Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

Keiichi Maebara has just moved to the quiet little village of Hinamizawa in the summer of 1983, and quickly becomes inseparable friends with schoolmates Rena Ryuuguu, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Houjou, and Rika Furude. However, darkness lurks underneath the seemingly idyllic life they lead.

As the village prepares for its annual festival, Keiichi learns about the local legends surrounding it. To his horror, he discovers that there have been several murders and disappearances in the village in the recent years, and that they all seem to be connected to the festival and the village's patron god, Oyashiro. Keiichi tries to ask his new friends about these incidents, but they are suspiciously silent and refuse to give him the answers he needs. As more and more bizarre events occur, he wonders just what else his friends might be keeping from him, and if he can even trust them at all.

When madness and paranoia begin taking root in Keiichi's heart, he will stumble straight into the mysteries at work in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, a story that is told across multiple arcs.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Furude, Rika Main

Tamura, Yukari Japanese

Ryuuguu, Rena Main

Nakahara, Mai Japanese

Sonozaki, Shion Main

Yukino, Satsuki Japanese

Sonozaki, Mion Main

Yukino, Satsuki Japanese

Maebara, Keiichi Main

Hoshi, Souichirou Japanese

Houjou, Satoko Main

Kanai, Mika Japanese

Takano, Miyo Supporting

Itou, Miki Japanese

Ooishi, Kuraudo Supporting

Chafurin Japanese

Houjou, Satoshi Supporting

Kobayashi, Yuu Japanese

Akasaka, Mamoru Supporting

Ono, Daisuke Japanese

Urasaki, Nobumitsu Producer

Hyuuga, Yasutaka Producer

Oomori, Hiroyuki Producer

Danno, Yoshito Assistant Producer

Reviews

Sep 3, 2024

Drewge

Recommended

Higurashi is an amazing anime.

This review won't be long, I wont provide a summary. It is only meant to give a better idea of what to expect when watching this anime.

I am going to start by saying that Higurashi is not an anime for those who are unable to piece together information given over multiple arcs.
That said, this anime is broken up into four main arcs in which a different character will fall victim to "Oyashiro-sama's curse". There is also one mini arc that provides some backstory, and one arc which is a retelling of one of the main arcs, but from a different perspective. ... The real gem to this anime is the subtle hints that are provided throughout each arc. Each arc has a set of consistencies that can help lead to solving the mystery of Oyashiro-sama before you even watch the answer arcs in Higurashi-Kai, IF you are able to pay attention to details and put two and two together.
Another thing I would note is that the series was meant to be watched in two parts. Even if you have questions like "why would they tell different stories every arc, everything is so different I can't figure out the mystery" I promise you that the answers are all in Higurashi-Kai, so stick it out.

I would venture to guess that most of the negative reviews are by people who were frustrated that this "mystery" anime didn't spell things out clearly for them and they not only missed the subtle details, but also did not watch Higurashi-Kai to get their answers.

I wont go and say that this anime is the greatest mystery/thriller/suspense, but its damn close.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Dec 3, 2024

MrSlamboni

Mixed Feelings

Very original, interesting and creative concept. However, the reason I cannot give it a higher score is that between the psychological horror parts, it is really bad. It becomes this really shitty school harem with unfunny jokes and the "uwu" art style. I am assuming that this is because they want to create a stark contrast between the "peace time" and the "horror time". However, that doesn't excuse making me watch garbage after every arc. It seems that the true psychological horror is whenever they attempt to portray a school life.

Another pet peeve: What the f*** is their age supposed to be? Rena and Satoko ... are 2 years apart, yet Satoko is the size of a 4 year old toddler when compared to Rena, who is supposed to be a teenager. Keichi and Rena are always sitting in class with people half their size.

However, I will have to admit that some aspects of the show are executed masterfully. There's a rule in horror that you shouldn't show too much. The first season does exactly that. You know that there's something up. You know that it's related to the cult, the deity and the curse that they mention. However, you don't know exactly what causes it and it largely remains a mystery. When the mood switches to "horror mode", it does so really well. Characters that were previously friendly and talkative become evasive as if they are trying to hide something. Their expressions change into blank or malicious. Sometimes they will even suddenly change tone or speech pattern. It is great. It is also home to some really brutal deaths and sinister environments.

Although the non-horror parts are 1/10, the general idea is so good that it left a deep impression.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Nov 4, 2023

ShotgunHelmet

Not Recommended

Funny

Fans may tell you that Higurashi When They Cry is an "emotional rollercoaster". It's more like a drive-thru. And you've ordered a nothing burger.

Touted by internet typewriter monkeys as "the best horror anime," Higurashi When They Cry apparently proves that there is no good horror anime. Or, at least, there wasn't any in 2006. Anime fans of the time were so starved for a decent scare that you'd think a white bedsheet with cut-out eye-holes would have done the trick, so Higurashi When They Cry certainly must have blown a handful of otaku minds clean open when it first aired. But the year is ... 2022. We are not cavemen anymore. We have modern sensibilities, technology, therapy.

Higurashi When They Cry wants to be schizophrenic for the internet cool points, because it really has NPD. Higurashi's veneer of depth eventually betrays its superficiality - a façade which, when unveiled, reveals an ugly, seedy interior of poor pacing, one-note character writing, and a series of twists which fail to shock because Higurashi When They Cry never asks the viewer to care. Attempts to manipulate the audience are impotent and unintentionally laughable. I'm glad Hitchcock is dead.

Not to outdo itself, Higurashi When They Cry also boasts a tremendously tacky art style. It would have at least been funnier if they kept the meat mittens.

Reviewer’s Rating: 3

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