For goodness' sake. There seems to be sea of angry reviewers patrolling Kira around the clock. Simply put, don't get into a 4 episode OVA expecting a vivid and meaningful addition to a franchise's story - now that's one to write down if you can't remember.
Higurashi is a franchise that i simply adore - Ni Kai making its way to my #3 spot...
The mystery, the depth, immersion, horror, and the unexpected twists allowed me to become enveloped in a story far exceeding my expectations.
Kira is quite the contrast, as for the most part: it covers a much more controversial, playful and nonsensical aspect of life in Hinamizawa.
It's downright dumb to criticize this OVA for being unlike the rest of the Higurashi's animeography - as this is quite clearly the point.
*Actual Review*
It doesn't take long for anyone to realize that Yes, Kira is dumb. It's shallow for the most part. It bears no real relevance to the rest of the story. It's full of fanservice. The episodes don't connect. It majors in comedy, and usually reflects a carefree, uplifting atmosphere... The polar opposite of Higurashi's reputation as a psychological horror fest.
"How ironic, how refreshing" I personally say...
From a technical standpoint, as opposed to a personal one, i'm basically forced to kick Kira down to around 5 or 6 to conform to my normal style, and make MAL's rigid rating structure work for me - because the stories would technically require a lot more elaboration to function even remotely well alongside Ni and Ni Kai, the soundtrack is generic, the characters are expanded upon - a bit, but only in the concluding episode, and it obviously didn't carry that big blockbuster impact; prominent in the show's previous seasons...
BUT THAT'S ENOUGH NEGATIVITY!
Contrary to my previous points; i'm going to snap out of robot reviewer mode (a lot of people seem to forget how to do this), and say that Kira was actually a pleasure to watch.
Alike every other Higurashi fan, prior to watching Kira, the show has always been shrouded in a mist of "seriousness", and a brilliant though "weighty" atmosphere that lead me to doubt that there would ever be a pure, happy and silly part to the show or the characters - without SOMETHING looming just ahead.
For me, Kira put these doubts to rest, and i can appreciate the creator's intentions to bring forth a much more lighthearted array of aspects to the show - though i must say that fanservice is never really called for...
I laughed, a lot. The complete lack of belonging in this "mini-series" compared to the rest of the show never ceased to amuse me. Watching Kira is like watching the result of the directors uncut, wild ideas and thoughts - though instead of him cooping them up and keeping Higurashi under that reputable curtain of "seriousness" (i dislike that word), the animator, and all of the voice actors are actually standing right behind him, insisting that they do it anyway "for a laugh", "a little, completely unrelated tribute" - and that's exactly what Kira became.
It's a change of pace, and as an OVA, it's most definitely NOT to be taken deadly seriously.
Kira brings forth a refreshing, though arguably unorthodox side to Higurashi for the most part.
Think of it as the complimentary mint to your exquisite main course that is Ni and Ni Kai - you can choose to take it or leave it, because it's really only exists to appease your curiosity as to "what would Higurashi be like if there was no death?". The creators obviously realized that their show had become insanely popular, and renowned as a heavy-going, psychological anime...
So is it really SUCH a crime that they wanted to make you think twice as to
"do i REALLY know Higurashi inside and out?"
I think it's safe to say that they just wanted to experiment. To add a little extra in order to provoke the thoughts of the masses, and just generally leave you with a "good" (by which i mean happy (and contrasting) - which doesn't actually imply it being good) "taste in your mouth".
SO TO ANSWER THE QUESTION OF: SHOULD I WATCH IT?
I ask you this...
"Are you a "True" fan of all things Higurashi?"
(A) - No. I say that i am, and I REALLY loved Ni and Ni Kai, but the thought of nonsensical comedy and lightheartedness in a one-off Higurashi OVA sickens me.
(B) - Yes. I REALLY loved Ni and Ni Kai, and as long as this nonesnsical comedy doesn't interfere directly with my beloved story, i'd happily accept a little one-off "Silly" OVA.
(C) - No. Higurashi was lame.
MARK SCHEME...
If you answered (C) - then why are you here, and why are you reading... creeper!
*oops, the rest of the mark scheme was torn up by Takano, when she jumps into a monster and started using its destructive laser eyes (you'll see if you watch Kira)*
I think it's pretty obvious as to which audience should give Kira a try, and i'll let you work that one out yourself. Thanks for reading up to this point, i appreciate it, and man this is a much longer review than i had anticipated.
On that note, i bid you farewell!
~ She'll use her butt! ~
