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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.

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Popularity: 2% [?]

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.

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Rating: 8.3/10

Impressions:

Uh oh, the highly emotional backstory of Takano has thrown me completely off her evil side, and now, I’m starting to sympathise with her. Okay, the creators were probably aiming for this kind of reaction from viewers, but I hate it when shows do this to every enemy there is. Of course, it is only natural for a bad person to have a reason for becoming as such, but with anime, especially when they show these antagonists in super moe loli form, sympathising is too tempting. Aside from that though, Takano’s backstory is quite an interesting one, and one that’s filled with gore perfect for Higurashi. Oh yeah, *apparently* there’s going to be a third season for Higurashi!

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

So uncertainty is hope. But I wonder if it’s fear as well. The bravery displayed by everyone during this episode is certainly impressive, though personally I had hoped for an ending where the downfall of one friend causes everyone else to go psycho. Not only that, I reckon Keiichi’s death is far too unrealistic. He should have start squirming or something at least. I guess I could just be used to Higurashi-type violence, but it seems that the old Hgurashi is a lot more violent. Anyway, with a little less than half the series to go, we now move on to the final arc, Matsuribayashi-hen (the Festival Accompanying arc).

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Rating: 7.5/10

Impressions:

I guess there’s no point in trying to divulge a lot of the symbolism and secrets in the upcoming episodes, as everyone’ s probably watched ahead already. I’ll make these posts short. There’s one last part of the minagoroshi-hen, and I’m still wondering whether a massacre will actually be animated in detail. This episode features a lot of talk—mostly explanations, and little action, though it would be highly interesting for those who still have no idea what’s going on. Details about the disease are made clear, and the reason Keiichi heard footsteps when he goes crazy in the first arc of the first season is clarified as well (aww, Hanyu’s so sweet xD).

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Popularity: 24% [?]

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

There are two more episodes in this arc, and it seems like the real action has just begun. We now know that Takano is and always has been the culprit, and I wonder if she’s going to start killing people off now. The name of this arc, “massacre”, might simply refer to the Hinamizawa Disaster caused by Takano, or some other, brutal form of killing. I would like to see the latter idea, though I’m guessing it’ll be the former in the end. With the mastermind revealed, with no obvious change in fate where it matters, it doesn’t look too good for Rika and her friends, once again. I just hope that she doesn’t go back on her statement about never giving up.

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Popularity: 16% [?]

Rating: 7.2/10

Impressions:

It looks like the last episode of this arc will be episode 13, meaning there are still three more episodes for things to wrap up. Like most people I guess, I’m anticipating quite a bit of carnage in the near future, which might be triggered by the scenes we see in the preview of the next episode…(or the arc might end completely different to what I am imagining now). It seems that Satoko will indeed be freed from her uncle, but not without some more pain and suffering. On the other hand, the preview also shows some interesting scenes regarding Takano, Tomitake and Irie—seems like Takano is starting to make her move.

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Popularity: 20% [?]

Rating: 7.8/10

Impressions:

Despite the unserious and lax mood in the beginning, this episode of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai quickly turns quite sad and dramatic when Satoko returns to school, looking like a poor kid in denial. I had been hoping that Keiichi embrace Satoko or something when he goes to pet her, though something like that may have made things worst. Things became really heart-wrenching when Satoko breaks and starts calling out ‘Nii-nii’, treating him as the closest person to her (you don’t hear her say ‘mama’ or anything do you?) I don’t think it was this impacting in the other arc concerning Satoko’s uncle.

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Popularity: 19% [?]