When They Cry - Higurashi and Umineko

Dem faces.

So, more info on Hō from the official website!

"Kamikanshi" apparently means something like "rape of the gods"… —'.`—

For those curious, Hinamizawa Teiryuujo is this thing, with an adult Rika and a polite-speaking lesbian Mion. It's a bit fun to read. Completely different from the story we know, but with already a few of its core elements (including the Mood Whiplash).

… now Ryukishi, hurry up and release Land of the Golden Witch while you're at it. TT^TT

edited 28th Jul '14 2:49:57 PM by Lyendith

Still waiting for more news on When They Cry In Space :3

'Kamikanshi' sounds rather tasteless... Come to think of it, I never got around to watching Outbreak. Is it any good?

I've heard of Hinamizawa Bus Stop before, and read the manga. The Other Wiki says that it was meant to be a theater script, which explains why it seems kinda strange in manga format. It's quite different from the VN. Adult Rika is strange to look at, as well.

I'm anxious to see what the next When They Cry will be like, as well. When the Cosmic Owls Cry?

Jokes aside, I've heard suggestions that instead of being meta like Umineko, this next story will be the opposite, 'mesa', focused on a detailing things as they are, with no Unreliable Narrators. Not sure if that could actually happen, but considering all the concepts Ryukushi uses in his stories, I'd say it's possible.

The Outbreak movie is very weird, and I didn't really understand what was going on. None of the club members are under Hinamizawa-syndrome, yet Keiichi and Rena kill people like it's nothing… it's a Zombie Apocalypse story, basically. It doesn't seem to fit anywhere in the continuity either… and the ending is completely open. It's beautifully animated, but I don't know what to think of the story…

Also, we're not even sure that the sci-fi series will be a WTC yet…

edit: ah, I found my own comment on Outbreak a while back on the anime thread.

edited 28th Jul '14 3:35:12 PM by Lyendith

That name. Oh, Crap!. I hope that joke I made isn't phrophetic. The one in which in summnation we'll end up with Higurashi: Rebellion.

Sorry for double post but these just came to my attetion.

http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=26475&page=21

The Steam version of the Shion and Dr. Irie sprites.

I don't really care about this version, but the ridiculous amount of nitpicking in the comments is amusing to read.

Well the Steam sprites generally look better than the PS 2 ones I guess. I just can't quite understand why they gave Rena and Shmion a Forehead of Doom…

Someone is posting a summary of Hou. Seems its a sequel to Kaku (Outbreak) so its AU.

Takano caused the outbreak. Seems she's looking for some "devil".

Shion is alive but was with Kasai the whole time.

You guys remember that joke Higurashi: Rebellion theory I posted. Turns out so far I'm half right. Turns out Tamura really is evil, but much worse than projected. Hanyuu says something about "gods" being akin to malevolent alien parasites upon the human brain. Hanyuu's apothesis took out an area of control about the size of the Hinimizawa area and that's why the two are arch enemies.

I've seen some of Tamura's sprites. Seems She actually IS a demon rather than a metaphorical one, her robes hiding black bat like wings.

Now to see if the other half of the Rebellion theory comes true and the comparisons between Rika and Akuma Homura come full circle, resulting in Rika being pushed into a corner, becoming a demon to protect her friends and loved ones and using her new powers to wreck retribution upon the "gods". Think along the lines of "the monster that keeps worse more malicious monsters at bay" like Gabriel Belmont.

-Edit: Seems the Rebellion theory came true albeit in the sense of getting the forest but missing the trees.

What went right: Tamura is evil, drastic actions get forced (unlike the theory, she kills herself to activate the Ground Hog Day Loop), Rika turns the villains into her proverbial bitch.

What went wrong: There's actually TWO evil gods (Ume), Rika doesn't undergo a Face–Heel Turn nor become a demon.

Kinda funny how something made as a joke ended up being partially right.

edited 22nd Sep '14 1:53:35 PM by magnum12

Hi, I've been wanting to this series for a while. Are the manga and anime good adaptations for the light novels? I prefer reading manga if possible.

This question gets asked a lot. General consensus is:

Original Visual Novel > Manga > Anime.

The manga is pretty damn well done, but it misses out on one of the shining graces of the visual novel: The fantastic soundtrack.

I see, thank you very much. I'll go with the manga then.

Not to mention the voices. Especially the laughing.

Hmmm, looking at the When They Cry page, it looks like there are some media exclusive arcs. Are those important?

There are some extras, but nothing outside the main games or manga is important for the story. Some of them are rather funny or interesting, though.

edited 7th Oct '14 8:12:51 AM by AnotherDuck

One of the few problems with the manga is that some arcs aren't fully translated, so eventually you'll have to recur to the VNs or anime.

edited 7th Oct '14 8:58:25 AM by Crinias

Yeah, seems like the sixth and eighth arcs of Higurashi manga hasn't been completed yet, and hasn't been updated for a long time.

What are the translated materials, anyway?

Yeah. I don't know much about Higurashi, but from what I hear it's current VN translation is... uh, baaaaaaaad. IT's being translated again, at the moment, but you may want to wait for that.

For Umineko- the Manga is pretty good ,but not done. However, the VN's atmosphere and soundtrack elevate the experience to a whole new world. SO, read that.

What about Higurashi anime then? I read the Umineko one is pretty bad, so how is Higurashi's? Just got to the part where the translation of Tsumihoroboshi-hen is left hanging around. Thinking of watching the anime to continue.

Well, it's not as terrible, and it's considered bearable, but it has a lot of Off Models and lackluster animation. It also cuts out some parts and screws up in one or two moments of continuity, IIRC.

If I were you I'd go with the VN for Tsumihoroboshi.

The Higurashi anime also has the advantage of being fully adapted, more or less, so you get the full story compared to the Umineko anime where it only covers the first 4 arcs and never gives any of the answers.

I still recommend watching the Higurashi anime. Its one of those series where on its own merits barring visual flaws its considered a must watch, yet as an adaption is considered really bad.

Updates on the Steam front: Onikakushi-hen is fully translated. Watanagashi-hen is currently at 12%.

Personally, I always thought the main flaw of the Higurashi anime is the atmosphere. That was what impressed me the most about Higurashi, it really knew how create the setting and make you feel what you were supposed to feel at any given time.It was exciting and emotional at parts while absolutely shilling in others. The anime just felt a too forced to me. Artificial. The comedy seemed to be trying too hard and the most suspenseful scenes seemed silly to me. I watched the anime back to back with the VN, though, which just highlighted all the flaws of the anime.

I will say that if you ever think you will play the VN eventually, you shouldn't try any of the adaptations first. When They Cry are series that are best enjoyed the first time through, when you are not sure what the hell is going on. There is merit in rereading/rewatching, of course, but it is not nearly as engaging. As such, you should strive to make the first experience as optimal as possible. If you don't think you will ever pick the VN, then go with the manga or anime, sure. They are both enjoyable in their on right.

Hum, I actually thought the atmosphere part was done relatively decently in the Higurashi anime. I at least certainly pissed my pants a few times when I watched the first 2 arcs (I hadn't read the VN at the time). Well, some facial expressions were admittedly a bit goofy…

Other than that, from what I heard the december release will not be the start of a new series but a one-shot featuring three different universes (the space opera being just one of them). That peeks my interest, suddenly… also, it seems Hou was the final Higurashi release (unless there is an anime of it, which wouldn't surprise me).

edited 14th Oct '14 1:05:22 PM by Lyendith

I agree with the atmosphere not being very bad in the Higurashi anime. And as far as facial expression goes for the VN, well, the original doesn't exactly have stellar art quality.