Review of Higurashi: When They Cry – Kai

*Contains Season 1 spoilers* Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai is one of those shows that exceeds its predecessor. The story of this sequel to Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is what I like to call the answer series, meaning this show answers about every question you have after watching the first season. The overall story is now centered around Rika who was the person who has been experiencing these time loops with Hanyu, the true spirit of Oyashiro. Rika has relieved the same events over and over again trying to find a way for her and her friends to stay alive after June 14th*. After differentdecisions are made by her friends she notices some enormous differences in the previous timelines she has seen hoping this will end her hellacious time loops.

This show also gives the viewer the person responsible for the Hinamizawa murders the past five years. It is someone that even I would have never guessed it to be, and their backstory is just incredible.

The show surprisingly has okay comedy. (Spoilers) For example where the group is meeting with Mion and Shion Sonozaki's family to discuss how to get Satoko back from her abusive uncle, Keiichi states that Mion and Shion's father looks like a Yakuza leader to which one of them replies that he actually is one.

Once again the opening to Higurashi is pretty badass.

The characters in the second season are more fleshed out making them even more relatable and showing how strong their friendship has become. Also there are the minor characters who play a huge role to the story like Mion and Shion's grandmother.

There was only one pet peeve I have in anime and that is when there is more to an episode after the ending credits have finished showing. I don't mind if it's for comedic relief , but when it has to do with the main story it it really ticks me off. And this show only has I think one episode that has it. However, if the show continues during the end credits then I have no problem with it what so ever.

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai not only exceeds its predecessor, but it also answers the questions that were left unanswered in the first season. But by far the best part of this show is its ironic ending. There were only one major problem I had with the show. Overall Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai is a great anime and a perfect sequel season.

*Please correct me if I got the date wrong.