Higurashi Chapter Six Obliterated My Soul (A Comprehensive Story Analysis)

[@leavemelonely1264]

I think it’s funny to imagine that everytime Rika acts weird or out of character, she’s just drunk. Nothing demon or disease related, she just had too much wine.

[@Lux_Lost]

I think it's important to remember that this chapter not only takes place in the 80s, but in *80s rural japan*. Like, that is one of the worst settings to be mentally ill in (similar applies to tatarigoroshi)

[@fawful9992]

It's already mentioned in the game but Rena's murders are like a reflection of the Dam worker lynching. The lynching murder was done by a group while Rena killed Rina and Teppei by herself. The first year's dismemberment was planned to make everyone guilty whereas Rena tried to hide the corpses herself. But the most interesting parallel for me is that while the dam workers hide the body together but fell apart in a single night, the club members join forces to help keep Rena's secret and they actually manage to stay together.

[@scootie_scoot]

one of my favorite chapters. The pink text slowly turning to red as Rena loses her mind has to be one of my favorite visual storytelling moments in the series. Can’t wait to listen to this

[@scootie_scoot]

Always appreciate your essays shedding light on one of the best stories, one who’s strongest format, its original, is often overlooked in favor of the easier to consume substitute of anime (that messes up the pacing and tone completely lol)

[@MagnaFae]

I completely agree! Also I love your pfp (and I never pass on a chance to gush about PMD Sky)

[@scootie_scoot]

@@MagnaFaehehe thank u !!! One of my favorite games ever, always nice to see other PMD sky fans ^.^

[@MagnaFae]

@@scootie_scoot Hell yes! One of the best games of my childhood 10/10

[@peenyweeny3834]

i loved it so much because for the first few hours of the game i was just like "aww the text is pink because its rena, how cute

[@shinkoryu14]

It's honestly no wonder that this arc was chosen as the finale for the first season of the anime, because it really does answer so many questions about the previous arcs, while leaving just enough up in the air to make the viewer salivate even harder for the answers to the mystery. Going back to the earlier arcs with the perspective of the fact that the VAST majority of the persecution that the characters perceived was misunderstanding and delusion retroactively turns Higurashi from a horror story into one of profound tragedy. Each of the characters was convinced for one reason or another that they had to shoulder some burden on their own, and the weight of that burden broke them. And in their downward spiral, they took all their friends into the abyss with them. Especially the mental image of Rena, bleeding, having just watched Mion beaten to a pulp, somehow finding the wherewithal to reach out to Keiichi with compassion and try to get through to him, only for him to bash her skull in... It hits hard. It hits SO hard.

[@MyNameYourMom]

ALSO LOOOOVE RIKA she’s just like “you know what psycho? maybe the delusions are true” and leaves like she is so over it

[@lucifherbivore100]

Rika is Ben Affleck with a cigarette at this point

[@TokyoGirl07]

It’s not just it being the 80’s, Japan has never been the greatest place for mental health.

[@100lovenana]

And that is what Ryuukishi always criticizes about his country. He was a social worker, so he experienced the unfairness first-hand. It's quite evident that both his biggest works (Higurashi and Umineko) were inspired by his experiences there (Satoko's situation and everything about Maria/Rosa in Umineko are the prime examples)

[@shoobagoo6108]

You know... that line "Takano-san was endowed with magic... And I think the scrapbooks she wrote also carried a spell." Is just SO interesting even thinking outside of Higurashi. Like I would wanna say more on a Higurashi video but it is VERY very interesting isn't it.

[@LunDruid]

Come to think of it, Tsumihoroboshi (and honestly, Higurashi in general) is a perfect example of what "comedy of errors" type stories, or other stories involving miscommunication that are meant to be comedic, actually look like to me: full on horror.

