Higurashi 2020 is (Not) a Remake | First Reaction

At first we were told that this was a remake, one of a beloved series that...well probably didn't need it. But then things started to fall into place...
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#Anime #Discussion #Higurashi #new #2020 #Gou #AnimeAnalysis #Analysis #Opening #OP #ED #GlassReflection

[@kimjaehee9294]

Higurashi 2020 is not a remake Everybody: *We've Been Tricked, We've Been Backstabbed and We've Been Quite Possibly, Bamboozled*

[@Dapplemii]

They really played us

[@TheXerforce]

It really is a shame it looks like shit

[@sinom]

@@TheXerforce at least it looks a lot better than the original anime

[@TheXerforce]

@@sinom You are joking right?

[@phillipjiang1593]

@@TheXerforce the original is known for crappy visuals. It's just that Higurashi is a horror anime so the animation was accidentally appropriate. Had it been a show of any other genre the visuals would be ridiculed. The new one obviously is not the best, but nonetheless a fair modern improvement, especially considering the rika dance

[@JigokuShoujoYuki]

Ryukishi is a monster of a writer, I believe in him making this move.

[@froufroudeluxe]

The real hinamizawa syndrome were the Ryukishis we made along the way

[@Rar830]

True that

[@ryukishi07thecreator70]

It was great seeing Featherine in the op

[@sterlingmuse5808]

Is he the one writing here though?

[@chimechofan5]

@@sterlingmuse5808 Yes, he wrote the script.

[@SourRobo8364]

Fate fans: First time?

[@rkr9861]

Second time, actually. Nobody remembers Higurashi Outbreak.

[@monoplush1257]

@@rkr9861 nah but outbreak was never meant said to be a remake

[@cadr003]

@@monoplush1257 Neither is Gou, apparently.

[@monoplush1257]

@@cadr003 you got a good point

[@aceh5867]

I Slay Goblins Let's just hope this doesn't end up like Last Encore.

[@MiyaoMeow588]

I think the fact that they were careful not to mention what the "rules" of Hinamizawa are or the culprit that kills her shows that they are trying to keep those answers as vague as possible for newcomers while also making it very clear early in that this is a sequel.

[@KeiichiGreen36]

That makes me even more optimistic for this new iteration of the franchise.

[@cadr003]

Unless, as Glass mentions in the video, the rules have changed this time around.

[@wombat4583]

@@cadr003 I think they would have to to some degree. If they don't it will make Rika look stupid but just following the same pattern again.

[@aidanklobuchar1798]

@@cadr003 I think the idea is that they don't want to spoil everything from the original in case you want to jump off and go experience that first. If Rika just info dumped everything, it would just be massive spoilers.

[@diegosmc9759]

Then who the fuck is the target audience supposed to be?they drop hanyu like a fucking spoiler nuke and try to keep things vague?it's only gonna confuse the newcomers (if they are the target audience,if they are not, then i don't get why they advertided this as a remake just to cockblock the new people trying to get into the franchise)

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Ryushiki07 is a really underrated writer, one thing I hope is to get a proper anime adaptation for Umineko

[@av1nashsingh]

Maybe if this succeeds

[@alexandresobreiramartins9461]

Yeah, I for one hated Umineko. The "Holmesian" MC was just being a dick and trolling the witch at some point, because any sane person would realize even halfway through the story that she is a real witch and something supernatural was taking place. It's just the usual stubbornness of a character who says, "I will NOT accept this, no matter what", just as a very forced plot point to make the story progress to the point where the witch gives up and asks to be killed.

[@Kasderan]

@@alexandresobreiramartins9461 You clearly dont understand Umineko at all, which is no surprise if you only watched the anime, which I assume you did (?) There is no real witch and no forced plot point. All of the story is far more complicated than the anime even showed.

[@DerTomatenToaster]

@@alexandresobreiramartins9461 Your comment just shows that you really didn't understand Umineko, lmao. The whole point of the story is that magic isn't real and you need to figure out how the murders are possible without it.

[@chimechofan5]

@@alexandresobreiramartins9461 lmao you have no idea what you're talking about.

[@Ratchet2247]

Higurashi 2020 is a lot like the new God of War. New players don't know the story of Kratos so they view the story through the lens of his son. Those who have played the story are viewing the story through the lens of Kratos himself. Both players get equal but different experiences. Old players are waiting for Kratos to reveal everything and new players are waiting for answers from Kratos. Higurashi 2020 will likely play the same way.

[@TheRezro]

Hope so. Sadly we have also cases of spectacular disasters like Magia Record, what started quite strong as sequel to great Madoka Magica, immediately to trip over own tail. For most of the show nothing happen, only for final being some clichéd BS and revelation what we already know. Generally it could work if creators know where story is gong. But if they just try cheese few birds at the same time they could end in the hole.

[@90_soumikghosh17]

Lets hope so. But i guess i am gonna start from s1 just to be safe in case this show turns shit

[@cadr003]

This might be the most accurate comparison to another franchise that I have read, thank you.

[@anonymouslyforgotten5592]

@@TheRezro Yes, Magia Record was a huge disappointment. Its like they said, "hey, you know that magical girl story, famous for both, being and starting the dark magical girl series? Well, I got an absolutely bright idea! Let's do that series with completely new generic characters, while also completely removing the dark elements that made it so special!! They'd definitely want that, rather than continuing from that absolutely devastating cliffhanger we left them on with Homura!!"

[@TheRezro]

@@anonymouslyforgotten5592 In my personal opinion it was result of greed. It is clearly only half of the story and from what I heard games become more interesting later. But yeh, as it is now majority of this anime is a filler. After great first episode, first few episodes we wasted on characters who completely disappear. And later is no better. Basically everything is unimportant, with only hints of something more, what was unexplored. Though for reminder first half of original also is rather generic and I don't know the games, so it can be way better story. Point is that what we get is equivalent and could be compressed into first tree episodes of the original show. I personally think that Rebellion is perfect final for this series, and people who think otherwise didn't get what is going one. Also reputation of the show is exaggerated. Magical Girls usually do have dark undertones, just most shows were highly censored on the west. It is why Magic Knight Rayearth was big thing, when mostly irrelevant in Japan. But yeh, nowadays we have only trashy Pretty Cure, so I do see why people could think otherwise.

