With the unfortunate and unforseen departure of the other half of the writing force here at AniAri I find it my duty to take time out of my busy schedule to tie up some loose ends. While my time management skills tell me I have no time to write individual episode reviews to the series that Soda was covering, I’ll at least do an overall impression post. Technically I’m supposed to be doing linear algebra…but eh, you readers deserve closure!

First up is Zero no Tsukaima, this anime started out really roughly. It had a really fragmented storyline, the episodes were fine individually, but nothing was tying it all together. However, the last arc brought everything together nicely, starting from about episode 9 or 10 the plot became coherent and relevant. Episodes were no longer just excuses to parade Louise around in all her tsundere glory (not that they didn’t anyways).

The ending was really well done, though very predictible, Soda saw it coming a mile away, and actually predicted it a few posts back. Ward Pedo-sama turned out to be a bad guy after all, as hinted many times before. Hoping to marry Louise only for her void-magic powers. Of course Louise won’t stand for that, as a loyal subject and best friend to the princess, she cannot betray her. Backup plan! Use uber powerful ring to hypnotize her and force her into marriage. This of course fails horribly when Saito shows up, breaks the spell and pwns Pedo-sama in melee combat.

The rest of the anime was standard fanfare for the genre. Lame plot device threatens to separate hero/heroine, plot device turns into opportunity to bring them closer, hero saves heroine or vice versa…then Shana gets her clothes torn to shreds and the two share a loving embrace then Louise saves the country and the two share a loving embrace. I thought it was hilarious when she passed off the kiss as a renewal of contract XD

Closing thoughts:
- Saito is by far the best harem lead, evar
- Siesta > Jessica > Louise > Tabitha > Kirche
- Guiche fails at life
- Second season, nao!
- And finally, @ JCStaff: where was the fanservice T_T?

Ah, Higurashi, second maybe only to Yuri Panic, had the most inconsistent quality this season. The arcs ranged from undeniably awesome (first and last) to incredibly lame and sometmes downright creepy (Shion torture arc *shudders*). Although all in all I think it succeeded in doing what it set out to do…which I personally think is confuse the crap out of the watchers. By doing so they will go buy the manga and game in a feeble attempt to understand plot and confirm outrageous storyline theories. Absolutely brilliant.

The ending arc of the series was, in many ways, a mirror of the first arc. This time, instead of k1 going apeshit berserk and killing his friends, it was Rena. As mentioned in my H&C II review, I love stories that come full circle, it’s such a nice way to show how the story has advanced yet draws parallels between beginning and end. Instead of Rena going completely berserk, as k1 did, we see some retribution on her part. After a foiled attempt to kill her friends, she realizes her mistakes and repents for them. I really liked the Rena arc because it revealed quite a few things, first off that the arcs are not completely separate. Some, if not all, the characters appear to be, on some level, conscious of the fact that they have lived the same summer multiple times. While this confused the hell out of me, those theorists out there must have lightbulbs exploding in their brains.

The ending fight was a little dragged on, and the way they turned it into a batsu game made it sort of anticlimactic. Knowing of k1’s prowess with the bat and likewise on Rena’s part with the cleaver, I thought we were watching a fight to the death, but apparently their intents were not murderous. *shrugs* I thought it would have been a more dramatic ending were their lives at stake, but maybe that’s just me.

The final scene seems to imply that this loop is eternal, the endless stories of death, betrayal and the oyashiro-sama curse seemingly have no end in sight. I don’t really like cliffhanger endings, however, after being put through the same time period about 6 times I don’t care about the specifics anymore, point taken. Not a spectacular finale, but it did the job and I think continuing any further would cause my brain to implode and eat itself, so all is well.

Closing thoughts:
- k1’s voice got increasingly annoying as the series progressed
- Rika > Rena > Mion > Shion > Satoko
- Needs more loli, lol
- Game translation, nao!
- Otakus getting mugged in Akihabara need to take a page out of k1’s playbook, buy a bat
So there you have it! My half assed attmpt to provide the readers out there with some sort of closure for the summer season. I believe that takes care of all series EXCEPT Utaware, which I’m still on the fence about. I watched most of it, so I’d like to see it through, but the quality decline in the last few eps as well as the lack of releases from yesy have hindered my progress. I may just drop it, we’ll see.

