Higurashi: When They Cry - Gou

Amirothaninja Jan 4, 2022

4.5

this review is from the perspective of somebody that watched all 3 seasons plus all the OVA of the original. I have not played the visual novels at all nor have I watched gameplay  this anime simply does not know what it wants to be. a complete remake of the original or a complete do over, which leaves it in some weird middle ground where it awkwardly combines old elements of the story while throwing in new aspects which seem like they will link to new events but simply end up at the same parts you seen in the original. it combines aspects of both season 1 and 2 which furhter convalutes the story for original series watchers voice acting is servicable and the music isnt really the usual higurashi standard of absolutely fantastic music. i hate passione. the animation specifically. its not fit at all for a horror anime. they are an ecchi/borderline hentai studio and they should stick to that. the animation isnt low quality its just that the color scheme is just completely unfitting, plus the ecchi moments. now to be fair in higurashi yes there was some ecchi, but it felt cute and not forced at all. whereas with this redo you get jiggly titties. Rika has lost her charm. Shes not the very cute but sometimes eerie loli we got in season 1. she dissapears for too many parts in the story. every other character just seemed flat and again they have lost their appeal. The hallmark character of the franchise got relegated to backup duty to Keiichi which was not the case in any of the 3 Higurashi seasons especially not Kai they basically gave the anime to the studio you get when you cant afford a studio. if your new to the series, watch the original Higurashi. this is definitely not something you should invest valuable time in. at all.

unicornfluff Dec 21, 2020

2

WTH? The animation is so weird and is definitely gettting in the way of my enjoyment of the anime. Nevermind, I think I'd rather watch the original. Honestly, don't waste your time. 

LaFlame1605xX Jan 10, 2022

8.5

FIRST 14 EPISODES: Very solid continuation of the first two main series so far. Some users seem confused about the repetition of earlier arcs, albeit with noticeable tweaks and differences, that are present in this 2020 series. Episode 14 shows the reason for this. Though Kai didn't need a sequel, Gou creates the perfect scenario for a sequel in a way that is not forced and does not detract from the earlier seasons. I loved the original series for it's ability to balance so many main characters, and yet always create new dynamics and tensions between them with each arc. This series delivers on this point so far, even building on revelations from Kai, such as Hanyuu's character and Keichi's ability to see glimpses of other world lines. This show answers several "what ifs" that fans might want to know, and throws us for loops with certain totally unforseen and novel developments, e.i. our good detective in episode 14. The innovation of this series does not lie in completely original, new plot lines, but rather familiar ones, so that when you think you know how the arc will end the rug is pulled out from under you. I look forward to seeing where the show will go from here, and I'm even getting some steins;gate vibes from the show.