Alternative TitlesSynonyms: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 2, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 2nd Series, Higurashi no Nakukoro ni 2nd Season, The Moment the Cicadas Cry 2, When they Cry 2 Japanese: ひぐらしのなく頃に解
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 24
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Jul 5, 2007 to Dec 15, 2007
Duration:
24 min. per episode Rating:
R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
L represents licensing company
StatisticsScore: 8.571 (scored by 60097 users)
Ranked: #662
Popularity: #86
Members: 98,730
Favorites: 2,771 1 indicates a weighted score
My Info
Popular Tags
drama horror loli mystery psychological |
SynopsisContinuing from the first series, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai begins to shed some light on the dark mysteries prevalent in the preceding season. The young group of friends in the town of Hinamizawa continue to enter terrible conflicts with one another in their never ending summer of 1983, often ending with the brutal murder of one of their numbers. Furude Rika, with the help of her spiritual friend Hanyuu, tackles challenges over and over, trying her best to keep their lives from coming to a tragic end. With no end to the torture in sight, Rika must call upon the bonds of friendship and trust among her friends to discover the true villain of this eternal June.
[Written by MAL Rewrite] |
Related AnimeAdaptation: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Minagoroshi-hen, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Matsuribayashi-hen Prequel: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sequel: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei Spin-off: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Specials
Characters & Voice Actors
Staff
Reviews
|
|
UchihaItachi6660
188 of 239 people found this review helpful
|
24 of 24 episodes seen
|
| Overall |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
In this review, I am including both Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni and Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni Kai in my comments. I will be calling the anime simply "Higurashi" in my review to save time. During the few times that I do choose to differenciate between the two seasons, I will refer to "Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni Kai" simply as "Kai".
Story: Higurashi's storyline is stellar. It starts off as a horror/thriller anime where numerous mysteries arise in the small town of Hinamizawa. These mysterious storylines are filled with tension and suspense as the viewer fears for Keiichi's (the main character) life. Since Keiichi is a righteous character who means no harm, the viewer sympathizes with him and fears for his well-being- which is constantly at risk due to the seemingly murderous girls he befriends. Several story arcs arise as we experience Hinamizawa through Keiichi's eyes. Although these storylines may seem slightly confusing and seemingly unrelated at first, the second season of Higurashi ties them all together extremely well (I won't say how because of spoilers, of course). This ability to keep the viewer in suspense and tieing so many intriguing stories together makes Higurashi's storyline extremely engaging, and is my favourite storyline out of every anime I have seen to date. This intricate storyline also carries a heart-warming underlying theme of the importance of friendship and continually shows us extremely hyperbolic possibilities of what the world may become without trust and friendship. I find it particularily interesting that such a theme exists under Higurashi's superficial hack-and-slash plotline.
Art: As I read other people's comments on Higurashi's art, I noticed that people generally preferred the second season's artwork more than the first. While the second season's art did seem more well-rounded and fleshed out that season one, I had no major complaints with the first season's artwork whatsoever. Both seasons' art tricks most people into believing the anime essentially a typical harem or shoujo. The shock that people recieve when they see such cute characters are actually involved in an intelligent horror/mystery story is priceless. This is the primary reason for which I feel that Higurashi's artwork is extremely effective.
Sound: Higurashi's soundtrack suits the anime extremely well and the only reason I did not give it a 10 is because I cannot remember any specific background music besides Rika's theme. But just because the soundtrack is not memorable does not necessarily mean it is bad. The undertoned, haunting soundtrack is suited so well to Higurashi that it does not interrupt the flow of the anime's plot whatsoever. It only increases tension and suspense as haunting melodies are quietly played on a piano or violin in the background. As for opening/ending themes, Higurashi's openings are extremely catchy and memorable. Both are definitely worth downloading onto an ipod or mp3 player (along with "Dear You", a song from the original Higurashi videogames). The first ending however, did not do anything for me while Kai's ending (Taishou.a) was a lot more pleasurable to listen to. I enjoyed it for it's graceful melody juxtaposed against its rather gruesome lyrics which essentially served as a parallel to highlight the main concept of Higurashi's storyline. This fact alone made Taishou.a an excellent choice for Kai's ending song.