[@winterx2348]

I'm in the camp of "read the manga and watched the anime, but it's been so long that I forgot nearly everything" so from my perspective, the new series is entertaining and intriguing enough to keep up with for now. It has some red flags, but I'm enjoying experiencing it again and being smacked in the face with middle school nostalgia by stuff i'd forgotten about, like how knock-off Colonel Sanders is in this franchise as a weird girl's husbando, so maybe turning him into an anime dating sim wasn't that out of left field as we all thought lol

[@k.d.6909]

I agree! I have forgotten almost everything from the show so I think it'll be fun to watch this

[@sterlingmuse5808]

Personally, the art style kinda puts me off. Which I realize is VERY silly, considering the 2006 art style isn't amazing, but I still prefer it for some reason. I may end up watching this once all of it comes out, but I think I'm just as likely to go back and watch the original instead.

[@winterx2348]

@@sterlingmuse5808 yeah after watching the first 3 eps weekly I would def recommend waiting until you can binge it. I like the updated art but will always have a special place in my heart for the crappy old one, too

[@Bansheeea]

Would love to hear what your red flags are!

[@Weirdos52]

If this new Higurashi somehow ties into Umineko by straight up showing Rika snap and becoming a witch because she got trapped in the loop again I would be very hyped. Although I highly doubt that will happen. I mean, if someone new is pulling the strings then that might indicate Lambdadelta is the new antagonist which would confirm Rika is Bernkastle.

[@ravenbird111]

or featherine would be even better

[@crocodileman94]

The Umineko-manga already confirmed it, but it would be nice to witness how she became Bernkastle.

[@Weirdos52]

@@crocodileman94 yeah, that’s what I was meaning to say with my original comment. While it’s more or less confirmed she is a witch, I’d be hyped if this anime showed that transformation like you said.

[@Weirdos52]

@@ravenbird111 I mean it might also be. I just said Lambda because she was confirmed to be one of if not the main witch involved in Bernkastle’s torment when she was human.

[@alexandresobreiramartins9461]

That's strange, because by the end of season 2 of the original series, she's shown as a benevolent time travelling adult who even goes so far as to prevent the tragedy that turned Takano mad and let to all the other tragedies in the story.

[@ForestGrantGaming]

It’s worth mentioning that Umineko has a manga adaptation that’s pretty good.

[@christopherbennett5858]

Certainly. Still trying to get paperbacks of volume 5. It's gorgeous and gives the series room to breathe.

[@gonfreeces5514]

Definitely recommend the VN more, I don't like VN and even I had a blast with umineko. The music is amazing and the voice acting first class. It far surpasses the manga(still decent).

[@gonfreeces5514]

@J.R. Alberto Escobar Escobar there are lolis but no fan service. It’s a serious story with some comedy in between.The only problem I have with recommending it is the duration. It will take nearly 200 hrs to finish,but it’s 200hrs well spent

[@moonstonepearl21]

Yea I have plans to read the Higurashi and Umineko manga because doing that just seems like a more manageable way to get as much of the content as possible than playing the visual novels that seem too overwhelming. I have heard that they are very accurate to the visual novels and sometimes even have extra content. Are these manga adaptations finished, or do more need to be written to cover everything?

[@TheGoldenAlchemist86]

@@christopherbennett5858 I just need one more book (episode 6 volume 1) but I just can't find it anywhere except the inflated price on Amazon 😭😭😭😭

[@mechajay3358]

_"We Have Been Lied Too"_ And I never felt more happy.

[@NezumiVA]

The objection I have to the "I'd feel like I was missing something" point is that....well, that's just it. Higurashi is a mystery. The _original_ anime had PLENTY of scenes where we'd flash forward to something or hear some kind of snippet of information that didn't line up with what we knew so far and was bewildering or confusing on its own. As the story went on and the mystery was unraveled, we would then come to _find out_ what those things meant in retrospect, working our way backwards. In a way, the elements being introduced much earlier in Gou feel to me like basically the same thing. Who is this spiritual companion? What's going on with Rika? All of these are things the new viewers will find themselves asking, but because it's a mystery story, that level of ambiguity and confusion is sort of par for the course, and isn't all that different from how Higurashi conducted itself in the first place, either in the VN _or_ the original anime adaptation.

[@Hikouma]

I suppose the issue then would be that it takes a lot of the mystery out of the original story. It's fine for people who have no intention on watching / reading anything other than this part of the series, but there will certainly be much less confusion and mystery for people who then decide to visit the start of the series. It's up for individuals to decide for themselves what they want to do, but it's also sad to see that so many would dismiss the original work just because it's "old".

[@hobojo153alt4]

I think his point/worry is that these questions might never actually get answered in this as it goes off the rail.

[@ThatFuckinGame]

come on, to anyone who has readed the novels or watch the anime, the First season plays with grounded horror, its all about a character perspective, keiichi´s head its the first arc, second and third, we experience the world and answers though his experience, a grounded one, we never ask about rika misterious companion, we ask why rika acts so strangely on keichis point of view. thats what sold the horror This is an utterly shitty "remake", and the writing as a sequel its dogshit.

[@electricant55]

Vague sillhouette appears in the OP Umineko readers: "Let me spoil everything"

[@wongfeihung8718]

So Rika didn't escape the endless loop of death and tragedy. This makes me mad and sad.

[@MikeyInsanity]

Since it got a mention at the end, I'll note that you can get the first Higurashi game/chapter on Steam for ~free.~ The company who licensed it decided they'll let the first game be available for anyone to play until a vaccine for [You Know What] is developed.

[@itsdistinctly]

Just say it

[@Oroxom3]

Umineko fans spotting A Character and locations in the OP be like: "YAHIRA JIKISAKU OHHH DEESIIRRE!!! "

[@Hikouma]

PETER GRIFFON'S FRIENDS NAME IS GLEEEEEEEEEEEENNNN QUAAAAAGMIIIRE

[@iloveemiliaandrem9443]

I haven't watched umineko because I hear nothing but bad stuff about the anime.But nowI have to watch it now just to understand this character that was spotted in higurashi gou.

