Higurashi Kai episodes 8-13 Concluding the Massacre Arc

I decided that since the Massacre Arc is such a long, progressive one that tends to take its time developing (as well as noting that it’s the longest arc of the series I’ve watched thus far), I’m going to just go ahead and summarize the events of the arc and my thoughts about it without going into too much detail. Overall, I thought this was a great arc , but it took its fair time developing, and while I could break this down into pairs, it’s progression is far too sluggish to simply break it up, a lot of the episodes revolve around the same thematics, all culminating to one goal. Yet, like previous arcs, it does juggle negative events with ambitious pursuit.

Satoko is the central focus of this arc for quite some time-and if you remember the previous series-she’s victim to her abusive uncle. This particular arc does not go the same route as the previous however, and ties into the previous episodes in terms of the importance of changing fate. What I liked about it-it showed each of the characters taking a proactive role, and even showed Rika a bit more in terms of her gradual change to the optimistic. Of course, it also shows quite a bit of the characters in their “freak out” statures, running dangerously close to breaking point. Yet…as you can probably tell without even reading further into spoilers, there’s another story yet to be told-it also reveals a rather unlikely villain this time around.

It also marks the first time that Rika explains the Hinamizawa Syndrome in full respect-and makes the events that supposedly occur in the “volcanic disaster” make a lot more sense. Let’s say that Rika is similar to a “queen bee”-and if the “queen bee” dies…everything falls out of place.

Reflections of the arc under the cut. Instead of doing episode by episode screenshots, I included various collection of caps. Some episodes may not be represented in these caps, but I did my best to be inclusive enough to give a general idea of the events and also give something different that other anime blogs may not have covered with this series. I did end up changing fansub groups with respect to watching the remainder of the episodes, for the sake of completion.

Please, please don’t read unless you’ve seen the whole arc, because I’m not marking spoilers under the cut-it’s more collective.

Higurashi Kai Episodes 6-7

This set of episodes introduces a new chapter in the Higurashi Kai run-(The “Massacre” Chapter): primarily one that answers a lot of dangling questions from the first season and makes more clear Rika-chan’s role in pursuing a realm where she can protect the people she loves. Primarily, this arc presents a lot in terms of a fate that can be changed. It’s not so much deep as it is interesting to see how all these threads tie into each other-and if you really think about it-it’s not hard to follow. Of course-for those of us who don’t like to think too hard-there’s always the cuteness/humor factor….Nippaaa!! XD

Episode 6 uses a good part of the episode to expand upon the themes from previous arcs as well as the former series, but it also introduces a new character: Haryuu-who’s funny in her own respects. We find out that she’s actually the character that follows Rika around-and it provides some interesting humor as well as raises a few more questions in terms of why she follows Rika.

Episode 7 follows in the same progression-revolving around the key theme of fate and whether or not it can be changed-a few references back to the previous season as well as a resolve we don’t see in Rika until now surfaces. Reflections on these two episodes under the cut.

Higurashi Kai Episodes 4-5

It somewhat ended up by chance that the numbering which I sectioned off in terms of the episodes would mark the conclusion of an arc in Higurashi Kai. And indeed, somehow I knew it was inevitable that the series would take its darker turn in the latter episodes. This isn’t a series for young viewers in any means, but I’m still putting a discretionary note with respect to some of the screenshots in this entry to be weary of (mainly scenes of blood and distorted faces).

That stated, I actually really felt for Satoko in these episodes, particularly starting at the end of episode 4, she takes center stage in her concern for Rika and noting the turn of events, she at least wants to do something to *help* her friend. Unfortunately, there are a number of people who don’t want either Rika or Satoko to live long enough to reveal the revelations (or in Rika’s case, the reasons behind her dreaded fate) they come across in these two episodes.

Reflections on the conclusion for the first arc of Higurashi Kai under the cut. But on a humorous note, not all the events are grim. One such case is the cute scene below of Rika trying to cheer up poor Satoko.

