Higurashi When They Cry Kai review: Into the depths of mystery and horror

"Higurashi When They Cry Kai": A story of fear and friendship

"Higurashi When They Cry Kai" is a TV anime series that aired in 2007, based on the games "Higurashi When They Cry" and "Higurashi When They Cry Kai" by Ryukishi07 of the doujin group "07th Expansion". The story is set in the early summer of 1983 in the remote mountain village of Hinamizawa, far from the city, and depicts a series of mysterious deaths that take place around the "Watanagashi" festival that takes place every June. The anime has 24 episodes, directed by Kon Chiaki and animated by Studio Deen.

story

Early summer in 1983, Hinamizawa, a cold village deep in the mountains far from the city. The chorus of cicadas echoed through the trees during the day, and the chorus of crickets echoed through the trees at dusk. Keiichi, Rena, Mion, Satoko, Rika, Shion. The cheerful and lively voices of the "club members" echoed through Hinamizawa today as well. Amidst all of this, Rika occasionally showed a sad expression. This was because the "Cotton-Floating Festival" that takes place every June was approaching. For the past four years, a tragedy has been repeated on the day of the festival. Every year, one person dies and one goes missing in the "Hinamizawa Serial Mysterious Death Incident." This year, a tragedy will occur again. Rika knew everything. The beginning and the end... Can the chain of repeated tragedies be broken?

TV animation "Higurashi When They Cry Kai" July 2007, Break the chain of wedge!

Commentary

This anime is based on the work of the doujin circle "07th Expansion." Initially, it was merely a doujin game distributed only at Comic Market, but it gained a great reputation as a doujin work, and was made into a drama CD, manga, anime, and other typical media mix developments, which have continued to this day. Set in the fictional village of Hinamizawa in the 1970s, the manga, which revolves around a series of mysterious deaths that occur around the old village custom of "Cotton Floating," has sold over 1.5 million copies in total. The game, which takes the form of a serial sound novel (visual novel), continues to sell well to this day.

The anime aired from April to September 2006 (with some differences in some regions). The second season of the anime, "Higurashi When They Cry Kai," began airing in July 2007, and featured an original story, "Yakuzaeshi-hen," conceived and supervised by the original author, Ryukishi07. Attention has been focused on the relationship between this story and the original stories, "Massacre-hen" and "Matsuribayashi-hen," which have yet to be animated.

cast

• Keiichi Maebara/Soichiro Hoshi
• Ryugu Rena/Mai Nakahara
• Mion Sonozaki/Satsuki Yukino
• Shion Sonozaki/Satsuki Yukino
• Satoko Hojo/Mika Kanai
• Furude Rika/Tamura Yukari
• Hanyuu/Yui Horie
• Kurodo Oishi / Chafurin
• Jiro Tomitake/Toru Okawa
• Sanshi Takano/Miki Ito
• Kyosuke Irie/Toshihiko Seki
• Rumiko Chie/Fumiko Orikasa

Main Staff

• Original story, story concept, and supervision: Ryukishi07/07th Expansion
• Director: Chiaki Kon
• Series Composition: Toshifumi Kawase
• Character design and chief animation director: Sakai Kyuta
• Prop design: Satoru Kosaka, Tomoyoshi Okado, Yasuhiro Nishinaka
• Art Director: Chika Shibata
• Color design: Shinji Matsumoto
• Director of photography: Masayuki Kawaguchi
• Edited by Masahiro Matsumura
• Sound Director: Hozumi Goda
• Music by Kenji Kawai
• Producers: Mika Nomura, Hiroyuki Omori, Takemasa Okamura
• Animation producer/Iijima Koji
• Animation Production: Studio Deen
• Produced by Higurashi When They Cry Kai Production Committee

Main Characters

Maebara Keiichi <br> He recently moved to Hinamizawa from the city. He lives with his mother and father, who are painters. He got excellent grades at school in the city and has a quick mind, but he is careless and sometimes gets into trouble. He is also very eloquent, so much so that he has been given the nickname "the magician of words." He also calls himself an "evangelist of moe," and is said to have an opinion on costumes such as maids, school swimsuits, and cat ears. He is a curious and passionate boy who is quick to jump on board with a good deal.

