How many episodes should I watch before switching to the VN?

swordhermit said:
I mean for basic context, maybe a couple of episodes will do. But in all honesty, the anime is a mess altogether. Like take the opening scene of the anime where the main cast enter the island...they skipped out entirely on crucial details like who Battler and co. are like as people when they aren't stuck in that island especially since the VN starts with Battler meeting his estranged relatives for the first time in years since living out with his grandparents. Details like the characters' heights, personalities, even minute things like certain characters being together in situations not described in the VN completely ruins the immersion and the mystery itself. Don't watch the anime for animation cause it's really poorly done, especially later on. The only good thing to take from the anime in my opinion is the soundtrack, but you can listen to that in your own time; you don't need to watch the anime exclusively for that.

Just do yourself a favor and start immediately with the VN...it's the only way to properly do Umineko justice. Otherwise, the manga is also a good alternative and is the closest to a proper Umineko adaptation that you can get.