Rating: 8/10

Overall Series Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai has come to end, and I can say now that it’s an excellently produced series. Despite some execution flaws during the last few episodes, with the theme of the show being nothing close to hardcore action, it is of no concern to me. Compared to the first series, Kai presents us with the answers to everything we’ve been wondering about since the end of the first season, and does it with higher quality animation. There is less violence, which would disappoint some, but for me, the second season is the better one. There also seems to be a third season, but whether it’s true or not, or what it will entail, is unknown to me.

Thankfully, Takano gets a happy ending as well. I say this because, as some of you may know, with the recent revelations of her tormenting past, my sentiments for her changed drastically. She seemingly develops symptoms of the Hinamizawa disease, and is rescued by Tomitake. Ultimately, I assume she survives in the end. It’s incredibly nice how she and Tomitake manage to stay together, even in the end. After the credits though, it seems that an adult Rika goes back in time to prevent the tragedy of the deaths of Takano’s parents. Historical complications aside, that was a nice touch to the end of the series.

I never really found a favourite character in the end. Rena, Shion, Mion and Keiichi never really get much focus to further develop their characters, but I guess that’s what the first season’s for. If I had to choose, it would probably be Shion. It’s a shame we never get to see what happens to her afterwards, which would also include what happens to Satoshi. I would have loved to see Satoshi return to Satoko, though for now, I’m sure her brotherly desires can be satisfied by Keiichi. There’s also a severe lack of romance, but it’s understandable due to the major theme of friendship—having lovers amongst the group may well break that.

Overall, I love how they end the show with Rika tearing off that dreaded month of June. The entire series is about her trying to accomplish the seemingly impossible goal of surviving past June, which she does in the end. It gives me such a happy feeling. On the other hand, I would have liked to see wrap-ups of a lot of the other characters. I’ve already mentioned Shion/Satoshi, but Ooishi and Irie should have received some form of conclusion as well. Rika said she would explain all the murder cases to Ooishi at a later date, but she doesn’t in the end. Also, we receive no clue as to how Irie and his research come about in the aftermath…

Anyway, do I recommend this show? Yes, but obviously only if you’ve seen the first season. I remember hearing about people who went ahead and started watching the second season without seeing the first, and began to dismiss it due to their obvious incomprehension of anything that was happening. This is definitely my favourite show of summer 2007. The last arc in particular works wonders for entertainment. I only wished they had put more violence in the second last arc, to once again emphasise the cruelness of a world lost to Takano. But in the end, Takano was never that bad. Well, I’ll be looking forward to a third series, if there is one.

Rating: 7.5/10

Impressions:

Unfortunately, the lazy animation and bad perceptual coordination are really getting to me. Shortcuts were taken for the shootouts, and they’re heavily noticeable when gunfire becomes lines, scenes become blocky and disjointed, while there are no lighting effects or BGM accompaniments. If this was a first episode of a series, I would reject it completely. But the hype generated from previous episodes prevents that. At the moment, the bigger picture has been thrown out—that is, the police and case investigations are no longer important. Right now, it’s about the miracle that Rika and her friends are setting up. This episode is clearly devoted to showing their strength.

Rating: 7.8/10

Impressions:

The execution of the major events in this episode isn’t so great. I have no idea why the Yamainu didn’t have firearms on them to subdue Akasaka, while the escape into the ‘tomb’ wasn’t greatly planned out. The whole episode simply feels like a last minute job, though the existing mood and excitement makes up for any poor production values. And Satoshi is still alive? That was one thing I never knew. I wonder if he can have a happy ending too. Knowing Higurashi, and the importance placed on miracles, I have no doubt that there’s a high likelihood of a perfect ending (something like Kanon, though I hated Kanon’s ending). And there’s still Takano…how will she turn out?

Rating: 8.3/10

Impressions:

The tides are turning once again, and it seems like the outcome of the battle has set Takano in its favour. Rika’s friends and their fundamental willpower should come in to play soon (otherwise it would just be an in-house bout between government officials). But speaking of Takano earlier, I wonder if there’s any chance in her coming out as a victim, as I’ve considered before. It’s always hard seeing what she has to put up with, while the core of her will remains pure (her grandfather). She also shows signs of regret in past episodes, which is an uncertain sign. Personally, I would really like to see her become a good character.

Rating: 8.2/10

Impressions:

The episodes are ending so quickly…I always think that only half the episode has gone by the time I reach the credits. I’m pretty hooked at the moment, and can’t wait for the last episode (it should be coming out subbed pretty soon). As for this episode though, things are starting to get pumped up (just like my excitement), as Rika’s pieces are multiplying like crazy. Personally, I would have liked to see some more Hanyuu character development, especially as she can now interact with Keiichi and the others. Things are getting serious now, and what’s coming will probably be fairly dark, which doesn’t allow many opportunities for happy get-togethers.

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

We’re now back to looking at things from the protagonists’ point of views, while the truth behind everything continues to spill. There’ll be some more build up, planning, resource gathering etc, before the dramatic climax, which will probably be something of 2 episodes in length. I imagine there’ll be an aftermath as the final episode—I wonder if we’ll see the gang after a brief time skip, or if the anime will simply end with Takano’s downfall (or at least, Rika’s win). In other aspects of the show, I have my doubts that Hanyuu will remain in the world after the final confrontation (since she IS meant to be a god, or at least, dead). But then again, miracles can happen.

Rating: 8.8/10

Impressions:

Wow, this has got to be my favourite episode thus far. The sheer interest levels generated by the story telling is enough to impress, while the excitement built up from knowing that the final stand off is nearing is overwhelming. It looks like Hanyuu can take a physical form now, and this power was probably realised when her willpower increases drastically. I guess with her being the final piece to the puzzle, she needs all the support from her nakama (or the friends she is about to make) in order to help Rika and the others through the never ending nightmare of June 1983.

Rating: 8.2/10

Impressions:

Again, I’m seriously starting to side with Takano now. I’m not denying her insanity and evilness near the end of all the worlds, but I can’t help but wish she would succeed without conflicting with Rika and the others. Another reason is the lack of focus on the protagonists’ point of view, which is making Takano seem like the hero (or in this case, heroine). However, this shift in point of view works wonders for this final arc, as it won’t seem like a copy of another arc with a different ending. Explaining things from the very start (from Takano’s childhood) rightly deserves half the series, as I haven’t been this interested in the series since I first watched the first season.

Rating: 8.3/10

Impressions:

Heh, watching this final arc is a lot easier than reading through the many pages of TIPs and spoilers in the animesuki forums (which I did after watching the first series, when I learned that two whole arcs had been left out). Anyway, we see in this episode that Takano’s will to succeed her guardian’s dream practically turns her evil as soon as she’s appointed the job that she has now. And it’s also her will which prevents her from contracting the disease herself, if I’m not mistaken. In previous worlds, it had always been those with weak wills that fell to the parasite, but now it’s obvious that Rika and co. won’t have to face that problem anymore.

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

I’m guessing that this episode concludes the detailing of Takano’s past. Initially, I had been mystified as what the last arc would entail, especially as how there’s still half the series left. But then again, there remains a lot to be explained, so this arc must have a lot of that. But for a taste of the episodes to come I imagine, we get a nice little epilogue to the episode, which shows a very demonic-looking Hanyuu, going at it with Takano. Finally, all the pieces are set in place, and with everyone’s strong will (and Rika’s acquired knowledge of her killer), the three conditions for a failure of a world will surely never happen…Hmm, I should quickly watch the rest now.