Ryugu Rena <br> She has a devoted personality and is Keiichi's best friend, going to school with him every morning. Her real name is Reina, but she prefers to be called Rena. She has a weakness for "cute" things, and has a habit of "taking home" whatever she finds. She doesn't just take things, she also tries to kidnap Rika and Satoko, making her a real pain to deal with!

Mion Sonozaki <br> A student one year above Keiichi and Rena, she is a leader in her class and serves as class representative. Although she can act a bit like an old man at times, she is loved by those around her for her high-spirited, easy-going, big sister-like nature. Although she appears rough around the edges, she also has a surprisingly feminine side. Her daily after-school routine is to have fun playing various games with Keiichi and the others, which she calls "club activities," but even in games, she is feared by those around her for her willingness to do whatever it takes to win. On the other hand, she also has an unexpected identity as the next head of the Sonozaki family, a prestigious family in the village.

Sonozaki Shion <br> Mion's twin sister, she looks just like her sister. She works part-time as a waitress at the family restaurant "Angel Mort" in Okimiya. Contrary to her ladylike impression, she is just as cunning as her sister, using Mion as her pawn. She seems to have feelings for Keiichi, and takes proactive action, but...

Hojo Satoko <br> A junior of Keiichi and Rena, she is the best trap master in Hinamizawa. Her talent is displayed freely even during club activities, to the point that even Mion is afraid of her. She hates to lose and speaks in a strange ladylike tone. Although she has a cheeky side, she is still young and often cries when Keiichi and Mion tease her.

Furude Rika <br> The only daughter of Furude Shrine. Her kitten-like cuteness always puts those around her at ease. She plays the role of a shrine maiden at the "Watanagashi Festival" held every June. She calls herself "boku" and doesn't say much, but has catchphrases like "mi~" and "nipa~☆". She lives in the same house as Satoko, who is the same age as her, and they are often together. She is a girl with a mysterious aura, combining calmness and mystery that doesn't suit her age.

Oishi Kurano <br> A veteran detective who investigates the series of mysterious deaths that occur every year in Hinamizawa. He is determined to solve the cases before he retires, but many villagers seem to find his persistent investigation into the cases annoying.

Tomitake Jiro <br> A freelance photographer who comes to Hinamizawa from Tokyo several times a year. He seems to specialize in photographing wild birds, but there are many mysteries surrounding him, such as why he is interested in Hinamizawa and how he makes a living as he is not particularly well-known as a photographer.

Takano Miyo <br> A nurse at Irie Clinic. She has a gentle demeanor, but on the other hand, she is interested in the dark history and cruel rituals of Hinamizawa, and is conducting her own research. She is a woman who exudes a great deal of adult charm, but when it comes to her favorite topic of the occult, she also shows a childlike and innocent side, making her a rather elusive character.

Kyosuke Irie <br> He is a doctor at the Irie Clinic and also serves as the manager of the youth baseball team "Hinamizawa Fighters." His manner of speech and behavior give off a calm, mature impression, and he is like an older brother to everyone. However, he is actually quite fond of maids, and when he gets excited, he can suddenly say and do some outrageous things!

Rumiko Chie <br> The homeroom teacher at the school Keiichi and his friends attend. Although she is still young, she has a greater sense of responsibility towards her students than anyone else.

