Higurashi Episode 5 Discussion / Poll [Archive]

kj1980

2005-12-26, 14:14

Welcome to the discussion thread for Higurashi no Naku Koroni, Episode 5.

Thread Guidelines
No telling or asking for RAWs.
Try to keep spoilers from the Game or Manga out of the anime thread. If you need to in reply to someone with a reference to the Game / Manga, either PM them or use Spoiler tags (see example below).
Discuss your expectations of the episode if not aired.
Be polite to your fellow forum members.
Try to keep the discussion on topic and future episode spoilers out of the thread whenever possible.

Spoiler Tag Usage

Using Spoiler Tags is easy. Using this...

Don't forget to use the spoiler title

....will get you this...

Don't forget to use the spoiler title

ADDITIONAL RULES FOR Higurashi no Naku Koroni
Make sure you read the English wikipedia article for Higurashi no Naku Koroni (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higurashi_no_Naku_Koro_ni) before you ask questions!!!

Feel free to share your theories and speculations. In fact, I encourage you to do so as this is what makes this series interesting.

I am designating Sushi-Y and Freakman to lead the discussion in the correct path without spoilers as they have played the game in advance. I put confidence in them that they will recognize a member has spilled the beans too far if any other members has begun to play the game.

SPOILERS FAR ADVANCED THAN THE CURRENT AIRED ANIME EPISODE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. THIS INCLUDES THOSE IN SPOILER TAGS!!!. People tend to peek at spoiler tags; especially when they do not know such tag is meant for the episode, only to find it spilling the beans too far advanced in the game storyline.

xris

2006-05-01, 06:55

Guido

2006-05-02, 13:27

Flo

2006-05-02, 20:28

http://xs200.xs.to/xs200/06183/1146618056308.jpg
So beautiful~<3 <3 <3 TT_TT

Sakuya

2006-05-02, 20:48

Why is it that the characters come back to life for each chapter? :confused:

DingoEnderZOE2

2006-05-02, 21:07

Because it's to show you alternate routes that could have been taken during each arc so you can get a better understanding of things, while figuring out more of the mystery.

Sushi-Y

2006-05-02, 21:55

Just like episode one, episode five opens up with.....

a terrifying, suspense scene.

Oyashiro-Mion maniacally laughs, perpetrating (by what the story wants us the viewers to believe) a grissly murder attempt against Rika.

- The episode flows lightheartedly with Keiichi and the gang warming up for Wataganashi Matsuri.

Actually, it's not a murder, it's a suicide, and it's not an attempt, it succeeded.

Ok, my episode 5 comments with highlights. Only read if you have already seen episode 5, or don't mind being spoiled:

First of all, the opening:
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/7109/ep500011jt.th.jpg (http://img47.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500011jt.jpg)http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6835/ep500023nd.th.jpg (http://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500023nd.jpg)http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9408/ep500035ra.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500035ra.jpg)http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1503/ep500040eo.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500040eo.jpg)http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/1035/ep500058yc.th.jpg (http://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500058yc.jpg)http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3249/ep500064cd.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500064cd.jpg)
First reaction: （； Д ）゜゜
Second reaction: omfg is it that scene!?
Third reaction: that was totally unexpected (even for a game-player like me).
Fourth reaction: Meakashi crossover? This scene is going to trouble the first-time watchers to no ends.
Fifth reaction: Holy shit that was scary (even for a game-player like me). ((( ；゜Д゜)))ｶﾞｸｶﾞｸﾌﾞﾙﾌﾞﾙ

Personally, I want to applaud studio deen for the idea of putting these "end game" scenes up front, they really help to "jump start" the viewer's interest right off the bat. Rather than having a peaceful first episode (of a new chapter), these scenes really help the viewers (first-timers and game-vets alike) to snap to attention right from the beginning.

-------------------------
Now then, into the episode,
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/4946/ep500072ub.th.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500072ub.jpg)
Rika and Satoko are the best after all, kaaii~~ ( ^ ヮ ^)

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6153/ep500081di.th.jpg (http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500081di.jpg)
The big toy shop competition. Unfortunately, they had to change the settings from the game (in the game, all the kids split into groups, and the winner from each group faced off in the end. Of course, the group winners were all the club members). But this was a reasonable change, since it's not really the process that mattered, but the result.

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/7836/ep500092xp.th.jpg (http://img473.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500092xp.jpg)http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/2992/ep5000103mb.th.jpg (http://img473.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000103mb.jpg)http://img281.imageshack.us/img281/6463/ep5000115sy.th.jpg (http://img281.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000115sy.jpg)
"Tomida-kun, you're Satoko moe, right?" "And Okamura-kun, you're Rika moe, right?"

Ohh, we're beginning to see some of Keiichi's skill as a "Magician of Words". This is starting to make me look toward to Keiichi's KOOL reality marble in Tatarigoroshi. :heh:

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http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/2464/ep5000137ac.th.jpg (http://img456.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000137ac.jpg)http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/7206/ep5000146df.th.jpg (http://img371.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000146df.jpg)http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/90/ep5000153cy.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000153cy.jpg)http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/2252/ep5000162dv.th.jpg (http://img380.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000162dv.jpg)
Wait... Is it just me or did they raise Keiichi's hentai-level for the anime? ^^;

But still,
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/2725/ep5000173qf.th.jpg (http://img380.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000173qf.jpg)
Shion kawaiiyo Shion~ ^^

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http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1840/ep5000180ij.th.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000180ij.jpg)
"I guess you can't judge a book by its cover"
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/218/ep5000198vv.th.jpg (http://img98.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000198vv.jpg)
"Maybe the reverse of what you see is the actual truth"

Hoho, well said, and... :uhoh:

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http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6751/ep5000205qk.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000205qk.jpg)
I'm not going to comment on this scene, it's up to first-time watchers to grasp what kind of meanings are carried by this scene (but here's an advice: don't think too deep).

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http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/963/ep5000226vu.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000226vu.jpg)
Sonozaki Shion's true nature, ladies and gentlemen (important).
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1778/ep5000238hz.th.jpg (http://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000238hz.jpg)
Sonozaki Mion's true nature, ladies and gentlemen (important).

But still,
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7392/ep5000245se.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000245se.jpg)http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4672/ep5000253xe.th.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000253xe.jpg)
Mion kawaiiyo Mion~ ^^;

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9301/ep5000262tk.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000262tk.jpg)
...:(

I can't remember very well, but is it just me or
Did they skip the part where Rena tells Keiichi that Mion's "hurt" and that she got a phone call from a crying Mion?

Also, I thought Keiichi gave the bentou box "back to" Mion (+ candies), and not Shion? Hmm...
-------------------------

Next episode's preview... There are some unexpected words mixed in there, just exactly how far will the next episode go, I wonder?

Overall, I loved this episode, and I think all Mion/Shion lovers would love it too. ^^

SpaceDrake

2006-05-02, 23:33

FubaredByAnime

2006-05-03, 00:28

Just checked out the raw ...

The first 30 seconds just blew my mind. And I thought Narutaru was memorable ... I can't wait to read the blogs to see what people think of this scene. :heh:

Sushi-Y

2006-05-03, 00:36

Er, Sushi, from your reaction to the "opening scene", can we assume that the show is now diverging from the direct path the game took? I.E. the scene in episode 5 isn't Watanagashi-hen's climax scene from the original game?

Also, I'm not sure I can watch Rika getting murdered once I actually get the video. :x
Ah, no, er, well, the episode itself is 100% Watanagashi. The "event" that happened in the opening scene of this episode is a part of Watanagashi as well. However, in the original game, we didn't get to actually see that "event" until Meakashi, which is the 5th chapter of the game (the "answer" chapter to Watanagashi).

So, no, the story isn't diverting, it's just showing more contents than what the original game's Watanagashi-hen had. But hey, that's not a bad thing either, aha, ahahaha :heh:...... crap, hope I didn't spoil anything

SpaceDrake

2006-05-03, 01:23

Ah, no, er, well, the episode itself is 100% Watanagashi. The "event" that happened in the opening scene of this episode is a part of Watanagashi as well. However, in the original game, we didn't get to actually see that "event" until Meakashi, which is the 5th chapter of the game (the "answer" chapter to Watanagashi).

So, no, the story isn't diverting, it's just showing more contents than what the original game's Watanagashi-hen had. But hey, that's not a bad thing either, aha, ahahaha :heh:...... crap, hope I didn't spoil anything

If anything, I'm more curious now. :p Wish my Japanese was better so I could watch the raws without the need for "assistance"...

Freakman

2006-05-03, 02:30

[reserved for ep 5 impressions]
Sushi : as someone pointed out on the main higurashi board, choosing that particular scene for the opener seems weird (although that's debatable). I'll write more in the game thread since it involves spoilers.

kj1980

2006-05-03, 09:30

Yep, gruesome as it was and disheartening to see it, putting that at the top of this chapter was a good one by the production staff - it really grabs the attention, especially to anime viewers who hasn't played the game. What better way to bitch slap the viewer that you ain't seeing just a loli-moe~ show than to start off with

Rika-chama killing herself by repeatedly stabbing a kitchen knife in her neck as Mion laughs on maniacally?

