Review of Higurashi: When They Cry – Kai
About this series (First and second season) - Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni is a series that compiles a combination of gore, mystery, and beliefs. Beliefs can be thought of the act of spreading something that cannot be proved but is still spread to ensure that something is the cause of a strange event. For instance, an unsolved murder can easily be explained by priests. Priests would somehow relate the murder to a “curse” or something that cannot be explained by the means of science. Higurashi progresses in a different way than other anime would; a complexity of different world or what I call “dimensions”.As an event occurs, it remains in its own dimension. In simple terms, there are save points within this anime. At every bad end, the story goes back to the previous save point. This procedure would eventually be explained more specifically in season 2.
Story- At the beginning of this series, audiences is deluged with many questions. This anime engrosses its audience by building up suspense within the audiences by leaving us with a question by the end of the episode. These “cliffhangers” at every episode make us speculate and theorize every upcoming event of an episode. This is what makes Higurashi special. As the anime keeps on progressing, many questions are answered. This anime flows perfectly in a smooth way that the audience can follow. Additionally, the spread of belief throughout the series makes others understand more about the rejection of a society. The rejection of a society can differ in many ways. In this series, it can be described as being neglected and despised by others. Not being able to be content with one’s belief or defying its existence can contribute to the rejection of a society. The society may not have tolerance towards as such acts. This theme is another positive attribute in this series.
Art- The artwork in this anime can be described as a masterpiece; as it represents and fits in the anime perfectly, similarly as a perfect shoe size. The features of characters usually change drastically. Features such as a character’s face, movement, and eyes. The female characters seem typically attractive and good-looking. When they appear to be frustrated, they appear to have a completely different art style; a frightening art style.
Sound- Followed by eerie and extraordinary soundtracks, a scene seems to intensify. The soundtrack attracts the audience by emphasizing a dark and eerie surrounding.
Characters: The majority of characters in this series become relevant in the plot, as it progresses. The behavior of a character and their actions mostly contribute to different events, which enriches the existence of certain characters. Characters learn to avoid certain paths, which enhances their existence as characters. The main character in the second season faces internal conflict multiple times and clearly expresses internal conflict by having ideas of the consequence of a method. However, several characters in the second season suddenly appear without the procedure of introducing a background story.
Enjoyment: Developing theories of each outcome by the end of an episode; trying to solve the mysteries within the anime was my personal enjoyment throughout the series.
Overall: This series had so much to offer: the abrupt change in art style, developed characters, and apocalyptic soundtracks.