Ah, we’re dealing with a second Ayakashi here. I kept wondering how a show like this would be able to keep going for 26 episodes. Well, this explains why. This episode was better than the third one, though it won’t be able to beat the sheer awesomeness of the first two episodes.
I just loved the Rena at the start of the episode. Keiichi lies to her again, and she quickly kills of this comment by her remarks. It was totally scary. Her apologizing only made this feeling better. The day after that, with Mion’s conversation with Keiichi was also beautifully scary. For a minute, I really felt sorry for her.
Then, however, at the second part of the episode, the awesomeness turned down a bit. I guess I shouldn’t have watched this after seeing Bake Neko, as I’m really starting to notice a few flaws in Higurashi. Where Bake Neko succeeded, Higurashi kindof fails, especially when creating over-the-top chaotic scenes, and characters freaking out. Especially Rena with her axe seems too much directed, her scary laugh just didn’t do the trick, I’m much more fan of the subtle changes in her personality, like in the first two episodes. That made her a great character. Keiichi, however, made up for it a bit, as it felt that he genuinely was scared.
Keiichi then gets assaulted by a few mysterious men, who still remain a mystery after the episode, he gets hit on the head, and recovers right next to Rena. The both of them plan to inject him with some strange liquid, after which we see the first scene of the first episode. Another part well-executed. Afterwards, Keiichi goes berserk, and kills himself in a phone booth. Another part badly executed.
I’m wondering whether this will go Ayakashi, or Jigoku Shoujo. At one side, there are just a lot of unexplained questions, like who was this director? What happened to the other two girls? What happened during those murders? What happened to the piece of the note which went missing? What is Oyashiro-Sama? On the other hand, the creators could decide to keep these things a complete mystery, and just continue with a total different story, as this material doesn’t seem too sufficient for 26 whole episodes. But still, each of these options has its own potential. I’ll be looking forward to either one of them.
They won’t continue with a different story,in fact in the “game” each arc is same basic scenario from a visual novel but played differantly,with a different ending.The watcher have too pick up the clues,and find the trigger points that lead to a bad ending.It looks a little boring explicated like this,but it’s really addictive.Besides the arcs don’t stop improving.
Thought,I agree with you on the forest scene with Rena,her laught destroyed almost everything,it was so badly choosen,it almost made me laught.
Also you should question yourself about Keiichi was he really pursued by the two girls,or was he the one who went mad?
Anyway this anime is just great,maybe the best of this spring.
Hmm, very interesting. I’ll be looking forward to the next episode.
I’ll point out something to you O-