And so we charge ahead to the fall season, I’ll be covering Kanon and Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru (if it doesn’t suck) for sure. If time permits I’ll also try to blog Negima!? and Lovedol ~ Lovey Idol ~. I decided against blogging Death Note because there will most likely be many out there who will cover it already.

~ Shirukii ~

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 19
Meakashi-hen Part 4

Summary
         Picking up right where the previous episode left us, Shion is caught by Mion listening in on a private conversation. Mion answers the ringing phone, and tells the person on the other line to “handle the situation” over there, and “silence anyone involved”. Hanging up, Mion tells Shion of Takano and Tomitake’s deaths by Oyashiro’s curse. Shion whips out her trusty taser and zaps Mion and Oryou, promising to avenge Satoshi.
         Shion carries the other two Sonozakis to the underground prison a la episode 16. Mion is tossed into a cell, while Oryou is kept for further questioning. Before Shion gets to Oryou, however, she grills Mion for answers regarding Oyashiro’s curse. Mion reveals that although she is the next head of the Sonozakis, she holds no real power because she is only the spokeswoman for Oryou. When Shion asks if Tomitake and Takano were killed because they went to the festival shrine, Mion acts surprised when she hears this, previously not knowing. Apparently, it’s a rather large sin to look into the shrine (unless of course, you’re a little loli that likes saying “ni paa~”), and that their deaths were to be expected for breaking that taboo. Done with her interrogation, Shion goes back to Oryou, but finds that she’s not simply knocked out, rather she’s already dead. Disappointed, she does what any other sane person would do: bust out the whip and start beating a dead horse corpse.
         Having gotten nowhere with Oryou, Shion goes back to her twin and questions her of a fabled well in the prison. In the past, this well was used to toss the bodies of those who were onikakushi’d. Today, it’s being used again to dispose of Oryou. Reflecting on losing Satoshi, Shion goes into a rage when she can’t understand why Satoshi was still erased, not wanting to put up with the lies of the rest of the Sonozakis anymore.
         Done with her dealings down at the torture chamber, Shion goes back up to the house, when the phone rings. It’s Kimiyoshi, inviting Oryou to an emergency board meeting tomorrow. Right after hanging up, the phone rings again. It’s Kasai this time. Shion tests Kasai by telling him that she went into the festival shrine. When Kasai is unsupportive of her, Shion quickly hangs up, disappointed that her only ally has turned against her.
         The next day, Shion dresses as Mion, pretending to be her. We see Shion question Keiichi much like earlier in the Watanagashi arc but now we know of her true identity. Soon after that, Shion attends the emergency meeting that Kimiyoshi informed her about earlier. During the meeting, Shion speaks out and tells the board that the reason for this year’s Watanagashi curse is because the festival shrine was broken into. To her surprise, this creates a large negative reaction from the board, cursing those who dirtied the holy shrine. From this reaction, Shion comes to the conclusion that the true heir of Oryou is one of the members of the board. The meeting ends and Shion calls Kimiyoshi to her house privately. Once alone, they talk of Shion and of the break-in (while still pretending to be Mion). Kimiyoshi gives his full support to Shion, telling her that Shion deserves to be saved if she repents for the break-in. However, Kimiyoshi continues on the topic, and adds that Shion deserves to be saved, unlike the cursed Houjou family. When Shion inquires about the three nail distinction and how Satoshi was supposed to have been forgiven, Kimiyoshi reveals that the three nails were for Kasai, Yoshiro, and Shion. Shion then goes psycho and tasers the daylights out of Kimiyoshi, ending the episode.
 
Summary of Summary
- Sonozakis revealed to be directly related to Oyashiro’s curse
- Oryou killed, Mion thrown in a cell
- Kimiyoshi’s zapped, much like Mion. And Oryou.
- Shion’s freaking psycho. ‘Nuff said.
 
Screencaps

The truth of who’s sitting on which side of the fence

Just a little psycho there, Shion…

And you’re telling me NONE of them can tell the difference between twins?

