Higurashi (1st Season) General Discussion

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by Freakman

Imho, it'd be a better experience to play the game unspoiled than to play it knowing all of the major plot events.

I'd agree with you if we were talking about another game, but not this.

I can be sure that the anime's not gonna have everything from the game, even if the anime is 26 episodes.

[JanthraX^]

Originally Posted by kj1980

spend several days in a hospital due to food poisoning, and I see that this show is moved to a different section...

oo, you better now right?

Yeah the way it started was pretty crazy, beating those 2 girls with a metal baseball bat, and the sound effects =[

weird and chilling hopefully it gets more 'chilling'

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by Eleutheria

and HimeyaShop is out of stock concerning the sound novels. Argh...

Check CDJapan, i'm sure they're instock there. ^^

[aliensporebomb]

Okay - so I downloaded this thing because I knew nothing about the game
and one of the things I do sometimes is grab something I know absolutely
nothing about because you never know if you'll like it or not.

That opening scene in episode one - holy crap - talk about brutality!
Then it goes to some normal type sweet anime stuff.

I had to head to work but now I have to watch it all to figure out what
the hell I just saw.

[DoReMiFaSo]

I am liking this series more and more.

The first episode is kind of boring with all those not-so-funny comedic moments, but then it gets more and more creepy. By now, after three episodes, I am hooked.

By the way, I heard that the game is composed of different parts. Does that mean each part is an independant story with different characters?

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by Thelastguardian

I know it is rural Japan in the 70s and all, but for god's sake, when you suspect someone is trying to kill you, LOCK THE DOORS! Sheesh. What's so hard about that.

x 1970s
o more specifically, it is 1983

Also, when you are in a state of mind where the fear of being killed is intense, locking the door is not a assurance of safety. Someone can easily break the doorknob or smash through the windows.

Originally Posted by Thelastguardian

I am beginning to suspect if Rena and Mion's psycho mode is some sort of hullucination on Keiichi's part :/ .

(￣ー￣)ﾆﾔﾘｯ

Originally Posted by DoReMiFaSo

I am liking this series more and more.

The first episode is kind of boring with all those not-so-funny comedic moments, but then it gets more and more creepy. By now, after three episodes, I am hooked.

By the way, I heard that the game is composed of different parts. Does that mean each part is an independant story with different characters?

Semi-independent story, same characters. But as the story progresses, you learn some of the mystery in the previous chapter, yet opens up to more secrets at the same time. And you learn that everything has a meaning, and that those semi-independent stories are actually connected in some certain way.

[AsukaFan]

Question for people that have played the game, although it's not a specific one. Regardless, it would be best if you kept the answers in spoilers since I would feel bad if I ruined it for somebody.

Anyway, is the ending depressing? I don't need specifics, I'd just like to know in general. There's nothing I dislike more than unhappy endings, and despite how good the story is rumored to be, I would prefer missing the series if it's just going to be a 26-episode downer.

The only reason I ask is

Spoiler for episode 1:

I look at the first few minutes and think to myself "Okay, the two main girls are going to go crazy evil and the main character is going to kill them with a baseball bat. Alternately, the main character could go crazy evil and kill them with a baseball bat. Regardless, the two main girls and death by baseball bat seem pretty much assured."

Maybe I'm wrong (which seems perfectly possible on such a weird show), but it's worth asking in advance what I'm getting into.

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by AsukaFan

Anyway, is the ending depressing? I don't need specifics, I'd just like to know in general. There's nothing I dislike more than unhappy endings, and despite how good the story is rumored to be, I would prefer missing the series if it's just going to be a 26-episode downer.

There are many different endings. What you think it is is just the tip of the iceberg. Happy or unhappy, it ain't that simple for this anime. The ending is "see if you can figure out the mystery."

[Sushi-Y]

Originally Posted by Thelastguardian

Keiichi got it coming when he got

Spoiler:

the needle in the sweets. He should have known better. I was wondering whether the sweets would contain poison when Rena handed him the goods. Come on, get some common sense.

I'm not sure what first-time watchers might think about that scene, but in the game, it wasn't that clear cut.

