You obviously have to watch the original Higurashi and Higurashi Kai (or play the visual novels) before watching this OVA. Also, there'll be some spoilers for those two seasons in this review.
When I first watched this OVA, I was pleasantly surprised! I had just been watching Rei and Kira, so I was naturally skeptical of anything beyond the first two seasons. Rei and Kira were the "nasty shit" mentioned in the quote above, by the way.
This OVA is an interesting take on Hinamizawa Syndrome. It shows how the government would actually respond to such a bug; they send the military in to quarantine the area. It was very fun to watch. I also really enjoyed seeing all Hinamizawa descending into insanity and chaos. I really enjoyed watching Keiichi and Rena take down crazed townsfolk.
Studio Deen really brought their A-game with the visuals. I especially praise the action scenes for their fluidity. Rena slicing through people with her nata has never looked so great!
I definitely praise the music! My favourite piece of Higurashi music ever is the ending music, You –Visionen im Spiegel by Yuzuki. The music during the action scenes is epic too!
The story is very much self-contained. However, I personally believe that this OVA is something you MUST watch after finishing the first two seasons of Higurashi. Rei and Kira can go eff of in a corner.
I give this a 9/10. For a worst recommendation (I can't think of any horror OVA's that are better than Outbreak), I suggest the Corpse Party OVA's- ACTUALLY, NO! Pick up the game from Steam or whatever. The Corpse Party OVA's sucked!