Hey, this tea tastes pretty goo— ZAP!!

 
Mini-Thoughts
         This episode really advanced a lot in the story. A whole lot of questions from Watanagashi-hen were answered, and other things revealed, like the Sonozaki twin switch regarding exactly who is in the jail cell and who’s out walking about.
         The board meeting was rather interesting, a lot was talked about. Why is the festival shrine so sacred that it demands the DEATHS of those who are impure and enter it? The villagers were completely uncaring about the deaths, actively cursing those who entered the shrine. And that only brings me to question their innocence. Exactly HOW far does the so called curse of Oyashiro run? If it is completely controlled by humans ordered by Oryou, then wouldn’t the members of the board meeting be unsurprised at the previous deaths at Hinamizawa? What reason would they consider the previous deaths tragic then, if they were the ones who brought about that death? And if they were involved, why do they not know of the newest developments of the current year? They give off the impression of innocence and guilt at the same time, and I can’t exactly tell how to judge this.
         And I don’t think I need to say this, but Shion’s absolutely crazy psycho. She’s willing to go as far as to kill her aunt, jail her twin, and zap an old man, effectively taking out three prominent members of the three head families. Throw in the fact that this is all essentially for Satoshi, a boy that she liked, and it gets a little crazier. Can she dig a deeper grave? Something tells me yes, and she’s about to.

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 18
Meakashi-hen Part 3

Summary:
         Shion is down at the police station, talking with Ooishi. Ooishi reveals that much like Shion, he too was surprised at the sudden capture of the murderer of Aunt Houjou. Instead of Satoshi, it was found by the prefectural police that it was a psychopath who soon after being thrown into detention, killed himself.
         Shion continues her investigation of Satoshi, and in turn, the entire Watanagashi Curse. The dam director, the Houjou parents, the Furude parents. All were viewed as undesirable to the Sonozakis. Takano suddenly shows up behind Shion, reading her notes. After being a little creepy, Takano sheds new light on Shion’s investigation by revealing one more crucial piece of information: every year, for every person who dies by the curse, another person disappears. This solidifies the link between Oyashiro’s curse and Satoshi’s disappearance. Takano then continues on about Hinamizawa’s “dark history”. The history of Cannibal Demons, the actions of the half-human half-demon Saints, the true meaning of Watanagashi, and the role of the Onigafuchi Marsh. Being creepy yet useful, Takano lets Shion borrow all of her notes on her research and findings.
         After Shion arrives back home, Mion decides to pay her a visit. The air between the Sonozaki twins turns out to be rather dense, their previous encounter at the Sonozaki residence still fresh in their minds. Mion apologizes for what happened, but Shion still seems a little upset of the entire thing. The situation starts to lighten a bit, until Mion mentions the disappearance of Satoshi, and how it was not the doings of the Sonozakis. Having already learned new information from Takano’s research, Shion is convinced that Mion is lying. Shion’s inner demon awakens at this point, and Shion starts strangling her twin. Shion demands for her Satoshi to be returned, but alas, it seems not to be working. When Mion tries to defend herself, Shion notices Mion’s three missing fingernails, exactly like her own injuries. Mion, crying, confesses that when Shion had her nails torn, she argued with Oryou and defended both Shion and Satoshi. Mion agreed to show her own distinction if Oryou would leave them alone. However, Satoshi still disappeared, and Mion has no idea why. With some sisterly love, the Sonozaki Twins make up and put the event behind them.
         A year passes, and it’s now 1983. Shion is out buying groceries, and after getting pissed off, kicks over a few motorcycles. Uh oh. Unforutnately, they belong to the same three delinquents that Satoshi dealt with last time. The difference between this time and the previous would be that there’s no Satoshi to save Shion… as well as the fact that some of the delinquents have gained the ability to actually talk. Luckily, Keiichi pops in, Satoshi-style. He distracts them long enough for help to arrive, and the delinquents run away. Keiichi then mistakes Shion for Mion, and rubs her head… Satoshi-style, once again.
         After a break in the action, we’re greeted by the Sonozaki twins at Shion’s place, eating cake and talking of Keiichi. Oh Keiichi, I envy you, taking the Sonozaki twins and all. *Adds Keiichi to the list of people I’d like to Watanagashi* Ahem, sorry. So yes, as I was saying. Mion starts crying when she talks of the time Keiichi gave the doll he won to Rena instead of herself. Shion gives Mion a few helpful hints, but soon after announces a competition between them, a challenge of who can win Keiichi over first. Shion starts thinking of Satoshi, and how she’s a little jealous of Mion’s situation with Keiichi.
         The scene changes to the day when Keiichi finds out that Mion and Shion are actually two different people. The Sonozaki twins are playing tug-a-Keiichi-war, in which Shion gives up on. After a Satoshi headrub from Keiichi and a farewell, Shion runs away, crying when being reminded of Satoshi. Finished with her good cry, Shion continues walking, only to hear an extra footstep behind her, much like Rena’s description of Oyashiro’s curse.
         It’s the night of Watanagashi, and Shion bumps into Tomitake and Takano. They plan to break into the festival shrine, and invite Shion to join them. Shion decides to go along with this, bringing along Keiichi. Once inside, Shion starts to once again notice footsteps that doesn’t seem to belong to anyone. Other than Shion, nobody else seems to be able to hear the footsteps. Before much else can happen, the Offering Dance by Rika ends, and the group must leave the Shrine or risk being discovered.
         After having too much to drink, Shion wakes up in the middle of the night and overhears Oryou and Mion’s conversation. They’re talking of someone stirring Oyashiro’s anger. Sounds like the fifth occurrence of the curse took place, involving Takano. The phone suddenly rings, distracting Shion long enough for Mion to pop out of nowhere and grab her from behind…
 
