Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai
(When the cicadia's cry)
The second season of the mystery-schocker anime taken from a series of games. This time set from the perspective of the true central figure of the mysteries.
OVERVIEW - As the mysteries time loops of June 1983 continue in Hinamizawa, The story's central protagonist switches to the centre of the strange occurances, Rika. As more truths are revealed, more questions are raised. Just who is Rika really, and what strange power is allowing her to relive the same few weeks over and over?
REVIEW - As the last arc of the first season revealed, There's more to Rika Furude than just a cute shrine maiden. As the last two "answer" arcs play out, leading up to the final loop, the true villain is revealed, along with the truths about Hinamizawa, the madness that seems to affect the group of friends in the various loops, the history of the village and the very loops that we, the viewers, have seen.
While many reviews say that the second season has a "character redesign", I would suggest its more truthful to see it as an increase in production values, each character appears more physically solid and part of the world rather than the pastel-coloured hardly defined figures they were before. there's less unintentional random distortions in the characters, and other effects are made use of during the "comical" moments, giving an even more playful feel to the care-free days of the start of each arc.
Across the first two arcs a great deal of information is given, as being from Rika's perspective we become privy to the knowledge she has, The second arc of the season reveals the Villain, and the start of the third arc is dedicated to the villain's backstory, their motives and reasons explained. A lot of information is also given on the "Hinamizawa syndrome", and that gives explinations for much of the strange behaviour of the first season as well.
While not as "dark" in feel as the first season, it has a much more scientific slant to its explinations, all save for the truth behind Rika and one other character. One aspect that i honestly found refreshing was the approach to the conclusion from a writing standpoint, allowing two normally contradictory forces to stand together, with each making as much sense in the world of the story as each other.
There are some "extra" OVA episodes, centering around the group of friends just "having fun" in their own, oddly twisted way, and an odd one involving a totally different world, collected together in a "series" known as "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei" and another, more recent 2011/2012 set of OVA's known as "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kira" featuring some odd stories, none of which have any real part of the main horror arc and are more like side-stories made for the fun of playing around in the world with the characters.
The second series loosing some of its menace in comparison with season one, but wraps up the storylines very nicely. Essential watching if you've seen season one.
SUMMARY -
Story - With longer arcs, more information and so much exposition, the second season has more of a "tale" feeling to it than the first, but carries on the same amazing overall storyline. As the pieces fall into place and each character begins to grow into the role they will need to play for the final arc the mystery aspect begins to diminish a little. With the final arc taking a completely different story route to any other it still has a few surprises tucked away however, managing to leave almost everyone "free of sin" and able to finally reach July 1983. 9/10
Production - Massively improved on the first season, dispite the only months of difference in the ending date of the first season and the start date of the second, making it obvious that a crapload of money was pumped into it for the second season. Avoids CG problems by not using it, meaning that sometimes the sequences with moving cars and physical actions can be a little "off" but not as badly as the first season. Voice acting is once again superb, especially Rika's, with the total change of voices she has both being provided by the same person. 9/10
Music - While the score retains its excellence, providing malice, shock and fear when needed while perfectly augmenting the "happy" times, the opening and ending themes are really unfitting musically. Likely chosen for the lyrical content which is apt for the show, both of them are light, whimsical ballad types. The opener having a very upbeat "pop" feel, while the ending has a more "lounge act" feel, with slow jazzy piano and high strings. 7/10
Accessability - Still set in a rural village in 1983, filled with japanese customs, cultural referances and behaviours. No change in score from the first season here. 1/10
Overall Impression - In many ways, its a shame that the two seasons are split, by name, release time and production value, because they really do need to be seen together for the story to work, with the "lighter" feel of season two balancing out the very "dark" feel of season one. standing on its own, the story isnt quite as compelling, as we're getting exposition and answers rather than mystery, but as it answers all questions about season one its the perfect sequel for it, indeed, its very resolution. 8/10
Final Score - 34/50
Across the first two arcs a great deal of information is given, as being from Rika's perspective we become privy to the knowledge she has, The second arc of the season reveals the Villain, and the start of the third arc is dedicated to the villain's backstory, their motives and reasons explained. A lot of information is also given on the "Hinamizawa syndrome", and that gives explinations for much of the strange behaviour of the first season as well.
While not as "dark" in feel as the first season, it has a much more scientific slant to its explinations, all save for the truth behind Rika and one other character. One aspect that i honestly found refreshing was the approach to the conclusion from a writing standpoint, allowing two normally contradictory forces to stand together, with each making as much sense in the world of the story as each other.
There are some "extra" OVA episodes, centering around the group of friends just "having fun" in their own, oddly twisted way, and an odd one involving a totally different world, collected together in a "series" known as "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei" and another, more recent 2011/2012 set of OVA's known as "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kira" featuring some odd stories, none of which have any real part of the main horror arc and are more like side-stories made for the fun of playing around in the world with the characters.
The second series loosing some of its menace in comparison with season one, but wraps up the storylines very nicely. Essential watching if you've seen season one.
SUMMARY -
Story - With longer arcs, more information and so much exposition, the second season has more of a "tale" feeling to it than the first, but carries on the same amazing overall storyline. As the pieces fall into place and each character begins to grow into the role they will need to play for the final arc the mystery aspect begins to diminish a little. With the final arc taking a completely different story route to any other it still has a few surprises tucked away however, managing to leave almost everyone "free of sin" and able to finally reach July 1983. 9/10
Production - Massively improved on the first season, dispite the only months of difference in the ending date of the first season and the start date of the second, making it obvious that a crapload of money was pumped into it for the second season. Avoids CG problems by not using it, meaning that sometimes the sequences with moving cars and physical actions can be a little "off" but not as badly as the first season. Voice acting is once again superb, especially Rika's, with the total change of voices she has both being provided by the same person. 9/10
Music - While the score retains its excellence, providing malice, shock and fear when needed while perfectly augmenting the "happy" times, the opening and ending themes are really unfitting musically. Likely chosen for the lyrical content which is apt for the show, both of them are light, whimsical ballad types. The opener having a very upbeat "pop" feel, while the ending has a more "lounge act" feel, with slow jazzy piano and high strings. 7/10
Accessability - Still set in a rural village in 1983, filled with japanese customs, cultural referances and behaviours. No change in score from the first season here. 1/10
Overall Impression - In many ways, its a shame that the two seasons are split, by name, release time and production value, because they really do need to be seen together for the story to work, with the "lighter" feel of season two balancing out the very "dark" feel of season one. standing on its own, the story isnt quite as compelling, as we're getting exposition and answers rather than mystery, but as it answers all questions about season one its the perfect sequel for it, indeed, its very resolution. 8/10
Final Score - 34/50
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