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Higurashi When They Cry: Festival Accompanying Arc
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Dec 5, 2021 10:17 PM
#1
Offline
Feb 2019
277
Reading the reviews for this season was frustrating. I understand the change of tone and lack of horror being such a whiplash, but to actually downvote a series for answering questions that it setup was quite odd. Getting annoyed at the kids fighting back with the power of friendship instead of falling into despair like they wanted and enjoyed the last time is such a weird critique on an amazing sequel season and conclusion to a fantastic mystery thriller series.

A mystery is meant to invoke theories and keep you guessing on what is actually happening. A mystery is also meant to be eventually answered. If there is no closure and real revelation for the mysteries setup.. that's a sign of a badly written mystery.
So the reason behind why people were mad at Kai answering questions and "removing the intrigue of the first" is beyond me. The Satoko answer arc was so good and was so cathartic to see after so long.. the group of friends actually banding together to overcome Satoko's tragic fate. I mean that's the entire point of the story right? Getting another 2 arcs of the same shit (violence and tragedy befalling these poor kids) would get so tiresome and boring.

So yeah.. what's your thoughts? What were your expectations coming into Kai? And were your expectations satisfied?
Dec 6, 2021 12:04 AM
#2

Offline
Oct 2020
1285
I find that odd, considering that kai has a higher rating than the original.
Most people i know loved this second season. I mean the first season builds up everything, while the second season answers it all and still gives us suspense and backstories. Maybe some people just wanted this series to end like a junji ito manga ?
For me, i think s2 is superior.
It was nice to see these tragic heroes get the ending they deserve
Dec 6, 2021 12:22 AM
#3

Offline
Oct 2019
70
filimaua13 said:
Reading the reviews for this season was frustrating. I understand the change of tone and lack of horror being such a whiplash, but to actually downvote a series for answering questions that it setup was quite odd. Getting annoyed at the kids fighting back with the power of friendship instead of falling into despair like they wanted and enjoyed the last time is such a weird critique on an amazing sequel season and conclusion to a fantastic mystery thriller series.

A mystery is meant to invoke theories and keep you guessing on what is actually happening. A mystery is also meant to be eventually answered. If there is no closure and real revelation for the mysteries setup.. that's a sign of a badly written mystery.
So the reason behind why people were mad at Kai answering questions and "removing the intrigue of the first" is beyond me. The Satoko answer arc was so good and was so cathartic to see after so long.. the group of friends actually banding together to overcome Satoko's tragic fate. I mean that's the entire point of the story right? Getting another 2 arcs of the same shit (violence and tragedy befalling these poor kids) would get so tiresome and boring.

So yeah.. what's your thoughts? What were your expectations coming into Kai? And were your expectations satisfied?


I hardly Agree with this.

Exactly what Keiichi's mother said "Every mystery novel, no case is perfect. Because the selling point of a mystery novel is to provide a mystery and answer it so that the reader is satisfied" it also includes for media like anime.

What people don't like is, the recipe given is not the same as the previous season. The second season focuses more on explaining
past. This case is also the same as 3-gatsu no Lion, which in the first season was darker, then in the second season it started to be cheerful (due to the development of the story and the main character), but people didn't like the change, and preferred the story to stay that way. Which is where I find it very strange. Are they satisfied with the story that remains as it is, without any resolution?

Kai goal is to answer questions from the previous season and
past. But does
past need to be explained? Why not just kill them right away? Of course, this is because, Ryukishi07 wants to make us as viewers feel sorry for the antagonist, and feel that the antagonist also needs happiness like the victims they has made suffer.

This is what makes Higurashi so special, because the antagonists have thoughts, goals and reasons why they commit their crimes. Unlike in most mystery murders, which only solve the mystery without explaining why the antagonist committed all the crimes.

