Story~
If it weren't for the first 30 seconds of episode one (and also the opening theme song) one might think this is a romance anime. However, if they continue watching, they'll find quite the opposite. It's an intriguing mystery horror series, where everyone goes insane at some point or another and ends up slaughtering all their friends.
Personally, this series was quite fun for me to watch. Call me crazy, but I enjoyed watching the characters slowly fall into the Pit of Insanity. There is a lot of blood and the like in this show, and a lot of it might disturb you. If it does, you might not want to watch Higurashi.
Anyway, the story centers around these characters. It's also a sort of "What if" story. Whenever one of the characters dies, it starts all over again-- or so you think. Actually, this whole show is just a big thing of "what if"-- such as, "What would happen if Keiichi did this?" And then, when they ask that question, the series gives an arc of episodes to portray what would happen, if Keiichi (or one of the other characters) did that. The process repeats over and over again. It sounds awful, but each episode is thrilling, and adds a piece onto the glorious mystery of this show.
All in all, it's just amazing.
Art~
Honestly, this is where Higurashi takes a downfall. Don't get me wrong, I adore the character design, but the movement isn't all that good. Sometimes it is, as sometimes it isn't. I suppose that the gore scenes or other enjoyable scenes just didn't move as fluidly as I wished them too, and the choppiness sorta...ruined it. However, the art style itself is very good, and I love how they draw the characters, especially when they've lost their minds. Sometimes the movement was amazing, adding perfectly to the scene, but other times it was just average.
I won't dock the overall grade of the show on movement, though. All in all, it doesn't take anything away from the show just by being *occasionally* choppy here and there, so it's good.
Sound~
I liked the voices in both English and Japanese, but to tell you the truth, the Japanese voices are slightly better. (It's just a matter of opinion though.) The opening and ending soundtracks are perfect, and no matter what the incoming episode may be about, the opening song always perfectly sets the mood. That haunting melody with that echoing, ethereal voice in the background... trust me, there hasn't been a better song for a horror series.
The soundtrack in the actual scenes isn't really soundtrack, more of a collection of sounds to form a weak, faint melody of sorts. Is this bad? HECK NO. The instruments used at those terrifying scenes are just perfect. If they actually had a real melody, an actual song going, it might actually take away from the mood. But what they've done in Higurashi is splendid-- not really trying to add in songs, but just enhancing the current scene, building suspense when it's needed.
There are regular soundtracks though, and trust me, each one goes perfectly with the scene it's played in.
Character~
Although this show has an amazing plot line, it also boasts the best of characters. They fit in perfectly with the show, and although they all end up insane at some point, they're all their own characters. None of them are ever the same, and each one turns psychotic for their own reasons, and in their own ways. I love the character development too. In each arc it just gets better and better.
Not to mention, it's amazing to see a happy, cute girl one moment, then a raving murderer the next. All in all, this show is a thrill, and I couldn't help but laugh psychotically when the characters lost their sanity.
Overall, Higurashi isn't everyone's flavor of candy. However, if you like this sort of thing, it's definitely worth a look. Heck, it's more than worth a look, you need to check this out. Even if you don't like shows such as this one, you still might want to give it a try anyway, just to be sure. Trust me, it's an amazing show, and although you may just be watching it to watch it, there is so much more behind the story... an engaging mystery, if you'd like to try and piece it together yourself. If not, just sit back and enjoy this disturbingly engrossing story.
