Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

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Title:	Higurashi no Naku Koro ni When Cicada's Cry
Overall:	Buy
Keywords:	2006, High School, Horror, Modern, Mystery, Surreal, TV, Video-game inspired
Notables:	Animation - Studio DEEN
When his parents decided to move, Maebara Keiichi found himself having to leave behind both his friends and the big city life to transfer to the small village of Hinamizawa with it’s small one-room middle school. Adjusting well, Keiichi found a few close friends and together they pass the days playing games and flirting. And then one day, Keiichi happens to hear of an unsolved murder that occurred in the village some five years ago. In asking about the details surrounding the murder, his close friends claim to know nothing. On the day after a village spring festival (the anniversary of the first murder), Keiichi is quietly approached by a policeman who is investigating the disappearance of two people that night before. Keiichi learns there has been not been just one murder, but a number of murders, each happening on the anniversary of the first event and he begins to wonder if the village is hiding a dark secret. And suddenly things get really strange when one of Keiichi’s school friends warns him not to ask any more questions or else risk the same fate of a student who abruptly disappeared and ‘transferred’ out the year before…….. Animation by Studio DEEN, Frontier Works 26 TV Episodes, based on an amateur murder/mystery computer game Also see sequel - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai

Overall	Art	Animation	Character Design	Music	Series Story	Episode Story	Reviewer

Buy 4							dirtyd12	#
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni I can't say too much about the plot without spoiling it. Let me just say, don't let the characters or art fool you. If it wasn't for the brutal foreshadowing at the very beginning, I'm sure I would have quit watching because of the style. It seems like it would be one of those boring slice of life animes that lacks substance (like Da Capo). BUT IT'S NOT! Every warm and fuzzy scenario ends with homicidal insanity. It's very interesting the way the plot progresses. The art is not my favorite cause it's too cute and usually I hate that. But in this anime, it's like the cuteness confuses you before the blood-splattering, bone-crushing, rampages begins. Yes it's very violent and disturbing, but the plot is actually really good and captivating. Each scenario bring you closer to the "big picture." I like it! Last updated Monday, September 17 2007.

Buy 4							Chibi-Goat	#
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni For starters, let me just say that if you have a friend who's just getting into anime (or if you're just starting out yourself) this is not a good starting point. lol There are so many plot twists and turns that it was initially difficult for me to figure out who's who and what's what...and I sat through all of Lain. Visually, it balances the line between cute, and psychotic, the effect giving you a rather uneasy feeling when you're watching it. Overall, this has to be one of my favorite animes of all time (and that's saying a lot). The characters are somewhat balanced out (there's too many changes to really flesh out a character, imho) and I found myself loving a character one minute to being repelled or disgusted by them the next. It's very violent, just as a forewarning. There are parts of Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni that make Elfen Lied look like a saturday morning cartoon. Now, apart from what sounds to be a negative review (which it's not) I love this series. The twists and the unexpected turns the story takes are a refreshing change from some of the more "commonplace" animes out there. Keiichi is a believeable character, and while we don't ever really get that "suspension of disbelief" feeling, I felt that one could relate and actually realize his character as a part of their psyche. The poor guy runs the gamut from innocent victim, to...well, murderer to be blunt. (hopefully I didn't throw a spoiler in there...lol) Very good horror/drama series that comes highly recommended! Last updated Wednesday, August 15 2007.

Unevaluated 4							Forbin	#
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 9 Episodes Watched HOLEY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I blame Jan-Chan! Now I don't know if I can get to sleep without my trusty metal baseball bat beside me. What the heck did I get into? Murders? Intrigue? Government Conspiracy? Men In Black? The 3rd episode was super scary. This is a good one if you like mysteries. Ah, now I get it. This anime plays like a game, the first 4 episodes had a 'Bad Ending' so now you restart with another chance and see if everything plays out properly this time. Keeping your eyes out for clues to what the real mystery is before it catches up with you. 2nd Book Done! Damn this is a great horror flick. Now I need my trusty baseball bat and I now have a fear of nails! Yikes! 3rd Book Started ! Ewwww, I sure hope I don't see that first scene EVER again. Episodes 1-4 - What if Keiichi went the Rena 'route'. 5-8 - What if Keiichi took the Mion route. 9-12 Satoko Route Last updated Sunday, June 11 2006.

Unevaluated 4							Jan-Chan	#
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni The 3rd episode is available as a fansub. While trying to pretending to be a simple SD/comedic high romance story, this really a very dark and strange horror/drama series. Episode 4 has just been released... and...wow!! Both the main character (Keiichi) and the two main suspects appear to have been killed.... (in fact ... Keiichi was ... (plot spoiler - sorry -but, wow!) Very gory, very graphic and very strange!! Where is this story going to go now?? Last updated Tuesday, May 02 2006.

Other Sites

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Official Japanese Series Web Site	http://www.oyashirosama.com

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