Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

[Pickie]

I'm surprised no one else here watched this yet.

Based on a doujin Visual Novel by 07th Expansion

The story revolves around Keiichi Maehara who recently moved into a small rural area village. He befriends several female friends and it seems their lives are entirely normal. Yet every year at a certain time in this village someone would get murdered, and there's also the mystery of a serial murders revolving around a dam that was once planned to be built over the village.

So anyone else watching this?

[HitokiriShadow]

I finished watching the first episode just a minute ago. Very interesting stuff.

And creepy. It's creepy because of the cute and unrealistic character designs and the comedy being mixed with this very dark and serious story.

Anyway, I'm very intrigued. It kind of reminds me of Elfen Lied in how it starts with a very brutal scene (though much shorter and less explicit) and combines a very dark and serious story with cute (though more unrealistic) character designs.

[bravejaf]

Yeah I saw the first episode and was intrigued. Like HitokoriShadow said the show is an interesting mix of cute characters and a much darker story. Also like he said it has the potential to be like Elfen Lied. It also could get overly complex, and/or boring like Shadowstar Narataru.

But for now I'm very interested in seeing how this show develops. It is one I definatly plan on sticking with.

[Pickie]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/pickie/PDVD_000.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/pickie/PDVD_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/pickie/PDVD_002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/pickie/PDVD_003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/pickie/PDVD_004.jpg

[VidelCoolGirl]

Wow, haven't seen it, but it looks creepy enough just by those shots. I might have to check it out.

[slotmech]

Shuffle reloaded, except the character does not waste any time to go psycho.

[Baka Deshi]

I suspected that something like what happened in episode 4 would happen...just...not as quickly as EPISODE 4. o.O

New "chapter" is starting next episode, apparently, and I'll be interested to see where this show goes next.

[HitokiriShadow]

I'm loving this show. It's easily the best non-comedy show this season (in my opinion, at least). No anime has ever creeped me out this much. Not even Elfen Lied or Narutaru (although the latter still remains the most disurbing series I've seen, Higurashi seems to be trying to challenge that).

[xia]

just seen episode 4, and WOW just wow. I'm sooo creeped out right now it's not even funny.

[LOSTyears]

Just watched first 4 episodes. I can't believe this one slipped under me. It is by far one of the creepiest of the newer shows, its a pretty good thriller as well.
Liked how Rena and Mion would go from cute to pychotic with those demonic eyes. Didn't think using dark elements with loli type characters would have such a great effect.
That chapters done and I'm looking forward to the next. Gotta add this to my best of the new list.

[Mordecai]

Sound Interesting.

I think I may give this a try.

[John]

Hmm. May have to give this a second chance. The animation quality in the first episode was so bad that I couldn't bring myself to watch any more of it.

[Mikazuchi]

I think that OP of this anime is the best.
This work consists of some scenarios and takes up a social problem of the Japanese country each.
Some People believe a superstition deeply in my country'sikoku'.

This Anime does not seem to be scarier than an original game.

[HitokiriShadow]

I love the opening theme. It has become one of my favorite OPs and is definitely my favorite of this season.

[Pickie]

Saw this on 4chan.

Need ep 5 now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/pickie/1146671186464.gif

[Danju]

Hmm. May have to give this a second chance. The animation quality in the first episode was so bad that I couldn't bring myself to watch any more of it.
My thoughts exactly.

[LOSTyears]

The first ep. kind of threw me off a little as well, but the first scene is the reason why I gritted my teeth through the happy parts. Cause 90% of it was cute and pretty boring. The picnic scene comes to mind, made me a little sick to my stomach from its cuteness. Then the mood shifts entirley in the 2nd ep. This show really messes with your perception starting off, most of the characters look like they belong in a Shoujo.
Love the opening sequence as well really sets the mood for the show, the ending is not to bad either.


Saw this on 4chan.

Need ep 5 now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/pickie/1146671186464.gifIndeed.
I actually want to know more of Rika's and Satoko's character. Everyone wasn't to keen on him practicing with the bat yet Rika on the other hand told him not to lose it. Found it kinda interesting that she was the only one unphased.