Summary of Summary
- Ooishi’s surprised about Satoshi’s “innocence”, and the “true” murderer killed himself
- Takano knows a LOT about Oyashiro’s curse. Enough to put her life in danger. OH WAIT!
- The Sonozaki twins fight. After Shion wins the first round with a strangle, Mion comes back
   to tie the series by winning the tug-a-Keiichi-war
- A little too much is seen at the festival shrine…
- Shion’s caught listening in to the convo of Oryou by Mion. OSHI—
 
Screencaps

Girls, please. There’s enough Soda to go around (And I’m not talking about a drink)

Keiichi? Satoshi? ……….. Keitoshi?!?

Keiichi’s the master at keeping his cool in bad situations

Quoted for truth.

Watch out Shion!!

 
Thoughts
         I’ll say a few things now, but I won’t get too too deep into the subject. I liked this episode, it shed a lot of light on some questions I had. It eliminated some theories I had, but that just means I’m one step closer to the truth. Earlier in Meakashi-hen, I was starting to wonder exactly what this answer arc was planning on answering. Now it’s much clearer, since it’s now directly connected to Watanagashi-hen, taking place at the same time.
         The arcs presented before Meakashi-hen felt pretty independent of each other, not relying on each other to build a larger story. With this first answer arc, I’m really enjoying the way Meakashi-hen and Watanagashi-hen are beginning to intertwine, and how different perspectives can completely change the same story. Shion’s loose connections to the Sonozakis and her intense drive to do Satoshi justice is finally starting to bring out all the things we missed in Keiichi’s perspective, and we’re about to have our previous knowledge completely turned upside down…

         The entire Sonozaki twin conflict really aided in the advancement of their relationship, and it was nice to see them getting along so well as siblings afterwards. Keiichi’s appearance in this arc was certainly welcomed, and I really look forward to how Shion will react to Keiichi. The way she harbours feelings for both Keiichi and Satoshi, and the fact that they’re quite similar will only cause further problems that she must sort out within herself. The nature of Mion and Keiichi’s relationship doesn’t aid Shion either, and Keiichi’s future actions when he’s under the impression that Shion is Mion will most certainly cause many internal conflicts. Although we already have a rough idea of the events that will occur after watching Watanagashi-hen, Shion will make these same events new and exciting.

