Looking back at the first season, nothing seemed to make sense. However, in Kai, the events that happen in Hinamizawa slowly start to come together and make sense, a little at a time. And once the puzzle is complete and all answers have been given, I can promise you will not be disappointed.
As in the first season, the artwork is not the most amazing I've seen. However, it is fairly well-done.
The music and other sounds in this season of Higurashi are like the first seasons; same voice actors, same background music, etc. The only things to have changed are the opening and ending themes, which don't add as much to the creepiness as the first season's themes did, but they help to shed light on one of the main protagonists (Rika) after analyzing it.
Higurashi is an anime that I feel was meant to be analyzed. It may not have a lot of obvious symbolism within it, but it definitely shows what can happen to people when belief turns into obsession, which turns into fear. Fear can drive people to do crazy things, as Higurashi makes painfully obvious. Kai, however, is a bit lighter on the violence, as it mainly only answers the first season brought to light.
Also in this season, Rika's personality seems to be a bit more serious, distant, and matured. Hanyuu, a new supporting/main character, is also introduced, and helps to solve the mystery of Hinamizawa.
Alone, Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni KAI is not as amazing as its predecessor. Together, they make a great series for people, of a mature audience, mind you, to enjoy and rewatch again to analyze the symbolism and other things present in Higurashi.
