so…how does “nipaaaa” sounds like in live action?

[News]

According to Bonkurasu Brigade, there is gonna be a LIVE action for Higurashi, while i dont hold any high expectations for anime->live action converts, the cast seems to pack a variety of seiyuu. Higurashi is definitely going hot and with its sequel that was released in Komikat, we are definitely expecting some killer lolis hype over such kind of shows there. :P

Hanyuu, first appearance!

[Impressions] - 皆殺し編 - Massacre Chapter

If you have noticed the OP’s lyrics, you will realize that it will make sense to you in a very obvious way in this episode. Rika’s killed in the previous arc and now she is back into a unknown dimension. Narrating on the different fates that she had encountered, she describes each fate as a different world. Like fragments, each world meets a different end, a horrible end. She had experienced the different fates but yet Rika is determined to fight for her friends, to break free of the chains that bound her to the maze of Hinamizawa’s interwining fates. As she finishes her narrating, she calls out for her partner, Hanyuu as they embark on another parallel world.

Hanyuu makes her appearance in this episode (auu!auu!), Hanyuu tells Rika of the time, Rika was shocked of the remaining time before her destined fate will occur. It appears that her powers to return to Hinamizawa has weakened, obviously a hint that time is running out soon. The episode makes another point in describing that Rika and Hanyuu are connected to each other by their senses (that chilli scene was lol). As Rika advances and judging of what kind of world she is in,  she does her predictions of the things that is going to happen to Keiichi, hoping that her indirect interference will cause a slight anamoly in the things going to happen. Hanyuu warned Rika that direct interference will result in an irreversible change of her destiny. As things seem to appear what Rika had expected, something unexpected happen. The events are totally different - the doll to Mion, the card game was changed. It appears that an anamoly has occured. As these anamolies had occured, the possible horror fates of MionXShion horror will be negated, however, it means an unknown fate awaits Rika. Rika is filled with determination again as she finds hope in this world……or maybe, a horrible destiny awaits (*points at arc name*)

This is truly an exciting episode although we dont get to see much action, mainly the reason is because of how Rika is the narrator as she describe the events and how things are gonna happen. It reminds me of Noein without the advanced technology :P. Rika is trapped in parallel dimension and seems like she is trying to break free of the destiny. In Minagorosshi-hen, it is known that most of the mysteries are answered and also the crucial answer to the murders that had occured, I am sure if they follow the story closely, we are gonna expect something different.

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The end is still far from us…

[Impressions] - 厄醒し編 - Disaster Awakening Chapter

The first arc in HiguKai comes to an exciting end, mysteries are still far from solved and in fact, more questions arise. Continuing from the previous episode, the mysterious group of men stormed Rika and Satoko’s house. Satoko wakes Rika up, Rika has it all prepared and asks Satoko to hide, it seems like Rika knows what is gonna happen to her in the end. While hiding, Rika was taken away by force to a nearby shrine where she was brutally murdered. Satoko searched for Rika and the sound of crows drew her attention which eventually led her to her horror as the crows were feeding on Rika’s naked corpse. Satoko gives out a scream, the unknown men were still nearby and gave chase and eventually, Satoko managed to hide herself but fell from a bridge. She was washed ashore to a nearby river bank and when she gained consciousness, many things had happened. A disaster has happened. Lots of people died and it was suspected to be a natural gas leak. However, as it was suspected to take place in the midnight. Instead of dying in the bedrooms, the people were found dead together in a classroom instead. Satoko is the only sole survivor in this incident and the men are still after her. Realizing the connection between Satoko and the other related incidents (go watch the episode), Ooshi rushes to the hospital but it was too late, he finds Satoko, dead. The doctor pronounced her death at 1.32am due to an acute heart attack, although we know, it is far from that. Ooshi’s only lead to the case is gone.

This is indeed an exciting thriller episode, especially when this particular tune in the anime starts playing (from the part when men stormed Rika’s house), it is sorrowful and yet with remorse and suspense.  This time, everyone dies except Satoko. Rika was unable to escape death even though the mysterious voice urged she could if she try. Those mysterious men and the gathering at that mysterious shed definitely plays an important role to this whole Hinamizawa incident and the stories are definitely interconnected to each other. Next episode is an answer arc - Minagoroshi-hen (皆殺し編) and yup! Hanyuu will be inside :D

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Rika and a panicking Satoko

[Impressions] - 厄醒し編 - Disaster Awakening Chapter

The episode starts with the events in Watanagashi festival, Rika believes nothing could be changed as this wheel of fate is sealed, her death is inevitable. She runs out after the ritual dance and bumps into Tomitake, she warns him of his death and Takano and true enough, after a distance somewhere, Tomitake scratches his neck and dies. Satoko overhears everything but was shocked when she lied the next day Ooshi investigates on her. Meanwhile, Satoko realizes that she has been stalked by an unknown. She realizes no one believed her although Rika is aware of this but she believes what Satoko do will be inevitable in the end. Later on in the episode, the episode shows that Dr. Irie is dead as Satoko visits him, the inspector in charge assured Satoko of what she told him about the stalker, he will inform the local police station to get more patrols . However, that message did not reach there as he was shot by an unknown man with a pistol equipped with a silencer. At night, the “traps” Satoko set rang off as the unknown man closes in to Satoko and Rika’s house.

