Story:
I assume you've read the generic plot description, making my job a lot easier. This section is 10, hands down. Never before have I been able to witness such a barrage of clever plot twists, original script, terrific dialogue or just plain screwing-with-your-mind scenes. The story begins like an abomination of a generic harem set-up, then slowly builds into the surreal cat and mouse game, with gore and blood to boot. As if this wasn't enough, it happens SIX times in the entire series, each succeeding to be no less original than the rest. The twists aren't cheap aka. something happening simply because the plot needs it; you can almost expect them because they make sense and take the story to new heights. It's quite obvious the story came from amateurs, with no pressure from their higher-ups, because the originality and the logic of the story are in a league of their own. Having six story arcs with the same characters, same setting, doing the same things and yet ending in an entirely different finale is like watching a playful puppy: you never know what it's going to do, all you know is you can't stop watching.
Art:
Some say the art in Higurashi is too childish to be taken seriously. Some say the drawing quality drags the series to the pits. Some people should watch One Piece. They're quite alike, One Piece and Higurashi, art-wise. Both have a somewhat kiddy look and feel, yet both have been able to turn that into a forte. I used to wish they would've used the sequel's art in this one as well. Then I watched the series again and now I stand corrected. Large heads, with large eyes, hair in all the colors of the rainbow, burlesque bodies and such a clear difference between the style of drawing adults and children fit Higurashi better than any other style. When the faces warp(and they do, when something interesting is happening), they all reveal a darker side within, and, as madness is the carrying tag of this show, the cutesy art fits it like none other. It could've been better later on in the series, as the few action scenes look mediocre. Hence 9.
Sound:
The title gives out the key element in the sound world of the show. Cicadas are heard chirping anytime when there's a meaningful stop in the dialogue. When in other similar shows this silence is either left as is or filled with thriller-esque music, Higurashi's cicadas (pun intentional) add a horror element of their own. I tried, I really tried, but I couldn't find a single scene where the music or the lack of it wouldn't have been perfect. Hence a 10.
Character:
Harem Rule # 2: The show must have at least four girls surrounding the male protagonist and should include a childhood friend, an over-the-scale pulchritudinous older girl (who has the biggest crush on the protagonist), an innocent happy girl and a jailbait. Okay, I made that up, but judging by all the harem I've seen it fits. And it fits Higurashi like a glove. And yet Higurashi is not harem. Why is that? BECAUSE HIGURASHI'S A GENRE BREAKER! It's that simple. The characters seem familiar to a general harem anime fan, but cross the genre boundary in almost every arc. The sweet girl next door becomes a psychotic killer, the innocence of the little girl turns into wisdom of an older woman and the hard-boiled jailbait breaks at the slightest of mishaps. Some of the best voice acting I've ever seen play well with these ever changing character types. A ten if it wouldn't have been for the fact that sometimes the show forgets some characters, as if removing them from this arc. The character development is thin this way, which can be a bother to some, but I see the characters don't need development. Besides the development would be of little use, since after the arc changes the development is almost fully erased.
Enjoyment:
The arc-based storytelling can be puzzling to many people, but those who get accustomed to it fast are in for a roller coaster ride of emotions. Every arc succeeds in trapping you with its first episode, after which you simply have to watch the rest of the arc. After the arc is over you might want to take a breather, but you can't shake the desire to see how they could make a different adaptation of the same setting with as satisfying results as the one you just saw. You could easily spend an entire night watching the show. Like I did. On my SECOND viewing! The rewatchability(err... sorry, not good with words) of the show is the best I've ever seen. There are always some little things you haven't seen, or you simply must feel the magic again and again. The best thing about Higurashi is that if you're able to you can take it one episode at a time, but the sensation is almost the same with an all night Higurashi marathon.
Overall:
Few shows deserve to be called elite. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is not one of them. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is something beyond elite, rising on the same pedestal with some of the most legendary, such as Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann or One Piece. If you're not shy about blood or sadistic violence (in small portions, of course), pick up Higurashi today. It will make you love every single aspect of it, inspiring you with it's vivid story and lovable but oh-so-fragile characters. It will make you laugh and cry, keep you up at night (even without watching it) and what every good series is supposed to: it will make you want to be a part of it.
