When They Cry: Kai (2007) User Reviews

When They Cry (Series Two)

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 10 February 2019]

In series one we saw the same few weeks in 1983 in the village of Hinamizawa playing out like a twisted 'Groundhog Day'... each time ending in paranoia, insanity and murder. We are told that there is a curse that caused the deaths but we don't know why time is repeating or the cause of the curse... that was the 'questions arc'; now in series two we get the 'solutions arc'.

Over the course of this season we learn that one of our school-aged protagonists is fully aware that this time is repeating and has endured the weeks leading up to their murder over and over for about a hundred years... different actions may change how things come to pass but the end result is the same. The something happens; others have ideas of what happened before leading to the hope that the events may finally end. Intertwined with this we learn that another character has far more to do with events than anybody could have suspected.

Season one of 'When They Cry' earnt a reputation as a particularly disturbing horror anime with scenes at least as disturbing as many mainstream horror movies... this series sees a change of direction. The gore is almost all gone but there is a decent amount of action instead; particularly towards the end of the series. We also get some really good character development; not just for the main cast but also for the person revealed as the main antagonist. I liked the fact that this character was given a good back story that made it possible to have some sympathy for them even when their behaviour is clearly wrong. The animation is good; certainly better than the first season and while the character designs haven't changed they look better drawn. Overall I certainly enjoyed this and was pleased to see the questions raised in season one answered; I'd certainly recommend watching this if you enjoyed the first season; just don't expect the disturbing scares.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.

Epic season 2

[ethSin · 10/10 · 21 January 2010]

"Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: Kai." "Kai" means "Solution" in Japanese. The two seasons of "Higurashi" functions like a mystery/detective novel, where the first season is about the horrifying event that transpired, and the second season is the solution where truths are revealed.

Be warned that the two seasons have COMPLETELY different atmosphere and feel to them. The first season was a horror with plenty of violence and really creepy characters, but the second season is mainly drama with a lot more comedic relief.

I personally had trouble coping with the abrupt change at first, especially since there were drastic change in drawing style, and it felt like a slapstick series at times.

However, it was just amazing how they successfully developed the characters in the second season after that first season, where it just went on for about 20 episodes without giving us a slightest clue that these were alternate universes and the true identity of Rika.

I have to admit that "all for the same goal" and "fight the fate" sounded a little corny, but the story was extremely well-composed, and I was completely absorbed, especially for "Awakening Misfortune Chapter" (Ep 2~5), and "Massacre Chapter" (Ep 6~13) where Rika slowly realized that there is a hope for a happy ending.

The second season of "Higurashi" was possibly the greatest turnaround I've seen thus far in anime, as well as being an overwhelmingly well-made sequel season in the league of "Code Geass R2" and "Clannad After Story".

For those curious, the third season "Rei" means "Gratitude", and "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni" literally translates to "When Evening Cicada Cries", and "By the Time Sun Sets" in context to a line by the protagonist in the first season.

Perfect ending

[themarvelheroeslildoop · 10/10 · 2 April 2018]

When they cry could not have ended any better, I will not spoil anything but I will say that this season does not disappoint.

If you are someone who watched and loved When they cry only because of the gore then you don't really appreciate the beauty of the anime and will be disappointed with season 2. It is much less gory and violent than the previous season and that is not a downside, season 2 delves into your questions and answers them, exposing the truth and leaving you breathless, all the questions you had about the first season will be answered and you can put your mind at ease as you watch everything unfold.

The animation and voice acting is just as good as before and the story just as immersive and intriguing, just as in season 1 you will feel as if you are suffering and struggling alongside your favorite characters. It truly is a perfect anime.

A great ending to a great series

[loiscat · 10/10 · 3 September 2010]

This show seemed like an ordinary horror show, then in the second season, it takes a turn for the better, and reveals the true villain, the true protagonist, and the truth behind everything.

The disasters in the first season are all avoided because everyone manages to work together, and even Satoshi is revealed to be alive.

It blew me away when I learned that Rika was the true protagonist, and that Oyashiro-sama wasn't just a product of paranoia, but he existed, and was actually a female! What makes Higurashi so different from other anime or show is the fact that the characters both kill and later on amend their mistakes, and it seems like a video game ending, where you get to start over and over.

Keiichi with his arrogance, Rena's issues with her parents, Mion and Shion with the problems between them and their family, Satoko with her abuse and bad luck, and Rika with having to die over and over.

They just seem so human. And they are quite human. The ending, where everything was all wrapped up, was great.

Mystery revealed!

