"Higurashi no naku koro ni: Kai" (2007) TV series

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Creator:

Ryukishi07

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

5 July 2007 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation

Plot Keywords:

Student | Anime | Based On Sound Novel | Based On Dojin Game | Supernatural

Cast

Yukari Tamura	...	Rika Furude (22 episodes, 2007)
Mai Nakahara	...	Rena Ryugu (20 episodes, 2007)
Mika Kanai	...	Satoko Hojo (20 episodes, 2007)
Satsuki Yukino	...	Mion Sonozaki / ... (19 episodes, 2007)
Soichiro Hoshi	...	Keiichi Maebara (18 episodes, 2007)
Miki Itô	...	Miyo Takano (18 episodes, 2007)
Toshihiko Seki	...	Kyosuke Irie / ... (18 episodes, 2007)
Yui Horie	...	Hanyu (17 episodes, 2007)
Fûrin Cha	...	Kuraudo Oishi / ... (17 episodes, 2007)
Katsuhiro Ota	...	Yamainu / ... (14 episodes, 2007)
Tôru Ôkawa	...	Jiro Tomitake (13 episodes, 2007)
Gen Nakano	...	Yamainu / ... (11 episodes, 2007)
Daisuke Matsuoka	...	Shokuin / ... (10 episodes, 2007)
Satoshi Tsuruoka	...	Yamainu / ... (10 episodes, 2007)
Daisuke Ono	...	Mamoru Akasaka (9 episodes, 2007)
Nobuyuki Kobushi	...	Yamainu / ... (9 episodes, 2007)

Runtime:

Japan:25 min (24 epsidoes)

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Company:

07th Expansion

Movie Connections:

Featured in Kochira okinomiya keisatsusho daini torishirabeshitsu (2007/I) (V)

The long 'answer arc' to Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

In Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: Kai the focus is mostly on Rika and her attempts to alter fate with the help of a new friend. New light is also shed on minor characters and more background story is provided to help resolve any confusion on possible plot holes.

First thing's first: don't go into this expecting or hoping for the horror of the first season. There is minimal gore here and the few horrific moments are unrelated to the supernatural. The first few episodes are a little sluggish but if you hang in there by the end you'll realize what an incredibly well written(if slightly complicated) story this turned out to be. There is also the signature unpredictable comedy of the first season though the characters are noticeably more over-the-top here(Keiichi in particular is a little out of character). I wish Dr. Irie had a bigger role in the show as he is one of the more interesting(yes, despite(or maybe because of) his pedophilia) supporting characters. However, it is Takano who has a more significant role this time around.

On a technical note, the animation quality has improved as it is more detailed and the character designs are noticeably different in comparison to the first season (i.e. the eyes are shaped in a more typical anime fashion and look less creepy). Although I much prefer the original character designs as they were one of the things that made the series stand out from others.

The main problem is whether or not Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: Kai answers the questions left behind from the first season. Though I personally had little trouble understanding what was going on in season one this season may make things a little more confusing if you are the type to examine each and every little detail. I have a feeling that a lot of significant things were left out from the original plot and so some revelations or puzzle pieces just don't come together or feel a little too rushed/forced(such as a run through of Takano's background as well as resolving Satoko's troubles at home).

Sure, it would have been nice if this had the horror elements of the first season but clearly the creator had either run out of ideas in that respect(further evidence of that lies in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei) or there was just nothing new to add to the story(and possibly nothing else to take out of the manga/visual novel).

I personally enjoyed this season though there were definitely many flaws which are likely to disappoint fans of the first season(such as myself). Hopefully though, this will also be released on DVD along with the first season.