Review of Higurashi: When They Cry – Kai

This is the second season to Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni, which you should watch first because it's completely amazing, unlike this. As much as I love (and I do mean love) Higurashi, I'm sorry guys, but I just can't blindly give this 9 or 10 just because it follows an incredibly awesome animé, in fact, I think I can't give it a good score specifically because of that. The season starts out pretty good, but gradually deteriorates and gets just downright terrible at the end. The second season of Higurashi had a lot of issues, a few of which: - The introduction of Hanyuu was, to thepoint she served, little more than plot manipulation. She didn't feel like a real character at all so much as something they randomly stuck in there to look cute and explain certain aspects of the plot. She could have been much better, but they just chose not to have her be that way.

- Pacing issues. Certain things get too many episodes, while other things feel rushed.

- For how mysterious and screw-with-your-mind the first season is, many truths are revealed far too easily and far too quickly. It almost felt like the author just sort of plopped down the hand of God (no pun intended) and said "Alright, here's what needs to be explained now". For how beautifully and slowly Higurashi unfurled, this was a real disappointment.

- The last arc. Completely unrealistic and contrived. Nothing more I can say other than I think there's only 1 thing that can redeem this "ending", and, if the rumors I've heard about the 3rd season are true, then I might need to retract this statement. (Let's just say it may be genius for the same reasons I currently think it's stupid.)

So, should you watch it? Hell, if you've come this far, might as well. I can't guarantee you'll love it, but at least you'll get some answers.