[@ryukishi07thecreator70]

@@iloveemiliaandrem9443 Lol That character isn't shown in the anime adaptation, only in the game and manga, and the anime adaptation is trash in every way, while the game and manga are masterpiece.

[@somepiesheep4426]

This show is bound and determined to make poor Rika suffer

[@vincentmartin9667]

No, please no! Think of the Rika!

[@vincentmartin9667]

@Omega Zero Very good point. Maybe this will be the Umineko Presequel

[@Adik12oct]

I haven't seen the original, but didn't she just die in the new series?

[@vincentmartin9667]

@@Adik12oct Don't worry she a pro at that. She'll probably just walk it off.

[@unbiasedfanboy5792]

When discussing the new Higurashi title, it’s “gou” not “gao” in Japanese. Gou as in 業 which is like fate or destiny.

[@thexenosaiyan]

Isn't Gou also 5 in Japanese?

[@peachie6284]

TheXenosaiyangamer that’s go

[@vivvy_0]

karma?

[@crazy_pink_haired_bitch]

How to watch Higurashi correctly: 1. Higurashi no naku koro ni 2006 2. Higurashi no naku koro ni Nekogoroshi-hen (OVA) 3. Higurashi no naku koro ni Kai 2007 4. Higurashi no naku koro ni Rei (OVA series) 5. Higurashi no naku koro ni Kira (Fan service OVA) 6. Higurashi no naku koro ni Kaku - Outbreak (OVA movie) 7. Higurashi no naku koro ni Gou 2020 8. Higurashi no naku koro ni Sotsu 2021 9. Umineko no naku koro ni (don't watch the Umineko anime because it is badly rushed and left unfinished, it's much better to play the visual novel on steam or read the manga) 10. Ciconia no naku koro ni (play the visual novel)

[@ScottOrKaze]

I watched the first season of Higurashi as a teen then never got around the finishing it. Finally picked it back up, rewatched the first season, now I’m a few episodes into Kai. Such a fantastic and gripping story, very excited to see how it all plays out, then watch the 2020 series

[@vivvy_0]

@Bubba BEATORIIICEEE

[@ScottOrKaze]

@Bubba Exciting that they're revisiting Higurashi, maybe it means we'll finally get a solid Umineko adaptation in the next few years

[@Laurenosaur]

Don’t forget the OVA outbreak! Imo it’s got one of the best “whys” of the whole series

[@PasscodeAdvance]

I was 12 when I watched Higurashi or heard of it as much as I know. Returning has never been more fun

[@aud91497]

Nipaaa☆ (44years old) Nii nii〜 (56years old) I am truly happy.

[@omgomgomgd]

The burning question, the only thing I care about: will we get another headstabbing scene?

[@Ene-Chan]

for rika no she will not die according to ryukishi

[@Clone394]

Probably a different character

[@wilhelmdietz4023]

I hope they'll do it like in the manga, the most horrific from Higurashi I have seen

[@edi9892]

I hope for another Rika chairing Sato scene.

[@palmtoptiger3940]

Higurashi taught me i cant stand the idea if nails being ripped out

[@amberlyveil8856]

My theory: Johan Liebert found a time machine and is using it to refine his subtle manipulations

[@cynthiamonique207]

Monster No Naku Koro Ni ?

[@amberlyveil8856]

@@cynthiamonique207 Naoki Uraswawa's Monster

[@cynthiamonique207]

@@amberlyveil8856 Naoki Urasawa's Higurashi

[@-Stelle-]

Yooo Monster is so underrated

[@cynthiamonique207]

@@-Stelle- A hundred percent!

[@michaelhuh8397]

When I heard that it was going to be a reboot/sequel, my first initial thought was that it was going to retell all the events and at the end reveal itself to actually be a sequel. Fans of the initial series would be delighted while not confusing the newer fans. However, I feel as if this new series has kind of showed its hand to quickly. I’m still interested to see how this will all play out, but this was def not what I expected.

[@FarWanderer81]

It was a bold choice. I think Ryuukishi knows what he's doing.

[@zffrailgun1630]

A reboot couldn't have ever been a sequel, because that's not how reboots work. A remake can't be a sequel either, because that's not how remakes work. We thought it was a remake, but it's an actual sequel, so I doubt that it "showed its hand" because I HIGHLY doubt that we're getting the same story.

[@SamWong1231]

If they would actually link Higurashi and Umineko together in this....man...that's amazing!!! I'm so excited and can't wait to see how the show will go on.

[@Narutohono]

The Original series being on HIDIVE also means it is available on VRV due to Crunchyroll being partnered with them.

[@shiteyanyo1111]

The idea of people calling Arkada a gatekeeper for saying that he doesn't think new viewers should start with a sequel, is hilarious to me.

[@eryseayliid1535]

You GOTTA make a full review. IT IS GLORIOUS! :D

[@steviecloverlily]

i havent watched your videos since i was in middle school omg im so glad you still make them !!! i hope you are doing well old friend.

[@E1337N3SS]

The Rika/Hanyuu reveal seemed waaaaay too rushed to me. I know the twist, sure. So do a good portion of the audience. For new viewers, however, you've basically gotten the entire twist spoiled. You're not going to get that same sense of mystery I did. There's still plenty of content worth watching for, but the question of WHY you're seeing the loops happen is kind of gone.

[@kolanut]

I think the entire point is that it's not supposed to be a twist in the new anime. They're giving new viewers a different experience than old viewers while still trying to keep it comprehensible by keeping the introductions the same.

[@cadr003]

Its not a twist when you realize in Rika and Hanyuu's conversation that this is a sequel

[@zffrailgun1630]

It isn't supposed to be a twist. I wouldn't call the main characters appearing in their own sequel a "twist". After all, how would it be a "twist" when absolutely nothing has happened? It could be called an "introduction" if you're a first timer to the series.

