Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (ひぐらしのなく頃に解) contains the last two of the four “answer arcs,” Minagoroshi (皆殺し編,; Massacre Arc) and Matsuribayashi (祭囃し編,; Festival Accompanying Arc). Before them, however, is an introductory episode where Akasaka and Ooishi meet with a thirtyish Rena to discuss the Great Hinamizawa Disaster and a special anime-only arc, Yakusamashi (厄醒し編; Disaster Awakening Arc). The latter was requested by Ryuukishi07 to include information from the original question arcs that had been left out, and focused on Rika and Satoko’s relationship as well as Rika’s growing depression.

After all the speculation about Oyashiro-sama, aliens, bioterror and conspiracies that ran rampant through the majority of the series, I was actually very satisfied with the final explanation and ending to the series.

Ōkamikakushi Anime is a Go

Anime News Network reports that Ōkamikakushi, the PSP visual novel that was released just last week, will be getting its own TV anime adaptation. It seems like they’re moving even faster than usual on this one, I assume because they’re anticipating that the VN itself will be a hit, and from the website it looks like we can expect more unsettling mysteries and disturbing murders in a small village where the river separates the “new” and “old” parts of town.

No word yet on a possible release date, but there’s always the possibility it’ll make it out in time for the Spring 2010 preview. Awesome.

Higurashi – When They Cry: Cotton Drifting Arc

A couple of months ago I recommended Higurashi – When They Cry (ひぐらしのなく頃に; Higurashi no Naku Koro ni ) after finishing the “Abducted By Demons Arc.” Last month the first volume of the “Cotton Drifting Arc” was released by Yen Press and I, of course, had to pick it up. I was all ready for more chills, menacing schoolgirls and dismembered corpses. While I wouldn’t say I was disappointed, I certainly didn’t get what I was expecting.

Manga Recommendation: Higurashi – When They Cry

Feel like you’re sleeping too much? That the silence in your house is just too damn peaceful? Higurashi will be happy to fix that for you.

Already a longtime fan favorite in Japan, Yen Press introduced Higurashi to the mainstream by serializing it in their manga monthly YenPlus. It has since been moved to a strictly tankoubon format, and the official word is that the choice was made so the series would be released in a more timely format. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that the story just gets more twisted and grisly as it goes on. Nothing at all. Heh.