Spoiler for game content of episode 3:

Keiichi was in a state of confusion, he wasn't sure about Rena and Mion, and the thought that everything is just a product of his paranoia had also crossed his mind. Also, remember this: despite the fact that the anime is making Rena look like the number one suspect of all the wrongdoings in the world, there has been no physical evidence that would support that claim, until that "needle" in the ohagi, which was the FIRST concrete sign to Keiichi that "someone's after his life". Don't be so quick to make judgements about Rena simply because she got freaky a couple of times. And that rule remains the same even after this ohagi incident.

Take everything you see with a grain of salt, just because you're shown something doesn't mean it's true. That's my advise as a game-player to anyone watching this show for the first-time.

Originally Posted by Thelastguardian

I know it is rural Japan in the 70s and all, but for god's sake, when you suspect someone is trying to kill you, LOCK THE DOORS! Sheesh. What's so hard about that.

He did, after he received his first concrete proofs that his life might be in danger (the ohagi incident and the white wagon).

Originally Posted by kj1980

(￣ー￣)ﾆﾔﾘｯ

(´・ω・)ﾚﾅｶﾞｶﾜｲｿｳ．．．

Originally Posted by Srin Tuar

I dont understand why he talks to the cop.

The police officer is to me the most suspicious of all the characters.
He just knows way to much, and shows up at the strangest times.
I would tell that suspicious oyaji NOTHING.

Imagine this: It's possible that your friends and/or some unknown entities are after your life, you're lost and don't know who to turn to. And along comes a law enforcer who, despite looking a little fishy, has been totally helpful and supportive of you. I'd think that most people would rather choose to be cooperative with Oishi (the police detective) and gain an ally, rather than taking their chances on their own.

Originally Posted by Srin Tuar

Second, why is he being so circumspect about the needle in the anko.
If Rena did that to me I would outright demand an explanation. Maybe he should
visit her house and ring her doorbell.

Really? Wow, you got guts. If this was in real life, I sure as hell wouldn't run up to the house of someone who I think just tried to kill me. What's stopping her from coming out with an axe and finishing the job?

Originally Posted by Srin Tuar

And when she says he "transferred", why doesnt he challenge it?
I would immediately ask "Do you mean he's dead?" "Did you kill him?"
"Have you ever killed anyone?". They seem like perfectly resonable questions.
Heck, even "Why did you lie to me".

He was too busy being shocked about the fact that he's doing exactly the same things as someone who disappeared before him.

Originally Posted by Srin Tuar

And writing notes and taping them to the back of a clock? He's begging to die almost.

It's a little cliché yes, but it's also a very valid precaution to take.

Originally Posted by AsukaFan

Anyway, is the ending depressing? I don't need specifics, I'd just like to know in general. There's nothing I dislike more than unhappy endings, and despite how good the story is rumored to be, I would prefer missing the series if it's just going to be a 26-episode downer.

Even the original game hasn't reached the final chapter with the true ending yet, so nobody really knows how the anime will end. The endings for each individual chapters can also vary. If you're interested in the story at all, you should just stick around, it'd be a waste to miss out Higurashi simply because of some doubts about the ending.

[AsukaFan]

Originally Posted by Sushi-Y

If you're interested in the story at all, you should just stick around, it'd be a waste to miss out Higurashi simply because of some doubts about the ending.

I will trust you almost entirely due to your adorable Haruhi sig, but I'm warning you that I don't have a gun but I could probably get one if things don't go well. I would need your address, though, so I'm counting on your sense of fair play for that.

[Sakuya]

Originally Posted by kj1980

There are many different endings. What you think it is is just the tip of the iceberg. Happy or unhappy, it ain't that simple for this anime. The ending is "see if you can figure out the mystery."

Are you for real? I really hope there is at least SOME closure...

[Shenlong]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

Is anyone bloggin this series?

Kinda suprise neither omi or memento is blogging it.

Try searching blogsuki.com

[evil-samurai]

Watch episode 2 and it was Great! I dont mind the comedy moments they aren't horrible to watch for me more so they were nicely done at a good pace. In a way it make the horror value of the show even better (more shocking).

I like psychotic/broken characters but they aren't brought out that well alot of times. Though here they get to the point fast, which I like. Also it was good because it was only a little side we saw of her, and there is more to come *looks at the opening* The transistion was wonderfull to say the least, but I think her small short scream could of been done a little better.