[@dickorydock8475]

@@zffrailgun1630 Watching this first take's out the twist for the first season so it's not really recommended, well unless you're not planning on watching that.

[@SilverShion]

Is Higurashi 2020 a remake ?? Is is not ?? We will find out this week after seeing Tomitake's neck.

[@Alex-qi8rq]

It's a retelling by technically being a sequel at the same time

[@SuiteLifeofDioBrando]

It is likely this season has a new mystical antagonists who Spoilers Forced Rika to repeat the loops again.

[@zffrailgun1630]

It's not a remake, it's a sequel. The events of Kai have already happened. Also, good one.

[@Oceaniac]

Your original review on Higurashi is my favourite review EVER to have been made on anything, and so seeing you speak on this once more brings light to my heart!

[@beastialmoon2327]

I completely agree, and I definitely wouldn't call it gatekeeping. It's not a matter of trying to keep people from watching it, it's trying to help newcomers experience it as best as possible without being confused. And being only 2 seasons, it's not too huge of a task to catch up. The OVA shorts and movie are fun, but not necessary to watch for this.

[@josevillanueva8447]

That's what I say. Golden Kamuy had been in my watchlist for a while and the new season just came out. I binged 24 episodes of S1 in 2 days.

[@josevillanueva8447]

Worst case scenario you could binged Higurashi S1 & S2 in 1-2 weeks and only missed 2 new episodes. Which you could catch up later. It's doable.

[@Hikouma]

I'd personally suggest Rei as well.

[@Jester103]

For newcomers the pause taken for Hughes is a bit weird nah man I fell in love with that guy the moment I saw him on screen

[@mslaughter2821]

I watched FMAB first and never questioned the pause. Lots of important characters are given extra time during their first appearance to clue the audience into the fact that they are important. I figured that was all it was and that Hughes was a character to keep an eye on

[@Jester103]

Yeah same here

[@dango6266]

Bruh same.

[@dickorydock8475]

I never watch the original FMA and just go with the remake because from what I could understand, it's basically the same story with different endings and I don't think that Hughe's pause even bother me.

[@RaithAtsutane]

Featherine ist not even just a Cameo. As an indirect sequel Umineko revealed additional information regarding Higurashi. Which makes it even more reasonable that you should watch Higurashi first (heck I hope they stay reasonable with Umineko as you would miss a lot of additional information if its too heavyly included).)

[@papapok13]

Let it sink in, we've been once again reduced to a mass of theorizing demon goats. Well played.

[@zapbolt8]

I love how it tried to balance it for like 3 arcs and then they just fully dived into sequel territory.

[@wiltedpetals]

i was so shocked when i watched the second episode. higurashi rly is something else. i thought i'd consumed so much higurashi content that nothing could surprise me anymore, and then i realised it had to be a sequel. now i find myself glued to the screen every week wondering where the story is going. it's also been rly interesting seeing the way my friends react to higurashi. i'm watching it with 3 other people, one of them has been a fan of higurashi for a decade now, just like me. the other two started higurashi with the new one (and now they're binging the og as soon as i realised it was gonna be different) and the way we experience it is so different, yet very enjoyable for all of us. i know higurashi gou is not perfect, but it definitely exceeded all my expectations

[@bertman4]

Strange that they chose to remake Higurashi instead of Umineko.

[@zffrailgun1630]

This isn't a remake though, it's a normal sequel.

[@aton667]

"for over 100 years" aghhhh there's no winning, trying to learn more about this new show through reactions like this without hearing massive stuff like that

[@NotAnElk]

In fairness they do say that in the scene he's showing. The show is full of spoilers for the original series and I REALLY wouldn't recommend watching it as a newcomer.

[@takanuva456]

That's not a huge spoiler if Gou is how you've decided to experience the higurashi story for the first time. It's said very early on

[@takanuva456]

@@NotAnElk Ryukishi07 says this series will be good for newcomers. Obviously I can't confirm that as true with only two episodes, but they clearly have a plan here

[@Vraelf]

It's already clear it's not a good place for newcomers, but i came here expecting Arkada to just give a overview, say if it's a remake or sequel and when going to talk about spoilers say "Now i will talk about things that can be spoilers" not just repeat the same spoiler the new anime, that is not for newcomers, gives to the newcomers in the second episode. But this is a 10+ years old series so the only one to blame is myself, Azkaran and any other person that didn't click away after the first 3 minutes.

[@NotAnElk]

@@Vraelf True, Arkada really should have prefaced this with a spoiler warning. @takanuva456 it's factually not good for newcomers since it spoilers an extremely important plot point from the original series. I don't really care what Ryukishi07 said, the spoiler's already happened, so he's wrong.

[@bee_doug]

I feel like I’ve come full circle after watching this video. Your first review of Higurashi was what got me really intrigued by the series, but I was too nervous to actually watch the show back then. Now almost seven years later, Higurashi 2020 was announced and I was so excited for a new chance to get into the series, but I didn’t end up finding the time to watch the original anime before the new one released. I decided to try reading the VNs instead, so just yesterday I got Onikakushi from steam. Now I feel validated in going forward with reading the VNs first before watching Higurashi Gou. Thanks for introducing me to this amazing series all those years ago Arkada!

[@Annatar_the_admirable]

If you don't mind me giving a piece of advice, I'd strongly recommend using the free 07th mod with the steam game for improved visuals/quality of life and most importantly the addition of excellent voice acting from the same VA's as the Anime. Welcome to Hinamizawa!

[@bee_doug]

@@Annatar_the_admirable Thank you for the advice!! I like the patch sprites WAY more than the steam ones and I’m excited about the voice acting! I appreciate your advice and the welcome.

[@Annatar_the_admirable]

@@bee_doug You're very welcome! Hope you enjoy it.

[@bee_doug]

@@Annatar_the_admirable Man, I’m so glad I downloaded the patch. I played a bit of the game before downloading it and there’s no competition, the patch makes it 100 times better. Thank you again for the suggestion!

[@Annatar_the_admirable]

​@@bee_doug Glad to hear it!