Higurashi Kai Episodes 2-3

These episodes mark the start of a new arc with Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Kai, and for those of you who followed the first series, this is no different than how the series progressed in the first season. Yet, as mentioned, this series focuses on Rika a lot more in terms of a central character. For Rika fans, it’s a plus, and it also tells us how much she’s a part of the events surrounding Hinamizawa-the cycle of death and rebirth, something noted beforehand in the previous episode and even in the last season to some extent. This comes into more significance later, but for right now we’ll stick to events.

These episodes have a lot in terms of the usual comedy associated with Higurashi in its lighthearted moments. Rena’s usual “Wanna take them home with me”; Keiichi dodging Satoko’s traps, Mion creating challenges and providing “punishment” for the losers (which she hints at Kei-chan quite a bit ), among others. But it’s not all fun and games, these two episodes also build on the same plot we know: same players, different game, new revelations that make the pieces fit.

A brief summary and reflections for both episodes under the cut-read at your own risk because there won’t be a dividing picture separating the entries save for the screenshots before each description.

Before that: a cute picture of Kei-chan and Rena

[Maintenance] Major Updates

My first maintenance entry in quite some time, and I’m announcing a few updates in terms of Anime blog schedules, J-music schedules, blog updates, and other miscellaneous things.

I’ll have some time to update this in the next few days, so here’s a summary of what entries will be posted.

Higurashi Kai will be blogged up to episode 12.  Entries are written and screenshots are taken, just need to be put together which is something I can do tonight once I finish up with work.

Romeo x Juliet will be blogged up to episode 6.

Nodame Cantabile will be blogged up to episode 10.  (I’m currently rewatching the series and actually have a means to quickly blog it now and have more succinct reflections than in the past, versus episode summaries-which is something I’ve been trying to go away from on all of the anime entries.)

To reinterate: Code Geass is dropped.  I’ll also create a Tabbed page in terms of what series I plan to watch/blog, and which ones that are dropped so that it will be easier for you to see what I’m currently watching/not watching.
One update to the J-music entries will be Abingdon Boys School’s latest album, and My Top Anime List and other aspects of favorites should be updated as well, with a new entry for favorite J-Urban artists Female (Part III) and a new one with Male J-Urban artists.

Does it seem like a lot? Goodness yes, but I’ve actually had some of these crafted weeks/months ago.  The problem?  Being the person that I am and wanting to go over everything with a fine-tooth comb before I submit anything is the main issue, I’m a perfectionist in the wrong kind of ways XD  T_T  Same with all of the updates I have in terms of the anime series I’m watching.

The way this will work is this: each will be presented in sets of two episodes, similar to what I did with Infinite Ryvius, from now on. I’ve figured that the best way to blog on the series I’ve been watching up to a certain point and it also takes up less entries.  Brief summary of events before, episode reflections and spoilers under the cut.  I may try to do something for those of you who aren’t readily following up with the series or who may be interested in the series but haven’t seen it yet by incorporating more into the pre-description before each episode but no spoilers as usual. I’m also restructuring the screenshots and looking for dead links in any entries.  If you come across any, feel free to comment-I’ll also create a page for bugs, problems, etc in the tabbed area.

[aside note]I also realized I never put a review for “Shadow of Love” in the NANA music entry…I wonder how I missed that >.< [/aside note]

Also, in terms of structural changes, I’m going to change the layout and also add a new banner designed in the GIMP.  And as for the Maintenance entries, since it’s such a hassle to find in what context I’ve updated the site (since I usually do but I don’t always note it, I’m going to make it a page tab instead, so it’s easier also for me to track what entries I plan to upload and in what sections.  It also helps me organize in terms of what you guys can expect, and perhaps, in time, you may see more timely updates in between my schedule, which tends to be quite busy, but if you have any comments/concerns,  I do try to respond in 24-48 hours.

It seems like a lot but I try to put a lot into the blog as a hobby, just hopefully not take on more than I can chew.

Best,

Rosepetals