[bravejaf]

Yeah the show is definatly one of the more twisted shows I've seen. It goes from being super cute to very disturbing. The parts when the show is serious are some of the most disturbing scenes. For example

The part where Keiichi spit out the needle in episode 3 was really well done. His reaction was perfect and I was freaked out by the event as much as he was.

Right now I would put this show in my top 5 shows for the season and one of the top shows I look forward to.

[Haruhi]

That was a really boring first episode... The drawing style was bland, and the animation was crap. Hopefully they'll fix this.

Still, I've always liked creepy anime w/moe-moe characters, so I'll stick this one out to the end. I hope it gets REALLY violent/creepy, though. There needs to be more of that type of show. Haven't seen anything like it since Elfen Lied (maybe I'm just not trying hard enough?), and that was back in 2004.

[xia]

That was a really boring first episode... The drawing style was bland, and the animation was crap. Hopefully they'll fix this.

Still, I've always liked creepy anime w/moe-moe characters, so I'll stick this one out to the end. I hope it gets REALLY violent/creepy, though. There needs to be more of that type of show. Haven't seen anything like it since Elfen Lied (maybe I'm just not trying hard enough?), and that was back in 2004.


Keep watching, it get's creepy.


Saw this on 4chan.

Need ep 5 now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/pickie/1146671186464.gif

Woah. And to think I wasnt going to watch this after the first episode!!

[crow-kun]

I'm loving this anime does anyone know how long its planning to run for?

[Baka Deshi]

26 episodes.

[LOSTyears]

So is the 26 ep. going to be the same story told in alternate versions?

Watched 5-6 and I just want to see more. The differences in this arc kinda give bits and pieces that makes the first part make sense in some areas. Mion's twin sister being the biggest change also throws in alot of extra questions.It makes you wonder who Keichi is actually talking too especially at the end of 6.He's probably better off not knowing anything, the moment he learns about the town you just know its going to go bad.

Really want to see how that opening connects to it.

[Shocking Alberto]

I went to sleep with a night light on after ep 2 and 3.

Episode 4"How do you expect me to turn around! If I turn around I'll, I'll...."

The final moments of the phone booth conversation were chilling.

Good stuff. ^_^

[xia]

om gosh, episode 6 was a creepy thought.

That people are eaten alive!

[LOSTyears]

Love the creepy faces.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/BarneyY3/other/Mion7c.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/BarneyY3/other/Mion7b.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/BarneyY3/other/Mion7.jpg
She's gotta be possessed. Her mouth was not even in sync.
Things I'd like to know, how certain people knew they were in the warehouse? And who the hell Keichi is actually talking too on the phone?
All the telephone moments are great btw. The opening scene is starting to make a little sense.
Can't wait for the end of this arc.

[xia]

I like the first one. When I was watching it in real time I got cold shivers. They killed it with teh fac contortions though.

[LOSTyears]

Nah, I like the contorted faces. It ups the creepiness. The animation really isn't that spectacular anyway so why not.

Was I the only one confused at the end of this arc? So let me get this straight, was she already dead while torturing him? Wether or not Shion was Mion or vice versa wasn't very clear either. Thought Keichi's character was way too understanding in this arc, especially while he was on the S&M table. One thing to point out Rena was understanding when he told her the truth unlike the previous arc. They didn't really link in the shock scene with Rika from the beginning.

Anyway I liked the freaky end of this arc, for all the bits and pieces that you can channel in to the earlier story they throw even more questions into the pot.
This show really messes with your head and I like that.

[HitokiriShadow]

Was I the only one confused at the end of this arc? So let me get this straight, was she already dead while torturing him? Wether or not Shion was Mion or vice versa wasn't very clear either.

This anime blog (http://www.yayapapayaz.com/hontouni/) has a pretty good theory on what was going on.

One thing to point out Rena was understanding when he told her the truth unlike the previous arc.

But there were still some things that didn't quite add up and little details that should be noted. In the car scene in episode 8, her voice was different. She was way more mature than normal and it sounded like a different person was doing her voice. In the ANN thread on this series, it was mentioned that she was also acting more mature in episode 7 when she was comforting Keichi.

They didn't really link in the shock scene with Rika from the beginning.

I'm thinking they will link back to that in the answer arc that corresponds with this arc.

This show really messes with your head and I like that.

That's why I love this show so much.