Character: Character development in Higurashi is also amazing. The characters interact with each other in a very natural, human manner and their personalities are not sterotypical in the least. In the first season, Higurashi's character personalities are also quite complex and can keep the viewer guessing at characters' true personalities and motives for episodes upon episodes because of how mysterious every character is (with the exception of Keiichi). During Kai, the characters often adopt a more optimistic or positive outlook on everything as a result of their efforts to work together against a common enemy.
Enjoyment: If you cannot tell by now, I thoroughly enjoyed both seasons of Higurashi and am definitely going to re-watch them both at least a few more times in the future. What is not to love moe girls that have a murderous streak to them? ^^
Overall: My favourite anime series. If you have not seen this, please watch it IMMEDIATELY! The world needs more Higurashi fans. Also, I am aware that a third season of Higurashi will be released sometime this year and I am anxiously anticipating its release. Hopefully, it will explain what happened at the very end of the second season, since I was left feeling fairly confused... but that might just be because I was too stupid to interpret the ending accurately O_o Thanks for reading, I hope it helped! read more
|
|
BakaOnna
207 of 280 people found this review helpful
|
24 of 24 episodes seen
|
| Overall |
9 |
| Story |
10 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
I will say this now, if you have not seen the anime called Higurashi no Naku koro ni, then this review will be as useful as the dust that lies under your bed.
With that said, most of what I have to say about Kai will be a rehash of what I said in my season 1 review; therefore, I will not be giving a detailed review. Instead, I will say what I thought were the stronger aspects in Kai compared to that of the first season. No doubt, both seasons of Higurashi were wonderful and one cannot exist without the other. Because of this, it is not exactly fair for me to use the same criteria I use with a stand alone season series or a stand alone anime. Thus, I rate and review Kai based on what was different, whether it be an improvement or not, from season 1.
Story: As said earlier, Kai is a direct continuation of where season 1 left off. Kai shows the last two answer arcs of Higurashi plus an anime-exclusive arc to fill up the holes to answers that were missing from season 1. Every mystery or question posed in the first season is answered nicely. The way everything falls together is very well thought out. The solutions provided to the mystery leaves very little things unanswered.
Art/Animation: Vast improvement in the art department from the last seasons. Animation, however, while it is much better, can still be inconsistent. Well, Higurashi was never known for its animation, and it does its job fine without KyotoAni, Bones, or Madhouse quality animation.
Sound: One aspect of Kai that was the same as the first season. The first season had an OP that matched very well with its atmosphere and mood. Kai was no different. Instead of the creepy, unsettling feeling, Kai uses an OP the shows the drama and desperation of Rika's struggle. The voice acting is still superb, and besides the major theme that is used in Kai and some new tracks, the music remains the same.
Characters: I found the character development to be better and given more time in Kai. While the first season introduced and partially developed the characters, they are fully fleshed out in Kai, especially Rika. Even the characters that you think played minor roles in the first season, Akasaka, Tomitake, Takano, Irie, and Ooishi, gets a good deal of development.
Enjoyment: While I had a lot more fun brainstorming theories and (sometimes, not always) being confused, I enjoyed Kai for other reasons. Firstly, I loved Minagoroshi-hen. It is, no doubt, my favorite Higurashi arc. While some people might enjoy watching psychotic girls beat the hell out of a certain, horrible uncle (I mean, who does not?), I had just as much fun watching Keiichi give his epic speeches. After all, Keiichi is called the Magician of Words for a reason. I also enjoyed watching as everything unfolded.
