I came across this series by accident about 2 months ago and i haven't been able to think about any other anime since; though i haven't really had a chance to devote myself to it until this week. (vacation)
Now mind you, i started watching this series the wrong way, because theirs 2 seasons to this anime(3 if you count the OVA, and theirs a live action movie as well), i accidentally watched the first 4 episodes of the second season first; because it's very hard to not know the difference unless someone told you other-wise.
Okey....uhmm, well first off this series is sort of complicated; so first I'll just stick with the simplicity.
You can't really watch this anime with a linear perspective in mind, the story itself; is comprised of several different Arcs; in the manga it's further complicated; but in the anime they separate these arc's through Chapters, so when watching, keep in mind that the chapters themselves act as your flow of story, not the episodes; i hope that makes sense.
Now this is just the first season I'm talking about - Ho Ho Ho Hooo, I'm not even going to try and explain the complexities of Season two; you'll just have to let yourself figure that all out on your own.
As for sources: (now mind you Megavideo has this new 72 minute viewing policy, so if i were you, download the episodes via torrent.)
Screenshots: Warning, Mature content - [Gore]
Spoiler:
Season 1 Opening
Also keep in mind that the anime is just one small portion of the Higurashi universe; theirs the PC games as well as the console games, novels, light novels, drama CDs , the list goes on, but the Games in comparison carry far more Story arcs and over-all substance to the mythology.
Last edited by Neoyoshi on Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:39 pm; edited 2 times in total
Neoyoshi Grandpa
Number of posts : 1711 Location : NY - U.S.A. IGN[Game NickName] : Neoyoshi Current Status : Happy Registration date : 2008-04-11
Subject: Re: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - When Cicadas Cry (A Higurashi Mythology) Wed Dec 10, 2008 6:16 pm
Alight, i just finished watching and completing the first Chapter; or shall we say "story arc" it took my awhile to digest it as towards the end of this chapter it brings you to the edge of your seat; and i have to admit, i was afraid of what would happen next, it was pretty frightening.
Chapter 1: Demoned Away(four parts)
The following noted outline doesn't exactly spoil the over-all outcome, but may give too much away, read only if you feel you need something to hook you into watching it - to read click the spoiler.
Spoiler:
This chapter really outlines the length of brutality this show allows, and it's pretty bad (in a good, creepy sort of way, but beyond what we usually see in most anime), the thing i find most disturbing, is how likable the characters become right off the bat, and from there, the evil slowly creeps up on you; i can't say anything more then that, or I'll be ruining it completely.
And yes I'm going to be doing this type of summery for each chapter, haha.
Next chapter is called: Watanagashi(? parts)
Neoyoshi Grandpa
Number of posts : 1711 Location : NY - U.S.A. IGN[Game NickName] : Neoyoshi Current Status : Happy Registration date : 2008-04-11
Subject: Re: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - When Cicadas Cry (A Higurashi Mythology) Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:37 pm
Finished the Watanagashi chapter, it's four parts just like Demoned away; things pretty much run in the same pace and flow as the previous chapter.
Spoiler Alert! - This is just a personal notation regarding Chapter Watanagashi, read only if you've already watched this chapter.
Spoiler:
One thing you'll definitely notice, that no matter which story arc your watching, certain key plot points always remain the same; this could be evidence that in each perspective; these key events are considered the gears of destiny, meaning that without these events occurring, the unusual and brutal occurrences that happen each year during the Watanagashi festival; either cannot happen or happen differently.
At this point it's hard to tell.
Forgot the name of the next chapter, hehe; but I'll be waiting a bit before i continue, watching this show seems to drain me completely, i don't know if it's the level of brutality; or if it's just the thought of this murderous cycle continuing over and over and over - with no glimmer of hope in sight. (kind of depressing)
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Subject: Re: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - When Cicadas Cry (A Higurashi Mythology)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - When Cicadas Cry (A Higurashi Mythology)
Subject: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - When Cicadas Cry (A Higurashi Mythology) 
Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:39 pm