This was mentioned in the ANN thread, but I think it should be mentioned here: Everything we are seeing is through Keichi's perspective. We can't trust everything we see.

[LOSTyears]

Well yeah, I know the answer arc will pretty much blow away any hypothesis we have so far.
This anime blog (http://www.yayapapayaz.com/hontouni/) has a pretty good theory on what was going on.
That is an interesting theroy, I get my review from Memento (http://www.designchronicle.com/memento/archives/higurashinonaku_watanagashihen4.html) which also has its own theories as well. There's one confusing theory in here that suggest that Mion is Shion and Shion is Mion through this arc.
I think it was Mion in that episode that orchestrated that mess. She did spare him which could make sense seeing how much Mion felt about him.


I'm thinking they will link back to that in the answer arc that corresponds with this arc.Looking forward to that.
Another thing that puzzled me about Rena's behavior, besides the fact that she was way more mature. Despite being leniant and protective of Keichi she was way to cool about the situation, even after finding out about Rika's and Satoko's death. Also wonder why she didn't want to she Mion/Shion's scar.


Everything we are seeing is through Keichi's perspective. We can't trust everything we see. ^_^ Well I'm not trusting anything till I see the answer arc.

[Fort Major]

I am enjoying this series a lot. I like how things switch gears from cute, to creepy, to downright sinister. And when the characters get those crazy expressions, that is the best. *points @ LOSTyears avatar

[Likely]

im watching this show from the recommendations of this forum, and wow, it is freaky lol. i just finished episode 3 and going onto 4, and i dont know if i've ever been this scared watching an anime. maybe it's because im watching it alone, and at night. but it's awesome!

the first time that girl screamed and those birds flew out of that tree i nearly jumped outta my shorts lmao.

[Likely]

it seems this has been stuck on episode 8 for a couple of weeks. does anyone know when the next is due, or is it over?

[HitokiriShadow]

I'm pretty sure episode 9 has aired and I think 10 has by this point. I think the fansubbers just fell behind a bit.

[Haruhi]

There's already another Higurashi thread.

[HitokiriShadow]

Has anyone else watched episode 10 yet?

Man, I'm getting the feeling that this arc is going to make the previous two arcs look happy in comparison.

[LOSTyears]

Yeah, even though the first 2 of this arc seem a bit slower in pace its building up towards something. Some of the themes in this arc are very sensitive this time around.
My only question so far is where did Satoko get that crazy strength from? I'm guessing that body in the beginning might've been her brother Satoshi, they really messed him up.
This show is leaving a strong impression on me so far.

[NinjaJJ]

Well, Sakoto is a victim of abuse, so I sort of saw it as a form of paranioa. Like how some people are so abused that they're afraid of people touching them, and they mistake it for a gesture of abuse. Maybe she thought Keiichi was going to hit her or something, since her uncle does seem pretty nasty. I hope he dies a very painful death at the end of this arc.

[NinjaJJ]

If anyone's interested in reading the manga, here are the first 2 chapter of Watanagashi-hen and Tatarigoroshihen. The manga goes into more detail than the anime so it may seem slow in the beginning.

Watanagashi Vol. 1 Ch. 1 (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=070C7JAO)
Watanagashi Vol. 1 Ch. 2 (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NDDZ1B1U)

Tatarigoroshi Vol. 1 Ch. 1 (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XBLID4PM)
Tatarigoroshi Vol. 1 Ch. 2 (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E69L4SMQ)

Here's the site to the scanslation group: The Higurashi Project (http://www.higurashi.host.sk/)

[Likely]

i was rewatching some of the episodes and noticed a lot of things i liked, the coolest thing being the va for mion. she is just amazing with that mix of tomboyish and happy go-lucky accent, and all of her lines are clear and natural sounding, throughout all of her moods. i think because of her mion is now my fav character in this show :lol:

to me she's on the same level as yui hori and megumi hayashibara. a really great anime!

[Akito]

Gah! I'm going crazy waiting for episode 12. I think this arc is the most disturbing one so far.

[Tiran]

Oooh, I shall bookmark that, I'll let this arc in the anime finish before checking it out.
Ep 12 should be any day now, bringing Satoko's story to a Higurashi style end, and we all know what that means.