[@100lovenana]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. So many comedy tropes out there are actually horrifying when taken realisticaly. Sometimes dark humor is all about that, but I appreciate it when writers are bold and trully show how terrifying those tropes are when taken seriously. I may be going on a tangent, but one of my (multiple) main gripes of Rent-a-gilfriend is that the inciding incident is a "comedic" trope that's actually horror-filled when you're put in Mizuhara's shoes. She's been BLACKMAILED by a terrible guy to date her or he'll reveal the truth, which could disappoint her DYING GRANDMOTHER. The situation is so f-ed up, but of course the manga/anime makes it funny and lighthearted. Rewriting that story into a horror with Mizuhara as the protagonist is something that I'm impulsed to do, if I had the time to do so.

[@mramos7887]

@@100lovenana Bro is *that* what rent a girlfriend is about? What an asshole lol

[@softnoobgirl73]

Higurashi is just the world's longest mental health psa

[@JoeBradley151]

I mean, you’re not wrong

[@stagelights_]

as someone who struggles heavily with violent impulses, this chapter really heavily resonated with me in a way very few other pieces of media have. its probably the best chapter in the entirety of higurashi.

[@LunDruid]

Tsumihoroboshi-hen is probably my favorite chapter. There's so much going on all at once here, so much being revealed while all new questions are raised. And the feels, the FEELS!! The fight and confrontation on the rooftop at the end is so freaking iconic and powerful, it will live on in my psyche for my whole life. And it's still just setting up for the triple combo punch-kick-shoryuken into the GUT that the next few chapters are gonna pull, _each!_ Other stories just say that the "power of friendship" is a good thing blah blah, but Ryukishi07 sat down and wrote a massive freaking _essay_ on exactly WHY. And that's not even the only thesis of Higurashi.

[@skittypink5921]

This is my favorite chapter of higurashi, and one that you really should play for yourself. Hedgehog does a great job at summarizing the overall events, but due to time really misses out on just how vivid and evocatively described both Rena and keiichi’s depression and guilt are. Rena’s inner world hit me so hard right in the gut, and keiichi’s guilt over the BB gun incident was so well described I could feel the exact same thing. The narration tells you so much more about the characters than you would get without it, higurashi is so good guys

[@hedgehogsnonsense]

So true! Ryukishi’s writing is really incredible!

[@pairodox1255]

Yep, getting treated like clowns by Ryukushi is accurate... Anyway, can't wait to experience it again in Umineko in three chapters or so! Also, "Rina" is not only similar to "Rena", but to "Rika" as well, which made the "Favourite Wine" bit even more confusing to me.

[@galacticgrandmas]

1:27:39 This is actually a known delusion, formication. However, it is moreso the *feeling of* insects or things crawling beneath the skin not visually seeing them. This delusion is often present as a positive symptom in schizophrenia and has been recorded since 1797, and given the authors social work background he’d likely know this. Wanted to share this info as it adds a bit more fun ambiguity to the story.

[@JBWOfficial125]

It’s crazy how a child figured out where the bomb was before the police

[@Soni-jd4li]

I’m glad there’s still people out there retelling this amazing story. Kudos to you.

[@dorodoo3075]

SOMEONE COOKED HERE 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@satosen8722]

Reading Umineko right now cuz you made me way to interested in 7th expansion's work after I bingewatched your whole Higurashi series in like a day. I'll have to do it again to get some reminders and also give a bit more of that well deserved watchtime. This is insanely well made I can not believe the amounts of effort that went into this Thank you so much for introducing me and I hope many more people to this amazing work of art, and I'm talking both about the novel and your voice acting and retelling skills

[@Zanyotaku]

I think Ryukishi did choose his specific time frame in some part because of how folks with mental health problems were treated at the time in japan, after all the mental health act occurred in 1987 as before then mental health patients in japan were essentially treated as prisoners or people without any rights, which makes the characters struggling the way they are here feel that much more isolated and fearful of others. It's interesting certainly, even if we can't say for sure how intentional it was, though I'm sure as a social worker he thought about it.

[@sofiac3629]

I want to thank you for all the time and work you and your team has put into this series. My ADHD and really busy life makes it hard for me to enjoy long media myself, but I still love visual novels and the unique stories they can tell. Your series has finally given me a way to experience the aclaimed story of Higurashi without having to sit down and play this huge game, which I would probably not be able to get through if I attempted. Thank you for your amazing attention to detail, amazing guidence, and dedication to maintaining the tension of Higurashi in your video essays for all of us to enjoy!

