What is the purpose served by cicadas in anime?


Why do so many anime (e.g. _Code Geass, Steins; Gate, Ano Hana_ ) have cicadas
in the background?




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.stack.imgur.com/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.




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.stack.imgur.com/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.

