Review of Higurashi: When They Cry – Kai

I'll be including stuff from the first season in this review, but I'll try my best to limit spoilers. From face-value, Higurashi looks like any innocent slice of life. Hell, I thought that the first time I started watching it. But the shockers came - oh they came with a force that will have you wondering if maybe you shouldn't leave your bedroom door open before you go to bed. The story in the first season, although horrifying, initially confused me. It always had a sense of, "Oh my freaking God! What the hell am I watching?!" to, "... Wait, didn't they die a very gruesomedeath in the last episode?"

I'm not kidding. Most of the first season, I wondered why the series kept telling different stories. I always felt like I was missing the bigger picture. I never put much thought into anime. Usually, I just sit back and enjoy the ride. But Higurashi is so unique, you really can't help but entertain notions. "Maybe they're in different universes? And if so, what the hell is the point if we don't even come to a coherent conclusion?"

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai is an absolute gem. It reveals, with shocking twists and turns, what's really going on the little village.

Through it all, Rika truly shines as her own character. Initially, I just thought she was a bubbly little girl who had weird lapses of seriousness. Boy was I wrong. She is a very deep, well-developed individual. You come to understand her struggle and pain, and you feel a sense of pity for her situation. It had become so bad that she chose to remain monotonous, surrendering to fate. But when Keiichi showed her that fate isn't determined for us, that we CAN fight it - that's all it took for a glimmer of hope to blossom, for her AND us (Which, in my opinion, is very important).

That's another thing. All the characters are unique. What's awesome about them is that their uniqueness can change any time. Confused, huh? Think it's a little too vague? Just watch the show and you'll get what I mean.

The story is very original from my standpoint. It's really something I've never seen before, which is a huge plus.

I absolutely fell in love with this show and its characters. I was hesitant to watch this season, but I'm super glad that I did! Higurashi is one of the most well-executed anime out there. This season left me with a sense of happiness; a sense of it wasn't all for nothing for them. After so much suffering, it wasn't all in vain.

I'd recommend it to those who are looking for something dark and thought provoking.