Overall:This would average out to a 9.4. I did think there was improvement of pacing, being a lot more consistent, quality wise, than season 1, and the awesome ending. The pacing in season 1 felt rushed at some parts and caused certain facts to be left out. Thankfully, most of that was rectified in Kai. So yes, in some ways, I did think Kai was superior to the first season. The first season did really well in setting up the mystery and atmosphere. While Kai's atmosphere may seem too different from that of season 1, it is actually a lot closer to its original source material (the VN). Of course, I will not be going into this, but overall, the way the story unfolds is wonderful, especially if some of your theories turns out to be correct. Even with all that said, this series is not perfect. While the ending itself and final episode was brilliant, the lead up to that ending was weak and could have been executed better. Even with that said, Higurashi, as a whole, is a series that I would definitely recommend. Final verdict: 9/10 read more
Recommendations
|
|
Both have different worlds and the concept of time travel
Both anime deal with time loops and defeating fate.
Both Higurashi and Steins Gate carry this notion of correcting time to create the perfect world. Both the main protagonists have to figure out what keeps making their world go wrong and when sent back in time have to use their accumulated knowledge to predict the best possible solution. In this situation the comparison is between Rika and Okabe, both finding themselves in similar situations bearing a great responsibility to protect their loved ones.
Although Steins;Gate is not as gory and bloody as Higurashi, both have the concept of repeating the same scenes over and over again.
In Steins;Gate the protagonist repeats the same events multiple times to save the people he loves.
In Higurashi, Rika repeats the same events over and over again to try and save the town of Hinomizawa.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni aswell as the next seasons are also psycho thrillers like Steins;Gate with space and time taking a big part in it. Both deal with fighting fate or destiny, especially when starting the second season Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai, where you see a certain character going through a hell of a time and a friend (or friends) help him change the future despite not being the ones "fully" knowing the situation. Higurashi series is a very violent anime though, despite how innocent it looks at times. You might have to see the first season Higurashi no Naku Koro ni if you're interested in Kai.
Note: This is a recommendation for both seasons of Higurashi
These two shows are similar in the sense that they are both about defying fate to reach a more perfect world. Both shows are placed in a world that have a seemingly unstoppable impending tragedy and the shows revolve around fighting what is said to be "fated." They also include some good humor and a lot of exiting mystery; you will be entertained from the first episode to the last. Both are amazing works and I would highly recommend one if you liked the other.
|
|
|
Both have some drama, big mystery, slight thriller/horror and series of murders.
It involves a lot of suspense, drama, and murder just like the Higurashi. Relatively the same plot, but the series isn't full of girls.
Thematically similar mysteries that appear superficially complete different
|
Opening Theme"Naraku no Hana (奈落の花)" by Eiko Shimamiya
Ending Theme"Taishō.a (対象.a)" by anNina
Fansubbing Groups
Which fansubbers do you like the best? Click + to approve of their subs for this show. Click - if you don't think they did such a great job.