[@fulcrum6760]

Higurashi is basically anime Twin Peaks meets Among Us but everyone is the imposter.

[@Snowflake_flora]

Now i have to go back to 2006 bye

[@chipxtreme1234]

It's going the Final Fantasy 7 Remake route

[@martinde-serres8724]

Hopefully it won't be a huge dumpster fire like the FF7 'Remake' is at the moment yeah that's right, I said it and I don't give a shit about what you're all gonna say FF7 'remake' is pure garbage and a disrespect to the original PS1 game with this whole 'it's-actually-a-sequel' bullshit that doesn't make any fucking sense

[@Javifaa]

To be fair, they only implied it would be a normal remake. In fact, they never used the word "remake" to promote Higurashi Gou. So, already a different route. If you don't believe me, just search it's promotional material. On the other hand, sequel and remake aren't mutually exclusive if time travel (or something similar) is being used (preferably if that already was an element of the original). Heck, as far as I know, only Higurashi can do that and don't feel forced due to the nature of the plot itself. Now, I suspect episodes 14 onwards will not be newcomers friendly. I hope I can read the entire Manga during Christmas, because I just won't watch the Deen version (let's just say it shares several key staff members with Umineko Deen, AND that I blacklist any direct adaptation that doesn't respect the themes of the original). The fact that those will air in a different time slot is suspicious, don't you think?

[@CatChaos369]

Man the hype kicked in when the old op kicked in at the end of episode one I was so confused when they showed spoiler cards so early!

[@anonarat]

Arkada might not be able to, but I certainly can: I wholeheartedly recommend reading the behemoth that is Umineko no Naku Koro ni. It is worth it.

[@PepeOPT1]

It's hard for an old fan who read the VNs to feel bad about this because to us instead of getting a remake of a mediocre adaptation, we are getting new content both for Higurashi and Umineko. Sure, they could've said it was a sequel but by not doing so, the surprise that an old fan feels is VASTLY superior so yeah maybe it's bad for newcomers but man, does it hype me up.

[@moonstonepearl21]

Since you are familiar with the VNs, I know they have come out with new ones for Higurashi in recent years that have some new content. So is this series based on that new content, or is the creator just going straight to anime form with all this? As of now, it seems like this is not based off of anything yet. If they are going to add this extra content that might be a bigger bridge to Umineko, then that means they may have a long term plan for the series. If that is the case, then it probably was better to redo everything to put in as much information as possible, since I know there were some arks left out in that first adaptation. Do the original, this, Umineko, and maybe that new When They Cry VN. Do you happen to know about that new one and if it connects to this franchise since I would guess it does in some way.

[@soldat3710]

@@moonstonepearl21 Ciconia (and you could say even Umineko technically, at least for now) are not connected with Higu in any way if not for some themes that the WTC franchise shares in all its titles. For the first question, this looks to be completely original content as far as I know. I dope hope it will somehow be a bridge (and that is what I'm starting to think the more time passes) to Umineko but we can only hope.

[@moonstonepearl21]

@@soldat3710 Thanks for the info :)

[@ghrey8557]

I never really understand Vns and I dont really think I want to. Vns seem like a boring book with pictures.

[@moonstonepearl21]

@@ghrey8557 I've never played one, so I'm sure other people here can give you a better description, but I've felt like they are a video game with a lot of text to read where there are different paths/story lines to take and all of those different paths are connected and build upon each other. This is why visual novels are notoriously difficult to adapt into anime format. I'm sure they aren't boring per say, and you can't really know how you'd feel about them unless you tried some, but I'm personally not planning on starting one any time soon either. They just seem kind of overwhelming, especially in the when they cry franchise.

[@VectorMonz]

I wanted Higurashi 2020 to be a one-to-one remake with improved animation (and hopefully a better dub) so that new people could be easily introduced to the masterpiece design of the original anime. I am concerned as to what Higurashi 2020 will do to the franchise. Perhaps an edited version of Higurashi 2020 could give a similar experience to the original?

[@FarWanderer81]

I expect it will actually be quite different when all is said and done.

[@zffrailgun1630]

If Gou is done well enough, maybe it'll intrigue people to go back and watch the original. Either way, I doubt that this sequel can be bad.

[@earlyman7439]

The animation and direction for the original were great. No improvements needed in either department.

[@LowRankSeaPlayer]

Dude! HAHAHAHA I WATCHED YOUR REVIEW OF THIS ANIME 7 YEARS AGO. AND NOW. DAMN. ITS LIKE YESTERDAY.

[@Nhadaly]

The thing that annoys me about the higurashi bamboozle is that i went into it thinking that it was a remake for me to watch, a modern interpretation of a classic(so i didnt watch the classic), but instead i got a continuation and massive spoilers on the second episode about the whole plot of the classic series, not knowing that it wouldnt be a remake.

[@dandanthedandan7558]

Exactly why I didn't even watch the first episode and instead watched this to find out if it's a remake or sequel... tho this video spoiled me anyway which defeats the purpose but oh well

[@metalmask5]

- Wait, it's all a sequel? Always has been.

[@froufroudeluxe]

The real hinamizawa syndrome were the Ryukishis we made along the way

[@10falconfootball]

Thank you for putting my thoughts into video format. Great stuff and I wish you uploaded more often ^_^

[@TK_GX]

Poor Rika. Wasn't 100 years enough? xD

[@ash_v5911]

100 years?!

[@justinfreeman4614]

Endless eight!

[@ADTillion]

The whole timeline sequel thing is best seen in the Legend of Zelda. Breath of the Wild is an example of being primarily for newcomers but containing the context of the lore of the franchise itself which creates a canon logic to the continuity. However, where Breath of the Wild succeeds is by letting the player have freedom to pursue the story however they wish. Thus, knowing previous storylines and lore references are not as an integral part. It’s different here in Higurashi when there is direct reference to previous lore.

[@dominiquejr1]

Only have ever seen Season 1. Watched EP 2 of Higurashi New. Noticed a certain purple-haired minotaur loli. Stopped the episode. Watched Kai. 10/10 very glad i did.

