Rejoice, folks! Subs for Higurashi Kai are out and I know you're just dying to... not die in Hinamizawa! Just check www.animesuki.com and watch my beloved anime series. Anyhow, I wanted to make a thread for the fans and discussions. Please post them here and... try to keep spoilers in small text or hide them like this:
Quote HANYUU IS CUTE!
For those who are new to this series, here's a summary of Higurashi:The story begins in June 1983 through the eyes of Keiichi Maebara, the new resident of the village Hinamizawa. At first, Hinamizawa appears to be a tranquil place with unique customs, but when Keiichi learns further about its customs, he becomes entagled into a cycle of death and rebirth at the whim of Oyashiro-sama, the "God" to whom the villagers pray.
People are pawns in this game of purgatory where in several days (from the annual Watanagashi festival) characters die from things ranging from disembowelment to "disappearances". After each Watanagashi festival cycle, a new arc begins with the same characters, revealing more information to uncover the truth and bring the characters closer to breaking the infinite loop.
Edited the links, so they are correct and functional.
Have fun! And btw, I'm naming my cat Shmion.
First Season OP:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3hHKmiRwyBU&mode=related&search=
Higurashi Kai OP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk3Nmu8Kq6Y
Higurashi Kai ED:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCGTOqnfj_8
WARNING!:
BSS subs and Hauu subs are real. Do not download [anon]'s speed subs. They are fake.
EDIT:
Interesting discovery. Apparently if you take the OP of Higurashi Kai and play it backwards, certain parts sound like the beginning of the OP of Higurashi Season 1.
Here's the first season of Higurashi's OP reveresed:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=o_CTBXJPh3M
Listen for yourself. There are also some hidden lyrics in there, from what what I heard.
Here's the NEW OP reversed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbfbkxNJ1do
Interesting Notes about the OP and ED:
The new Kai OP as opposed to the original OP have a distinct difference in feel. The First Op concentrated on portraying a sense of fear. You had flowers blooming, withering, suspending in a hell. You were walking into a world of obvious fear and apprehension.
But... the Kai OP takes a twist on the original OP. The original OP reversed is the Kai OP, hinting that fear/death reversed is hope/life. This is what the Kai (reborn?) Opening is about. The flowers have no aura of fear. They appear as they should be, beautiful, blooming, and realistic. Instead of resisting gravity, they flow with the wind that "coils up." It's the idea of fighting against your fate.
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg338.imageshack.us%2Fimg338%2F2333%2Fhigurashikaiop0420jh2.jpg&hash=19cece4c6e3c850c04823b5b4bdda1644794ffc8) (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-07
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg338.imageshack.us%2Fimg338%2F1134%2Fhigurashikaiop0926cn2.jpg&hash=d030dae39fef5fe8c0f46dc93bff92e31e90b59e) (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-07
Red lines were prominent in the first OP (recall the red shadow that emanated from the candle?), but whereas red lines/ strings of fate were a feature of the first OP, I'd say the water is a feature of the second OP. The first instance of water that we see is with Rika. She runs upon the river as she desperately tries to tries to cling onto something/someone.
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg338.imageshack.us%2Fimg338%2F6460%2Fhigurashikaiop1047ud9.jpg&hash=26c7bd9360699fad018680941736d71f474981c1) (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-07
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg154.imageshack.us%2Fimg154%2F2125%2Fhigurashikaiop1153pb8.jpg&hash=a1f958cf24ff12dd6fa4d31d2a1b06b5ed638e34) (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-07
The very next scene reveals Rena appearing in an ominous darkness, but only to later reveal not fear but tears. The next scene involving water is with a lady (whom I believe is Takano, but this is a guess. Ask me later.) whose gaze is covered in a veil of darkness. Water drips down from her face, but whether they are tears, rain, or a combination of both, is left to your judgment. All that is for certain is that the character is holding inside a bitter hatred as shown by the grit of her teeth.