[SnowfairyX]

Ep 12 should be any day now, bringing Satoko's story to a Higurashi style end, and we all know what that means. Actually, this arc will consist of 5 episodes this time and will be ending at episode 13 instead.

[Tiran]

Actually, this arc will consist of 5 episodes this time and will be ending at episode 13 instead.
Fair enough, no complaints from me there. I thought they have a lot to fit in one ep.

[Sharp-kun]

Mion is made of cute and win.

[okubyo Neko-san]

I have watched up to episode 11 so far and loving every minute of Hugurashi. This show is a great blend of cute and creepy. I love trying to figure out what connects to what with each arc. So far I'm loving the newest one, I feel so bad for Satoko. The scene where she had that panic attact really got made me jump.I can hardly wait for episode 12. This is already one of my favorite anime series this season aside from Ouran High School Host Club.

[HitokiriShadow]

Here's the site to the scanslation group: The Higurashi Project (http://www.higurashi.host.sk/)

Sweet. *bookmarks* Thanks.


Mion is made of cute and win.

This is true. And I like the new avatar.

[Tiran]

Mion is made of cute and win.
Shion > Mion

Both in cuteness, and, more importantly for Higurashi, in terms of giving you a long life expectancy.

[Likely]

lol that's true with shion. you get involved with mion and you're dead within 2 days.

[Sharp-kun]

Both in cuteness, and, more importantly for Higurashi, in terms of giving you a long life expectancy.
Mion Cuteness > Shion Cuteness
Cuteness > Life

[Akito]

Shion and Mion are equal if you ask me. They are twins afterall. And Rena is better than both of them (but only slightly).

[Tiran]

Rena, aside from being trememdously underage, I give you a lifespan of maybe 3 days max.

Gomen-nasai, Gomen-nasai, Gomen-nasai, Gomen-nasai, Gomen-nasai, Gomen-nasai, Gomen-nasai, Gomen-nasai, Gomen-nasai, Gomen-nasai...

[Akito]

I don't think Rena is any more dangerous than Mion. Besides, Rena is so cute that I'd let her murder me.

[Tiran]

Well, IMO Mion had more of a reason to flip out, at least, a more explained reason.

[NinjaJJ]

Holy shlamola. A Killerloli cutie gore sow! ^_^

The first time they pulled one of those:

"Rena is quiet... All serious... But wait, What is she doing? Is he giggeling?
And then she starts with some weird evil laugh"
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/4935/2006050211465476581383hk.gif

[Tiran]

Episode 12 is out.
Rena remains the character most able to send shivers down my spine, just those small things she does.
Ooshi seems definately more apt, and less friendly, though if you suspected someone of that, you wouldnt be friendly.
Ome more ep of this arc, looking forward to what happens, and the update of the death scorecard.

Added note: NinjaJJ, please cut your sig down to 6 lines. =-)

[HitokiriShadow]

Shion > Mion

Both in cuteness, and, more importantly for Higurashi, in terms of giving you a long life expectancy.

Not necessarily. I subscribe to the theory that Shion was the one going psycho at the end of Wataganashi and Mion was the one in the cage.

[LOSTyears]

^I'm still sticking to Mion in that arc.

Just finished 12. Liking this arc so far. Keiichi has become real bloodthirsty this time around. Really would love to know who's covering this up or is he really losing his mind. Damn this show for messing with my head.

Oh and for me Rena>Mion>Shion.
Life expectancy probably is not that high for any of em so I'll go with the cutest one. At least with Rena you get a heads up with those creepy glares (http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/BarneyY3/other/Rena120000.jpg).

[HitokiriShadow]

I just watched episode 12. I really want to know WTF is going on, but sadly, the corresponding answer arc for this chapter will not be animated unless they do an OVA. :(

[Tiran]

Oh and for me Rena>Mion>Shion.
Life expectancy probably is not that high for any of em so I'll go with the cutest one. At least with Rena you get a heads up with those creepy glares (http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/BarneyY3/other/Rena120000.jpg).

But you dont get waitress costumes of win (http://www.half-fish.co.uk/tom/proof.jpg).

If I hear right, there are 4 arcs, and 4 answer chapters?
What of those are being animated?

