Questions and Answers

Written by l_AuG_l on March 15, 2011 at 1:41 PM

The guys from 07th Expansion are brilliant.
I have yet to find a work of theirs that doesn't rip up out my eyes and force me to watch/read/play in evil glee.

This anime is easily one of my favourites animes, on an elitest list, despite the shocking shoe-string budget it was given.
The storyline is on another level. Unlike any other anime ever made, Higurashi is divided into 6 arcs. The first 3 are "Questions" while the second 3 are "Answers". The first 3 arcs will leave you in shock and horror while the seemingly cute characters fall victim to the Oyashiro's curse. The viewer is left entirely in the dark as the characters kill each other off.
The second three arcs, the Answer arcs, show the truth behind the first 3 arcs. It's at this point you'll realise just how perfectly the plot is stringed together. Events that were confusing before not only start making sense, but also intensify the horror.
This anime fills me with bliss. Pure excellence.

I must disagree with waza20 though.
The ending for Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is perfect as it is. In fact I'll go as far as to say its the best ending to an anime I've seen. It rounds up the story and makes the second/third/forth viewing more enjoyable.
The second season goes further into the story and reveals some of the back plot that was going on behind the scenes. While tempting to watch, the second season totally strips the first season of its mystery and horror. Some questions are best left unanswered.