Review: Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Kai (When Cicadas Cry: Solutions)

Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Kai （ヒぐらしのなく頃に解）

I've tended to be a fan of series that don't seem to be forced into a storyline, but instead let the flow of the series take a hold. Haibane Renmei is a good example of this idea, where the flow of the series really never makes it seem like there is a set storyline that is being followed, but the story just allows itself to be played out.

I find it very difficult to explain this series now that I've watched Kai, without giving out massive spoilers due to the nature of this season. ("Kai" can tanslate to "solutions", after all) I'll give three notes on this second series, though, as a rough synopsis:
- The series continues in an "arc" fashion, like the previous season. You'll have a single episode explaining the first season, followed by three arcs of increasing length.
- Each arc in season 1 seemed to focus around the actions of one character. The latter three arcs in this season all revolve around Rika.

Again, I'm trying not to spoil anything about this season, but the one thing that is really different about this season from the first is the sense of just how linked each arc is. It's not linked any more than previous seasons in how each arc progresses, but being in Rika's point-of-view really does change everything.

I watched this series entirely in 3 days, one arc per day. (meaning 5 episodes, then 8, then 11) I will admit that this is a good series, but a good amount of it comes in how well the series compliments an admittedly-drudgy first season. No matter how good this series is, some of it is based around getting through the school-days-like sections which, though very powerful in providing the contrast and suspense the series is best at, feels at times like an unnecessary exposition where any small tinge of something happening brings attention towards it; this is fine the first dozen times, but when maybe two of those actually come to anything, you start just wanting the series to start picking up the pace.

Watch this if...
- You've seen the first season.
- You like Lost

Don't watch this if...
- You haven't watched the first season
- You don't want to trudge through a first season that leaves plots hanging for several episodes while tangenting. (ironically, leaving further plots)

End Note: The opening to this series os one of the most fitting of any anime you'll ever see. It's the same artist as the first season, but it's much more like a normal song while holding onto the tone of the first series. Plus, listen to the opening backwards and you'll hear a familiar chant...