Higurashi Sotsu - Anime Episode Discussion Thread (All Higurashi spoilers OK)

[monsta666]

Originally Posted by Natsurin

Even if we were going off the basis of "no sin cannot be forgiven" as Higurashi's recurrent theme, the final interaction between Rika and Satoko feels bittersweet at best, I'm not too sure there's much forgiveness to be felt in a goodbye that's basically akin to "I'm staying away from you for a bit otherwise we're going to kill each other again".

Going by Ryukishi's interview, I do get what he was trying to get at, but the execution was poorly handled at best, outright terrible at worst. Saikoroshi-hen had a much better approach at ending the anime with a happy ending that still had a morale to add to the story previously.

Adding to your point, whilst I can sorta see how people can find the final message that "all sins can be forgiven" a good one the big flaw I see was it missed a key detail. Forgiveness can be given yes, but an important part of this process involves the part of redemption. A person who commits a crime must redeem themselves in some manner either through punishment, remorse or good deeds to counter the bad acts they made. Only once a form of redemption has been made can one be forgiven. Forgiveness has to be earned in some measure. Satoko never redeemed herself in any satisfactory manner.

If the author had highlighted and put a redemption arc of sorts then the message he wished to convey would have been way more powerful. As it is, Satoko never really apologised for her sins and this made the ending message seem hollow even fake. Or at least it felt hollow for me.

[MCAL]

https://web-ace.jp/youngaceup/contents/1000188/

First Chapter of Higurashi Jun (Though apparently now its Meguri?) came out.

Spoiler for Chapter 1:

Looks like its starting with Satokowashi for now. The first chapter adapts about the first one and a half episodes of Satokowashi. Biggest differences between the two so far: We get a reason for why Hanyuu disappeared, a reason for why Rika wants to go to Saint Lucia, the mangaka seems to actually remember that Shion exists. Also we get a mention of Satoshi here. Not sure if this will mean anything, but I thought it was interesting to note.

Spoiler for Chapter 2:

First Half Out. The biggest difference (and one I suspect most critics will appreciate) is that Satoko really tries to ingratiate into St. Lucia. She goes to one of the tea parties with Rika and when she gets sent to Supplementary Lessons repeats how she needs to try to keep up with the curriculum for Rika's sake. But it's not enough as the three St. Lucia girls conspire to get between Satoko and Rika by two of them run an errand with Rika while the other tells Satoko Rika already left for her dorm after Rika promised she' wait for her. Then they let Rika stay in class waiting for a Satoko that will never come.

[Gerard07]

Has there been any more news on the franchise (besides Satokowashi)? And the other thing, can we continue to use this topic to talk (about the manga) of Higurashi or will we have to create a new one?.

[LKK]

Originally Posted by Gerard07

Has there been any more news on the franchise (besides Satokowashi)? And the other thing, can we continue to use this topic to talk (about the manga) of Higurashi or will we have to create a new one?.

There is already a thread for the Higurashi manga discussion. Why do you want to not use the existing thread?

[Gerard07]

Oh, I didn't know him, thank you.

[Gerard07]

It seems that there is already news of the new manga, although it is something different than what I imagined (although I have to talk about it on another topic). Just out of curiosity, how did the anime fare in sales? I guess that's okay, as the franchise continues.

[Jc1]

I've been a fan of Higurashi for over a decade now and Sotsu feels like such a let down. Gou had a lot of flaws but it was still okay to me but Sotsu is just pretty much a recap of Gou episodes but as seen through the villain's eyes. The conclusion was so bad too because Satoko never learned anything at all and she wasn't punished nor redeemed. It's weird that Rika eventually just forgave her after knowingly sending her back to her hell (June 1983 in Hinamizawa). But it's probably because Rika isn't really alone anymore and there is someone else who has the same power as her now.

[sierra117]

Originally Posted by Jc1

I've been a fan of Higurashi for over a decade now and Sotsu feels like such a let down. Gou had a lot of flaws but it was still okay to me but Sotsu is just pretty much a recap of Gou episodes but as seen through the villain's eyes. The conclusion was so bad too because Satoko never learned anything at all and she wasn't punished nor redeemed. It's weird that Rika eventually just forgave her after knowingly sending her back to her hell (June 1983 in Hinamizawa). But it's probably because Rika isn't really alone anymore and there is someone else who has the same power as her now.

I recommend read manga version, it actually change things to be much better than the anime