Feb 7, 2012
Okay, I'm going to start of by saying, if you don't like Shion, you're not going to like this arc, since it's based heavily around her. Me? I love Shion. She's my favourite character, and this arc portrays why perfectly. Sure, bad things happen, but I don't think the people who dislike Shion look into why what happens, happens. This arc broke my heart, and I'm not saying it was so awful it broke my heart, I'm saying it was so intense and heart-wrenching that I even shed a few tears.
Story 10/10 - This story is placed opposite the "Cotton Drifting Arc" (Watanagashi-hen) and instead
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of Keiichi, it's shown from the side of Shion. For the first time, an arc in this series has 4 volumes, and it certainly needs it to cram all the information, feelings and death that revolve around Shion in it. I watched the anime first, so I already knew what was going to happen, but so much more was put into the manga than they put into the anime. Don't get me wrong, I still adore the anime, I just wish that they put in some of the stuff from the manga. So the story, seeing it from another perspective and whether you saw it coming or not, is still amazing and the events that transpire can still shock and haunt you.
Art 9/10 - Yutori Houjyo did the art for this arc, just like she did the art for the Cotton Drifting arc. I actually liked the art style, more so than some of the other artists who have drawn for Ryukishi (I found they came off a bit too "chibi" like for how I would prefer Higurashi to be drawn, but they were obviously still very enjoyable. And yes, I know how the VN was drawn) The creepy scenes we come to expect from Higurashi were done perfectly, so perfectly to the point where my eyes widened when I turned the page to a certain two page spread. A few certain two page spreads, actually.
Character 10/10 - As I said, I love Shion. And even though at times, I felt disgusted at some things that were happening, I still do love her. I love her character, I love her flaws, I love her insecurities, I love her story and I love her love for Satoshi. I am not a romantic, in fact I am quite a big cynic, but her love for him gets me every time I even think about it. And I really don't care how that makes me sound. It was nice to see the other characters change in behavior at some points as well. Keiichi is wonderful, as usual.
Enjoyment 10/10 - If you enjoy learning another, more sinister and bloody side to a story you've already read, then you're going to enjoy this. I love twists, and even if it wasn't a surprise to some people, this was the twist Ryukishi put into Higurashi, along with a fair few others.
Overall 10/10 - There was nothing that could have been changed in this manga to make me like it even more. This story will always hold a special place in my heart, as will Shion.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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