The appeal and reviews of "Higurashi When They Cry Kira": New developments that fans must see

"Higurashi When They Cry Kira": The brilliance of its 10th anniversary and new challenges

The Higurashi When They Cry series was born in 2002 as a doujin sound novel game, and has since become a social phenomenon with a variety of media mixes, including comics, novels, anime, consumer games, arcade games, and movies. To celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2012, a new OVA series, Higurashi When They Cry Kirameki, was released from July 2011 to January 2012 as a 10th anniversary project. This OVA series is enjoyable not only for fans of the original work, but also for those who are new to Higurashi When They Cry.

story

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kirameki is an OVA series consisting of four volumes, each of which depicts a different episode. The first volume, Punishment Love Arc - Joy, is a reconstruction of the Punishment Love Arc, which was produced as a thank-you party for the Meakashi Arc of the original game Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai, for the anime. The protagonist, Maebara Keiichi, keeps losing in club activities and becomes a regular in punishment games. To release his frustration, he plans a humiliating punishment game for the club members, including Rena, but as Keiichi's delusions swirl, a super ultra dangerous punishment game that surpasses the original unfolds, with no end in store.

The second volume, "Yo-senshi-hen - Tsutomu-", the third volume, "Yu-enshi-hen - Ai-", and the fourth volume, "Yume-gasshi-hen - Raku-", are all completely original episodes that can be enjoyed by fans of the original work and new fans alike. They are full of shocking images that go beyond your imagination, making them a fitting work for the 10th anniversary.

Background and significance of the production

Higurashi When They Cry Kirameki was produced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the original series. Based on Higurashi When They Cry, Higurashi When They Cry Kai, and Higurashi When They Cry Rei, which were created by the original creators Ryukishi07 and 07th Expansion, the series was developed as an OVA series centered around new episodes. It is directed by Tachibana Hideki, with series composition by Kawase Toshifumi, character design and general animation director Abe Tomoyuki, and animation produced by Studio Deen.

This OVA series was produced to express our gratitude to the fans of the original work, and is also a new challenge to mark the 10th anniversary. By respecting the worldview of the original work while drawing out the appeal of new stories and characters, we aim to appeal to not only existing fans, but also new audiences.

Characters and cast

The main characters from the original series continue to appear in Higurashi When They Cry: Kirameki. Keiichi Maebara is played by Souichirou Hoshi, Rena Ryugujo is played by Mai Nakahara, Mion Sonozaki is played by Satsuki Yukino, Satoko Hojo is played by Mika Kanai, Rika Furude is played by Yukari Tamura, and Hanyuu is played by Yui Horie. These cast members continue to appear from the original series, and they bring out the voices and personalities of the characters.

In particular, Soichiro Hoshi, who plays Keiichi Maebara, perfectly expresses Keiichi's cheerfulness and the serious side he sometimes shows, and has the power to draw the audience in. In addition, Mai Nakahara, who plays Rena Ryugu, realistically reproduces Rena's unique way of speaking and facial expressions, bringing out the charm of the character to the fullest.

Visuals and Music

The visuals of "Higurashi When They Cry Kirameki" are a work that highlights the high technical capabilities of Studio Deen. Under the direction of Abe Tomoyuki, who was in charge of character design and general animation direction, the atmosphere of the original work is faithfully reproduced while fresh visuals are developed to match the new episodes. In particular, the climax scenes of each episode feature a focus on color and movement, creating a visual impact.

In terms of music, the opening theme "Happy! Lucky! Dochy!" is sung by Rika (Yukari Tamura), Satoko (Mika Kanai), and Hanyuu (Yui Horie), creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere. The ending theme "Unprecedented☆Miracle Change" is sung by Rena (Mai Nakahara), and is a song that reflects her character. These songs have the power to capture the hearts of viewers, further enhancing the appeal of the OVA series.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kirameki" is a fitting work to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the original series, and will appeal to new audiences as well as existing fans. It has the power to draw viewers in by respecting the worldview of the original while bringing out the appeal of new episodes and characters. In addition, the quality of the visuals and music is high, making it a work that can be enjoyed both visually and aurally.

In particular, the first volume, "Batsu Koi Shi Hen - Ki", is a very interesting story that revolves around Keiichi's punishment game, and you can enjoy a super ultra dangerous development that goes beyond the original. The original episodes in volumes 2 to 4 will also provide fresh surprises and excitement for fans of the original, and new fans will be able to fully enjoy the charm of "Higurashi When They Cry".

This OVA series is a must-see for fans of the original series, and for those who have just discovered Higurashi When They Cry, it will be a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the series' appeal. Be sure to watch it on Blu-ray or DVD and experience the brilliance of the 10th anniversary and new challenges.

Related works and purchase information

Higurashi When They Cry Kirameki is being released in two versions: Blu-ray and DVD. Details of each volume are as follows:

• OVA Volume 1 "Batsu Koi Shi Hen -Joy-"
• OVA Volume 2 "Yo-senshi-hen - Tsutomu-"
• OVA Volume 3 "Yuienshi-hen -Love-"
• OVA Volume 4 "Dream Revealing Arc - Easy -"

The prices are as follows:

• Blu-ray Limited Edition: 7,980 yen (tax included)
• Blu-ray Standard Edition: 6,930 yen (tax included)
• Limited edition DVD: 6,930 yen (tax included)
• Standard DVD version: 5,880 yen (tax included)

The part numbers are as follows:

• Blu-ray Limited Edition: FCXP-0034~0037
• Blu-ray regular version: FCXP-0038~0041
• DVD Limited Edition: FCBP-0147~0150
• DVD regular version: FCBP-0151~0154

Using this information as a reference, be sure to pick up Higurashi When They Cry Kirameki and experience the brilliance of the 10th anniversary and new challenges.