One thing that did catch my attention was how they changed the game scene at Mion's uncle's toy shop. Overall it got the job done so I guess it doesn't really matter; especially since the anime isn't going onto Minagoroshi-hen.

Rasuberi

2006-05-03, 17:38

Ahaha... I loved this episode.

The Rika-suicide scene was utterly... beautiful. I don't think I've ever scene such a disturbing scene... I terribly want to show the clip of it on Youtube to random friends, but I'm afraid of the results.

The only thing I didn't like about this episode is that I have trouble deciding who I like more Mion or Shion. I fell in love with Shion before I even saw episode 5, and on the outside she's the cutest thing. But then this episode let us see how cute :love: Mion is on the inside. Aaa~

I really can't wait to see the next episode~! I'm assuming we should learn a bit about Takano. And I totally love her already since she's voiced by Miki Itou.

I'd love to voice my speculations but... I'm goint to wait a few more episodes.

Sushi-Y

2006-05-05, 15:40

One thing that did catch my attention was how they changed the game scene at Mion's uncle's toy shop.
Unfortunately they also had to skip the whole curry cookout event (which happened just before the bento box event). ...Omg what if they made Chiel-sensei a spaghetti loving maniac in this anime too!? It'd be the most twisted parody ever if they actually did that.

The doll event also lost some of its impact because there was only one doll. In the game, the toy shop ojisan actually gave everybody a doll except Mion (in other words, Mion was only one who didn't get anything). And even knowing that, Keiichi still gave Rena the doll instead of giving it to Mion. It shows just how much Keiichi didn't believe dolls suited Mion.

Again, minor details that doesn't really affect the story, but would've been nice if they kept them.

Crimen Scythe

2006-05-06, 22:29

i just downloaded ep 5 subs....still trying to decide if it's a good thing to watch it at midnight *shivers*... ~.~

EDIT:
nvm...it was an awesome ep....Shion~~~....the opening scene was rather gruesome too...^^
cant wait for ep 6....

FubaredByAnime

2006-05-07, 00:29

Watched the fansub finally. Can never get over the first 30 seconds. Gosh darn ... Well, here's the question on my mind after first viewing and quick review.

Was it Mion or Shion who gave Keichii the bento? From the first viewing, it would seem like Mion because Shion acted like she first didn't know about it when Keichii returned the box. But there is evidence against that based on the quick review.

1) I can't think of a reason why Mion would act or dress like that and say those things in front of Keichii when giving him the box.
2) Mion said she had to go to work right beforehand. It wouldn't make to be able to prepare food and get dressed like that at the time he just got through the door.

Maybe I'm just overthinking it, considering what time it is, but I figured I would shoot this out and get a quick answer to calm my over-analysing thoughts.

kj1980

2006-05-07, 00:35

adamatari

2006-05-07, 06:09

Since we're being very careful about tags:

So it seems that Mion pretended to be Shion at least once, but it seems odd considering that Mion doesn't seem all that fond of Shion. Obviously there is some very weird family issues (my theory so far points to the whole town either being an insane asylum or something similar), but in any case Mion seems not to want people to know about Shion. Probably because Shion is the obligatory evil twin.

Maybe Mion just doesn't want Keiichi to know her feelings? But imitating a twin you then pretend doesn't exist seems weird. In any case Mion is jealous of Keiichi's affection - she obviously wanted the Keiichi to give her the doll too.

I guess it's still to early for me to understand this arc. I think it has something to do with the relationship of the town to the village - Hinamizawa village to Okinomiya town. The village maybe is a quaratine area for certain cases, but it seems the town is full of nuts too. I guess I'll just give up for now.

BrokenWingz

2006-05-07, 08:22

Well, the starting for each chapter is eccentric.
I read back in the ep 4 thread that Shion goes missing or so during that arc? maybe its just my bad memory.It doesnt appear that Mion wants something to happen to Shion from Shion's speech of when she says that Mion has bene talking alot about Shion, but from what i can gather Mion(im gonn assume that she is 100% truthful) says that they live very far apart so Shion couldnt have been telling the truth has she? which would mean she found out about K1..somehow >.>.

So it would most likely be Shion in the first 30secs?

I found it interesting how Rena told K1 to forget that Mion said to 'forget' about yesterday's incident and repeats it again.

The incident where Shion summoned out the villagers to get rid of the yakuza was intriging.So i reckon that there isnt even Higurashi Mion but just 'Shion'.

Ohwell, an interesting and not as scary ep xD

Sushi : as someone pointed out on the main higurashi board, choosing that particular scene for the opener seems weird (although that's debatable). I'll write more in the game thread since it involves spoilers.

Btw am i allowed to ask what site the higurashi main board is?

Crimen Scythe

2006-05-07, 09:33

All i can gather from this ep is:

Mion is dissapointed that Keiichi didnt give her the doll...because it didnt suit her personality...so she tries to agree with Keiichi that she's manly...After work, when she's walking home with Keiichi and Rena, Keiichi talks about Shion...which makes Mion assume that he met Shion...and then she runs off...i think she disguises herself as Shion and gives Keiichi the bento...because i think she wants to see Keiichi if he likes feminine girls like Shion..she obviously does this because she has feelings for Keiichi...IMO

As for when Shion calls out the villagers to make the Yakuza away...i think it has sumthin to do wit the past...such as the Sonozaki family were leaders against the dam construction project...which makes them the head family...and there mightve been some controversy between Hinamizawa and Okinomiya Town...wit each sister on opposing sides...and being part of one of the head families, probably keeps Shion informed of everything such as new residents to the town or village..IMHO...

Regarding the opening scene, i think it was Mion more than Shion based on appearance...because this arc is more focused on Mion...and judging from Onikakushi-hen...Keiichi was fine and innocent...til he snapped and killed Rena and Mion...so i wouldnt doubt Mion might go cray for some reason...but then again this is only the first chapter of Watanagishi-hen...still more to find out...

Shay

2006-05-07, 10:34

Wow...As if episode 4 wasn't weird enough this ep starts with Rika-chan head-butting a butchers knife while an on-looking Mion-chan just evilly cackle’s away. And then ping! We go back-in-time showing different events as if everything was just A-OK? WTF? This face truly depicts my feelings.....:twitch:

I have no theories, no expectations; I'm just tagging along for the ride. And thoroughly enjoying myself at the same time. Weird as it all may be.....

Shadowscar

2006-05-07, 10:37

awesome episode that left me wanting more but it also confused me alot

Is this another story completely that just uses the same characters? or did it just go back in time and is telling another story that co exists with the first story? or is it something completely different lol

Manatsu

2006-05-07, 11:05

Interesting, I was reminded of kj1980's question. So how did Mion know about Keiichi and Oishi meeting in the restaurant?

It was established at the end that Shion do exist and she works in Angel Mort, so we can struck out dual personality... for now. But the twins doesn't seems to be getting along, so I don't think we can trust that Shion passed on the information to Mion (Yeah also how did Shion know about Keiichi then). That leaves that Mion stood-in for Shion from time to time, possible since her part-time work is on and off and Angel Mort could every well be one of her uncles' business, though I can't imagine Mion willing to wear that outfit, not when we are shown how red-faced she can get. Oh yeah that sure is a cute side of her. :heh:

Other reasons? None that I can think of at the moment. But I'm sure Shion is introduced for a reason that has to do with Mion going insane. The episode and it's title also seems to be hinting that Mion is bothered by her shy side and she could be jealous of Shion's openness.

As Sushi-Y said, Shion does seem to fall into the evil scheming type. The way she took the credit for the obento and tried to seduce Keiichi is evident. Probably why Mion never introduce Shion to her friends. I'm sure everyone can see that there's more going on between Mion and Shion too. She acts just too unnatural whenever Shion is mentioned, she's clearly avoiding the topic. Maybe she is bullied or threatened by her sister?
Can anyone clarify for me the relationship between Hinamizawa, Okinomiya, and Shishibone City? Doesn't seem important really, but I thought it might help me understand the area of influence the Sonozaki family have. Thanks.

Vicke

2006-05-07, 11:31

Wow what an opening scene. So its Shion that works at the Angel Mort and not Mion like I thought when I saw ep5 preview. I also think Mion really wanted the doll from K1 but joked her way out when K1 said it didnt suit Mion. Mion talks alot about K1 with Shion? Mion has alot of enemies? Is that why she lives with her grandma? Was it Mion or Shion that came with the bento? My theory is that Mion went home, changed clothes and gave K1 the bento she was going to have with her to work. Mion probably imposed as Shion because K1 thinks of Mion as a non feminine girl(doll incident). Later Shion acts like she first dont know she made a bento for K1 then she understands that Mion must have imposed as her and tries to save her sis by acting along. Then later Mion understands that K1 knows that it was Mion that gave him the bento and is really embarrassed.

Also why didnt this game contest in town happen in Onikakushi-hen?

kj1980

2006-05-07, 12:05

Can anyone clarify for me the relationship between Hinamizawa, Okinomiya, and Shishibone City? Doesn't seem important really, but I thought it might help me understand the area of influence the Sonozaki family have. Thanks.

Althought it is called Shishibone City, this "city" is more like a "county." I'm not a geographer so I don't know the exact reasoning behind this, but some rural areas tend to combine several surrounding villages and towns into one "city."

