The Higurashi Roundtable - Post-Series Discussion

[The Bringer of Honey]

I can hardly believe it, but after 100 years we've arrived at the journey's end... well, it's not quite over, as we're still waiting on a couple of leftovers to arrive, but as far as the questions and answers of Hinamizawa go, we've checked all, or hopefully most, of the boxes.

Therefore, it is appropriate we drag out the tables and sit ourselves down with some fine sake and look back on the good times. Quality discussions of stories and visual novels can be quite difficult to stumble upon, so I want this to be an open space for getting out our thoughts and reactions, emotions and letdowns.

Let our thoughts wander freely as we process the dream we've awakened from.

Rules of the game:

No restrictions on spoilers as far as the first 8 Higurashi arcs are concerned, however Umineko, Ciconia and other, non-Steam Higurashi chapters are a no-no. Please mark spoilers regarding those, if you deem it necessarry to include them.

We will also be discussing the news and potential of the remaining future Higurashi releases: Higurashi Rei, Outbreak and Hinamizawa Bus Stop, as well as fan-translated console-exclusive arcs, such as the three prominent alternative scenarious included with the PS2 version, Matsuri by Alchemist. No unmarked spoilers for those either.

I've had a blast, now let's start the afterparty!

[GeorgeFloydGaming]

nipah

[AceAttVeg]

I feel like I should have savored this entry a little more, I might not have been in the best frame of mind when I went through it.

It felt like fair amount of time was spent on resolving mysteries that were already self explanatory or the solutions could at least be inferred.

I didn't like how it felt like the Takano special episode when I wanted to see more from the perspective of our main group. It was sometimes like: I bet you feel terrible for Takano, don't you? Isn't her story so sad? Pity her! Or else you're a bad person.

There are of course some great moments where we see the thousand year miracle finally happen. It was a little unclear on whether Rika told them about the loops but I got the impression that she didn't- I kind of wish everyone could understand the implications of what they just accomplished.

It wasn't a huge spectacle but I really liked Oishi getting his time to shine and do the right thing. I was really thrilled with that scene.

I watched the anime first, but it's been years and I don't think it really has the best production values but I felt like the way they handled the grand finale might have been a little more fulfilling to me.

[AceAttVeg]

What I'm asking myself now is do I go through them all again with the PS3 artwork and voices to compare and contrast.

[The Bringer of Honey]

I feel similarly in regards to Takano. I actually really enjoyed the prologue and the fragments, though it started to drag in places. It became too much about Irie, Tomitake and Takano and overly-explanatory. We could easily have gotten more fragments of the main group instead. Everything we got of them in Matsuribayashi was excellent, but they really were given so little time to shine and be themselves.

On the other hand, I feel like this risky approach has many benefits - the story of Hinamizawa is implicated geopolitically and historically. I feel like I now know all the characters inside and out. There's not a moment in the earlier arcs that Matsuribayashi doesn't add to with its endless context.

Still, we might be having our cake and being able to eat it too:

As you probably know, 07th Mod is fan-translating the console-exclusive arc from PS3 and porting them to PC.

Their most recent translated arc is a major one called Miotsukushi Omote which seems to be an alternative version of chapter 8 that focuses on the main squad and remembering past timelines. The catch is, Rika has to do it all herself, without the help of Hanyuu, while all the worst case scenarios from the previous answer arcs threaten to come true AT ONCE.

It's not written by Ryoukishi07 himself, but it does bear his approval, having appeared in the PS2 version of Higurashi - Matsuri.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to jump into that emotional bottomless pit, but it definitely does sound like something to check out.

[The Bringer of Honey]

Anyways, the conclusion we do have is satisfactory in its own right, IMO. The next release on Mangagamer's prolonged Higurashi schedule is Higurashi Rei, the first short arc of which is a diret continuation of Matsuribayashi and followes the lives of the main gang, so it might be a sort of extended epilogue which addresses the lack of Keiichi and co. in the previous chapter.

[Restart the Morbin' Time]

Very satisfied with the way Ryukishi07 concluded the series. I enjoyed how at times Matsuribayashi seems like the 'adult arc' of story (although I feel Akasaka is used too much as an overpowered wild card).

Much appreciation for Shion being given the opportunity to reach for her own miracle. Leaving it unresolved adds to the bittersweet quality of the core love story of Higurashi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq-TnrynPYk

[The Bringer of Honey]

The Sonozaki twins kicked some serious ass at the end of this one. Akasaka was a cannon. His moment with Rika is one of my favorite parts of the series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQwZ85hHuj4

The soundtrack for the scene was perfect. The way it starts so unnoticingly and builds up into the You leifmotif. Mwah.