[@sergeanthuman]

Anime has done this thing called foreshadowing(refurring to rika and hanyu's scene), for the old timer fans to get exited that after the remake part of this anime, we could get a sequel. Higurshi did this in 2006 with the second arc revealing a death the only happens on screen about 13 episodes later.

[@adityapandey9116]

Thanks for covering this Arkada !!

[@ItachiAnime1]

A positive: The call back to the original opening 1 of Higurashi in the ed of this sequel.

[@abyssent]

i dont remember this being a visual novel i just remember watching this when i was like 10 and being scared for life

[@codyhunter1ful]

This is the best video I've heard on this topic so far, to many people have seen 5 eps of the og and think they know the whole show. You actually seem to know what your talking about

[@totallydesigner1450]

I definitely think it's a Sequel, In the OG Keiichi gave Rena the doll Causing Mion to go insane. Later in the 2020 version Keiichi avoids this scenario by giving Mion the doll. (of course this is my personal theory which doesn't make it true.)

[@crazy_pink_haired_bitch]

How to watch Higurashi correctly: 1. Higurashi no naku koro ni 2006 2. Higurashi no naku koro ni Nekogoroshi-hen (OVA) 3. Higurashi no naku koro ni Kai 2007 4. Higurashi no naku koro ni Rei (OVA series) 5. Higurashi no naku koro ni Kira (Fan service OVA) 6. Higurashi no naku koro ni Kaku - Outbreak (OVA movie) 7. Higurashi no naku koro ni Gou 2020 8. Higurashi no naku koro ni Sotsu 2021 9. Umineko no naku koro ni (don't watch the Umineko anime because it is badly rushed and left unfinished, it's much better to play the visual novel on steam or read the manga) 10. Ciconia no naku koro ni (play the visual novel)

[@Rexodiak]

it's rebuild of eva all over again, except that we won't be waiting 10+ years for the last one... hopefully

[@Nyurufu]

I want to hear the opinion of someone who HASN'T seen the original. Maybe we're getting paranoid (heh) cuz we already know the old story, but to a newcomer, this season could be a great experience. I hope it works out. Edit: I personally have enjoyed it so far. I don't have any major issues with it.

[@Don_Tweak]

I was wondering if you were gonna do a review man.. awesome vid

[@prisma.]

Now that the first arc ended on a complete 180 makes me so excited for what Ryukishi has in store for us, oh boy, time to cry again.

[@BlueToxicity]

My friend and I are testing to see what will happen if you watch the original first or start with 2020 first. I’m currently watching the original because I already knew spoilers while my friend is going in with zero spoilers. It seems like he’s enjoying it without knowing what happened in the original. It also seems like he doesn’t understand the things that I’ve noticed in the 2020 show. I hope the 2020 anime will still be good even without watching the original because higurashi is very interesting. :| (side note: my sibling is also doing their own test and is learning about umineko while watching the 2020 anime)

[@moonstonepearl21]

Cool idea! Let us know how this experiment works out when it's over :)

[@BlueToxicity]

@@moonstonepearl21 Thank you! I might edit the comment after.

[@silvercrystal3]

0:51 .. God how do I like the original artstyle being WAY more fitting and expressive for Higurashi than the 2020-version; I just can't stop looking at that swirly-drawn mouths the characters do in the new styled version; it already takes away my connection :/ - or better to say :s

[@dschehutinefer5627]

The new design makes the characters look like shiny plastic dolls and I hate it. And it looks extremely cheap to boot... Why can't they make it look like Higurashi Kai? That was the peak of the art department...

[@virokyu]

Right?? Just from watching this review, my eyes were either glued to there even more vibrant hair, or their mouths that seemed to constantly be like :3, also, the "dead eyes" they do in the 2020 version isn't nearly as good as the old version either

[@davidlanni1611]

Yeah from where i am sitting, this may as well be Season 3, because Higurashi plays by different rules of stroytelling; that's been clear about it's world since the Visual novels. It feels to me this time around we are revisiting Arcs we've visited before, but with enough foreknowledge of those events for the showrunners to make room for new revealing information that we never got before.

[@yazzyxx]

I found Higurashi 2020 on hulu, and I decided to watch it since it was on my recommended. I haven't watched any previous Higurashi stuff, this is the first time I have heard of it. Honestly, I am starting the second episode and I am seriously enjoying it, and I am really impressed, I just hope I won't be super confused.

[@Hutchdh]

The original is in my top 5 quality animes ever. Im pleasantly surprised there's a sequel. Count me in. hype!

[@Javifaa]

Good joke. A series that is bad at something (in this case, being an adaptation) doesn't deserve to be in such a top (even if the rest where straight up perfect).

[@ifjahdbajxhbdnc189]

@@Javifaa ?

[@Nekore44]

I had a full on argument about this online. It feels like a sequel to me.

[@zffrailgun1630]

That's because it IS a sequel. The people that argue that this is a remake don't actually know what a remake is and the same goes for people arguing that this is a reboot/soft-reboot.

[@Annatar_the_admirable]

I'm so happy about this. Nervous, sure, but very hopeful considering Ryukushi is so involved. And the Umineko teasers are amazingly tantalising.

[@ChaoticFusion]

Also if you think about it one of the early but easily unnoticed hints that this is another repeated world is during the zombie tag game instead of hiding inside the shed like Keiichi originally did he hid on top of it where he then had his final stand against the girls which, I might be stretching it, draws parallels from his showdown with Rena on top of the school building.

[@randalgelinas848]

i was holding off Re watching Higurashi and waiting for the remake but now I got my Halloween plans

[@Will-jg2zs]

I'm excited for new Higurashi content. Sorry for newer followers tho.