So within Shishibone City, you have two sub-divisions:
Okinomiya - a town
Hinamizawa - a village

Macnown

2006-05-07, 12:55

mm one question,
how come oishi didn't tell keichi that Mion had a twin sister? aswel as a brother :confused:
don't tell me the brother turned in to a girl??? mazaka:heh:

Sushi-Y

2006-05-07, 12:56

Can anyone clarify for me the relationship between Hinamizawa, Okinomiya, and Shishibone City? Doesn't seem important really, but I thought it might help me understand the area of influence the Sonozaki family have. Thanks.
Just like the "Intimidation" TIP suggested, the Sonozaki family is an incredibly influential force in the local government, all the way up to the prefectural level. The reason will be revealed in this chapter, Watanagashi-hen.

As for the whole Shion/Mion relationship thing, there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. One thing's for certain, Meakashi (Watanagashi's "answer" chapter) will definitely bring a lot of surprises for most people.

Also, some people above were asking why certain events that happened in this episode (Watanagashi-hen) didn't happen in Onikakushi-hen (for example, why wasn't Shion introduced in Onikakushi-hen?). I can only give out one hint: When you replay a stage in, say, a shooting game, you never get exactly the same developments or results every time, right? This is the same thing.

So within Shishibone City, you have two sub-divisions:
Okinomiya - a town
Hinamizawa - a village
I believe since Hinamizawa is too small to have its own local government (besides a village council), most of Hinamizawa's municipal functions (such as police) are covered by the nearest town, Okinomiya. Same for all the other villages listed in that dam resistence declaration TIP. Overall though, both Hinamizawa and Okinomiya counts as a municipality of Shishibone.

kj1980

2006-05-07, 13:03

mm one question,
how come oishi didn't tell keichi that Mion had a twin sister? aswel as a brother :confused:
don't tell me the brother turned in to a girl??? mazaka:heh:

Why would Oishi need to tell that Mion had a twin sister if it's not related to the investigation, moreso if it doesn't add anything positive? And I don't know where you got the idea of a brother...

Mr. Guy

2006-05-07, 13:24

Is it just me or...Does it seem like Mion/Shion may actually be Yakuza? Both of them seem to talk in a very... superior manner at certain times. Mion during the scene where she talks about Oishi and Shion when she's dealing with the three punks. Mion's scene in particular reeks of organized crime because of her mention of giving mercy to a cop. Who the hell would do that besides mobsters? Both of them seem to have an inflated sense of superiority that allows them to speak down to others. Something one would expect from children of organized crime.

Thoguh I don't quite understand why the town's people help out Shion. It's possible that they're all just nice people, but it seems a little far for everyone to get to enraged over three punks. The only thing that maybe could be the reason is that they recognize that she's the child of Yakuza and help her out of respect/fear? It seems a little odd for the children to be going along with that though. One would also think that if a Yakuza family was that widely known, Oishi would have told K1 about it.

It's frequently mentioned in the TIPS thread that Mion has certain issues with her family. Not entirely sure if the Yakuza is family oriented, but the mob over here in Boston sure is. Maybe she lives away from her parents because of some internal strife within the group? Possibly also the reason she lives away from Shion.

Though I've probably thought about it all waaaayyy too much. I blame watching A History of Violence last night + a book I'm reading on the Bulger brothers :heh:
Suddenly becoming a big fan of Shion with a growing like of Mion. She may not have quite the psycho charm of Rena, but something must be loose in the head if she can laugh during that opening scene...

orion

2006-05-07, 14:41

Yeah, I didn't have to reacquaint myself with my meal! (I watched this episode on an empty stomach. :D )

Cosmic reset! :joke:

What a way to go! No "down the road" for Rika!

So Mion knew about Keiichi's talking to Oishi because she subs at Angel Mort where they had their conversation or Shion called her up and let her know (Lil' sis watching big sis' back.)

I still can't believe that they don't talk to each other or see each other much. They work in the same town and Mion had an exact copy of part of Shion's wardrobe. That could mean that Shion does drop by from time to time or that Mion is jealous of Shion and copies her secretly. But Shion's comments that Mion has enemies is worrisome. Maybe that's why she's packing a pistol.

Poor Keiichi. Must be tough being the object of affection of twins! ;)

Also...

Another case of siblings being separated. This time one inside of the village and the other outside of the village. Does this mean that Shion won't get affected?

Scribble

2006-05-07, 18:03

Is it just me or...(speculation)

The fact that Mion has a gun in previous episode supports what you're saying, I guess!

EDIT:

So let me get this straight: Kei and gang going to the shop to play cards in episode 5 happened because a different route was taken in the story? Or could this have occured in Onikakushi-hen, but we didn't see it?

SvenTheSweeper

2006-05-07, 18:37

I watched it in the morning instead of 11pm, since I didn’t want to be awake at night thinking about the show->I like my sleep. Even the first scene with Rika was not as disturbing as I thought it would be.

I gave episode five a 9, I would have given a 10 if they gave me more Shion and Mion screen time. I enjoy how the dynamics are playing out between the sisters and Keiichi. I feel joy for him (i.e. “Lucky dude, you got cute girls who like you.”) and anguish (i.e. “Bummer dude, you got girls with skeletons is their closets”) at the same time.

Otherwise, I enjoyed the mostly light-hearted slice-of-life break from what went on in ep.3-4.

Who would have thought that Ronald Reagan gets a mention in this episode.

Actually, it's not a murder, it's a suicide, and it's not an attempt, it succeeded.

Ok, my episode 5 comments with highlights. Only read if you have already seen episode 5, or don't mind being spoiled:

First of all, the opening:
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/7109/ep500011jt.th.jpg (http://img47.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500011jt.jpg)http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6835/ep500023nd.th.jpg (http://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500023nd.jpg)http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9408/ep500035ra.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500035ra.jpg)http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1503/ep500040eo.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500040eo.jpg)http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/1035/ep500058yc.th.jpg (http://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500058yc.jpg)http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3249/ep500064cd.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500064cd.jpg)
First reaction: （； Д ）゜゜
Second reaction: omfg is it that scene!?
Third reaction: that was totally unexpected (even for a game-player like me).
Fourth reaction: Meakashi crossover? This scene is going to trouble the first-time watchers to no ends.
Fifth reaction: Holy shit that was scary (even for a game-player like me). ((( ；゜Д゜)))ｶﾞｸｶﾞｸﾌﾞﾙﾌﾞﾙ

Personally, I want to applaud studio deen for the idea of putting these "end game" scenes up front, they really help to "jump start" the viewer's interest right off the bat. Rather than having a peaceful first episode (of a new chapter), these scenes really help the viewers (first-timers and game-vets alike) to snap to attention right from the beginning.

Damn, the way Rika did herself in with that knife, that’s hardcore. I'm worried about what's going to happen to Mion by the time we get to that scene with her freaky laughing. Looks like another Oyashiro-Mode Mion.

-------------------------
Now then, into the episode,
http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/7836/ep500092xp.th.jpg (http://img473.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep500092xp.jpg)http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/2992/ep5000103mb.th.jpg (http://img473.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000103mb.jpg)http://img281.imageshack.us/img281/6463/ep5000115sy.th.jpg (http://img281.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000115sy.jpg)
"Tomida-kun, you're Satoko moe, right?" "And Okamura-kun, you're Rika moe, right?"
-------------------------
http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/2464/ep5000137ac.th.jpg (http://img456.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000137ac.jpg)http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/7206/ep5000146df.th.jpg (http://img371.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000146df.jpg)http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/90/ep5000153cy.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000153cy.jpg)http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/2252/ep5000162dv.th.jpg (http://img380.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000162dv.jpg)

But still,
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7392/ep5000245se.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000245se.jpg)http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4672/ep5000253xe.th.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000253xe.jpg)
Mion kawaiiyo Mion~ ^^;

But still,
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/2725/ep5000173qf.th.jpg (http://img380.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000173qf.jpg)
Shion kawaiiyo Shion~ ^^

But still,
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7392/ep5000245se.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000245se.jpg)http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4672/ep5000253xe.th.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000253xe.jpg)
Mion kawaiiyo Mion~ ^^;

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9301/ep5000262tk.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000262tk.jpg)
...:(

Overall, I loved this episode, and I think all Mion/Shion lovers would love it too. ^^

Agreed.

The twins are cute and do so while evoking a range of emotions. Shion is hot in her meido outfit. She also shows some vulnerabilty with Keiichi. I like Mion looks so endearingly sad, and also being flustered with Keiichi.

Keiichi bribing Tomida-kun and Okamura-kun with Satoko and Rika, he's become a smooth player.

Like a breakfast cereal fortified and packed with vitamins and minerals, this episode with fortified and packed with moe and relationship intrigue.

------------------------------------

Can you imagine Mion's fictional whipping scene as a Punishment Game between sisters? How funny.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/SvenTheSweeper/Higurashi/ShionWhipMion-rs1.jpghttp://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/SvenTheSweeper/Higurashi/ShionWhipMion1-rs.jpghttp://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/SvenTheSweeper/Higurashi/ShionWhipMion2-rs.jpg

Clichéd, but fun shtick of punching the lecher.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/SvenTheSweeper/Higurashi/K1Leecher-rs1.jpghttp://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/SvenTheSweeper/Higurashi/ShionPunchK1-rs2.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/SvenTheSweeper/Higurashi/K1Bento-rs1.jpghttp://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/SvenTheSweeper/Higurashi/RenasFix.jpg

I love the irony of Keiichi's humorous presumption about the food not being poisoned, and Rena's analogy of fixing Mion like a TV.

