Some reviews are easier to write than others. With Higurashi, it’s going to be difficult, though, simply because of the huge contrast between the first and the second season. The fact also remains that this is one of these series that’s better than the sum of its parts. First, let me say that if you were interested in the concept of Higurashi, just to see “killer lolis” and cute girls, killing each other, then you will be disappointed. Sure, this is a disturbing series, but Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is so much more than a bunch of random massacres.
The first season is basically one incredibly well-developed mystery-series with lots and I mean lots of horror. Throughout six arcs, you see the different characters, as they discover more and more of the complex, multi-layered plot that forms the foundation of this series, while countless false tracks and red herrings are put on the screen, in order to confuse the viewer. You’ll never know who to trust at this point, and the same goes for the characters. There may be a few annoying moments here and there, including some pacing-issues, but overall it’s an intense and diverse thriller that keeps you hungry for more amidst the brutality.
And then the second season comes, and it’s completely different. The first season went so fast that it often didn’t leave any time for quiet moments and character-development; it sometimes went too fast that it nearly tripped, and then the second season comes and fixes this. The pacing continues at a very slow pace, but because of this, there is enough time to flesh out the different characters, to explain everything that need to be said about the story, and to build up for an incredibly solid finale. The characters actually start to realize that their bloodstained hands were a huge mistake, and they try to escape the horror. There’s also an incredibly huge emphasis on friendship and trust.
Obviously, the second season is less exciting to watch, but instead, the first season is less heart-warming. The second season is quite slow, while the first season thunders through its storyline to get it finished in time. Obviously, when you look at the individual elements, things feel strange, and for most people, it’s going to be hard to get used to the completely new road that the second season went into.
But boy, if you start looking at it from a distance, the entire package becomes so much better. In terms of storytelling, the story is closed off perfectly, even though there still is a third season on the way. It knows exactly how to build up well, and the storytelling for especially the second season has been flawless.
All in all, Higurashi is inconsistent, but it’s one heck of a special series. The cast of characters and the setting is definitely memorable, and there are more than enough different moments that make you care about them. Just one piece of advice: when watching episode 17, try not to eat or drink anything. You’ll understand when you watch it.
When I first started out writing reviews, I reckoned it would be best for shows with a sequel to wait until I got the chance to watch everything of the sequel, before writing the review of the entire series. Then, Red Garden came along. Along with its sequel Dead Girls, which seems to have gone up into smoke. At this point, I honestly doubt whether I can still write an accurate review of that series that ended nine freaking months ago. Hence my decision to just write a review after the end of every series, regardless of whether or not they’ve got a sequel coming somewhere.
Anyway, onto the review. I’m not sure about others, but my favourite type of comedy is the witty one. The kind you see in Blackadder, Monty Python and Stephen Fry for example. That’s also the reason why I’m a large fan of the British humour. In any case, it’s a shame that there aren’t many anime like this, though Sayonara Zetsubou-Sensei turned out to be one of them. It’s Akiyuki Shinbo’s new show, and really, it’s probably his best series yet.
Sayonara Zetsubou-Sensei has really been one of the smartest comedy-anime I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t take anything for granted, and takes its comedy further than most other anime. It’s one of the few series that actually builds up its jokes. It’s quite formulaic, it starts with one concept, introduces it, and then makes it increasingly more ridiculous. And yet, it works, and the final episode showed no signs that the creators were running out of inspiration.
I’ve also never seen a comedy-anime that addresses so many taboos as this one. There are indeed a lot of stereotypes in this series, but each and every one of them is made to look ridiculous. To make things even better, it also takes the Mick out of the anime-series that try to divert from stereotypes by adding the most obvious personality-trait to said stereotype. The series is also not afraid to keep carrying its jokes further and further. This might lead to repetition in most other shows, but Sayonara Zetsubou-Sensei uses this excellently to flesh out its jokes further.
The main character also fits this series perfectly. He’s basically a teacher with an incredibly pessimistic outlook on life, and he’s seen committing numerous suicide-attempts throughout the series. The graphics for this series are also absolutely gorgeous, both the character-designs and the background-art. Like expected from Shinbo, his unique sense of direction also adds an extra spark to this series.