[@melodyontivero4771]

Old Fan here, I watched the original Highrashi because of your recommendation (although I couldn’t find the second season legally anywhere at that time, need to get on that, saw hanyu and was thrown WAY OFF) and really enjoyed it (so much to get all the available VN on steam). It became one of my top anime to recommend and one the only anime’s i rewatched more than twice. I loved the atmosphere, the voice acting, the characters, and grew to admire the shotty animation. This remake (sequel) so far (as of Oct 28, 4 episodes have been released) is not looking to promising but I’m going to keep watching to support the creators and scratch my horror anime itch as it’s been a while since I’ve seen a new one come out. Hope to see a full glass reflection when the season is done! (: Edit- The Higurashi face is no longer, feelsbad

[@GingerBeanie]

"Can you start here?" Episode 15: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! no

[@astra_m00n]

Higurashi started out as a murder mystery with an important question "was it humans or was it magic". The new Higurashi adaption, does spoiler that whole mystery in no less than 2 episodes. DO NOT START WITH THIS ADAPTION. It defies the complete reason to have a mystery story in the first place and if this opinion was so-called gate-keeping then I would NOT be angry with the original writer that would have approved of this. But instead I am. I loved the guy for what he was capable of creating. But I do not support this decision he made. If they had just put in just some hints for the longtime fans, like he said they would, there wouldn't be any problem. But the second episode clearly spell it out that this is NOT a remake, but a continuation of the story after the original story has ended. They should have kept us at least up in the air about it and definitely not made it as blatant and confusing as they did in episode 2.

[@FarWanderer81]

The existence of magic doesn't mean the murders have anything to do with magic.

[@Hikouma]

@@FarWanderer81 Thanks Battler.

[@georgethemonkeydrummer5598]

I’m officially bummed out now I have to watch the first 2 original seasons and the ovas I hope I enjoy it a lot

[@pasturple5662]

well, the animation might be dated, but they are AMAZING. And if you get confused... you're supposed to be xD so dont drop it for that reason.

[@zffrailgun1630]

You don't have to watch the OVAs. The only OVA that maybe is canon is Rei, and that's 3 or 4 eps long.

[@georgethemonkeydrummer5598]

@@zffrailgun1630 quick update I finished season one (it was a great season) so now I watch Kai and then after that Rei right? After that I should be good to watch this sequel remake

[@jadetigress9636]

WOW new video YESSSSSSSSSSSS Wait where is Arkada face 😂😆

[@ameliaburke3241]

I think (and hope) this series will explain more of the relationship between higurashi and the witches from umineko

[@BigT.Larrity]

Featherine says hi

[@woodchuck003]

Question: Is this a sequel series or are the just additional time loops?

[@zffrailgun1630]

It's a sequel. Rika confirms that when she says that she had won last time.

[@tyzo4291]

for people that watched the original it's a sequal for new people it's like a normal New series

[@christianlopez707]

Some people believe this is the backstory for Bernkastel from Umineko.

[@NezumiVA]

That's Saikoroshi-hen, it already exists

[@christianlopez707]

@@NezumiVA I'm aware but it seems this is gonna follow up on that.

[@Hawkcam1996]

I actually watched the 2020 series first because I didn’t even know there was an older one. Not until I finished the new one. So when I found out there was an older series, I started watching the older one, and quickly realized each arc seems to *mostly* be the same, but with more differences towards the ends of each arc. I’m currently in the third arc(with Uncle Teppei) and I can’t help but notice more differences in this one than even the previous ones. The characters appearing after their deaths is just so confusing, I can’t wait to watch the rest and I hope it explains these strange occurrences like how the new one went back and showed the truth about what was going on from another perspective. I’m surprisingly more invested in this series(both the old show and the new one) than I expected. I really like how it tricks you into thinking Keiichi is the main character, only to later reveal that the real main character is Rika.

[@chronicallychic]

Well damn, I didn't even know they were doing a new Higurashi. I loved that show, probably my favourite horror anime.

[@Orchestrafanboy19]

So, it’s a Final Fantasy 7 style of “Remake”?

[@Javifaa]

Not exactly? It never was marketed as a remake, they never used that word when speaking of this series. It was the new Higurashi, not a remake of Higurashi.

[@topnotchcupoftea]

I'm happy there's more to this series it's one of the first animes I watched

[@Vintagesonic1]

I'm thankful GR made this video. Now I have an excuse to watch the original. I've been watching this sequel/remake, and each episode leaves off with a cliffhanger, and I can't stand waiting weekly for this.

[@Lordilucas12]

Episode 3 already has some quite big changes when you think about it, tomitake dissapeared instead of them finding his body, keiichi and the rest of the gang don't talk to Tomitake and Takano at the festival, and a few smaller events happened in a different order from the VN, like keiichi going to that restaurant with ooishi before the uso da scene instead of after. (Though that last part might just be for better anime direction?)

[@straymerodach4713]

so this remake is like if Typemoon decided to remake Fate route and claim its a place to start for new people and decided for 100% Fate/Zero integration so while it is a good place to start for new people the integration of F/Z just makes people say watch F/Z first more despite the series probably being a good place to start just as advertised?

[@ZaronNitro]

I guess ... although you could already say that with the Ufotable's Unlimited Blade Works adaption. From my perspective (at least from watching the first two episodes), this is very similar to the *Final Fantasy 7: Remake* situation.

[@______________________-___]

Yes but it’s less complicated because the original 2006 can be watched and the new can also be watched as a newcomer however it also adds certain stuff in the anime and will add different focus to different stuff to make it feel different to old fans

[@______________________-___]

Plus the way the story seem to be structured isn’t complicated you could understand it new or old fan fans will understand stuff from the original series but will likely have certain stuff to spice it up to make it different (example being rika stating about the time loop old fans see it as the mystery isn’t over and there is more to it While new fans it’s just new because they don’t know anything about the series learning what is going on

[@zffrailgun1630]

The difference is that you can start from either F/Z or UBW/SN and still understand pretty much everything, because F/Z is a prequel (and therefore doesn't matter when you watch it) and UBW/SN are different "timelines" with no real connection to each other. Higurashi Gou however, isn't the same thing. It's not even a remake, it's a sequel. It'd be like starting an anime from S2 without watching S1. Can you do it? Probably. Should you? Not really.

[@kamilandrew8850]

Do I need to watch the original Higurashi. Because I don’t really want to but I don’t want to be confused or super left out. Edit I watched a summary video and I’m all good.