-------------------------
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/963/ep5000226vu.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000226vu.jpg)
Sonozaki Shion's true nature, ladies and gentlemen (important).
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1778/ep5000238hz.th.jpg (http://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000238hz.jpg)
Sonozaki Mion's true nature, ladies and gentlemen (important).

-------------------------

Wait... Is it just me or did they raise Keiichi's hentai-level for the anime? ^^;

-------------------------
http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/2464/ep5000137ac.th.jpg (http://img456.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000137ac.jpg)http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/7206/ep5000146df.th.jpg (http://img371.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000146df.jpg)http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/90/ep5000153cy.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000153cy.jpg)http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/2252/ep5000162dv.th.jpg (http://img380.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000162dv.jpg)
Keiichi’s true nature? Ladies and gentlemen..... important?...who knows!?:joke:

This where he must be keeping his rise in hentai-levels.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/SvenTheSweeper/HI-bag-rs.jpg
Courier^3 Hentai Inside Bag Black

Sushi-Y

2006-05-07, 20:31

-------------------------
http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/2464/ep5000137ac.th.jpg (http://img456.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000137ac.jpg)http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/7206/ep5000146df.th.jpg (http://img371.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000146df.jpg)http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/90/ep5000153cy.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000153cy.jpg)http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/2252/ep5000162dv.th.jpg (http://img380.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000162dv.jpg)
Keiichi’s true nature? Ladies and gentlemen..... important?...who knows!?:joke:

This where he must be keeping his rise in hentai-levels.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/SvenTheSweeper/HI-bag-rs.jpg
Courier^3 Hentai Inside Bag Black

You have no idea. Keiichi's not only the "Magician of Words", his alternate identity, K, raises his moe knowledge skills to a godly level, allowing the use of his KOOL marble reality: bombarding his opponent with speeches about the Art of Moe at machine-gun speed until the said opponent breaks down into a sobbing mess from K's MANLINESS. K's not alone in his endeavors either, his "soul brothers", Cloud, Iri, and Tommy are all true MEN constantly striving for their ideals in the world of moe! (Who are they? Just like how "K" came from Keiichi, you should realize who these men are if you looked in Higurashi's character list).

No, I'm not making this up. :heh: Here's an example of Keiichi's reality marble:
http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/8/untitled1714qn.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1714qn.jpg) http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/6900/untitled1722dq.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1722dq.jpg) http://img427.imageshack.us/img427/9572/untitled1736nd.th.jpg (http://img427.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1736nd.jpg) http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/5553/untitled1746lw.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1746lw.jpg) http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/3005/untitled1753ai.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1753ai.jpg) http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/6118/untitled1760go.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1760go.jpg)
(I blew my coffee out around the part where the Venus statue and Mona Lisa were apparently moe products left behind by our ancestors)
(Notice near the end, even nouns like XBOX360 and PS3 came up. Yes, K's reality marble even breaks the barrier of time! :heh: )
Usual reaction from the girls,
http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/3720/untitled1776my.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1776my.jpg)
Rena: "Keiichi-kun and _____-kun looks like they're having a lot of fun, but Rena can't follow what they're talking about at all--..."
Mion: "You don't have to follow them, just don't!"

If you're lucky, you'll get your first glimpse of "K" in Tatarigoroshi. ^^;

Lemonhead

2006-05-07, 20:58

Mion's laughing in the opening scene looked more like a "someone just stabbed themself to death in front of me, am i going crazy?" laugh, then a "ha ha die, i'm evil!" laugh. =p

-edit sorry didn't think it was spolierish, fixed now.

aliensporebomb

2006-05-07, 22:44

Putting Lemonheads' thoughts in a spoiler in case none of you saw it.

Mion's laughing in the opening scene looked more like a "someone just stabbed themself to death in front of me, am i going crazy?" laugh, then a "ha ha die, i'm evil!" laugh. =p

I also had that thought and it's certainly possible but I also had a thought:

Mafia / Syndicate / Yakuza style behavior. "You need to gain your honor back
by destroying yourself in front of me" type antics. Creepy.

We'll find out, maybe. Very disturbing show this is turning out to be.

My opinions:

Shion was taken aback by Keiichi's behavior in Angel Mort and probably rarely
ever experiences that kind of behavior from a customer or non-family member
due to her family influence in town hence her unexpected shyness.

Given what we saw with the townsfolk who quickly backed Shion up
when Keiichi was threatened by the street toughs I suspect if anyone
behaved that way towards her and if she didn't like it they probably
would find themselves wearing cement shoes in the river, dead as a
doornail.

Remember, this is the main family in town who prevented the dam
from coming in and destroying their homes/livelihoods. This inspires
big loyalty.

Anyway, I doubt we will see this surprised behavior from her again.

Later, you can really see what her true role is:
Shion = opportunist

"Oh yeah, I made the bento" - quick response.

She sees a good thing, realizing what her sister has been talking
to her about and has ideas of her own. Sisterly rivalries no doubt.

It's obvious Mion made a bento for Keiichi and gave it to him posing as Shion:
by doing this she was able to protect her identity and feelings a bit in case he
was not receptive.

Another reason she posed as Shion perhaps is that pretending to be
her more confident sister might let her get away with behavior she
might otherwise not attempt, sort of a self protection move.

Mion = likes Keiichi but isn't sure how to proceed, his presentation
of the doll to another girl maybe curdled her feelings inside a little bit.

I think deep down she wishes he'd notice her in a way she needs to
be noticed and he's still very much a boy and her behavior towards
him really is encouraging that boy banter response.

If Shion escalates her attentions to Keiichi then Mion's response could
range from interesting to really interesting. Jealousy indeed.

Next episode should be very interesting indeed.

SvenTheSweeper

2006-05-07, 23:15

You have no idea. Keiichi's not only the "Magician of Words", his alternate identity, K, raises his moe knowledge skills to a godly level, allowing the use of his KOOL marble reality: bombarding his opponent with speeches about the Art of Moe at machine-gun speed until the said opponent breaks down into a sobbing mess from K's MANLINESS. K's not alone in his endeavors either, his "soul brothers", Cloud, Iri, and Tommy are all true MEN constantly striving for their ideals in the world of moe! (Who are they? Just like how "K" came from Keiichi, you should realize who these men are if you looked in Higurashi's character list).

No, I'm not making this up. :heh: Here's an example of Keiichi's reality marble:
http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/8/untitled1714qn.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1714qn.jpg) http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/6900/untitled1722dq.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1722dq.jpg) http://img427.imageshack.us/img427/9572/untitled1736nd.th.jpg (http://img427.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1736nd.jpg) http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/5553/untitled1746lw.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1746lw.jpg) http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/3005/untitled1753ai.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1753ai.jpg) http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/6118/untitled1760go.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1760go.jpg)
(I blew my coffee out around the part where the Venus statue and Mona Lisa were apparently moe products left behind by our ancestors)
(Notice near the end, even nouns like XBOX360 and PS3 came up. Yes, K's reality marble even breaks the barrier of time! :heh: )
Usual reaction from the girls,
http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/3720/untitled1776my.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1776my.jpg)
Rena: "Keiichi-kun and _____-kun looks like they're having a lot of fun, but Rena can't follow what they're talking about at all--..."
Mion: "You don't have to follow them, just don't!"

If you're lucky, you'll get your first glimpse of "K" in Tatarigoroshi. ^^;

So K:
uses it on girls? To what effect? I've come across the reality marble in one of the AS Threads, I assume it's in game thread.

choia

2006-05-07, 23:34

Question: is there any significance to the gun Mion carries? Will this arc explain the gun?

kj1980

2006-05-08, 00:20

Question: is there any significance to the gun Mion carries? Will this arc explain the gun?

Just to end this speculation - no. There is no significance to the gun. Besides, I never even thought about it in the first place. Since guns are illegal in Japan, I just assumed it was a water pistol or something. Besides, I wouldn't be that surprised to see Mion suddenly squirting the club members in their faces in their club activities.

Sushi-Y

2006-05-08, 00:25

Mafia / Syndicate / Yakuza style behavior. "You need to gain your honor back
by destroying yourself in front of me" type antics. Creepy.

We'll find out, maybe. Very disturbing show this is turning out to be.

My opinions:

Shion was taken aback by Keiichi's behavior in Angel Mort and probably rarely
ever experiences that kind of behavior from a customer or non-family member
due to her family influence in town hence her unexpected shyness.

Given what we saw with the townsfolk who quickly backed Shion up
when Keiichi was threatened by the street toughs I suspect if anyone
behaved that way towards her and if she didn't like it they probably
would find themselves wearing cement shoes in the river, dead as a
doornail.

Remember, this is the main family in town who prevented the dam
from coming in and destroying their homes/livelihoods. This inspires
big loyalty.

Anyway, I doubt we will see this surprised behavior from her again.