In the end, we get a
I still don't understand why people don't like this season.

btw, sorry for my baddd engrish :)) tehee
KevinzMalDec 6, 2021 12:40 AM
Dec 6, 2021 12:23 AM
#4

Offline
Nov 2020
239
I was so unbelievably confused while watching season 1, but somehow I enjoyed it. I started season 2 with the expectation that there might be an explanation for everything. Luckily we got it in the beginning and yes it was satisfying. I would never have expected it would turn out in that way.
Dec 6, 2021 12:31 AM
#5
Offline
Feb 2019
277
NEMESIS95 said:
I find that odd, considering that kai has a higher rating than the original.
Most people i know loved this second season. I mean the first season builds up everything, while the second season answers it all and still gives us suspense and backstories. Maybe some people just wanted this series to end like a junji ito manga ?
For me, i think s2 is superior.
It was nice to see these tragic heroes get the ending they deserve


Yeeah I know that S2 is generally loved the most in the OG series. The reason I made this post was just from reading the reviews on here.

There were those who loved it, and those who absolutely hated it. Nothing wrong there, but the reasons they gave for their critique were just odd and ridiculous. "Ohh its not as edgy and suspenseful as it was in S1 so therefore its just bad." Like what? I'm just paraphrasing, but that was basically the average explanation for all the reviews who hated Kai. Which in my opinion isn't a good critique. You can like or dislike whatever you want, but yeeah.
Dec 6, 2021 12:37 AM
#6
Offline
Feb 2019
277
KevinzMal said:
filimaua13 said:
Reading the reviews for this season was frustrating. I understand the change of tone and lack of horror being such a whiplash, but to actually downvote a series for answering questions that it setup was quite odd. Getting annoyed at the kids fighting back with the power of friendship instead of falling into despair like they wanted and enjoyed the last time is such a weird critique on an amazing sequel season and conclusion to a fantastic mystery thriller series.

A mystery is meant to invoke theories and keep you guessing on what is actually happening. A mystery is also meant to be eventually answered. If there is no closure and real revelation for the mysteries setup.. that's a sign of a badly written mystery.
So the reason behind why people were mad at Kai answering questions and "removing the intrigue of the first" is beyond me. The Satoko answer arc was so good and was so cathartic to see after so long.. the group of friends actually banding together to overcome Satoko's tragic fate. I mean that's the entire point of the story right? Getting another 2 arcs of the same shit (violence and tragedy befalling these poor kids) would get so tiresome and boring.

So yeah.. what's your thoughts? What were your expectations coming into Kai? And were your expectations satisfied?


I hardly Agree with this.

Exactly what Keiichi's mother said "Every mystery novel, no case is perfect. Because the selling point of a mystery novel is to provide a mystery and answer it so that the reader is satisfied" it also includes for media like anime.

What people don't like is, the recipe given is not the same as the previous season. The second season focuses more on explaining Takano Miyo's past. This case is also the same as 3-gatsu no Lion, which in the first season was darker, then in the second season it started to be cheerful (due to the development of the story and the main character), but people didn't like the change, and preferred the story to stay that way. Which is where I find it very strange. Are they satisfied with the story that remains as it is, without any resolution?

Kai goal is to answer questions from the previous season and
past. But does
past need to be explained? Why not just kill them right away? Of course, this is because, Ryukishi07 wants to make us as viewers feel sorry for the antagonist, and feel that the antagonist also needs happiness like the victims they has made suffer.

This is what makes Higurashi so special, because the antagonists have thoughts, goals and reasons why they commit their crimes. Unlike in most mystery murders, which only solve the mystery without explaining why the antagonist committed all the crimes.

In the end, we get a
I still don't understand why people don't like this season.

btw, sorry for my baddd engrish :)) tehee
Indeed! It doesn't just solve the mystery but it makes you sympathise with the villain. I really liked the concept of the ending only being a true happy ending if EVERYONE gets happiness. Everyone needs to be forgiven and that includes Takano. Because her motivations were just as personal and driven by her own need for happiness, her descent into madness is just as terrible and tragic as what the others went through. So yeeah.. its a fantasy ending for sure. But its well earned. After all the suffering that everyone went through..