[NinjaJJ]

Episode 12

Higurashi_no_Naku_Koro_ni_12_[wind][xvid][EC03B76A].avi (http://38.99.150.147/dl/76a3700885024a3645ad942fcb8bf144/449da3fd/oqire1/Higurashi_no_Naku_Koro_ni_12_[wind][xvid][EC03B76A].avi.torrent)

[Likely]

Mion > Shion, but they will both kill you. I mean it, they will kill you with an axe.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/pough/shionmion.jpg

[HitokiriShadow]

^That picture is made of win. That is awesome.

But you dont get waitress costumes of win (http://www.half-fish.co.uk/tom/proof.jpg).

If I hear right, there are 4 arcs, and 4 answer chapters?
What of those are being animated?

I wish I knew.

My GUESS is that all of the question/mystery arcs will be animated and the first two answer arcs will be animated. The last game hasn't come out yet, so there is no way they will animate that. I'm guessing they'll animate the first two answer arcs and we won't see the one corresponding to this current arc.

Or that WAS my guess. But I've heard that the next arc is a "prequal" the previous arcs or something. I suppose it's possible that this next arc is one of the answer arcs. If that's the case, then perhaps they are animating only three of the mystery arcs and all of the corresponding answer arcs. That would make sense and would probably work better since most people (even in Japan) will not have played the games.

I'm hoping for OVAs of the arcs that aren't in the TV series, but I'm not counting on it.

[Akito]

Man I'm so utterly confused by the way this show is structured.

[Tiran]

Mion > Shion, but they will both kill you. I mean it, they will kill you with an axe.

More nails were involved then axes, as I recall.

[senseinobaka]

Man I'm so utterly confused by the way this show is structured.

same here....but it's awesome

[Likely]

it's not confusing. this is just a slice-of-life comedy set in the warm backhills of japan; there is no mystery/brutal killings going on at all see.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/pough/img104.jpg

[Akito]

Episode 13 is now upon us. I must save it for tomarrow though.

[LOSTyears]

Watched 13 last night, a pretty lukewarm conclusion in comparison. It wasn't that the 3rd arc was confusing it was more that we were left in the dark with a mess load of things. Tons of questions. What was wrong with Keiichi? Who killed Rika? Why were Shion, Mion, and Rena MIA for the last episodes? Who was covering it up? Satoshi?If anything I really want the answer arc, like right now.

These past two parts have been good but IMO the first arc is still boss.

[Likely]

agreed. i love the build-up in this arc but the end was just too convoluted for its own good, and i guess the moral here is dont break budda's hand while playing hide and seek. yes, the first arc is the bestest!

[Akito]

Yeah, I too like the first arc the best so far.

BTW, do we know for a fact that the TV show won't contain all the answer arcs, or are we just speculating that it won't based on the episode count?

[HitokiriShadow]

Both. We don't "know" in the sense that a studio has announced it, but there is simply no way to include everything in the remaining episodes. Each arc is 4 episodes minimum (with this arc and one more having 5 eps) and they are already having to remove some things (I don't know what, but I've heard from others) so its highly unlikely they will do them in fewer episodes. Considering how much time each arc takes, there is no way the last two arcs will be animated, unless they do an OVA later.

[Defiled one]

Mion > Shion, but they will both kill you. I mean it, they will kill you with an axe.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/pough/shionmion.jpg


:'( ehhh "sweatdrops" i only saw the anime because my older sister said that she looked like the green haired characther....."this anime is messed up" with big M... i can never look at my sister at the same way again, now that she painted her hair green :( the eyes are exactly the same just creepy watching them in real live.

But this is anime, and not real live..... right? yeah....:( strangely that doesnt confort me very much.

Possibly the most scary anime i have seen in a really long live.. and the most messed up

[Akito]

Both. We don't "know" in the sense that a studio has announced it, but there is simply no way to include everything in the remaining episodes. Each arc is 4 episodes minimum (with this arc and one more having 5 eps) and they are already having to remove some things (I don't know what, but I've heard from others) so its highly unlikely they will do them in fewer episodes. Considering how much time each arc takes, there is no way the last two arcs will be animated, unless they do an OVA later.
But do you know for a fact that the answer arcs have as much content in them as the normal arcs?

[Tiran]

Hmm, Satoko gets a D on the killer loli-o-meter, far too little screaming or facial contortion.