Later, you can really see what her true role is:
Shion = opportunist

"Oh yeah, I made the bento" - quick response.

She sees a good thing, realizing what her sister has been talking
to her about and has ideas of her own. Sisterly rivalries no doubt.

It's obvious Mion made a bento for Keiichi and gave it to him posing as Shion:
by doing this she was able to protect her identity and feelings a bit in case he
was not receptive.

Another reason she posed as Shion perhaps is that pretending to be
her more confident sister might let her get away with behavior she
might otherwise not attempt, sort of a self protection move.

Mion = likes Keiichi but isn't sure how to proceed, his presentation
of the doll to another girl maybe curdled her feelings inside a little bit.

I think deep down she wishes he'd notice her in a way she needs to
be noticed and he's still very much a boy and her behavior towards
him really is encouraging that boy banter response.

If Shion escalates her attentions to Keiichi then Mion's response could
range from interesting to really interesting. Jealousy indeed.

Next episode should be very interesting indeed.

I can't answer to everything in there, but at least I can tell you what will be explained eventually:
1. Mion's shocked reactions whenever she sees Shion
2. Shion's reason for not living together with Mion
3. Shion's familiar attitude towards Keiichi right from the beginning
4. Shion's attitude/personality in general
5. The reason why nobody has ever head of Shion before
6. The reason for that sorrowful look Shion had on her face just before the break in this episode
7. The reason for Mion's depression
8...

Actually, you know what? I'm sure all the questions raised in this thread will be explained eventually + answers to things you probably never even thought about. Watanagashi-hen is very rich in contents (much more so than Onikakushi), and the mystery will only get deeper and deeper. It's probably one of the most involved chapters in the game (much more than it appears to be). Your best bet is to focus on the Sonozaki twins, and gather as much as you can about their personalities and their circumstances (as much as you can tell) from within this chapter.

Hopefully the anime doesn't cut out TOO much from the game, or else things might start getting... hard to figure out.

Remember those general tips:
1. Don't believe everything you see, and
2. What you have learned about a character's personality applies across ALL chapters (hint: this works both ways, something you know from a previous chapter may help you determine something in this chapter. Similarly, something you newly learned in this chapter may help you determine something from a past chapter as well)

So K:
uses it on girls? To what effect? I've come across the reality marble in one of the AS Threads, I assume it's in game thread.
No, K tends to only get knocked out if he tries it on girls, especially Rena. Rena can easily drop him (or anyone else, for that matter, even Iri in "Maid in Heaven" mode) like a brick.

Speaking of which, the anime went through the entire Onikakushi-hen without showing Renapan or RFI (Rena Flash Impact) at all, what a pity. :heh: (Renapan refers to Rena's faster-than-lightning jabs. To this day, Keiichi still hasn't found a way to avoid Rena's punches (nobody has, for that matter))

You can play the Renapan minigame (which was featured in the game) here:
http://higurashi-cd.com/renapan/index.html
- pick your resolution
- press the top button to start the game
- basically, click on Rena's fist just before it hits you (when the fist becomes as large as the box) to dodge it
- after advancing far enough, Rena's RFI mode might activate. Click on the "flash" appearing in one of the corners of the screen to dodge the invisible fist
- if you get knocked out, click the second button to retry, first to return to menu, third to see ranking, forth to submit score

Question: is there any significance to the gun Mion carries? Will this arc explain the gun?
No, I don't think there's any meaning to the gun at all.

As far as I know, it's a model gun, not real. That and models guns are one of Mion's hobbies (and no, I don't think that has any significance either).

Edit: ah kj beat me to it. :heh:

SpaceDrake

2006-05-08, 01:49

Lemonhead

2006-05-08, 01:56

Maybe for rika you have to apply this eps "moral lesson" from rena....=p

kj1980

2006-05-08, 01:59

Once again I'll be brief.

All I want to know is, how on Gord's Green Terra Firma does a set of twins fighting over Keiichi (lucky SOB) lead to Rika giving herself a lobotomy the hard way? I mean, at the start of Onikakushi it wasn't too obvious how Rena and Mion would end up baseball-batted on Kei's floor, but once again Rika didn't get much screen time or attention in this episode. So why?...

... these episodes really can't come fast enough.

Well, that's the fun part! And...actually, people are kind of mistaken. Rika wasn't stabbing her cranial area, she was stabbing her neck and throat area repeatedly. It's hard to tell in the anime, but that's the area she was aiming for in the game. In the brief scene where we see her head shot, you don't see the knife entering anywhere near her head. So I am assuming that the anime staff made it exactly the same, just that it's a bit hard to tell.

SpaceDrake

2006-05-08, 02:20

Hmm. It is unclear in the anime. Looking at the footage again (Gord I won't be able to sleep tonight *shiver*), I could swear she's shoving her temple into the knife. In fact, if I could post screencaps, I'm certain she's aiming higher than her neck, the knife's eye-level with her. Check 0:03 on the raw footage. Not saying you're wrong about the game of course, KJ, but it looks to me like they altered the scene a bit in the show.

Sushi-Y

2006-05-08, 03:36

It's hard to tell in the anime, since Rika's hair was in the way, but if you look at the location of Rika's front hairs in 00:03 (note the camera is placed at Rika's shoulder level, so we're looking up), and also at the direction of the blood squirts in 00:11-00:12, it should be quite clear that the knife was pointed towards her own neck.

Vicke

2006-05-08, 04:24

I also think it lookes like shes stabbing herself higher then her neck(atleast from the behind view). But if she is stabbing her neck or throat, then she might be doing what K1 and Tomitake did but in a more sofisticated way.

awyongcarl

2006-05-08, 06:22

eew...i must say...
this opening are sickening too >.<

aliensporebomb

2006-05-08, 06:54

Carotid artery self-mutilation? Serious darkness here folks.

Shiroth

2006-05-08, 08:24

Shion. <3333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333

Now i've gotten that out of the way - i love the fact that the series can just turn to be one of the happiest, most fun things to watch - and you gotta love the opening scene - i take it we'll get betting that again in a episode soon enough. ^^;

I'm really looking forward to more from this chapter, and seeing more of whats going on with Shion & Mion.

oJo

2006-05-08, 08:42

a cosplay(or maid?) cafe in Hinamizawa~

SOS-Brigade

2006-05-08, 08:53

eew...i must say...
this opening are sickening too >.<
The gruesome openings is a nice change occasionally ^^ cept that fact that this time was poor Rika's downfall >.<

The Rion/Shion twins reminds me a bit of the Sia (shuffle!) and her other self :p

So the next episode is going to be about Takano? Never thought she'd be that significant to have an episode named after her...
P.S. I hope we won't be running into Rena twins =P

Shiroth

2006-05-08, 09:28

So the next episode is going to be about Takano? Never thought she'd be that significant to have an episode named after her...
I'm not to sure if its going to be about her.. maybe she'll just feature in it?

Freakman

2006-05-08, 09:59

Let's just say she'll be a central part to the events in Episode 6.

cheesie

2006-05-08, 10:57

This series is... not good for my health. Watching episode 5 just hit it right home, that I'm utterly in love with this series, and no matter how much I roll around and beg, I still have to wait week after week for each episode. :P Meh, what can you expect with such excellent mysteries? *cries*

Morgri

2006-05-08, 11:08

They're going to kill of my rika-chan ;_;

Cist

2006-05-08, 12:51

Interesting that we see Mion holding her gun at the beginning when Rika is busy comitting suicide. So I guess the gun is more than a toy. That brings up the question of why is Mion walking around with a real gun...

http://img349.imageshack.us/img349/5043/gun6pb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Also, it seems that the intro scene was happening in the temple, with the wooden walls. So I suppose that she'll die during the Watanashi.

Good ep.

aliensporebomb

2006-05-08, 14:09

Cist: Very very astute observation.

So the question ultimately is:

Is it:

Mion: Kill yourself or I'll shoot you. Your choice.

OR, is it:

Mion: Stay away from me you crazy woman or I'll shoot you?

Could it be:

That Mion was targeted by Rika and instead turned her weapon on herself for
some unknown reason?

This show is messing with my head!

I don't want to think of Mion as being an evil type but I've always
been unerringly attracted to those types. And given her behavior
in the last episode, well, maybe I should just give up on her being
a complete sweetiepie. Killer Loli's indeed.

Interesting that we see Mion holding her gun at the beginning when Rika is busy comitting suicide. So I guess the gun is more than a toy. That brings up the question of why is Mion walking around with a real gun...

http://img349.imageshack.us/img349/5043/gun6pb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Also, it seems that the intro scene was happening in the temple, with the wooden walls. So I suppose that she'll die during the Watanashi.

Good ep.

Freak Of Nature

2006-05-08, 15:27

I'm still not convinced... ...that it is a gun.

I mean, we've never actually had a good look at it. All we can say for sure is that Mion is carrying something in a shoulder holster which resembles a gun, when viewed cursorily. But it could be a toy, a camera, or a recorder, or something else entirely.

Mion is holding something in her hand in that bloody opening for ep. 5 -- this much is evident. But her grip on it looks decidedly awkward, if it is a gun. And the object looks too square. I'm be leaning towards the theory that it might be a camcorder... if it weren't for the year. 1983 is way too soon for handheld camcorders.

