the pen name of a Japanese writer who is the leading member of the group 07th Expansion. He is the creator of the When They Cry visual novel series, which includes Higurashi When They Cry, Umineko When They Cry, and Ciconia When They Cry. His pen name originated from Final Fantasy, "Ryūkishi" being the term for "Dragoon" and "07" a play on words for "Lenna". His other notable works include Silent Hill f (2025) and Rewrite (2011).

==Early life== Ryukishi07 studied at a vocational school that specializes in art and wrote doujinshi, while having interests in anime, manga and video games. While in college, he tried to write manga and novels, but realized, "No matter your passion for something, without skill, you can never make it as a professional." He met with a colleague from a theatre troupe and was inspired to write a play called , which he submitted to a contest that he later lost. His younger brother, Yatazakura, inspired by the success of Type-Moon's visual novel Tsukihime, suggested that he and Ryukishi create their own sound novel. Ryukishi restructured Hinamizawa Bus Stop into the episodic visual novel series Higurashi When They Cry. After graduating from school, he dreamed of becoming a video game developer. He focused on finding a job at a video game manufacturer, but he failed to do so. He took up a position at a menswear store, but after a few months, he tentatively took up an offer for a civil service position based on the civil service test that he had taken during the job search.