Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, often shortened to just Higurashi, has a story that branches over 26 episodes, however these episodes do not always fit together. Without spoiling too much the episodes will string together for about 3 in a row, then in the next it will be as though those episodes never happened. This happens several times within the 26 episodes. Although this keeps the anime interesting it can also make it a little hard to follow at times. It is an example of an anime that needs your full attention when watching or you'll be in the dark by the end of each episode. That being said it is very good at grabbing you're attention with insane plot twists and each episode being filled with suspense, it's hard to not want to keep watching. Alongside this there are no episodes that feel like fillers, the pacing was executed perfectly. Although it is a crime mystery/horror anime, it also has some comedic themes to it. They blend together extremely well and I have not found another anime since watching Higurashi that can compete with this.
The ending to this anime leaves quite a few plot holes, but these are then filled with the second season, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni kai. It makes you want to watch it as the last episode ends with a cliff hanger.
Another key point to mention about the storyline is how well the characters help to move it all along. There is not a single character who doesn't have a key part in the storyline. And each character had different qualities that bounce of each other perfectly.
One of the only things that lets down the anime is the art style. It is very unrealistic apart from in the more gory scenes. Consisting of bright colours and fun designs it takes away some of the atmosphere within the anime which is the main thing it needs to tell the story. The change from the vivid colours to the more realistic violent scenes felt to broken and there was no in-between blend to help it flow. However all of the characters were very different and individually designed making it easy to remember names and tell them apart. The names themselves are very fitting for the characters, however the only part I didn't agree with was that there was a set of twins called Mion and Shion. I felt their names were too similar showing a lack of originality, although the names themselves fit the two characters exceedingly well.
The characters voices were extremely fitting of each character in the English dub and original Japanese voice acting. However I felt that the Japanese voice acting was far more dramatic in the horror situations and was far better at creating the right atmosphere and at certain points scaring the viewer and making them feel uneasy. The English dub just didn't quite fit the characters as well and did not flow as well. I would highly recommend watching it in the English sub/ original Japanese voice acting. The music to me was one of the best points of the anime, each song fit the atmosphere at the point, and the more relaxed songs were overall beautiful to listen to, while the more up tempo horror style music helped create uneasiness.
Overall I think this anime as a whole is a very good watch but only if you are willing to watch the second season, Higarashi no Naku Koro ni, as well as the anime may not make complete sense. As I have watched both of these I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this anime and would highly recommend it to all anime watchers that enjoy suspense filled horror and crime mystery. I have re-watched the anime a few times and I can safely say it doesn't ruin it at all, you just find yourself picking up on new things when you watch it again, this then gives you those moments of 'ohh yeaaah' when you realise something you didn't the first time you watched it. I think this anime is highly memorable and is likely to stick with you whether you love it or hate it.