Unless I'm forgetting something the death card goes like this:
Rena : 2
Rika : 2
Satoko : 2
Shion : 2
Mion : 2
Keiichi : 2

Because everyone but Keiichi dies this time, everyone bar Mion and Rena died last time, Rena, Shion and Satoko all survived the time before. Time for the tiebreak next arc, unless I missed something.

The kill counts go more like:
Rena : 1 (arc 1 with Mion)
Rika : 0
Satoko : 0 (Good try)
Shion : 0
Mion : 5 (1 arc 1, 4 in arc 2)
Keiichi : 6 (Rena and Mion in arc 1, all but Rika in arc 3)

Counting only kills against other main characters, 4 of Keiichi's kills are questionable though, was it really him that did that, or do those go to Oyashiro-sama?


I really want to see the answer arc for that, what was going on there?

[HitokiriShadow]

Keep in mind that we don't have a clue what happened to Satoko and Rika in the first arc as they just kind of disappear and aren't mentioned.

For anyone who is interested in an in-depth discussion and analysis of the episodes, I highly recommend reading this thread on ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/bbs/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=24230).

[bravejaf]

I'm not sure how I feel about the last arc. I certainly liked the first two better but this one was certainly not bad. I think this arc was even more confusing than the last couple of arcs. I'm hoping that we start to get some answers on the series soon.

[okubyo Neko-san]

hmm, this started out very well, but the conclusion was lacking very much so. Does anyone know how the found body in the beginning of this arc ties into what was going on? I guess we will just have to wait for the answer arc.

Anyway, Satoko was very low on the killer loli-o-meter indeed. I spent more time feeling bad for her this arc then being shock and scared of anything (aside from the death of Rika) . I'm stumped as to why Keichii's past was even shown, considering it didn't tie into anything either. Aside from showing me that dispite being really smart in some areas, hinamizawa has managed to make him... not so smart. Anyway I liked this arc, just not as much as the first or second in terms of mystery and horror.

[HitokiriShadow]

Does anyone know how the found body in the beginning of this arc ties into what was going on? I guess we will just have to wait for the answer arc.


We'll be waiting a while then. The chances of the answer arc for this arc being shown are about nil. So we'll either wait a while for an OVA to come out or we'll wait forever it if it doesn't.

Or you can seek out websites of people on forums who have that information if you can't wait that long.

[Akito]

Anyway, Satoko was very low on the killer loli-o-meter indeed. I spent more time feeling bad for her this arc then being shock and scared of anything (aside from the death of Rika) . I'm stumped as to why Keichii's past was even shown, considering it didn't tie into anything either. Aside from showing me that dispite being really smart in some areas, hinamizawa has managed to make him... not so smart. Anyway I liked this arc, just not as much as the first or second in terms of mystery and horror.
So wait... Did Satoko kill Rika? I honestly couldn't figure out what the hell happened with that.

And I'm thinking that the reason we saw Keichii's past was because they wanted to show why he had such a strong bond with his friends.

[SnowfairyX]

So wait... Did Satoko kill Rika? I honestly couldn't figure out what the hell happened with that.
I don't think she did because not only does it seem like she has absolutely no motive to do that to one of her best friends, at least so far, but I don't think a kid would be able to have the mental and physical capacity to kill another in such a brutal fashion that would require quite the bit of effort. Personally I believe that Keiichi might have killed Rika himself but the only likely motive I can think of is some type of insanity. The scene that ocurred of Keiichi "finding" Rika's dead body possibly might have only ocurred in his head I believe. He probably killed her beforehand and his mind is somehow forcing him to believe that something else had ocurred.

Also, I believe that the amount of time that took place when Satoko left Keiichi to go to her house to change into some fresh clothing and the time it took for her to come back and find him next to Rika's dead body was odd. It seemed like she came back awfully quick. I sort of think that it would take a bit longer than that and that something is probably missing in that scene.
I actually hope I'm wrong about all that though :P. I probably am.

[HitokiriShadow]

That's a possibility. It meshes well with the theory that he hallucinated the other murder. The big problem here is motive. We've seen nothing yet to give him any reason to do that.

On the other hand, we know pretty much jack about Rika. She's plays an important role in the Watanagashi festival and apparently messed up somehow. And she lives with Satoko (when her uncle isn't around). That's about it.

