[blaze0041]

Originally Posted by klare

unfortunately i started with Kai... thx

I formally welcome you to Hinamizawa. Please enjoy your stay.
As a note during your stay, you may be confused by the various concepts that the series presents. Before you go looking for answers, you should finish watching at least "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni" and "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai". As the anime cannot go into alot of detail, you should also consider reading the manga and visual novels to obtain a better understanding.
Please, don't hesitate to ask questions.

Originally Posted by atypicalreader

Does anyone have a link to a good summary of the manga or game's Minagoroshi-hen or would be willing to provide one?

...and since I currently have TOO much free time, I'll try making one myself...
Warning: Minagoroshi-hen is the penultimate arc of the series, and I assume you have already read the previous arcs...

Spoiler for Minagoroshi-hen- Plot summary:

- Prelude: Rika discusses Rules XYZ in a meta-world of kakera.
- A New Hinamizawa: Rika lands into yet another world (literally this time)- the first we see of Hanyuu.
- We find out about Satoko's condition, and how Rika donates her blood every now and then to find a cure.
- The toy store: Rika learns from Keiichi on how to change fate. Keiichi gives the doll to Mion, Rika and Hanyuu shocked.
- Another normal day at school... + Shion.
- Preparing for the festival: Cleaning up the goods. We learn of Rena's struggle to control herself from killing Rina, and talks to Mion, calming her down.
- After a visit to the Irie clinic, Rika realises that Tomitake and Takano are inspecting the lock of the Saiguden. Rika lets them into the Saiguden, and discusses the pair's fate, as well as her predictions.
- A small snippet of the Irie clinic's true nature is shown...
- Keiichi and co. look for more goods to add to the auction list at the festival. Mion runs into Oishii in the store, and Mion wins against Oishii in Chin Chiro Rin (the three dice gambling game). Rika encouters Akasaka again. Hanyuu draws a conclusion: Oishii getting along with everyone in this world.
- Everyone has a good time at school... but it doesn't last for long.
- Teppei has returned to Hinamizawa, and forced Satoko to live in the family house. Rika becomes depressed, and drinks the night away... (well, not exactly, but you should get the idea by now)
- Before returning home, Rika tries to get Takano to order the Yamainu to take out Teppei. Because Teppei has been marked by the police, they can do nothing. Rika is furious.
- Next day at school, everyone becomes concerned about Satoko's absence. Rika doesn't answer, except to Chie-sensei. The group of friends become angry at this development, Rena tries to calm them down, and Rika says nothing. Chie-sensei goes to the Houjou house... in vain.
- Chie returns, and Shion gets really angry at how they all can't do anything. Shion bashes Keiichi over the head when he tries to stop her from trying to kill Teppei. Shion calms down.
- That evening, Keiichi discusses with his parents on what to do with Satoko's situation. The father suggests to stick to the rules: lodging a complaint to Child Welfare.
- Next day, the group appeal to Child Welfare, but it ends with no result. After some prompting from Rika, Keiichi resolves to save Satoko.
- The group gathers the students of the school, plus the Principal and Chie-sensei to the Child Welfare office. Yet again, no result is achieved. The group gathers more supporters, in the form of the Angel Mort customers and waitresses, and Irie, alongside Tomitake and Takano.
- The next day, Satoko makes an unexpected return to school, but refuses the help offered by her friends.
- Keiichi convinces the Village Council to aid him... when he can convince Sonozaki Oryou.
- Keiichi eventually manages to convince Oryou. A rally for Satoko arrives at the doorstep of the Child Welfare office the next day.
- The rally succeeds, and Rika convinces Satoko to seek help. Satako is saved.
- The festival day arrives, however, the death of Tomitake still occurs, and the true villain is revealed.
- Oishii is asked by Rika for help, believing that some one is trying to kill her. Officers are stationed at the house.
- The friends visit, and Rika reveals the Hinamizawa Syndrome to them. They leave in the evening.
- The Yamainu make their move, and chase after Rika & Satoko. Their friends save them.
- One by one, however, they are killed by the Yamainu. Rika has her stomach spliced open.
- She once again returns to the world of kakera. Her friends convince Hanyuu to join in supporting Rika more actively.
- The events that occurs after are revealed, while the villain laughs maniacally.