A Better Higurashi 07th Mod Reading Order

If you're confused by the reading order given by the devs of 07th Mod, then this guide should help show you the best way to read through all of Higurashi including the added console arcs without spoiling yourself along the way.

Introduction

As a lover of the anime and the VN of Umineko, I finally decided to sit down and read through all of Higurashi, only to be disappointed by the reading order guide given by the developers of 07th mod, as well as not really enjoying some of the extra arcs. So I decided to make this so new readers will have the info they need to get a smooth experience if they wish to view everything. Hopefully it helps!

Things to Skip For Now

• All-Cast Review Sessions - The final tips for the first four arcs alongside a few of the early console arcs. Personally, they ruin the mood left by the stories’ finales. Can also be a bit heavy handed at giving you hints at what is really going on. It gets replaced by the Staff Room later on which is much better, aside from the Rei one.
  
• Taraimawashi-hen - Onikakushi's alternate ending. Whole lot of nothing happens. Spoils the ending reveal of Tatarigoroshi, as well as the ending reveal of Minagoroshi if you read the alternate ending tip.
  
• Tsukiotoshi-hen - Tatarigoroshi's alternate ending. Spoils the ending reveal of Minagoroshi.
  
• Hirukowashi-hen - All-Cast Review Session but worse. Skip through the PC version if you want the achievement.
  
• Batsukoishi-hen - All-Cast Review Session but worse.
  
• Hajisarashi-hen - All-Cast Review Session but worse.

Main Guide

1. Police Case Files #1 Prologue
   
2. Onikakushi-hen
   
3. Watanagashi-hen
   
4. Tatarigoroshi-hen
   
5. Someutsushi-hen
   
6. Police Case Files #1 Epilogue
   
7. Himatsubushi-hen - Bad end choice is pointless.
   
8. Meakashi-hen - Bad end choice has decent content.
   
9. Tsumihoroboshi-hen - Super short and uninteresting bad end choices.
   
10. Kageboushi-hen - Introduces a Tsumihoroboshi theory too early if read before.
    
11. Minagoroshi-hen
    
12. Matsuribayashi-hen
    
13. Kotohogushi-hen - Fits nicely between Masuribayashi and Saikoroshi.
    
14. Saikoroshi-hen

The Rest

To be perfectly honest, Saikoroshi is the best place to stop reading. While the rest of the arcs here are good, two of them jump the shark. Definitely hypocritical of me as I left Kotohogushi in the main guide, but I felt it was still in line with the set up from before. However, Yoigoshi and Ura have the dead speaking from beyond the grave and directly interfering in the world. This really let me down as the writers were able to incite positive change without pulling tricks like that in all the other arcs. Omote also reuses way too many events and their text from Matsuribayashi, making it a bit annoying to read at times unless it's your first time through.

1. Police Case Files #2 Prologue
   
2. Yoigoshi-hen - Tsumihoroboshi’s first bad ending’s sequel. Good content, but kind of jumps the shark. It’s the only real visual novel experience in all of Higurashi thanks to the multiple endings and new dialogue in each route you take.
   
3. Police Case Files #2 Epilogue
   
4. Police Case Files #3 Prologue
   
5. Police Case Files #3 Epilogue
   
6. Tokihogushi-hen
   
7. Connecting Fragments (Console version)
   
8. Miotsukushi-hen Omote - Bad End choices are pointless, read till the end of Day 11 when the duo head home after helping a girl, leaving her with her friend.
   
9. Miotsukushi-hen Ura
   
10. Miotsukushi-hen Omote - Pick up again at the start of Day 12, when a massive in-classroom club battle is happening.
    
11. Epilogue