[Eleutheria]

I splurged and bought the seven chapters (2 CDs) from Himeya.

Originally Posted by Srin Tuar

...that one scene with the needle is just continuously bothering me

The way I eat bean cakes will ensure that I never get poked by a needle. For Kira, though, it should have shown blood oozing from his lips.

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by Sakuya

Are you for real? I really hope there is at least SOME closure...

There is closure. Too bad the anime won't get to the chapter where they explain everything. But doing so ruins the fun of the mystery, so it's a double-edged sword. The interesting part about this title was that as it was confidently touted: "less than 1% can figure out the entireity of this story."

Originally Posted by Hello

I am not sure how scolding or confronting her would achieve much at all. She could simply claim that the needle in the ohagi was an accident. If she denied everything, what are you going to do? Unless you are willing to kill her, I doubt one can do anything to improve the situation. The way I see it, provoking a murderer is probably a bad idea and most likely will hasten your death instead.

Originally Posted by Eleutheria

The way I eat bean cakes will ensure that I never get poked by a needle. For Kira, though, it should have shown blood oozing from his lips.

Word of advice, don't take what you are watching so straightfowardly:

Spoiler for only Sushi-Y or people who have played the first chapter is allowed to read:

who said the needle was there for real? There is a good reason why Kei-chan cannot find the needle and why he isn't bleeding from his lips.

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

Just because of the fact that I am pervert but did anyone else notice what the waitress was wearing in the cafe where Kei and the detective was meeting? It looks kinda cosplayish. Was that something Japanese cafe waitress wear in the 70s

People don't get it do they?

x 1970s
o More precisely, 1983

The 70s and 80s encompass totally different decades, as much as the 1990s differ from the first decades of our 21st century.

Interestingly, many of our restaurant uniforms are very cute, but I don't ever recall going to a Royal Host when I was a kid back in the eighties to see that much skin. I guess Angel Mort is way ahead of its time wwww.

Spoiler:

Damn power of Sonozaki family! They KNOW what's gonna be big ten years from their time!!! (It's also a reference joke inserted in the original game where one member of the Sonozaki family is stockpiling large amounts of used school uniforms for sale to perverts. "According to him, he says it'll become a big underground enterprise in about ten years!!")

[Freakman]

Well, he based the 1% off 100 mails after Onikakushi, but I wonder if 1% of the player base came up with even half of what Minagoroshi revealed.
But then, is all of Minagoroshi even true ?

And Xellos : I don't know how much of it they will show, but expect more strange stuff from that restaurant ^^

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Freakman

And Xellos : I don't know how much of it they will show, but expect more strange stuff from that restaurant ^^

i will be sure to keep my eye on the waitress

[Sushi-Y]

Originally Posted by Freakman

But then, is all of Minagoroshi even true ?

If even the answer chapters contain false truths, then we might as well give up.

Originally Posted by kj1980

Word of advice, don't take what you are watching so straightforwardly:

Spoiler for only Sushi-Y or people who have played the first chapter is allowed to read:

who said the needle was there for real? There is a good reason why Kei-chan cannot find the needle and why he isn't bleeding from his lips.

Spoiler for truth about Onikakushi?:

I noticed that problem with the anime when I was replying to a PM from Freakman. The game was played out in first-person point of view (Keiichi), so no matter how "real" or "obvious" things appeared, the fact that the ENTIRE story was seen through Keiichi's eyes doesn't change. In other words, we're only seeing Keiichi's version of the world, and there is no absolute truth. That's Onikakushi's 1% that 99% of the people missed.

But the anime, on the other hand, is shown through a third-person point of view. Instead of us seeing things through Keiichi's eyes, we're seeing things from an observer's view, which would make everything that happens in the anime appear to look like they're 100% truths. When Keiichi almost got run over by the white van, even through the anime made it look like the driver was obviously aiming for him (the U-turn, the driver's 'tsk' after missing Keiichi), we (or rather, Keiichi) never saw any of that in the game (in fact, the driver actually honked before trying to "run Keiichi over" in the game). For the game, we can try to analyze "well, did the driver really try to run Keiichi over or not?" But in the anime, first-time viewers would probably assume "the white van tried to run Keiichi over" as a fact and move on, even though that wouldn't necessarily be the case.

