Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai: Episode 24 (END)
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.
Popularity: 8% [?]
7 comments
7 Comments so far
Leave a reply
Please use the <spoiler> </spoiler> tags for spoilers.
Loading ...
[...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerpt 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. [...]
I felt like I was left all aroused and unsatisfied, too, by the lack of violence. The Yamainu disappointed me, but then he finally said they were just a counter-intelligence group. Could’ve said that sooner, psh.
The final scene still confuses me a bit with how the conversation went. So Rika convinced Miyoko to go with her parents on a separate bus — not the one that had the accident? And it wouldn’t complicate history if she did it in a separate dimension, just to ease her feelings that in some world she ended up living happily.
And she ended up still with a flat chest, so BAD END there. XD
Hanyuu, Rika, and Satoko living by themselves in that house kicks my loli-moe meter off the scale though. *swoon*
Kinda funny I guess since episode 1 when we saw older Rena (Bad start) to a good ending (Older Rika) did you notice that? Felt something between them both from that point. Nevertheless great series, less violence is good in my opinion since they took it easy and didn’t go overboard. Good god I hope 3rd season doesn’t screw this one up. Maybe it will conclude the research and some little bit of info left in this story of Higurashi.
Lol @ the flat chest comment…to tell you the truth, I had to go back and look to notice…I thought she looked good despite wearing the same style dress.
If they do a 3rd season, I would guess it will be only a few OVA releases to cover the left over tie-ups and other misc fun things.
Ah I think there’s a 3rd season announced. Actually I hoped it would be a full-length season, alternate stories would be nice. I loved how they execute out each plot.
Rika turned out so pretty… at first I was thinking this has to have a sad ending, but it turned out a happy ending for everyone. But again, Rika when she’s all grown up looks soooo beautiful..
oh.. one thing I am curious about is what happened with akasaka and rika together?