//Soda

         Here comes another guest post from me, really sorry for the complete lack of them. I’ll try to do a better job =S But yes, due to the timing of the opening of this blog as well as the timing of me actually posting, I’ll have to start Higurashi no Naku Koro ni in the middle of the series. I’m 3 episodes behind, so I’ll hold off the theories till episode 19, the most recent episode as of this time.

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 17
Meakashi-hen Part 2

Summary:
         We start this episode with the Sonozaki twins talking to each other on the phone. Apparently Satoshi was crazy enough to call Mion and apologize to her for what he did at school. Seems a little backwards, but ok. Mion tells Shion to call Satoshi back, since she was the one involved. When Shion does, much apologizing comes from both sides. Satoshi wants Sonozaki to take care of Satoko at the Watanagashi festival, because he’ll be “busy”. I’m sure he’s going to be “busy”, Keiichi style.
         We then see Satoshi walking down a path that very much resembles the setting of Keiichi’s attack on Uncle Houjou. I wonder I wonder. Switching to the action at the festival, we see Rika [with strangely light coloured hair, might I add] comfort Satoko. Cutting back to the previous scene, Aunt Houjou comes across a wardrobe armoire that Satoshi told her about. A Satoshi-shaped shadow pops up behind her, wielding a baseball bat-shaped shadow. Needless to say, Aunt Houjou was greeted rudely, Keiichi style.
         Back at the festival, Makino’s running like he saw a ghost. He informs Oryou that the fourth Watanagashi curse has occurred. Meanwhile, Ooishi starts surveying the scene, and orders everyone not to leak information to the public.
         The next day, Shion as Mion comes across Satoshi in front of a toy store. Satoshi’s eyeing his planned present to Satoko in the store. It’s a… Pedobear, of all things. Yes, Pedobear, in MY Higurashi. But killer lolis… Pedobear… I guess they kind of go together. Ooishi comes along, wanting Satoshi’s alibi. Shion picks up on the hints and says that Satoshi was with her at Angel Mort the entire time. This leads to Shion revealing her true identity, and both Shion and Satoshi being brought to the police station for further questioning. Upon leaving, Shion is escorted to the estate.
         When she arrives, she is greeted by Mion and an angry Oryou. Why is she angry? Because of Shion’s involvement with Satoshi and her general defiance to the Sonozaki name. Shion responds by establishing the fact that she doesn’t care one bit about the Sonozaki name, as well as the Houjou name, and that she loves Satoshi. Mion finally speaks out, but not to defend Shion. Instead, she orders Shion to apologize and show the Distinction of Right and Wrong, threatening to involve Kasai, Yoshiro, and Satoshi. Shion breaks down and submits to Mion.
         This is when Higurashi successfully makes me feel… disturbed at what was happening. The Sonozakis bring out a fingernail removal device. Oh my. I’ll be man enough to admit I cringed at this whole scene. I like my nails right where they are, thank you very much. Mion outlines the deal, how for every nail Shion tears off, one sin of hers will be forgiven, for a total of three sins [Kasai, Yoshiro, Satoshi]. Commence cringing. After tearing one nail off, Shion’s in immense pain. Nail number two doesn’t come off cleanly, only halfway. Shion’s at her limit, and the Yakuza come over and finish the job she started.
         After what seems like an eternity, the scene changes to the next day. Shion’s walking the streets, and notices that Pedobear is missing from the toy store. Ooishi appears and takes note of Shion’s injuries. Ooishi then brings Shion to the police station, informing her that Satoshi’s missing, most likely running away from home. As well, he is the prime suspect for Aunt Houjou’s murder.
         When Shion gets home, Kasai tells her that the real murderer was just caught, it was just a crazy psychopath. The episode ends on Shion’s thoughts of how Satoshi’s involved with Oyashiro’s curse.
 
Summary of Summary:
- Aunt Houjou was K1’d.
- Pedobear. Lolis. Need I continue?
- Shion’s fingernails were ripped off. The world cringes.
- Satoshi goes missing while the murderer of Aunt Houjou is found.
 
Screencaps

Pedobear eyeing Shion. He’s playing with fire…

4koma of “the scene”. *Shudders*

 
Gomennasai for the lack of posts. Will try to correct!
 
//Soda