<p>I grew up in an area that was close to sea level (a bit further south than Japan) and in the Spring and Summer I recall hearing cicadas just about every time I went outside.  I suspect the effect in anime is to improve immersion or accurately reflect the reality of the situation that the anime is trying to portray.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-26T11:19:47.687Z
Thanks, I wondered if Cicadas ever chirp in sunshine, as in Steins Gate. Do they even chirp inside cities?
Jesvin Jose
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-26T21:33:34.463Z
@aitchnyu They made noise whenever it was hot (85F and higher).  I've heard them day and night.  Consult the wiki linked in the top answer.  [Wikipedia]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada#Cicada_song
Trippy Biscuits
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-25T04:07:40.780Z
2014-03-25T04:27:31.907Z
2014-03-25T04:27:31.907Z
Trippy Biscuits
<p>In Japan, cicadas are symbolic of summer, and possibly symbolize reincarnation as well, based on summer being the time when the cicada comes out to sing.<sup><a href="http://thelife-animal.blogspot.ca/2012/10/cicada.html" rel="noreferrer">[1]</a></sup></p>
<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/VMykc.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></p>
<p>As per their role in anime, according to Wikipedia,</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The songs of the cicada are often used in Japanese film and television to indicate the scene is taking place in the summer.</p>
<p>  — <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada#Japan" rel="noreferrer"><em>Cicada, Wikipedia</em></a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>I do not remember when exactly they appeared in <em>Steins;Gate</em> (nor the other anime), but I would assume that this is simply a reference to a summertime setting.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-25T00:32:47.173Z
I'm curious how this is reflected in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, where it literally is "When the cicadas cry", and if that has any bearing on your answer.
Seiyria
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-25T09:30:08.063Z
@Seiyria A live action film adaptation of the series entitled Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (ひぐらしのなく頃に, also known as Shrill Cries of Summer internationally), directed by Ataru Oikawa, premiered in Japanese theaters on May 10, 2008[.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higurashi_When_They_Cry)
Cees Timmerman
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-26T02:41:51.820Z
@Seiyria [ひぐらし](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanna_japonensis) is a particular species of cicadas, and they may have additional connotations.  They usually start crying in the  evening, so I suspect many people associate them with summer evenings.  Moreover, in literature, they are symbols of late summer or autumn.
Pteromys
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-24T21:20:11.167Z
2014-03-24T21:28:44.527Z
2020-06-17T09:17:53.303Z
Cattua
<p>Why do so many anime (e.g. <em>Code Geass, Steins; Gate, Ano Hana</em>) have cicadas in the background?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-26T03:19:26.990Z
Read more about it here, yes it is a cultural gap for Western audiences (WARNING TVTROPES): http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CicadianRhythm
congusbongus
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-26T08:30:16.177Z
@congusbongus: not to be confused with Circadian Rhythm.
Lie Ryan
<tropes><symbolism>
What is the purpose served by cicadas in anime?
# What is the purpose served by cicadas in anime?
Posted by: username_0 on 2014-03-24
Why do so many anime (e.g. *Code Geass, Steins; Gate, Ano Hana*) have cicadas in the background?
**Tags:** tropes symbolism
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Read more about it here, yes it is a cultural gap for Western audiences (WARNING TVTROPES): http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CicadianRhythm  
> **username_2**: @congusbongus: not to be confused with Circadian Rhythm.  
---
## 2 answers
### Answer by username_5 on 2014-03-24. Score: 43 | Accepted answer
In Japan, cicadas are symbolic of summer, and possibly symbolize reincarnation as well, based on summer being the time when the cicada comes out to sing.[[1]](http://thelife-animal.blogspot.ca/2012/10/cicada.html)

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/VMykc.jpg)

As per their role in anime, according to Wikipedia,

> The songs of the cicada are often used in Japanese film and television to indicate the scene is taking place in the summer.
>
>   — [*Cicada, Wikipedia*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada#Japan)

I do not remember when exactly they appeared in *Steins;Gate* (nor the other anime), but I would assume that this is simply a reference to a summertime setting.
> **Comments:**
> **username_6** (2014-03-25): I'm curious how this is reflected in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, where it literally is "When the cicadas cry", and if that has any bearing on your answer.  
> **username_7** (2014-03-25): @Seiyria A live action film adaptation of the series entitled Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (ひぐらしのなく頃に, also known as Shrill Cries of Summer internationally), directed by Ataru Oikawa, premiered in Japanese theaters on May 10, 2008[.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higurashi_When_They_Cry)  
> **username_8** (2014-03-26): @Seiyria [ひぐらし](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanna_japonensis) is a particular species of cicadas, and they may have additional connotations.  They usually start crying in the  evening, so I suspect many people associate them with summer evenings.  Moreover, in literature, they are symbols of late summer or autumn.  
---
### Answer by username_3 on 2014-03-25. Score: 15
I grew up in an area that was close to sea level (a bit further south than Japan) and in the Spring and Summer I recall hearing cicadas just about every time I went outside. I suspect the effect in anime is to improve immersion or accurately reflect the reality of the situation that the anime is trying to portray.
> **Comments:**
> **username_4** (2014-03-26): Thanks, I wondered if Cicadas ever chirp in sunshine, as in Steins Gate. Do they even chirp inside cities?  
> **username_3** (2014-03-26): @aitchnyu They made noise whenever it was hot (85F and higher).  I've heard them day and night.  Consult the wiki linked in the top answer.  [Wikipedia]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada#Cicada_song  
---