This episode fills up the gaps of what’s missing in the last arc in the previous season, Satoko will get more panicky and Rika will meet her eventual fate or things may take a twist. Satoko will need think of a plan to counter the myseterious stalker (or rather..a group of em :P). While Rika is aware of whats gonna happen, she is tired of trying to change the fate…I wonder when Hanyuu will make her apperarance as the next episode should the end of this anime exclusive arc. To all who is expecting more blood and gore or even scary scenes, be disappointed, that is not how HiguKai is all about imo.

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Satoko Houjou

[Impressions] - 厄醒し編 - Disaster Awakening Chapter

As Rika looks at the calendar, she knows she is going to face her same destiny again, a destiny that have been repeating in a spiral- death. The baseball scene in this episode reminded me of Tatarigoroshi-hen in the manga, I wonder if they will show Rika meeting the policeman in later episodes. In this episode, Rika is seen talking to a mysterious person, the mysterious person is voiced by Horie Yui (uguu~)…well, since the voice is by her, Rika is definitely talking to Hanyuu (Somehow, I was expecting Hanyuu to go uguu~ :P ). This epsiode shifts between 2 important perspectives - Satoko and Rika. Satoko is being ignored due to her family background and Rika is well aware of her destiny despite persuading by Hanyuu. The 2 perpspectives merged when Satoko is now well aware that Rika is definitely talking to a “someone” and she is wondering if Rika is bothered by her family background. Rika doesnt mind but Satoko isnt aware of it. Suspicions and misunderstandings may arise but I am not sure.

Since this is an anime exclusive, this arc will be filling the missing parts of season 1 likely and eventually lead to the answer arcs later on. Will Rika able to escape the wheel of death and break free the 1983 fate ? :)

ps: it would be good if there is anime adaptation of 賽殺し編, , it will be interesting if they did :P

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Takano Mio …she is mysterious

[Impressions] - 厄醒し編 - Disaster Awakening Chapter

The 2nd episode of Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Kai brings us to an original anime exclusive arc (according to wiki), the story starts from Rika’s perspective as she wonders when this hell and despair is going to end, Rika is not sure herself as well. The scene zooms in to Rika and Satoko in a late night, Satoko wakes up and finds Rika drinking a mysterious drink. Pretty normal episode for now, basically a brief introduction, Takano and Tomitake makes their appearances in front our Hinamizawa lolis characters as well but as the episode end, we know Rika definitely knows something abouut all of the people around her and of course, the injection that Satoko did to herself.

There are a few scenes that reminded me of season 1, yes, the part when Keiichi talks about “minagoroshi” on him is definitely a hint. The scene where Satoko talks about something to Rika made her thought that Satoko remembered something from the past (yes. a flashback scene), luckily, Rika made a mistake…so….what is the cause? could it be..the injection ?

I am going to refresh myself on season 1 as well, things are still a lil blurry for me, anyway, this episode is a good prelude. Funnny scenes are still in HiguKai as well, Rika and Satoko in maid loli costumes rox…Niiipaaa~

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Naraku no Hana by Eiko Shimamiya

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The beginning of the end

[Impressions] 

It is 2013 (around there), 30 years have passed since the Hinamizawa Incident in 1983 and we noticed a familar character returning to this deserted village. Mamoru Asakasa. He was the detective who had investigated on the village and met Rika as well. It was there when shortly after, the whole village perished in an incident which reports claimed to be due to a volcanic gas eruption. Now, the detective and his junior had returned to the village. Ruined and deserted, they met Ooishi and explored the different places in the once radiant village. They talked about a report by Takano-san, Report #34 and it was there, her findings and her foresights were the most important information that they are investigating - Aliens that had once crashed nearby and spread a parasitic bacteria that caused the frenzy in the villagers and how the 3 Great Families tried to attain control over the village. Is this the truth? Is this a mystery? or is it just a pure lie ? This epsiode serves as a prelude imo as the horrific concidences that were mentioned will be solved one by one…or rather, will it ever be solved

For this episode,  I enjoyed myself by blasting my 5.1 speakers while i sit down on the bed with the lights off. I just need that ambience when I watch this anime. Overall, this episode serves as a informative episode to remind us of the 1st season and what had happened and how this incidents are going to relate each other and eventually connect to the 2nd season. If I am right to say so, you can call this episode an exclusive that is not found in the original story.

The OP of this anime is nice although I prefered the creepy ver in season 1, soundtrack-wise, other than the sound of crickets, it was nice. The ambience was there and the ED was calm and soothing somehow. Animation quality is so much better imo than the predecessor and yea, Rika grabbed my attention for this episode. Watching the grown up Rena was a ..wow..she is in business suit ? I hope she wont just go in a frenzy and kill off Ooishi and the others. (lol)

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Thanks to impz for highlighting that he saw the video, the thought that july is at the corner reminds me of this highly anticipated series that I am waiting, Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Kai. The preview features the OP of the sequel, Naraku no Hana by Eiko Shimamiya and so some scenes from the anime. The song seems nice and yea..it captured my attention. Ok, nuff talk…Let the cicadas cry ;)