[Likely]

i hope the next arc is less mysterious, really, because now we know the extent of how much they actually reveal by arc's end, not including the elusive answer arc or whatever. i wouldnt mind a solid and linear story from here on. those work great too.

[NinjaJJ]

Has anyone seen the Higurashi MAD videos? They're so beautiful and visually stunning. Each one is based on an arc, except for the last two that contains bits of the answer arcs.

Higurashi MAD 1: Nakanai Kimi to Nageki no Sekai (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H46vN313X2A&search=higurashi%20no%20naku%20koroni) (Onikakushi-hen)
Higurashi MAD 2: Nakanai Kimi to Nageki no Sekai -Soushunfu- (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj77r5scg20&search=higurashi%20no%20naku%20koroni) (Watanagashi-hen and Meakashi-hen)
Higurashi MAD 3: Nakanai Kimi to Nageki no Sekai -Utage- (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN3YvPznNHw&search=higurashi%20no%20naku%20koroni) (Tatarigoroshi and Himatsubushi-hen)

[LOSTyears]

So Im guessing that 14-15 was connected to the previous arc.
Everyone in the village dieing and then Rika death being explained would make that clear. Rika's demise is a real shame, even though she's clearly possessed by something she doesn't come off as the extremely psychotic type like the rest, on top of her being ridiculously cute in these 2 episodes. Wonder if she can see into the future.
16 seems to have some connection as well. We're finally getting to know Satoshi.
Are these suppose to be answer arcs or something?

[Blue_Bull]

^According to my vague knowledge of Higurashi, yes this is the first answer arc; the answer to the Watanagashi arc to be precise.

Some hints are given to presume:

Watanagashi's Mion is actually Shion

...but nothing is for sure yet.

Some people say they are dissapointed by the series, but it is working just fine for me; I just have to know what's going on! :P

Even if the last chapter of the visual novel hasn't been published, I'm enjoying the clues and bits of info.

[Akito]

Gah, now I'm even more confused than ever.

[okubyo Neko-san]

episode 14-15 were interesting, taking place from a different point of view. I'm glad we finally are getting some answers now in episode 16... I can't wait to see how all this adds up.

[ZeroRyoko1974]

The whole shion is mion or mion is shion was kind of confusing in episode 16. Going to have to watch it again

[HitokiriShadow]

It was pretty clear who was who in episode 16, its the previous arcs in which who is who is pretty questionable (particularly Watanagashi-hen).

[LOSTyears]

Yeah in 16 & 17 its a little easier to distinguish the two.
Although as Satoshi mentioned to Shion in 17, sometimes he recieved different reactions in the classroom. I'm not squemish when it comes to scenes but I couldn't help but cringe a little when Shion's fingernails were being pulled off, and then she misses one :doh: Safe to say the Sonozaki family is pretty ****ed up.
This answer arc(Detective chapter) has alot of potential, with 2 episodes remaining I can't wait.

[okubyo Neko-san]

Yeah I found it easier to distinguish between Mion and Shion for these episodes too. The twins get creepier and creepier. I just happy we finally get to see Satoshi some thing look like their coming into place, watanagashi is starting to make more sense to me.

[Akito]

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4435/1154059310051hx3.jpg

I found that highly amusing for some reason.

[LOSTyears]

^Thats hilarious, the more you scroll down the funnier it gets :lol:
18 should be coming out soon.

[HitokiriShadow]

^2

I don't get it.

[Akito]

I finally watched episode 17. My god. That one part was so painful to watch (if you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about).

[LOSTyears]

Well so far my theroies on the Watanagashi arc were shot to hell. After watching 19 Shion and her boobs have gone pretty high on the psychotic rung, I love these contorted faces.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/BarneyY3/other/Shion19e.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/BarneyY3/other/Shion19d.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/BarneyY3/other/Shion19c.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/BarneyY3/other/Shion19b.jpg

In a sick way I'm kinda glad she's getting her revenge for Satoshi, that family along with the rest are pretty messed up. Anyway Shion's on the war path and the next episode should be a good one. This arc has reminded me why I love this show.

[Blue_Bull]

^I had the feeling it was her back in Watanagashi, but it was nothing more than a hunch.

Man, she is scary...