There isn't exactly what I would call a “straightforward story”
to Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When They Cry). Instead, it's a 6-in-1 deal
(detailed further later).
The first story is focused on Keiichi Maebara, and his conflicts with what is
known as the Hinamizawa Syndrome, its effect on him.
It also introduces the other primary characters (Rena, Mion, Satoko and Rika)
with one exception (Shion, Mion's twin).
The second story gives more focus to all of the characters, though Keiichi
still seems pretty primary.
The third is more of Keiichi, four is a bit of a prequel (featuring a
character by the name of Akasaka), five is another viewpoint of two, and the
final story focuses on Rena.
They're all very good, and can stand strong on their own, though they do work
best seen together: seeing them together paints the best, most complete
picture of the characters and Hinamizawa.
By the way, the series is very violent and tends toward a lot of death.
The Characters: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
There has never been another series in which the characters terrify me so
completely. Of the main group of friends, Rika and Satoko are the only ones
who don't murder anybody.
...Actually, it's possible Satoko has murdered
somebody; it's sort of left wide open, decide-for-yourself in regards to
Satoko. And Rika does murder the hell out of herself in a very disturbing way.
They're
well drawn, and I love them all to death (particularly Rena and a secondary
character, Doctor Irie) but that doesn't stop me from staring at them in
abject horror when they do certain things, like Rena wielding a meat cleaver:
Besides that, they're great friends and that friendship is very important. It
isn't like some series (read: Yu-Gi-Oh!) where they go on and on about
friendship until you want to kick the next person who mentions friendship in
the face.
Instead they don't really mention it, but at the end you come to the
realisation that their friendships are the most vital aspect of the series.
The Arcs: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
As mentioned earlier, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni anime runs in arcs. Unlike in Ghost Hunt, where each arc is simply taking place at a different time, the arcs of
Higurashi all take place in individual universes.
Basically, things reset themselves so no one is aware of what has happened
before and that leaves space open for things to run along an entirely separate
path.
There are some things which occur in more than one arc (attending the Cotton
Drifting festival) but for the most part things are left to take their own way
through to the end.
Conclusion?
The first season of Higurashi is...twisted. I don't know that I would call it
at all scary, but it can be very disturbing (as in the moment when Rika kills
herself).
Watching the introductions of the arcs can often lead to questions about how
it will go downhill; what will happen this time to make these kids run down
the path of destruction? The answer is never a pleasant one.
Like my advisory for Jigoku Shoujo, do not watch Higurashi if you only like
light-hearted series.
Do not watch Higurashi 2006 if you only like happy things, or if you don't like
character death, or if the thought of watching someone very young be murdered
isn't one you like.
However, if you like things that are along the lines of psychological horror,
Higurashi may just be for you.
My rating: 9/10
The only thing that really detracts from this series for me is arc four, and
it detracts in a major way.
The series had really gotten into swing by the end
of the third arc, and arc four is like hitting the pause button in an action
movie in order to watch half an hour of a romantic comedy.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni | |
| Episodes | 26 |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, Mystery, Horror, Psychological, Thriller |
| Aired | April 5, 2006 to September 27, 2006 |
| Directed by | Chiaki Kon |
| Producers | Studio Deen, Geneon Universal Entertainment, FUNimation Entertainment |
| Opening Theme | Higurashi no Naku Koro ni by Eiko Shimamiya |
| Closing Theme | Why, or Why Not? by Katakiri Rekka |
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