subtitle

• Episode 1: Saikai (2007/07/05)
• Episode 2: Awakening from Evil, Part 1: Tag (2007/07/12)
• Episode 3: Awakening from Calamity, Part 2: Powerless (2007/07/19)
• Episode 4: Awakening from Calamity, Part 3: Predestined Harmony (2007/07/26)
• Episode 5: The Awakening of Calamity, Part 4: The Great Hinamizawa Disaster (2007/08/02)
• Episode 6: Massacre Part 1: The Law of the Maze (2007/08/09)
• Episode 7: Massacre Part 2: How to Change Fate (2007/08/16)
• Episode 8: Massacre Part 3: Fluctuation (2007/08/23)
• Episode 9: Massacre Part 4: Negotiations (2007/08/30)
• Episode 10: Massacre Part 5: Showdown (2007/09/06)
• Episode 11: Massacre Part 6: Strong Will (2007/09/13)
• Episode 12: Massacre Part 7: Hinamizawa Syndrome (2007/09/28)
• Episode 13: Massacre Part 8: The End (2007/10/05)
• Episode 14: Festival Music Part 1 (2007/10/12)
• Episode 15: Festival Music Part 2: Writhing (2007/10/19)
• Episode 16: Festival Music Part 3: The Beginning of the End (2007/10/26)
• Episode 17: Festival Music Part 4: Plot (2007/11/02)
• Episode 18: Festival Music, Part 5: The Last Piece (2007/11/09)
• Episode 19: Festival Music Part 6: Opening (2007/11/16)
• Episode 20: Festival Music Part 7: Trap (2007/11/23)
• Episode 21: Festival Music Part 8 48 Hours (2007/11/30)
• Episode 22: Festival Music Part 9: Offense and Defense (2007/12/07)
• Episode 23: Festival Music Chapter 10: Bloody Battle (2007/12/14)
• Episode 24: Festival Music Part 11 Oshimai (2007/12/21)

*Episodes 1 to 11 will be broadcast on Tokai TV. Episodes 12 to 24 will be broadcast on KBS Kyoto.

Related Titles

• When Higurashi Cries
• Higurashi When They Cry Rei
• Higurashi When They Cry Kira
• Higurashi When They Cry: Outbreak
• Higurashi When They Cry Gaiden: Cat Killer
• Ura☆Higu

Theme songs and music

OP1
・Flower of the Abyss・Lyrics by Eiko Shimamiya・Composition by Tomoyuki Nakazawa・Arrangement by Tomoyuki Nakazawa, Takeshi Ozaki・Singer by Eiko Shimamiya

ED1
・Target a
・Lyrics/interface
・Composer: inazawa
・Arrangement: inazawa
・Song/anNina (Annabel×bermei.inazawa)

Review

"Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai" is a work that skillfully combines horror and mystery, and its unique atmosphere and deep story development have the appeal to draw viewers in. The complex plot and deep portrayal of the characters' inner thoughts inherited from the original game are faithfully reproduced in the anime version, leaving a strong impression on viewers.

Particularly noteworthy is the growth and change of the characters. The main character, Maebara Keiichi, starts out as a carefree boy who spends his time having fun with his friends, but as the story progresses and he gets closer to the secrets of Hinamizawa, he is shown struggling to protect his friends while also battling fear. His growth resonates with viewers and highlights the importance of "friendship" and "trust," which are central themes of the story.

Additionally, characters such as Rena, Mion, Satoko, and Rika each have a deep background, and their actions and psychology have a major impact on the progression of the story. In particular, Rena's obsession with "cute" things, Mion's leadership and the conflict behind it, Satoko's talent for trapping and the sadness behind it, and Rika's calmness and mysteriousness make a strong impression on viewers. The portrayal of these characters encourages viewers to empathize with them, and is an important element in increasing the tension of the story.

Studio Deen's quality also shines in terms of animation production. Visual elements such as character design, background art, and color design enhance the atmosphere of the story. In particular, the direction of the horror scenes and the use of music successfully give the viewer a strong sense of fear and heighten the tension of the story. Kenji Kawai's music stirs emotions in sync with the development of the story, drawing the viewer in.

"Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai" is a work that skillfully combines elements of horror and mystery, and its deep story, character development, and production quality leave a strong impression on viewers. It is a work that can be recommended not only to fans of the original game, but also to those who like horror and mystery.

Recommendation

"Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai" is a must-watch for fans of horror and mystery. It is enjoyable not only for fans of the original game, but also for anime novices. It is especially recommended for those who can relate to the themes of character growth and friendship. The horror scenes and music are also of high quality, making it a visually enjoyable work. Please try to experience the secrets of Hinamizawa at least once.