Btw don't worry bout your english. I understood perfectly!
Dec 6, 2021 12:41 AM
#7

Offline
Oct 2019
70
filimaua13 said:
KevinzMal said:


I hardly Agree with this.

Exactly what Keiichi's mother said "Every mystery novel, no case is perfect. Because the selling point of a mystery novel is to provide a mystery and answer it so that the reader is satisfied" it also includes for media like anime.

What people don't like is, the recipe given is not the same as the previous season. The second season focuses more on explaining Takano Miyo's past. This case is also the same as 3-gatsu no Lion, which in the first season was darker, then in the second season it started to be cheerful (due to the development of the story and the main character), but people didn't like the change, and preferred the story to stay that way. Which is where I find it very strange. Are they satisfied with the story that remains as it is, without any resolution?

Kai goal is to answer questions from the previous season and
past. But does
past need to be explained? Why not just kill them right away? Of course, this is because, Ryukishi07 wants to make us as viewers feel sorry for the antagonist, and feel that the antagonist also needs happiness like the victims they has made suffer.

This is what makes Higurashi so special, because the antagonists have thoughts, goals and reasons why they commit their crimes. Unlike in most mystery murders, which only solve the mystery without explaining why the antagonist committed all the crimes.

In the end, we get a
I still don't understand why people don't like this season.

btw, sorry for my baddd engrish :)) tehee
Indeed! It doesn't just solve the mystery but it makes you sympathise with the villain. I really liked the concept of the ending only being a true happy ending if EVERYONE gets happiness. Everyone needs to be forgiven and that includes Takano. Because her motivations were just as personal and driven by her own need for happiness, her descent into madness is just as terrible and tragic as what the others went through. So yeeah.. its a fantasy ending for sure. But its well earned. After all the suffering that everyone went through..

Btw don't worry bout your english. I understood perfectly!


I'm glad you can understand what I'm trying to say.
Dec 6, 2021 12:47 AM
#8
Offline
May 2020
96
filimaua13 said:
Reading the reviews for this season was frustrating. I understand the change of tone and lack of horror being such a whiplash, but to actually downvote a series for answering questions that it setup was quite odd. Getting annoyed at the kids fighting back with the power of friendship instead of falling into despair like they wanted and enjoyed the last time is such a weird critique on an amazing sequel season and conclusion to a fantastic mystery thriller series.

A mystery is meant to invoke theories and keep you guessing on what is actually happening. A mystery is also meant to be eventually answered. If there is no closure and real revelation for the mysteries setup.. that's a sign of a badly written mystery.
So the reason behind why people were mad at Kai answering questions and "removing the intrigue of the first" is beyond me. The Satoko answer arc was so good and was so cathartic to see after so long.. the group of friends actually banding together to overcome Satoko's tragic fate. I mean that's the entire point of the story right? Getting another 2 arcs of the same shit (violence and tragedy befalling these poor kids) would get so tiresome and boring.

So yeah.. what's your thoughts? What were your expectations coming into Kai? And were your expectations satisfied?
I had high expectations going into the second season and until last year I could call this series my all time favourite
Dec 6, 2021 12:53 AM
#9

Offline
Oct 2020
1285
filimaua13 said:
NEMESIS95 said:
I find that odd, considering that kai has a higher rating than the original.
Most people i know loved this second season. I mean the first season builds up everything, while the second season answers it all and still gives us suspense and backstories. Maybe some people just wanted this series to end like a junji ito manga ?
For me, i think s2 is superior.
It was nice to see these tragic heroes get the ending they deserve


Yeeah I know that S2 is generally loved the most in the OG series. The reason I made this post was just from reading the reviews on here.

There were those who loved it, and those who absolutely hated it. Nothing wrong there, but the reasons they gave for their critique were just odd and ridiculous. "Ohh its not as edgy and suspenseful as it was in S1 so therefore its just bad." Like what? I'm just paraphrasing, but that was basically the average explanation for all the reviews who hated Kai. Which in my opinion isn't a good critique. You can like or dislike whatever you want, but yeeah.