However, my main argument for it not being a gun is circumstantial: nobody reacts to it.

Come on: I know the Sonozakis are special, and Hinamizawa is a very weird litle hamlet. But even so, surely somebody would react if they saw a schoolgirl packing heat.

If it is a gun, then there has to be some sort of explanation for it -- and that has to be important.

BTW, I must say that I absolutely adore the way the animators portray Rena and Mion in those scenes where they "wig out". The semicircular/triangular mouth, the sharp pointed chin, and the huge eyes. It's perfectly deranged, and I do mean "perfectly".

kj1980

2006-05-08, 15:42

Geez, forget about the gun already - it's has little/nothing to do with the mystery I can assure you that (At least in the game, of course. But that did not look like a gun to me) If you are dying to know what she was holding, it was:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/kj1980/stun_gun.jpg

Big hint for upcoming episode: pay attention to what Takano says.

Vicke

2006-05-08, 15:58

Well since it was that she was holding I guess Mion was trying to defend herself from Rika for some reason.

kj1980

2006-05-08, 16:00

Well since it was that she was holding I guess Mion was trying to defend herself from Rika for some reason.

That, you are correct. But the scene itself is a lot deeper than that. Hmm...I don't know whether to make the judgment that the anime staff did this as an actual timeline for Watanagashi-hen, or....

Crimen Scythe

2006-05-08, 16:14

Well, even though she was trying to defend herself...that maniacal laugh Mion gave right after Rika practically "sent" herself to hell seemed a lot more than just a sign of relief..

thundrakkon

2006-05-08, 16:40

-------------------------
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/963/ep5000226vu.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000226vu.jpg)
Sonozaki Shion's true nature, ladies and gentlemen (important).
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1778/ep5000238hz.th.jpg (http://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ep5000238hz.jpg)
Sonozaki Mion's true nature, ladies and gentlemen (important).

From Sushi-Y's hint, I'd have to say

If Shion is the devious type and Mion is the shy type, then past behaviors are brought into question. If Mion has tried doing a switch-a-roo as Shion in front of K1, like giving him the bento, it could also be true that this might not be her first time or Shion might have done the same.

In that case, the person who said she should not have been lenient towards Oishi since he was retiring in a year might not be Mion, but instead was Shion. Also, the opening scene in episode 5 might have been Shion disguised as Mion. The reason why Shion is so familiar with K1 might be because she has disguised herself as Shion before, and have spoken with K1 previously.

Which raises the question, was that really Shion when K1 first went to the restaurant? She was acting too shy, so it might have been Mion.

Mion has a lot of enemies? What is the significance of that? Was Shion the actual culprit, but she pretended to be Mion, causing her enemies to hate Mion?

Shion seems to be keeping an eye on things, especially K1. It wouldn't be surprising if she has sources to keep her informed, given her special status.

In conclusion, the previous chapter might not have always been Mion. It was probably Shion in a scene or two.

Can't wait for more episodes to fill in the gaps.

Also, in the TIPS thread, it was mentioned that any one that Oishi talks to will eventually die. Does that mean that since Oishi talks with K1, he is somehow chosen as the target?

Also, all the victims this year appear to aim for their necks as they kill themselves. That has to be important. Maybe the chickadees are biting, causing major itches that they feel a need to relieve? j/k... maybe...

Sinestra

2006-05-08, 20:07

im in love this series and the opening song but man its driving me crazy. I didnt expect there would be twins. I thought Mion was pulling a fast one but then i think back to the opening with the whole i think i will ram my head/neck into this thing and blood will go everywhere what made Rika do this and why are the twins involved. We saw Shion's true nature come out when K1 was bullied so its almost like personalties are reverse. The bento was from Mion not Shion and thats out of charcter for her. but Rena said that Mion had a cute girl side to. what is marking these people for death we know what happen to Rena and Mion that was obvious from the start but what about Shion. cant wait for more this is the kind of series i have been waiting for all year

Sushi-Y

2006-05-08, 22:28

From Sushi-Y's hint, I'd have to say

If Shion is the devious type and Mion is the shy type, then past behaviors are brought into question. If Mion has tried doing a switch-a-roo as Shion in front of K1, like giving him the bento, it could also be true that this might not be her first time or Shion might have done the same.

In that case, the person who said she should not have been lenient towards Oishi since he was retiring in a year might not be Mion, but instead was Shion. Also, the opening scene in episode 5 might have been Shion disguised as Mion. The reason why Shion is so familiar with K1 might be because she has disguised herself as Shion before, and have spoken with K1 previously.

Which raises the question, was that really Shion when K1 first went to the restaurant? She was acting too shy, so it might have been Mion.

Mion has a lot of enemies? What is the significance of that? Was Shion the actual culprit, but she pretended to be Mion, causing her enemies to hate Mion?

Shion seems to be keeping an eye on things, especially K1. It wouldn't be surprising if she has sources to keep her informed, given her special status.

In conclusion, the previous chapter might not have always been Mion. It was probably Shion in a scene or two.

Can't wait for more episodes to fill in the gaps.

Also, in the TIPS thread, it was mentioned that any one that Oishi talks to will eventually die. Does that mean that since Oishi talks with K1, he is somehow chosen as the target?

Also, all the victims this year appear to aim for their necks as they kill themselves. That has to be important. Maybe the chickadees are biting, causing major itches that they feel a need to relieve? j/k... maybe...

Hoho-. (・ω・ )

...Wow this sucks, if I say anything other than "Hoho-. (・ω・ )", it'll become spoiler. :heh:
All I can say is, yes, you are interpreting my hint correctly. ^^;

As for the Oishi comment, you can try to analyze further: what is it that Oishi is trying to do (ultimately)? What relationship does Oishi have with all the past missing persons before they went Onikakushi? What kind of person is Oishi anyway? etc.

And the victim comment, I wouldn't laugh it off either. Who knows what are the causes for all those suicides? Some say it's drugs, others say it's Oyashirosama's curse, but for all we know, there might actually be a biological reason behind it. (I'm not saying that's actually the case, I'm just throwing it out as a possibility)

Seiryuu

2006-05-08, 22:39

two questions if they haven't already been answered: how old are the various characters? Someone suggested that Rena and Mion should have been around 7 during the events of five years ago, but I doubt it since they look a good bit past twelve. Also, when does this take place, relative to the chronology set in Onikakushi? All I can tell is that it's somewhere between K1's joining the club and the Watanagashi festival. I'm inclined to assume that the story followed the same line up until the point where this show starts, but I can't tell what point that is.
Another thing: Didn't Mion say her job was at the toy store, and wasn't the game at that same store? Why, then, did she say she had work and ride off? Wouldn't she just go back to the offices and check in?

Morgri

2006-05-08, 23:11

The line "Keichi will grow up to be a fine adult one day," and "If Rika-chan studies, she will become a fine adult too" is so sad.

SOS-Brigade

2006-05-08, 23:55

Well, even though she was trying to defend herself...that maniacal laugh Mion gave right after Rika practically "sent" herself to hell seemed a lot more than just a sign of relief..

Not to suprising though, i mean if she was targetted and suddenly the one that is targetting her starts stabbing herself in the neck, what can you expect :twitch: It is really all quite confusing I must say >.< can't wait for the next episode :P

rainnydaiis

2006-05-09, 00:48

Even though I didn't play the game or read the manga and no tknow much about the ch's... I think this ch is based around the idea of jealousy? because if you look at ep.1 it seems like a fight for k1 has just begun in which there will be casualties.

Green²

2006-05-09, 07:29

I could probably pick & choose all day which one was Shion, and which one was Mion. Well, won't mean much for now anyway other than that lovey thing. But we do know that there are twins. So where you see one, you could always expect it to possibly the other as well.

...it seems to point to Mion for the most part. Personality, attitude, knowledge. Yet if true, then why. For another episode later perhaps.

Scribble

2006-05-09, 07:46

I agree with Thundrakkon:

-Since Shion starts to call him Kei-chan, there is no way for Kei to tell the difference between Mion and Shion

-The situation where Mion got "into a fight" with the construction workers is most likely Shion. Replace the school delinquents in episode 5 with the dam construction workers.

- Kei got two "looks" in episode 5, one from Shion after he meets her in angel mort, and one at the end from Mion round the corner. Shion's look was "evil", while Mion's look was sad. What's the significance of this?

Manatsu

2006-05-09, 09:50

From Sushi-Y's hint, I'd have to say

If Shion is the devious type and Mion is the shy type, then past behaviors are brought into question. If Mion has tried doing a switch-a-roo as Shion in front of K1, like giving him the bento, it could also be true that this might not be her first time or Shion might have done the same.

In that case, the person who said she should not have been lenient towards Oishi since he was retiring in a year might not be Mion, but instead was Shion. Also, the opening scene in episode 5 might have been Shion disguised as Mion. The reason why Shion is so familiar with K1 might be because she has disguised herself as Shion before, and have spoken with K1 previously.

Which raises the question, was that really Shion when K1 first went to the restaurant? She was acting too shy, so it might have been Mion.

Mion has a lot of enemies? What is the significance of that? Was Shion the actual culprit, but she pretended to be Mion, causing her enemies to hate Mion?

Shion seems to be keeping an eye on things, especially K1. It wouldn't be surprising if she has sources to keep her informed, given her special status.