[@Baryonyx89]

I 100% recommend you watch the original. It's already a masterpiece of an anime, and not watching will almost certainly make you confused as you watch Gou, as many negative reviews of this show will confirm. Just to be clear, Gou is jaw-droppingly amazing, but it's getting bombarded with negative reviews from newcomers who're understandably lost on the plot.

[@Puddincess]

Will you do a full review when the series is finished? I'm really curious about what you think of it

[@ChaoticFusion]

The point you make where Rika hasn't made any move to change events came into play in episode so surprisingly to me because I wasn't following news on the 2020 adaptations I was just going off my own theories so the event with Rena is even more insane thinking back to the original because that means she was planning it all along but because of Rika's interference Keiichi ended up doubting his doubt on Rena.

[@BlackstarFallen]

Haven't watched the original yet, but I'm still going to watch Higurashi 2020 even if it's a sequel. I'm liking it so far.

[@eduardoserpa1682]

I suspect the beginning and the ending will be the exact same, even if some of the minor stuff is changed along the way. I think trying to surprise the newcomers would fail, considering how popular and how memed Higurashi was, so I'm kind of optimistic for it.

[@Sibula]

People know that there are some psycho kids on murder rampages and the head stabbing scene but that's pretty much it. People who have never watched it don't know the hows and whys, and most not even the whole premise of the show.

[@eduardoserpa1682]

@@Sibula Most people I know already know it's a magical time loop situation and not much else has been spoiled so far (except for the clear shot of the nurse in ep.2, I think). Frankly speaking, seeing the early hints makes it more interesting for a newcomer, in my opinion. I myself had dropped Higurashi a few times before watching the rest because the slice-of-life and the random killings didn't appeal to me until I was about 10~15 episodes in.

[@waveflier9950]

@@eduardoserpa1682 Maybe they know it's a time loop situation but you expect me to believe newcomers know Rika is looping? Most of us didn't pick up on it at all until S2 and newcomers know? BS

[@zffrailgun1630]

I doubt that it'll end the same way (it didn't start the same way either). After all, what kind of a sequel would retell the same stuff?

[@bleachboy18]

Hey man after the events of episode 4 it's pretty clear about this being a sequel lol. What are your thoughts events in ep 4 Glass Reflection? The ending was changed and that leads to question what will happen by the end of the season.

[@Tank207]

Was not expecting to see Higurashi pop up in my feed in 2020.

[@kemarkcooper286]

The original is also on netflix... That's where I first saw it... Didn't finish it tho

[@War624]

Hmmm, they must've taken it off. At least on US Netflix. I looked up both "Higurashi", and its other name "When The Cry", and nothing came up. Lol. EDIT: Nvm. I found it on VRV's HiDive channel, under the "When They Cry" title.

[@bharbarawyrstwaemasyn8741]

I actually don't like the art style, and the whole execution/line delivery is pretty lackluster compared to before. I found myself LAUGHING at the horror scene instead of cringing in fear. Also, the mistake they make is that they try to make the characters too "pretty" during the scary scenes which takes away from the visceral terror that the original was very good at. Music is top notch 👌 (its the original adaptation ost go figure). All in all I'm a bit disappointed, but idk what direction this anime is headed so ill stick with it. I'd highly recommend people to watch the original adaptation first (you'll also understand the confusing context for 2020 better also).

[@dfanixesteban8267]

I don’t think the art style’s perfect, I think they should’ve stuck to something closer to the original but I don’t think the beauty of it takes away from the horror, like at all, I think the fluidity of the animation accents the violence and terror really well, currently I’m loving the new adaptation but this is just my take on it

[@tskmaster3837]

So I wasn't the only who laughed? Having that little circle of a censor didn't help... "You can see the rest of it but this bit? That's just too much"... but I was laughing at it for other reasons. I think they were going for more drawn out and realistic but it just didn't work.

[@Megsa10]

I gotta agree about the art style. The original was twisted and grotesque for the horror scenes and although the 2006 version wasn’t perfect I thought it fitted with the themes better. Also because the show is set in the 1980’s (I think) I personally think the old style complimented the time period it was set in

[@Javifaa]

Why recommend a good series that is a bad adaptation (Higurashi Deen), when there is a good series that is a good adaptación of the same thing (Higurashi manga)? I mean, what matters in a direct adaptación is that the themes of the original still are there, and that the original plotline is more or less there. Besides not being a carbon copy of the original, that leads into the adaptation not working as a piece of media (but still being a good adaptation). And no, people not wanting to read is not a valid reason. Mainly because those people are wrong about not wanting to read, they just are lazy (or worse, their education system did something horribly wrong). PD: I leave up to you to guess what I was going to write in the third paragraph. Let's just say it was pretty darn cruel and disproportionate on my part, and that I think people not wanting to read (be it a manga, a novel, an essay, etc) is a really big social problem.

[@bharbarawyrstwaemasyn8741]

@@Javifaa I do enough reading in college so please don't. Also, you seem to categorize essays, novels and mangas as the same single type of medium under "reading", but they're completely different by themselves. Mangas are a comic-book type of medium that don't require dialogue/written words to get their vision and information across, so I don't understand why you've lumped them together. This was in the context of anime, so I wanted to talk about anime. Some people simply prefer to watch, as opposed to slogging through the lengthy VN and manga. That doesn't make them lesser than thou in anyway, including education. I personally prefer the novel (people refer to it as a sound novel for a very good reason), but the original animation is pretty damn good and spooked me silly which is hard for an anime to do. Some of my friends actually got into VNs after watching Higurashi (2006). So no, I personally don't think it's a "big social problem" when there are plenty of people already learning about and reading them.

[@nomingyu4026]

My current theory is that this is a run where the antagonist rules-lawyered that it wasn't fair Rika had backstage knowledge of the time loops, so now they also know the stakes. Perhaps they get a chance to chat between each loop to try and break her spirit...but we'll just have to see!

[@DuyNguyen-cs5jj]

im sorry for finding your vid after watching the 2 episode and kind figured out the plot just because of Rika's scene base on my Steins;Gate exp. So then should i continue after knowing the whole plot??