[GeorgeFloydGaming]

anyone knows what that TIPS section about some ancient sword was about

[The Bringer of Honey]

I was just wondering about that. The whole Furuude 1000 years of history in forbidden scrolls thing, as well as Hanyuu's origin was near inscrutible. As far as I can make out, Hanyuu was a normal girl born with horns who was then sacrificed to purify the conflicts between the people of Onigafuchi and therefore became a god (just like Takano would have, had she shot herself at the end of Matsuribayashi).
But the sword? As far as I could tell that was pure gibberish, unless Umineko or some other Higurashi bonus arc delves into that...

[Nyfo]

This was a great thematic conclusion to the series and well worth the wait. It was clearly the miracle episode with Akasaka finally getting around to keeping his promises, although, this created a lighter and much more optimistic tone than the previous chapters to the point where it could hardly be called horror. Even so, this felt exactly right. Rika has been fighting alone for 100 years in a horrific cycle that is shown to be no match for school club, using their strategies and trickery to win the fight for Hinawizama's future.

On the topic of the school club, the main characters might not have gotten a special focus this chapter, however, the characters definitely got their moments.
After being a helpless hostage for almost the entire Minagoroshi, Satoko's traps are shown to be the deciding factor in the fight against the Mountain Dogs who are exposed to be a minor hindrance for the combined might of Mion's leadership and the club's teamwork. It was especially satisfying to see the contrast between this situation and the hopeless struggle at the end of Minagoroshi.

While some may view Akasaka as a crutch, that was exactly the point. The main characters again find themselves at the hand of fate in their *actual* darkest, lowest hour in the well of a dungeon, but this time both Rika and Hanyuu believes in their chances. As such, Akasaka rescues them like an unstoppable force of nature throwing punches bearing a promise of 100 years. Afterwards, the tables have turned, and the club now finds itself on a mountain looking down on their enemies. I honestly thought the sequence of events were fantastic.

Takano received major focus in the beginning, and I thought her motivations were well explained with her also repeating her grandfather's presentation in a really heartfelt moment. In addition, the reader laughing at the ridiculousness of the Hinawizawa Syndrome in Tsumihoroboshi was essentially the same at trampling all over Takano's feelings.

Futhermore, I thought the themes were well concluded upon. The development of theme of mental illness really surprised me and contained quite a bit of nuance which has honestly taught me a thing or two.

Finally, the chapter is, of course, not perfect. The intense pacing went on for just a bit too long and was wearing itself out at the end. I would also have liked the novel to have expanded a bit upon the House of Love and Mercy part since it seemed slightly tagged on. There were still a few grammatical errors which are really annoying in what is essentially a book. Also, the "Matsuribayashi Staff Room" achievement has not unlocked for me? Although these are minor criticisms, they did annoy me. That sword bit at the end was some weird gibberish.

TL;DR: Very satisfied with the chapter :D

[The Bringer of Honey]

Awesome analysis, I love it!
The club vs Mountain Dogs sequence was insanely good, as was Akasaka's moment of badassery. Satoko's traps and the mountain being built up throughout the entire series and ending up being the factor that crushes the Dogs is one of the most satisfying victories in fiction foe me.

The prevalence of Takano and adults may have distracted me personally, but I can't deny Takano became more than a great villain in the end, to the point of becoming just another grey-toned character, though I think her suffering from Hinamizawa Syndrome could have been a little more prominently shown.

[The Bringer of Honey]

Also, the mental illness thing - Matsuribayashi has some of the realest, most perceptive depictions of characters suffering from mental exhaustion. It was kind of ahead of its time, given that it came out in 2005. It makes me think the subject must be close to home to Ryoukishi07.

The moment that got me the most was Satoshi Houjou feeling resentment towards Satoko because he'd spent all his energy protecting her, when she wasn't able to do so herself, then feeling like an awful brother and person for it, knowing she wasn't her fault. That is some perceptive writing.

[Nyfo]

Yea, the Satoko tips about her trips to the mountains finally paid off in spectacular fashion!

Mental illness was really laid bare on the surgical table for inspection from all viewpoints. It makes sense Satoshi Houjo would have some of the same thoughts towards Satoko that Shion had.
Irie's backstory provided an interesting medical view of mental illness which was treading some touchy territory, albeit necessary to shed light on the subject from all dimensions - the psychologial, social and, now, biomedical. Higurashi chapter 8 doubles down on the Hinawizawa Syndrome parasite symbolizing mental illness. It is something people can coexist with, but also should be treated for. Mental illness is an external disease that has found its way inside the human brain, and therefore can be treated through multiple means. Quite a daring message, but provided with a lot of naunce.

[AceAttVeg]

These are going to be really interesting to re-read, especially since it’s been five years since I played the first one.

They really emphasize right away that Keichi was away for a funeral for a couple of days but that’s not something that would ever really stick with you on an initial reading. This of course is what elevates his symptoms and combined with other triggers starts the spiral to insanity.

[The Bringer of Honey]

Onikakushi is a wild 2nd read. Seeing Keiichi lose sanity and hurt is friends is sad as hell, specially since I can remember rooting for him all the way through on the first run.