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg154.imageshack.us%2Fimg154%2F2277%2Fhigurashikaiop1167io4.jpg&hash=35e4f30915c22bc85ebc1367daa60b8c8ee048f6) (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-07
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg529.imageshack.us%2Fimg529%2F6170%2Fhigurashikaiop1260aa8.jpg&hash=5a6e5fd7fc546961690812e68357e2e0fdde3086) (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-07
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg529.imageshack.us%2Fimg529%2F3867%2Fhigurashikaiop1589kt3.jpg&hash=2d5cc5e1a0f3861018d65e2f5a5afecf9818431e) (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-07
Now... onto the Higurashi Kai ED and its symbolism.
The first lines are:
"I'd cover your corpse with soil even if it were forbidden."
I think these lines are Rika's thoughts. It's kind of like saying, "I'd give you a descent burial even if fate were to say no." The idea of cherishing memories by giving a proper ascent to the afterlife begins with a burial.
"There was a temptation that you couldn't hide... in your pure, blissful eyes."
The connection of understanding. The connection of friendship is communicated through eyes, not words. Eyes are the mirror of the soul and it is with the soul that we try to understand one another.
"Why does sin exist? Why does punishment exist?"
I see these lines being said upon someone's death. In lamentation, one would ask, "Why does sin exist? It comes so abruptly and yet it determines action and our entire judgment." It's a questioning of of the system above us. A black ferris wheel turns without an axis/body in the background. I think it's a symbolism of fate. You're on that cycle- that infinite loop of fate. You're in it for the ride even if you get sick of it.
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg120.imageshack.us%2Fimg120%2F4201%2Fferriswheelvf5.png&hash=ef4fd20dd90b786c9f20b18018bab9a13fd1b602) (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-07
"That blindingly white end of the canal... invited the infinite darkness."
I think this line is trying to say that true purity is a hard existence. That it blinds one with naivety/innocence, so one has to fall and lose that blinding white... Notice that Mion and Rena are in the background with red outlines (thinking fate again?) followed by Shion and Satoko. I think the former scene is about acceptance and the latter about forgiveness. Mion had found Rena after being separated from Shion. Mion confides in Rena because she no longer has Shion. Shion and Satoko both yearn for Satoshi and the mutual desire allows them both to forgive each other.
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg243.imageshack.us%2Fimg243%2F7364%2Frenaandshionbe0.png&hash=547a42c69721d166ef185d727f360a166f99b54b) (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-07
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg503.imageshack.us%2Fimg503%2F6352%2Fshionandsatokokw1.png&hash=910a573c82362c346562832bb18c100944fa6025) (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-07
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg234.imageshack.us%2Fimg234%2F4625%2Fsatokoif7.png&hash=ca22adb1064174d34177f76f6668d8dca94709ef) (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-07
"I can see everything clearly now."
For one to see, there cannot be an abundance of light, or it will blind you. For one to see, there cannot be an abundance of darkness, or you will fall without knowing. There must be a balance and only then can you
see.
"It will soon vanish."
The last line after "I can see everything clearly now." Perhaps... saying that one cannot see forever. That there are times that we are blinded by one side too much.
-----
Just to say something to wrap it up. I think the New OP and ED are perfect for Higurashi because they
don't portray fear. This idea of fear created from misunderstandings is Higurashi. Originally, Higurashi is a horror story, but as you piece together the truth, you'll learn that Higurashi is more a sad tragedy than a horror.
HAPPY RENA DAY! TODAY IS 07-07-07!
That's, uh, a little much.
But suffice to say I did like the first opening, and the first episode overall. They're addressing important stuff right off, and also sort of refreshing our memories on what happened. I guess this is the "Yakusamashi-hen" arc.
An interesting note, which they clarified sort of awkwardly in this episode -
The "volcanic gas eruption" only occurred in the Satoko arc (Tatarigoroshi-hen) and the flashback/detective arc (Himatsubushi-hen) of the original anime; however, it apparently occurs in all timelines, including the timeline of the last arc of the first anime (Tsumihoroboshi-hen).
Quote from: mDuo13That's, uh, a little much.
Isn't it fine to obsess over what you like? ;) I know I do it occasionally.
Because I have not watched the first season to completion, I won't be watching Kai until I do.
Quote from: SpiritsnareBecause I have not watched the first season to completion
*sigh*
Quit panel-de-pwning and start catching up on this crap.