Related ClubsI've: Low Trance Assembly, Loony Anime Girls, Shion Sonozaki Fanclub, Eiko Shimamiya Fanclub!, ♥-The HanyuÜ Furude Fan-club @MAL™-♥, ~ Split Personality Disorder ~, Angel mort, Higurashi Chibis Fanclub, Goddere, Rena FC, Visual Novels Galore!, Anime Türkiye, Claim an Anime Studio Club! , Ryukishi07 Fan Club, The Oryou Sonozaki Fanclub!, I Like Popular Animes, English Visual Novel and Eroge Recommendation and Help Center, The Always Hungry Characters Claiming, Claim an anime siblings, Satoshi x KeiichiDark Gods, Viva Ni Pah! The Rika Furude Fan Club, School Uniform Party Club!!, Lycee, Satsuki Yukino Fanclub., Anime and Manga Talk, [☆] Quincy-sama [☆], Claim a Loli Club, Random Cards Club (R.C.C), ~*Killer Girls*~, Yandere & Yangire, The Society for the Study of Modern Yuri Lolis, The Hinamizawa Syndrome Ward!, UPIS Anime Club, GoldenWitch's Cardshop (G.W.C.S) ☆ ★, Ponytail Characters Club, Anti shion/mion torture club, Wheel of Fortune, The Ultimate Claim Club (The UCC V2), phyke, Zeldith, Xfire Users, Nipaaa~ Club, CP Anime, Yoru's Dungeon ;), Nokturno Genesis, Anime America Club, Emo Characters Club (Claim is available), Arizona Visual Novel Club, Omochikaeri~ Fan Club, A club for all closests H.I.M.R's friends, Jessica Fanclub!, Cicadas no Koe Club, Cha's Awsome Friends, Many Goats' favourite characters, anime and manga, The Official Akasaka Mamoru Fanclub, The Psychotic Guild, The Tatsuyoshi Kasai Fanclub!, House of Horrors, Higurashi no naku koro ni KAI, Anime & Manga Recommendation, Higurashi Live Action, Mindfuck-Club, Horie Yui Fanclub, dark world, The Kyosuke Irie Fanclub!, Marmaduke Poland Fan Club, Polski Klub Zła i Masturbacji, Lolicore, Cute Anime Club, Kawaii Anime Girls!, Cute Anime Girl Club, AMV Makers Society, cute but deadly, Insane Anime Club, MAL's Group Fanfiction Library, Higurashi Rp club, Oishi kuraudo fans , The Satoshi Houjou Fanclub!, JUST GORE!!!!, Furude FanClub, Littlebravey AMV Fanclub, Tina-chan Land!, most of the anime, Loli Yuri Fan Club, Higurashi RP Club!, animelover829, SUMMER FESTIVAL RP, Cotton Drifting Festival, club psychopathic reaper,psycho and reaper hottie adoption club, Sonozaki Sisters Fan Club, The No naku koro ni club, WORLDS MOST PoPULAR ANiMES, MAL's Claim an Anime Song Club**CLOSED**, Doujin fan club, The Cult of Oyashiro-Sama, Guns & Gore club, Higurashi Daybreak, The Sibling Spectrum, Unraveled Mysteries, Anime Pairings Cards Club :3, Anti Dam movement, The Noble Heroines, Forum Avatars and Icons!, PSP - PlayStation Portable Club, Higurashi fans, Polski FC Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, The Twin Factor, Polski FC Horrorów & Gore, Girls With Guns FC, *Twins*, Visual Novel Petition Club, RIP Fanny., Anime Twin fan club, Rena Ryuugu Fanclub, High School!! ~Rp~ Club, Hisuckashi Club, We're all sadist, Okonogi Fanclub, Goths, punks, and metalheads unite, Second String/Supporting Males, Choose your personal anime character knight!, Supernatural!, Daisuke Ono Fan Club!, JinxedFox Fanclub, Insane Asylum, Anime Modivational Posters Fanclub, Shirakawa-go, Watch Anime Together Club Headquarters, The fangzhao club, ANIME PIMPS, HentajGejtan, Anime Recommendation and Help Center, Blood Stained Fangs, Higurashi Cards Collection (H.C.C), Mego, Miyo Takano Fanclub., Satoshi Fan Club, Claim a God/Goddess, Inoue Kikuko Fanclub, [[ Live Action Adaptations ]], Kemonomimi Shoujo, *Psychotic Maniac