the animation is fine, however the character design is not. You will have cute girls/pleasant looking characters with some obviously grotesque ones mixed in. some of them don't make sense such as episode 1 where we're presented with a small girl who looks like an old man.
Some of the stories are still creepy, however there is little atmosphere. I think partially due to the music. the VAs are fine for the most part/ The writing is not the absolute best but this could have been compensated with some good atmosphere, pacing..
the other issue I have is when one of the characters does something completely unnatural and creepy and there is little emotion or reaction from the other persons' part. I mean, you can't portray horror like that.
I found Higurashi creepier despite the cutesy animation style.