A major focus within Onikakushi was also on Keiichi's own internal conflicts: his own doubts about his friends, then trust, and then doubt again. Keiichi was constantly fighting with himself about what to believe in, and hammering out what he believes to be appropriate responses/countermeasures. Unfortunately, the anime never really tried to get into Keiichi's head and explain any of this.

[Freakman]

It's not like the anime actually had the *time* to do any of that ^^;
Since I'm translating the anime into french, I was checking the game script for those whispers in ep 2, and as you said, we don't get to hear these kind of comments from Keiichi :
しかし……どうして俺は寝たふりをしながら仲間の会話を盗み聞かなきゃならないんだろう…
後ろめたさに…胸が痛んだ。
Translation in spoiler for those that have seen ep 2 and want some more info:

Spoiler:

"But why do I have to pretend to be sleeping so I can listen to my friends talking ?
The guilt made my heart ache."

For kj & sushi [ note : there's no direct spoiler for anything, but anyway non game players shouldn't be reading this ^^ ]

Spoiler:

If even the answer chapters contain false truths, then we might as well give up.

I was reading some interesting posts on the official boards from a couple elite 妄想者.
I read that 30% of the mysteries were still unsolved, yet Minagoroshi seems to leave much less.
Which led them to believe that there's something we're missing. One was claiming Minagoroshi was a giant trap from the author, but I can't quite think that's true. But I can't think the author will just go straight for the letsusehanyugohappyending.... かいかぶり過ぎるなのでは(汗
Also, I can't believe I never did the connection between フルデリカ and Frederica berncantspellit.　But I also saw something that seemed to deny that.

I guess I'd better just forget about all of this until July

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by Sushi-Y

Spoiler:

I noticed that problem with the anime when I was replying to a PM from Freakman. The game was played out in first-person point of view (Keiichi), so no matter how "real" or "obvious" things appeared, the fact that the ENTIRE story was seen through Keiichi's eyes doesn't change. In other words, we're only seeing Keiichi's version of the world, and there is no absolute truth. That's Onikakushi's 1% that 99% of the people missed.

But the anime, on the other hand, is shown through a third-person point of view. Instead of us seeing things through Keiichi's eyes, we're seeing things from an observer's view, which would make everything that happens in the anime appear to look like they're 100% truths. When Keiichi almost got run over by the white van, even through the anime made it look like the driver was obviously aiming for him (the U-turn, the driver's 'tsk' after missing Keiichi), we (or rather, Keiichi) never saw any of that in the game (in fact, the driver actually honked before trying to "run Keiichi over" in the game). For the game, we can try to analyze "well, did the driver really try to run Keiichi over or not?" But in the anime, first-time viewers would probably assume "the white van tried to run Keiichi over" as a fact and move on, even though that wouldn't necessarily be the case.

A major focus within Onikakushi was also on Keiichi's own internal conflicts: his own doubts about his friends, then trust, and then doubt again. Keiichi was constantly fighting with himself about what to believe in, and hammering out what he believes to be appropriate responses/countermeasures. Unfortunately, the anime never really tried to get into Keiichi's head and explain any of this.

THAT SHOULD REALLY BE IN SPOILER TAGS FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T PLAYED THE GAME.

Spoiler:

But of course, that is what makes the anime a little bit more interesting, as it portrays the view of we all thought at first when we went through Onikakushi. I'm going to be interested to see how they are going to make up for it as the anime progresses. One the fine points the game is that as a visual novel, everything that you read - you imagine yourself. That's why as Kei-chan says the white van aimed for him, we can only imagine it visually in our minds that they really did aim for him, whereas it wasn't clearly shown how it was. And with the words written through the minds of Kei-chan, we are meant to assume that that was actually the truth. But, as you said in the anime, the entire story is shown in third-person in the way how Kei-chan saw it, which make the events distorted in a sense that this is all reality with no absolute factor for anyone thinking it otherwise.

Now if perhaps they were able to pull off an excellent first-person view of the world as Kyo-Ani has done in Suzumiya Haruhi, some of these internal conflicts going in within Kei-chan might've been exerted to the viewers.