Quote from: mDuo13That's, uh, a little much.
I guess this is the "Yakusamashi-hen" arc.
If you're referring to the first episode of Higurashi Kai, it's the TIPS section in the game that you get after the last arc of the first season. Yakusamashi-hen or Minagoroshi-hen will start ep 2 (depending on the director's intent).
Quote from: mDuo13Quote from: SpiritsnareBecause I have not watched the first season to completion
*sigh*
Quit panel-de-pwning and start catching up on this crap.
(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg526.imageshack.us%2Fimg526%2F3676%2Fdidnthearthatkm4.png&hash=94e879e8442f6ed2aa9b77d5b7fa8f99ec85d46c) (http://imageshack.us)
Quote from: mDuo13
An interesting note, which they clarified sort of awkwardly in this episode -
The "volcanic gas eruption" only occurred in the Satoko arc (Tatarigoroshi-hen) and the flashback/detective arc (Himatsubushi-hen) of the original anime; however, it apparently occurs in all timelines, including the timeline of the last arc of the first anime (Tsumihoroboshi-hen).
The "volcanic gas eruption" or The Great Hinamizawa Disaster does not occur in all the time lines. It occurs in:
(not really a spoiler, but if you want to figure out everything yourself...)
Quote Onikakushi-hen (Keiichi's arc): Honestly, this is an empty "I don't know why", but people believe that the GHD happens after this arc, but it isn't shown in the anime. Perhaps in the game? I'll go confirm this in a bit. I think the anime misrepresented it or something.
Tatarigoroshi-hen (Satoko's arc): The GHD was shown in this arc after Keiichi survives his push off the bridge.
Tsumihoroboshi-hen (Rena's last arc): During the first season, we didn't know the GHD occurred, but upon the first episode of Higurashi Kai, we are given the information that it occurred and killed the inhabitants of the town. We learn that this could be biological accident. This will be confirmed later. All I want to note here is that 1) Rika has a cure. 2) The cure is a syringe. 3) Guess who else carries a syringe? (conjecture, but it does raise suspicion on a certain character)
I do have a hypothesis given the current information (+ a little more), but I won't divulge it unless someone's interested.
Oh, and just to reinstate the rules, if you think you're going to give a spoiler, please cover it up in someway. Spoilers tags should only be used on things that the Higurashi Kai anime
HAVE NOT COVERED. Any information before Higurashi Kai is fine.
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Anyway, somethings I need confirmed:
The three Great Families in Hinamizawa are?:
1) Furude family (Rika)
2) Sonozaki family (Shion and Mion)
3) ??? Who goes here?
Look forward to!:
Next post, I will clarify some things from the first season so that you begin with accurate clues with which to begin Higurashi Kai.
1st episode needs more girls... D: and less old men. XP
Anyway, it was good but I want to see more already... D:
Wow, I'm surprised no one else mentioned it...
QuoteRena certainly blossomed into a beautiful young woman. <3
^_^;;
Quote from: KazegamiWow, I'm surprised no one else mentioned it...
QuoteRena certainly blossomed into a beautiful young woman. <3
^_^;;
Good point.
Higurashi Kai EP 2 is out. I'll edit this post later to give my impressions and some clarifications of the first season.
EDITED:Okay, first for some clarifications:
1) "Is Satoshi really dead?"
- To all who thought that Satoshi died, I must inform you that
this is not a fact.
We are not certain if he died, ran away from Hinamizawa, got demoned away, whatever. In episode 9, the beginning of Satoko's arc, the body that you see does NOT belong to Satoshi. This is proven by the game TIPS:
Quote"To Oishi-san:
I received a call from Section Manager Shigeharu from Section Four. The mutilated corpse that was found at Tamagokawa was indeed an incident related to Type-S.
They have yet to prove it, but it seems that the deceased wired Type-S' money into dozens of pre-prepared accounts to the max. The total money taken out tallies to be over 100 million yen. The people behind this scheme seems to be 3~4 men formerly tied to Type-S. They've already withdrew several millions and have disappeared with the cash. It is believed that the deceased was tortured in order to get info on where those guys went. She was then brutally murdered in as a warning to them.