In conclusion, the previous chapter might not have always been Mion. It was probably Shion in a scene or two.

But when Keiichi and Shion bump into Mion outside her workplace and Keiichi got a shock, Shion said "I told you so." So it had to be Shion whom Keiichi first met at the restaurant.

Anyway your post is interesting and thought provoking. All I thought previously was perhaps Mion always dress as Shion whenever she has to work at Angel Mort, that way she can avoid embarrassement and it would explain why she has Shion's wardrobe. It didn't occur to me that Shion could have done the same. So now looking back at the first 4 episodes off the thought of my head, the key scenes which I suspect could have been Shion disguised as Mion is the ohagi scene and the final one where Keiichi murdered them. But that would mean Shion was the one killed... erm... any ideas? :heh:

And has anyone notice the OP showing Mion and Shion makes a little more sense now. Is it by any chance hinting at the reason why Shion is "evil?"

Pinkie promise?
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7599/op18se.th.jpg (http://img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=op18se.jpg)

Promise broken?
http://img350.imageshack.us/img350/2514/op28we.th.jpg (http://img350.imageshack.us/my.php?image=op28we.jpg)

Sad Shion?
http://img350.imageshack.us/img350/6447/op30un.th.jpg (http://img350.imageshack.us/my.php?image=op30un.jpg)

Oyashiro-Shion!
http://img350.imageshack.us/img350/4653/op42vq.th.jpg (http://img350.imageshack.us/my.php?image=op42vq.jpg)

Judas

2006-05-09, 11:23

IF Shion was the 'evil' part of the twins (if they aren't both 'evil' or none of them is) I'd suggest this theory:
As it can be seen on various pics and so on there seems to be a connection between Shion and Satoshi... It seems that something similar is developing between Shion and Keiichi and since we got to know that Keiichi began to behave like Satoshi in Onikakushi-hen it might really have been Shion in the disguise of Mion in those 'evil-eyed' moments. So she might be responsible for some things to some extent but on the other hand Mion is also shown as 'the evil one' in some pics... OK we can never really know who is who since they can always dress up as the other twin... so everything remains a mystery I guess... Furthermore we only saw the 1st episode of the Watanagashi-hen up until now ^-^°

rocket

2006-05-09, 11:51

Well since it was that she was holding...
I guess Mion was trying to defend herself from Rika for some reason.

Or...

Mion was brutally prodding poor Rika into taking her own life... some punishment game! Not likely, but can't be ruled out.

Anyhow, I can't see Rika going after someone with a knife... she said she likes poison best! (^_-)

SvenTheSweeper

2006-05-09, 12:45

But when Keiichi and Shion bump into Mion outside her workplace and Keiichi got a shock, Shion said "I told you so." So it had to be Shion whom Keiichi first met at the restaurant.

Anyway your post is interesting and thought provoking. All I thought previously was perhaps Mion always dress as Shion whenever she has to work at Angel Mort, that way she can avoid embarrassement and it would explain why she has Shion's wardrobe. It didn't occur to me that Shion could have done the same. So now looking back at the first 4 episodes off the thought of my head, the key scenes which I suspect could have been Shion disguised as Mion is the ohagi scene and the final one where Keiichi murdered them. But that would mean Shion was the one killed... erm... any ideas? :heh:

And has anyone notice the OP showing Mion and Shion makes a little more sense now. Is it by any chance hinting at the reason why Shion is "evil?"

Pinkie promise?
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7599/op18se.th.jpg (http://img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=op18se.jpg)

Promise broken?
http://img350.imageshack.us/img350/2514/op28we.th.jpg (http://img350.imageshack.us/my.php?image=op28we.jpg)

Sad Shion?
http://img350.imageshack.us/img350/6447/op30un.th.jpg (http://img350.imageshack.us/my.php?image=op30un.jpg)

Oyashiro-Shion!
http://img350.imageshack.us/img350/4653/op42vq.th.jpg (http://img350.imageshack.us/my.php?image=op42vq.jpg)

The picture of the two twins showing only one having a tattoo on the back screams of “important future hint to tell them apart". Now we just have to see which on has the tattoo, Mion or Shion.

With all of the switching and pretending between the sisters, you would think both would eventually find out, or even consider the possibility of it happening and take steps to prevent it.

The fact that they don't run into each other while doing it is pretty amazing.

Also It is suspicious that Rena didn't discover Shion's existence until Ep5.

Judas

2006-05-09, 13:26

Also
It is suspicious that Rena didn't discover Shion's existence until Ep5.

Well, I think it's just that...
... the viewer didn't see any scenes with Shion in Onikakushi-hen and the arc's story isn't about her and Mion so the viewer isn't told about her. However the events with her (or at least some of them) could have actually happened in Onikakushi-hen's timeline, we just get to know after this episode that they happened.

Vicke

2006-05-09, 14:05

The picture of the two twins showing only one having a tattoo on the back screams of “important future hint to tell them apart". Now we just have to see which on has the tattoo, Mion or Shion.
Well judging by their hairstyle its Mion that has the tattoo(if it really is a tattoo).

Scribble

2006-05-09, 14:16

Well judging by their hairstyle its Mion that has the tattoo(if it really is a tattoo).

But then again, Mion could be pretending to be Shion and vice versa. =D

Thewanderer

2006-05-09, 15:54

Well judging by their hairstyle its Mion that has the tattoo(if it really is a tattoo).
It looks more like a scar to me.

thundrakkon

2006-05-09, 16:37

Thanks for the feedback, Sushi-Y. I really did not expect much for an answer, since I figured, as you mentioned, it would probably result in a spoiler. I thought it would make good discussion material, though. We non-gamers will just have to keep on speculating.

As for the Oishi comment, you can try to analyze further: what is it that Oishi is trying to do (ultimately)? What relationship does Oishi have with all the past missing persons before they went Onikakushi? What kind of person is Oishi anyway? etc.

And the victim comment, I wouldn't laugh it off either. Who knows what are the causes for all those suicides? Some say it's drugs, others say it's Oyashirosama's curse, but for all we know, there might actually be a biological reason behind it. (I'm not saying that's actually the case, I'm just throwing it out as a possibility)

I am going to have to think about this. I thought Oishi's objective was to solve the murder mystery, but that might just be his superficial motive. He always seems so non-chalent, and always saying to people,

"have a good year."
He just does not seem to care. It is more as if he is trying to instigate things and intentionally feeding information slowly to provoke the situation. Wouldn't it be interesting if he ends up being the leader of the village dam murder that got away?

I can't point my finger on what relationship he has with the victims.

As for the victims' death,

I got it. It must be one of those aliens that latches itself onto the person, controling them, and causing psychosis! Then the victims are just trying to get rid of the darn thing. j/k Actually, I am a believer that there is a perfectly logical explanation for everything that is happening, and it is not something supernatural or out of this world.

Another thing: Didn't Mion say her job was at the toy store, and wasn't the game at that same store? Why, then, did she say she had work and ride off? Wouldn't she just go back to the offices and check in?

In the TIPS thread, it is mentioned that Mion does a lot of odd lot jobs for her uncles, who, btw, are part of a very influential family, with businesses everywhere. So her job can be at any one of her uncles' stores on any given occassion.

Oh, and I don't particularly see any jealousy between the twins; well, at least not yet.

What's the significance of this?

Probably means Shion is plotting something, and Mion realizes that Kei is now in Shion's trap. Mion is truly concerned for Kei, it seems.

But that would mean Shion was the one killed... erm... any ideas?

I do think that was Mion that was murdered, not Shion, since personality-wise, she seemed normal. Keiichi just took out the wrong people, since I still believe both girls are innocent.

As for the opening screens of Mion and Shion,

The way they are laying is very similar to the Taijitsu symbol, which represents Yin and Yang, which are light and dark, both equally important. For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_Yang

Vicke

2006-05-09, 18:13

It looks more like a scar to me.
Maybe they where siamese twins that had been separated, but then would Shion also have a scar.

SvenTheSweeper

2006-05-09, 18:43

SvenTheSweeper-> AlsoIt is suspicious that Rena didn't discover Shion's existence until Ep5.

Well, I think it's just that...
... the viewer didn't see any scenes with Shion in Onikakushi-hen and the arc's story isn't about her and Mion so the viewer isn't told about her. However the events with her (or at least some of them) could have actually happened in Onikakushi-hen's timeline, we just get to know after this episode that they happened.

I based my suspicion on the fact that Rena came to Hinamizawa a year before Keiichi moved to town (See wiki reference below). I also assume in that time she would have gone to school and meet Mion, and therefore know her for at least a year. When you know a classmate or friend for at least a year, you tend to learn about a person's family background.

I won't discount that maybe Rena went to school late and therefore knows Mion for far less than a year. Also perhaps their friendship is unusual in that they don't talk about family matters. Nevertheless if Mion chose not to mention Shion that act is suspicious in itself.

Additionally, consider again that Hinamizawa is a small rural town. Where I assume people would know about one another. This reinforces the odd fact that Rena didn’t know about Shion in Ep.5, which is over a year since she arrived.