[gnatoos · 10/10 · 12 January 2022]

I'm amazed by this anime, my mind is blown away!

In my bad days this anime had really suited me, I was drawn in the story and characters, the mystery and violent scenes. During the episodes I felt excited, intrigued, empathic, then moment later I was feeling worried, horrified, shaken. It was a real emotional roller coaster!

In the first season I was trying so hard to make sense of the story, but the next episode always managed to prove my assumptions wrong. So, the whole first season didn't make sense. I had to close my eyes or at least lower the volume through the scenes of bloodshed, violence and madness. That was hard core.

Second season had exceeded my expectations, everything made perfect sense, I was like "Oooh!". It turned out to be a complicated story that gives important message about friendship, trust, unity, hope and how you can take actions and change your fate.

Believe in yourself

[Thumper-113 · 10/10 · 29 October 2022]

Higurashi's second season is ultimately both the answer to all the suspenseful and horrifying mysteries surrounding this series, and the satisfying conclusion to Rika's long journey of escaping past the beautiful but murderous summer of 1983.

Season 2 reveals to us the true protagonist of this series, Rika Furude, along with her world jumping ability that allows her to be reborn into alternate worlds with the hope of one day living past her fated death days in 1983. After discovering from her friends of the will to fight fate, she uses her past knowledge of other worlds to her advantage to dig further into the mysteries of Hinamizawa.

From there, she ultimately learns the true nature of Oyashiro-sama's curse, and Miyo Takano's role as the culprit behind most of her deaths. Now knowing for certain her enemies and allies, Rika prepares for her final battle against Takano before her memory loss from previous worlds causes her to forget her true enemies, and remain trapped in an endless cycle of death for eternity.

The story for these two seasons together was nothing short of phenomenal. It starts as a story filled with mind boggling unanswered questions, and leaves you completely satisfied with everything laid out. What I really admired too was this season wasn't just relying itself on answers, it showed you the struggles and the will to push forward through not just Rika, but her greatest friends and allies throughout all of Hinamizawa. When fighting fate, you can't expect an easy road, and Takano acted as the embodiment of the twisted spiral of fate Rika had been forced to experience and persevere through.

I enjoyed that with season 1 establishing an arc around every crucial character for this series, season 2 allows itself to flow smoothly with such development, as it isn't afraid to recall not only what every character has learned in previous arcs, but it puts them to the test and sees whether or not the choices they make and the belief they place in themselves will open a better path down the road. With this in mind, you can also see the journey every character is silently pursuing on their own, and the good they truly have in them despite their previous and horrendous actions from past worlds.

This season we were introduced to a new character Hanyu, an ancestor of Rika's and the real inspiration of Oyashiro-sama, who despite only just meeting her in person, is revealed to have always been watching over Rika and the village throughout the entire series as a spirit. I was intrigued with how her character acted as not only the answer to the historical aspects of Higurashi, but as a goddess of the village who was finally willing to step into the play field and put a halt to the murderous cycle. I was glad to see, despite her character only becoming known in the second season, the series managed to make her a perfect fit among Rika and her friends, as she is someone who has always been with the group, but only Rika ever noticed her presence until now. That being said, you would hope after all the time she secretly spent with them, Rika's friends would come to accept her without question.

Though Takano's history arc didn't feature any of the prominent characters for the majority of it, I still respected it for not only tying up the loose ends of any remaining mysteries, but the origins of Takano's will that was so strong, it transcended through every world Rika was a part of. It also gave you a fresh take on characters like Irie and Rena, and why they were choosing the paths we've seen them take in the series thus far.

I'm very grateful for this series giving Rika a happy ending where her and everyone she loves survive. After all the pain and agony of witnessing her and her friends die, kill, or even kill each other, Higurashi Kai assured the viewer her hundred year effort was not in vain. Now she can move on with her life experiencing new days to come, which gave her character an amazing and well earned conclusion.

The animation for this season was in my opinion an improvement over the first, as I felt the lining and detail for the characters and scenery in season 2 was more emphasized on as a whole. I would say the music was all in all the same, it doesn't seem like the second season worked with too many different tracks, but at the same time that doesn't discredit it much since they were still efficient uses for the scenes. The opening was also very enchanting for the vibe to allow the viewer to see what to feel and expect in season 2.

Overall an amazing 2nd season and conclusion to Rika's journey. Though Higurashi Gou and Sotsu are something of a continuation for the Higurashi series, Higurashi Kai is the culmination of everything that makes this series exciting and suspenseful of a watch, and it gives the series a much deserved title as one of the greatest horror animes of all time.