Another thing i forgot to mention: when it comes to good horror, the MC's have to be likable for you to feel bad for them or at the very least hope they survive. This is what i think s2 did very well. After realizing who these charecters are and discovering the terrible stuff that happened to them or what they are going through, seeing them try so hard to survive made s2 just as intense as the first season (if not even more).
Dec 6, 2021 1:17 AM
Offline
Feb 2019
277
NEMESIS95 said:
filimaua13 said:


Yeeah I know that S2 is generally loved the most in the OG series. The reason I made this post was just from reading the reviews on here.

There were those who loved it, and those who absolutely hated it. Nothing wrong there, but the reasons they gave for their critique were just odd and ridiculous. "Ohh its not as edgy and suspenseful as it was in S1 so therefore its just bad." Like what? I'm just paraphrasing, but that was basically the average explanation for all the reviews who hated Kai. Which in my opinion isn't a good critique. You can like or dislike whatever you want, but yeeah.


Another thing i forgot to mention: when it comes to good horror, the MC's have to be likable for you to feel bad for them or at the very least hope they survive. This is what i think s2 did very well. After realizing who these charecters are and discovering the terrible stuff that happened to them or what they are going through, seeing them try so hard to survive made s2 just as intense as the first season (if not even more).


I feel like season 1 did that just as well with the setup of the seperate tragedies and backstories for the main cast.
Arc 1 had you rooting for Keiichi, Arc 2 was kinda butchered as it was supposed to make you sympathise for Mion but oh well, Arc 3 gave you deeper characterization for Keiichi and made you understand and pity Satoko, Arc 5 gave so much understanding to Shion's character and had you dreading her fall into insanity and the last gave you insight into Rena. By the end of season 1, you had a fair understanding of each and every main character. Other than Rika of course.
Dec 6, 2021 1:27 AM

Offline
Jun 2020
4169
It's been a while since I read the reviews, but most of the complaints were about the "cheesy" action, right?

While most people enjoyed the shift to a tragic tale of a girl who wants to escape her fate, there are other people who were hooked by the first season's mystery elements and nothing more. I don't think anybody was mad the kids escaped their fate or that the mysteries were answered, but they were mad because it shifted towards fighting a military force instead of the mysterious village story the first season showed.

I love this series so I'm trying to understand why other people didn't. For me it was very satisfying though
Dec 6, 2021 2:18 AM
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Jul 2019
378
I didn't know what to expect from thie season. But I was blown away by how brilliant it was nonetheless.
Dec 6, 2021 5:21 AM

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May 2020
537
My expectation: All questions will be answered

Were my expectations satisfied: Yes
Dec 6, 2021 5:35 AM
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Mar 2021
26
I was very confused with the first season until the reveal and seeing everything being pieced together I was like woah now it makes sense I understand it now. The final two arcs were amazing
Dec 6, 2021 1:04 PM
Offline
Aug 2019
36
After watching the first season, I actually had a very low expectation for season 2. I initially gave season 1 no more than 5|10 because (laugh at me if you want, I know it's a silly reason) I just didn't understand what was going on lol. It's kinda the point of Higurashi season 1 but at the time I was like "this is dumb, I can't enjoy things I don't understand."

Long story short, I was positively surprised when I was done with Kai and loved every answer arc, raised my score of s1 considerably as I know understood everything.

It's kind of hard to decide if Kai is better than the original since they're very strongly connected btw.
Dec 7, 2021 11:52 PM

Offline
Jul 2016
44
I wanted to know satisfactory answers to all the questions Season 1 raised. I received them from Kai. Any other pressing questions I read the wiki for answers, but I could have got them through playing the visual novel.

Overall, I thought Kai and Higurashi were equally good since one gave answers and the other raised questions.

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