This highlights another oddity that was pointed by somebody else; the shady reputation of the Sonozaki family and Mion's troubles with the dam project worker. Keiichi was not aware of this despite Hinamizawa being a small place. Granted Keiichi has lived in the town for just one month, so his ignorance of the Sonozaki’s reputation is plausible. But that is hard to believe given their influence and pervasiveness in politics and the local businesses.

Maybe the producers overlooked what seems like commonsense reasoning in order to create suspense and mystery.
----------------------------------------------------------
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higurashi_no_Naku_Koro_ni

Ryuguu Reina (Rena) - 竜宮礼奈 (レナ) (seiyuu: Nakahara Mai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakahara_Mai))She moved back to Hinamizawa one year before and is in the same grade-level as Keiichi.

----------------------------------------------------------

Archuka

2006-05-09, 18:54

kj1980

2006-05-09, 19:12

I just watched ep 4 and 5 and got confused (but I loved it anyway). Then I read this thread and I'm still confused.

How exactly are Onikakushi and Watanagashi related? Someone said that they are kind of two versions of what could have happened, however, I don't see how anyone's supposed to solve any mysteries if they keep changing the events like that. It doesn't make sense! :confused:

Anyway, I have to say this is the most intriguing anime I have ever seen. I still roll my eyes at many of the comedic scenes and I don't particularly like the way the characters are drawn at times, but damn, the plot delivers!

http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=555620&postcount=33

For example, just like everyone seems to have noticed:

Q: Why did Mion know Keiichi was with Oishi back in Onikakushi-hen?
A: Because as you find out in Watanagashi, she has a relative that works there.

That's how.

Green²

2006-05-09, 20:56

http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=555620&postcount=33

For example, just like everyone seems to have noticed:

Q: Why did Mion know Keiichi was with Oishi back in Onikakushi-hen?
A: Because as you find out in Watanagashi, she has a relative that works there.

That's how.
... that dropped the question/statement on Keiichi during at around that sewing needle incident. That when Keiichi returned to school the next day, that probably even the other twin didn't even know what was up. Which probably has in question on how deep the involvement Shion has with all of this.

Edit:
http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=555620&postcount=33

..."parallel worlds", different stuff all together for the chapters? But characters all in place throughout each scenario?

For example, certain character could be bat shit crazy in one chapter, the chapter following, same character could be bat shit crazy as well or even sane, but the character would still exist.

But character placements would not be the same.? Example being in previous chapter, Keiichi's knowledge of Mion having a twin sister may have never been there. Otherwise if linked to what we have of this episode, within previous chapter, Keiichi's questions on how Mion/Shion knew of the lunch with the detective, probably would've set off a bell then, if placement identity known before hand.

And if to link back to this fifth episode, the encounter with the twin (Initially believed to be Mion by Keiichi at first), probably should've had Keiichi drop a few bricks on the spot as to what had been discussed between with the detective. Keiichi being too few paranoid here and after.

Shinndou

2006-05-10, 03:04

SvenTheSweeper-> AlsoIt is suspicious that Rena didn't discover Shion's existence until Ep5.Additionally, consider again that Hinamizawa is a small rural town. Where I assume people would know about one another. This reinforces the odd fact that Rena didn’t know about Shion in Ep.5, which is over a year since she arrived.

As Mion said in episode 5, Shion does not live in Hinamizawa, but in Okinomiya. That's why 'technically' Rena and the others never met Shion (though we can safely assume that Shion disguised herself as Mion a couple of times, and viceversa).

Archuka

2006-05-10, 05:05

Manatsu

2006-05-10, 12:33

For example, just like everyone seems to have noticed:

Q: Why did Mion know Keiichi was with Oishi back in Onikakushi-hen?
A: Because as you find out in Watanagashi, she has a relative that works there.

That's how.

Tell me I'm not thinking too hard. *Does a Mion trademark laugh* Aha-ahaha-ahahaha :heh:

I do think that was Mion that was murdered, not Shion, since personality-wise, she seemed normal. Keiichi just took out the wrong people, since I still believe both girls are innocent.

Actually after thinking and reading through the dozen theories put up by other members, I'm inclined to think Mion's behavior in the first 4 episode were all somewhat consistent and in character. I placed the ohagi scene as the main suspect since it answers best why Mion (or rather Shion in her disguise) knows about the Oishi meeting. That theory though seems to be broken after what kj1980 said. The final murder scene was my secondary suspect because the Mion/Shion would be the same one in the ohagi scene as that Mion shared the same memories.

Well that was yesterday, I thought more about it today and it seems there's a lot more loopholes when putting these two scenes as suspects. Likewise, the Mion (kill Oishi) scene also brought forth a slew of unanswered questions that needs to be worked out. Does Mion know that Shion is going around cosplaying as her? Does she allow and facilitate that (the OP comes into mind)? What is Shion up to? Do they really get along? Did Mion pass on information to Shion? Does Shion pass back information so that Mion can keep up with appearances? Otherwise where do Shion gets her intelligence, she knows alot and she has good timing. How do we explain the one crying scene and Shion's familiarity with Keiichi, a damn good actress? Who actually argued with the dam kantoku then, Mion or Shion?

Ok I will try to wait patiently to see what the next episode tells us, my brain needs a rest anyway. :heh:

SvenTheSweeper

2006-05-10, 14:55

As Mion said in episode 5, Shion does not live in Hinamizawa, but in Okinomiya. That's why 'technically' Rena and the others never met Shion (though we can safely assume that Shion disguised herself as Mion a couple of times, and viceversa).
Your point is well taken.

Consider this scenario in real life:
Haven't you ever talked about your relatives to a friend (who you've known for more than one year), and yet he/she has never met them and your relatives live in another town?

The living distance between Mino and Shion, in Hinamizawa and Okinomiya respectively, was not what mattered to me as much as what do friends (i.e. Rena and Mion) disclose to each. If it is then, then chime in.:)

My original thesis was that: 1- people living in small town setting tend to know each other well, and news travels fast, 2-friends will talk about their families. I know this a generalization and there are exceptions, but I believe the point is mostly valid. In Rena case's she has known Mion for at least a year (I assume). In that time Mion has not mentioned Shion to Rena. Obviously it can a matter of innocent omission on Mion's part. However it struck me more as Mion being secretive. I didn't see this being mentioned in the forum, so I wanted to put it up for disscussion. Hopefully as the story progresses we will how important this is.

Another matter I wanted to put up for discussion to help flesh out the Dam construction + Sonozaki family+Mion/Shion+Oyashiro-sama connection is:

Given how powerful and influential the Sonozakis (i.e. Mion's uncles, the businessmen, and the politicians) are, it seemed odd that Keiichi and the gang (i..e Rena, Rika, and Houjou) haven’t shown any awareness of their reputation. An obvious explanation is that kids their age are sheltered from or are not interested in the politics and business dealings of the area. Additionally the townspeople could be helping the Sonozakis and/or keeping quiet to avoid trouble. Therefore Keiichi and the gang don't know what's going on. Another possiblity-> how much the gang knows will be revealed in later epsiode.

SvenTheSweeper

2006-05-10, 15:51

Tell me I'm not thinking too hard. *Does a Mion trademark laugh* Aha-ahaha-ahahaha :heh:

Actually after thinking and reading through the dozen theories put up by other members, I'm inclined to think Mion's behavior in the first 4 episode were all somewhat consistent and in character. I placed the ohagi scene as the main suspect since it answers best why Mion (or rather Shion in her disguise) knows about the Oishi meeting. That theory though seems to be broken after what kj1980 said. The final murder scene was my secondary suspect because the Mion/Shion would be the same one in the ohagi scene as that Mion shared the same memories.

Well that was yesterday, I thought more about it today and it seems there's a lot more loopholes when putting these two scenes as suspects. Likewise, the Mion (kill Oishi) scene also brought forth a slew of unanswered questions that needs to be worked out. Does Mion know that Shion is going around cosplaying as her? Does she allow and facilitate that (the OP comes into mind)? What is Shion up to? Do they really get along? Did Mion pass on information to Shion? Does Shion pass back information so that Mion can keep up with appearances? Otherwise where do Shion gets her intelligence, she knows alot and she has good timing. How do we explain the one crying scene and Shion's familiarity with Keiichi, a damn good actress? Who actually argued with the dam kantoku then, Mion or Shion?

Ok I will try to wait patiently to see what the next episode tells us, my brain needs a rest anyway. :heh:

I have similar thougths-

Do Shion and Mion know or not know what's going on?
Are they cooperating with or competing against each other?
Do they have good intent or not so noble intent?

If you take Mion's statement of not like her litte sister and not really being in touch with her that often at face value and as being truthful, then a tentative conclusion is they are unknowingly competing for Keiichi and that Shion has less than noble intention. Later on we will see if it is confirmed, denied, or proven irrelevant.

Does Shion really exist? (Ep. 05) TIPS Excerpt:)
Satoko: "Oh~! I did not know that~! I wonder what kind of person she is. I would definitely like to see her one of these days~!!"
Mion: "No don't! Ugh, I don't think you would want to! Uh...she isn't cute or anything and...she's also selfish and...! Ah...I only talk to her once in a while on the phone and yeah, I haven't seen her lately either...!"

Also according to Mion in Ep.5:
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/SvenTheSweeper/Higurashi/ShionWhipMion1-rs.jpg