[@wilhelmdietz4023]

Still a shame you can't experience it with the original cast this way, that is the best way to experience it. Eventhough Hedgehog and her team do a fantastic job, I really would've liked them to do the actual English dub for the anime, it would actually have been good.

[@mdg245]

As an unfortunate anime-only, I enjoyed the turn Higurashi took with this chapter but holy fuck the impact is so much better in the novel. I do plan on reading all the chapters but I really really appreciate this series

[@pointyhatstudios]

I absolutely love how much work and dedication you put in these. I'm not a visual novel person at all so it's fantastic to get both a recap and your analysis through these videos, specially with so much love poured into them!

[@DarknessDShadow]

Oh my Oyashiro-sama, a few days ago someone mentioned Higurashi. The anime was quite popular when I was a teen but it never seemed like my thing. But I thought watching a video on the story couldn't hurt. Well, here I am, over 10 hours deep into Higurashi lore. Your video series and the monumental amount of work you put into it is absolutely amazing. And while chapter one to four were interesting, the recent ones really hit it out of the park and holy shit is this all mind blowing. I'm so glad I was able to watch 6 chapters and only have to wait for the last two. I haven't played the game but it feels like you're really doing it justice. Simply because I can think of very many ways to do it worse with all what I know now. Amazing work, I'm excited for the next one

[@LunDruid]

Look, Hedgehog, I'm approximately 2 hours in and I swear, there's only so many times I can exclaim, "I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE!!" 🤣

[@controverse_av]

The voice acting here is amazing ❤ Thank you so much for this series!

[@ClypssiusStar]

Never clicked on a video so fast! Yes i started binge watching these videos a little bit ago and I've been itching for another!

[@fawful9992]

While I do think Cross Examination fits well with the epicness of the watergun battle I do like Night Where The Invisible Scares You more for that scene because of the connection it makes later on the chapter when it's used again. (After watching the whole thing I see you used Cross Examination for the rooftop battle as well, so that connection is still there.)

[@hedgehogsnonsense]

Yeah, it was mostly just a matter of what songs I had on hand to use. I didn't necessarily try to match exactly what was in the original game unless I specifically still remembered the song, but I tried to get the feeling right at least, and so even if the song is different, I still wanted to use the same one lol

[@lucifherbivore100]

Gahd damn, your Higurashi videos are always amazing, ugh, BEAUTIFUL

[@realfromtherealreality4148]

Watching your retrospective of Higurashi is an absolute treat as it reminds me why I fell in love with the VN genre thanks to the m in the first place. This kind of long-winded batshit insane horror is only really possible on there.

[@deadinside8891]

It’s kinda cool that this chapter is basically chapter 1 but with the roles and perspective reversed. Keiichi is in a similar spot to where Rena was (even down to how he wants to work with Mion to help stop Rena as she descends into a similar path of madness). It puts alot of chapter 1’s events into perspective and creates a ton of narrative tension.

[@CrossTrash]

Spoilers for about 1/3 of the video in. "Huh wow, now that Renas murder seems to have gone off, theres probably not much more until she gets caught and spirited away. Lets check the ti-" **theres still two hours left.** "Oh. Oh no."

[@mthwr]

Lllleeeeettttssss fuuuuuccckkkkiiinnngggg gooooooooooooo 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 My weekend is going to be fun! I can't wait to watch the amazing work you made!!!

[@DesupairinDespair]

Thank you and your crew for your hard work! It's been extremely fun listening to these while taking a breather from reading Umineko.

[@kuuryusi]

Holy moly, I just finished watching everything and wow! I'm in awe with the voice acting as always but you really did an outstanding job on this video!!! While the original VN is obviously a masterpiece, your retelling and discussion makes it so much easier to follow along with the plot. Even the climax of the story was handled with care and I can really tell that you poured so much effort into this. I only recently binge read your entire higurashi series (now I'm gonna buy the last two chapters LOL) and I just want to say thank you for making this!! I had a blast watching all of them!! I've always known higurashi was a pretty gore-ish, mystery horror but I've never really delved that deep but now I'm a huge fan!! Thank you again!! I'm looking forward to your next part

[@nosaj582]

I just finished binging the first 5 parts, expecting to have to wait a while for the next. This was a pleasant surprise! Keep up the awesome work, you guys!