If you’re into comedies, then I see no reason not to recommend this series. The only bad thing I have to say is that it tends to delve into useless fanservice at times. Especially episode five was bad in this, and all it does is distract from the jokes. Apart from that, though, we’ve got ourselves a gem here. The characters are smart and complement each other perfectly. There’s always at least one character that has critique on a certain scene. Now let’s hope that the second season, which should air in less than two weeks, will remain with the same freshness.]]> 
As usual, the episode had its good and its bad points, but I don’t care! At the end of the episode, the creators finally showed what I’ve been longing for ever since this series started: Regal and Presea! They should come in action on the next episode. (Because yes, Tales of Symphonia has been extended to eight episodes!).
About the rest of the episode, a few changes have been made. First of all, now that the green light has been given for an extension of the series, the creators suddenly decided to include Yuan. That’s got to be really confusing for the ones who haven’t really played the game, with the guy’s introduction being mercilessly cut from the second episode. Ah well, I’m glad that the creators decided to include him after all, and I like how the creators changed his personality from the game. He’s much more confident here, and he can actually stand his own against Kratos.
And obviously, there’s yet again a lot of emphasis on Collette, but in this episode, it’s not just Lloyd who is worried about her. Genis and Raine also show much more involvement with Collette than in the game. I like that. I’m also surprised to say that Sheena joined the party much later than expected. She never played a role in the tower of salvation at all, and instead saves the group when they’ve been captured by the Renegades. The interesting thing is that unlike in the game, she’s much less compassionate and a lot less easy to read. That does make me wonder what her relationship with Zelos will be…
Overall, I was a bit wary when I found out that Ufo-Table would be producing this series, with their previous works consisting out of Coyote Ragtime Show, Futakoi and Ninnin Ga Shinobuden. Still, I must say that these guys are learning quite quickly. It started this year with Manabi Straight, and now with Tales of Symphonia too. While they still have much to learn, it’s good to know that they’re keen on improving themselves. If this tread continues, we can expect more interesting things from them.]]> 
And we’ve reached another two-episode arc that would have easily been put into just one episode. I’m not sure whether I like the new happenings on the Starside-hotel, it’s a bit one-sided, if you ask me. Still, perhaps the conclusion will prove to be more interesting. I’m not sure what exactly it is with this series, but there’s something that rubs me the wrong way. I’m not sure exactly what, though.
Surprisingly, we don’t see Furuhata and Andou back, though the old guy returns. So I was mistaken after the previous episode: he and the manger are completely different. He’s now turned into someone who keeps clinging to Kaiji, whom he knows he can trust because he was saved by him before.
The game this time is completely different from the restricted Rock, Paper and Scissors. This time, the contestants (i.e. Kaiji&co), have to engage in an incredibly reckless stunt in front of a number of drunken bastards who are betting on them, fighting for their lives. Basically, there’s a 30-meter long bar that needs to be walked across. If you’re the first to reach the other end, you get 20 million. For every three people, there’s one bar, so if you’re second in line at one bar, the only thing that can make you win is push the one in front of you.
Still, I doubt that this arc is over with just this game. Kaiji, the old man (Ishida) and Sahara didn’t get to share the same bar for a reason: they need to survive for the next stage.]]> 
It’s strange… usually I can easily write enough for at least paragraphs for an entry, but for my entries for Kaiji I never seem to have any inspiration.
In any case, this episode is an intermezzo: we see Kaiji, as he spends a few months living and working to pay off the huge debt he has now, before he gets recruited for the next arc by Endou. We also see the final major character introduced: the guy we saw in the ED. The guy really fits into this series: he likes to trick and make fun of people, but he is alert and can see through people, just like Kaiji. I liked the beginning of the episode, where Kaiji basically refused to socialize because he’s just not good at it. But one thing… his new manager, was that the same old guy as before? Well, there goes his image of a nice guy.]]> 
And so, finally the Espoir-arc is finished. And really, the conclusion was awesome! It really showed the worst ides of human nature: the ease to lie and deceive. I was surprised at the way that Kaiji found his way out of that room, by actually stealing from Okabayashi.
Overall, I think that anyone could have predicted who would survive the games right from the start. While it was awesome to see that probably the only honest guy on the entire ship was saved too, it had it coming. Otherwise he wouldn’t have had so much attention in the beginning-episodes. Predictability isn’t really Kaiji’s strongest point, but fortunately it makes up for this with excellent character-development and screenplay.]]>