Several of Type-S' strongmen are hot on the trail of the men that disappeared. Also, a correspondence has been issued to allied yakuzas in the neighboring areas to refrain from hiding these guys.
There is still no hard evidence showing that Houjou Teppei was a member of this scheme. According to Section Manager Shigeharu, it seems he was left out of the loop. Basically, he was a pimp that wasn't trusted by his girl.
Houjou Teppei has since left his apartment at Okinomiya and has returned to his home in Hinamizawa."
- Thanks to Kj1980 for the translation.
Simply said, that body wasn't Satoshi because... he doesn't have any connections to the crime syndicate. >_>;;
2) "What key thing do the main characters in Higurashi share?"
- Higurashi's theme of breaking away from one's tormented past. The past gets back to you and only through others can this reoccurring burden stop. Redemption through helping others, is one way to put it.
"Friends don't keep secrets away from each other... right?"
Wrong:
Rena: Familial problems. Mother's gone and father is being cheated by his "girl friend." Before that, we have how Rena tried to leave Hinamizawa and the school incident where she smashed the windows and hurt several others. Rena believes that Oyashiro is a a vengeful god, so she returned to Hinamizawa and believed that her curse was lifted upon asking for forgiveness.
Mion & Shion: I'll list a game tip here:
Quote"While it is not that unheard of elsewhere, the gosanke of Onigafuchi village had a huge discontempt for twins being born as a potential heir. It is believed that this was because they wished to avoid a possible civil strife between the three houses that balanced the power in controlling the matters.
A historical document noted that should twins be born, they should both be killed immediately."
- Again, thanks to Kj1980 for the translation.
Since Mion is the older of the two, she's the true heir and thus the accepted sister. Shion is considered a shameful accessory of the Sonozaki family, which explains the immediate separation of the twins and their life styles.
Mion = Heir with responsibilities. Feels guilty about Shion.
Shion = Outcast of the family. Seeked comfort with Satoshi.
Satoko: Her parents were targets because of their stance on the Hinamizawa Dam project. Her parents die, leaving Satoshi and Satoko in the hands of her Aunt and Uncle. Satoshi kills her aunt and leaves/"transfers away". Satoko is now living with Rika.
Rika: Also had her parents die (priest at the shrine who died from an unknown "sickness"). Since this is Higurashi Kai, I'm assuming you already figured this out, so no spoiler tag. Rika recalls every loop that she's been in and thus lives and dies after every Watanagashi festival.
Keiichi: Keiichi was a former delinquent. He would shoot toddlers as they passed by with his model gun. Eventually, Keiichi wasn't able to beat the guilt, so he turned himself in with his parents. His father paid a large sum of money to settle the issue out of court, thus his sentence was prohibition... thus he went to Hinamizawa.
--------------------------------------------
That's it for now. If you have any questions on clarification, go ahead and ask.
Yay! ep. 2 and loli action.... XD
The pranks are awesome like usual... and zombie tag... yumminess.
Quote from: may be spoiler?I wonder if Rika needs to talk to the group and tell them the truth to get the good end. XD; I think they're hinting that its either the solution or will point them in the right path...
BTW, Rika looks good in the maid outfit. Ow~
The (1st) stunt that was pulled on Keiichi during "Zombie tag" was quite amusing but very dirty... Then the stunt Rena pulled at the end... -.-; Sucks to be him.
I'm a little late with my review of episode 2. Sorry about that, guys. Anyway, I updated my post above with clarifications of the first season. Please, take a look.
I'll update this post with a review of ep 2 and ep 3 later.
I'm quite looking forward to watching the first few episodes of this when I get back to Fruc's house. I was a bit disappointed in the OP when I watched it on youtube, though...it was so sedate and calm compared to the OP of the first season. I much preferred the sort of jarring, eerie vibe the first OP had.
They're totally different songs, but the new one grows on you a lot from what I've seen. I know it did for me.
I watched eps 3 and 4 last night. We're making progress toward the end of the arc, and Rena is really torn up about it. I get the feeling that the plot of this arc, if seen entirely from Satoko's perspective, without prior knowledge of Rika's sitaution, would be actually really creepy.
ok seriously back to work now