Killers*, Mion and Keiichi, Kionniko's Stuff, Akatsuki-Subs, My Opinion is the ONLY Opinion, Swedes of MAL, Photoshop ANIME FUN Club, Higurashi, Visual Novels, B-A 0Taku-ForC3, ~The Nife Room~, Teppei Love, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei, Horror and Bloody anime fanclub! , Kipi, The Goddess of Cosplay Fanclub, DARK AND BRUTAL ANIME CLUB, Polski Anty FC Debilnych Bohaterek, Otagi Bank, Ogon Musou Kyoku CLub, Get Your Quota! For MAL Claims Clubs, Why that is Amaya Kiro-san!, Scary Girls Club, Anime Yokai, Special Cards Club (S.C.C.), Water, Anime and Manga Otaku in Europa, Funny Pics, hardcore violence and gore, Claim a Witch & Fairy, Romance Lovers!, ♥ Rena x Mion ♥, Yumin's Posse, Random Anime & Manga Club, ღ Keiichi and Rika Fanclub ღ, Grip of Insanity, The World Of Demons, The Green Haired Characters Club, The Akane Sonozaki Fanclub!, The Keiichi Maebara Fanclub, Power House, Rena's Hide out!, animeshon, DEEN Club, Claim a Miko, Feito-chan's World, The Hanyuu Fanclub, Claim A Killer Club, Dark Anime Club, AniMania, The Blondies of Anime, ~Rie Tanaka Fan club~, A~World Hotel, Anime and More!, THE OOISHI FANCLUB, Horns!, The Rumiko Chie Fanclub!, ~Slit Cat-like Eyes Club~, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, MAL Ultimo Psychobats, Good Graphics/animation club, Romance Lovers, ShionXMion Sonozaki fan club, Cutest! Sexiest! Ecchiest! Anime Girls!!!, We love Wimps/Moe guys in anime/manga, Say what?, Faithful Characters Fanclub, The Jiro Tomitake Fanclub!, ♥ MY ☆ CLUB ♫, HIGURASHI IS OVERRATED!!, BadAss Anime is BadAss, ~Immortality~ *kami-Sama* ~God Complex~, Keiichi Maebara Fanclub., Purple Eyes Fanclub, School Anime Club, Otaku Fan Club, -^.,~*Greatest Chara - Poland Club*~,.^-, Satoko Houjou Fanclub., Anime Mix RP, The Good Times Club, Tamura Yukari Fans Unite!, Insane Anime People, ☆→Aηเмε Hσттz←☆, my little testing facility, The Yukie Akasaka Fanclub!, DEEN Club, THE VILLAIN CLUB, ~ Maebara Keiichi Fanclub 前原 圭一 ~, Takano Miyo Fanclub, Ara ara, Supernuclear Youkai Warhead, The Kiichirō Kimiyoshi Fanclub!, Psycho-Moe, MAL Rewrite, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kira, Maebara Keiichi FC, ~Kannie's World~ , The Lambadelta and Frederica Bernkastel Fanclub, ~Rika x Satoko Fanclub~ <3, Ro-Otaku, MAL EBM heads, Anime Girls Fan Club [A.G.F.C.], Psycho Characters., Kingdom of Insanity, R rated animes, Shinto, MAL Anime Academy, ~Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni Fan Center~, Fantasy Club, The Higurashi/Umineko Alliance, Parents in Anime and Manga, Anime Lovers Kingdom, Claim A Psycho., Awesome Moving Pictures~Short For Anime~, Will Of Fire, #*~The Blue Haired Anime Characters Club ~*#, Sonozaki Fan Club, Mion Sonozaki Fanclub., Keiichi is Moe, Unrequited Love Club , Rena and Keiichi Fanclub!, Shitsuji & Maid ® Nekompany, * Girls Rule *, Zaremfication, Creepy Anime Fanclub, Hanyuu FanClub <3, Murderous Anime FC, Purple and Blue Haired Characters, Psycho Girls of Higurashi, Horror Anime Fanclub, Draccon's Tea House, Creepy Anime/Manga Club, {*Yuruppy's SSS*}, The Beret Fanclub!, Ruru Rabu! <3, The BADASSED Club, Toragon's Fan Club, Anime✫R✫Us™, Nakahara Mai Fanclub, A~World Art Room, Gingers of anime see all
Recently Watched By|
10 seconds ago |
4 minutes ago |
12 minutes ago |
13 minutes ago |
16 minutes ago | |
23 minutes ago |
23 minutes ago |
38 minutes ago |
1 hour ago |
1 hour ago |
|
|