[@tinyplays95]

Babe, wake up, Hedgehog posted a new Higurashi video! I needed this today, so thank you Hedge! ❤

[@parkery371]

Commenting for the algorithm! I don't know how or why your Higurashi series was recommended to me a little while ago, but I'm glad it was. I somehow missed this entire VN and anime, and don't have the funds to go through on my own. That and my love of long videos has made this the perfect series for me! Thanks for all the hard work you've clearly put into these videos!

[@AeonKnigh432]

Im so excited! I found this channel because of this series (there are somehow almost zero good reteospectives for the When They Cry series) and I'm so glad that this'll be the first chapter I watch when it's posted.

[@misstwila9421]

Finally got round to watching this episode! I'm always so excited to see a new one! :D

[@huske16]

this was great, the voice acting here is far superior than pretty much any other English dub I've seen for Higurashi. Can't wait for the next two chapters. ESPECIALLY the entire last part of Matsuribayashi.

[@MyNameYourMom]

super casually passes rena Adult Children of Immature Parents ur gonna need that kid

[@jaymaxwell8645]

I always know it's going to be a good day when I have one of your videos to listen to. Keep up the great work!

[@rosiv9617]

I was going down a Higurashi rabbit hole and found out you uploaded another video! LET'S GOOOO

[@MagnaFae]

I just found your channel and finished bingeing all your Higurashi videos yesterday! So this is a real treat!

[@stormysketches7600]

I only discovered your channel the other day and watched all of your Higurashi vids. I told my husband this morning to check them out too and that I was looking forward to the 6th chapter. What are the odds you'd happen to upload the next part today?? I'm a happy lady right now ❤

[@ohhyu]

oh my god i found this series a few weeks ago and have been obsessed! you’re incredible at telling this story

[@s.l.r.9407]

I can't wait 'til the next chapter! This analysis is excellent. Thank you!

[@v0533]

I’ve been waiting for months for my favorite chapter. Can’t wait!

[@slachnahoff]

just binged all your higurashi videos in like. two days. amazing work! for context, i have watched the anime (the first one + kai) at least three times, and i know i don't have the focus to actually sit down to play the VN, so this is incredible! i love seeing the differences in the adaptation, and just how good the original writing is. i especially love the gradual shift in the coloration of rena's text in this chapter, it's so smart

[@ferretappreciator]

God i love these videos. thank you for existing ms hedgehog, i eagerly await the next one (yet also patiently, take your time 💙)

[@viav.velvieb2730]

Knowing what we know about Rika, whenever she gives up her cutesy child like facade it’s because she’s just given up on trying to salvage the current world, knowing that Rena is too far gone to be saved by this point so she cut her loses and let the world end

[@honeymeansmel]

BABY WAKE UP NEW HIGURASHI VIDEO FROM HEDGEHOG

[@Mystic_Shiki]

The anime and the manga did so much injustice to this arc

[@insertfunnynamehere1673]

i must've had a sixth sense or something, cause I marathoned the previous five videos last week 😅 so excited to watch!! thanks for all the hard work y'all put in

[@divvyn]

I joined patreon to help you in your journey with higurashi, I don't care if it's edited to perfection I just hope to see the next video soon, life is hard for me but I will do my best to survive long enough to see more content from you and all other channels because even if I struggle to live for my own progress I will happily live to witness more art and theatre. Thank you so much for your work

[@DoodleNuudle69]

AGHHH I love your videos! I really hope you keep making more :)

[@abcdefg-jk7rd]

This is so helpful, thank you for taking the time to make this series!

[@alyssa-star]

Thank you for your hard work bringing us these great videos, Hedgehog & co! ☺️✨

[@aceportgas42]

Hell yeah, I have been waiting for this one 👍🏾👍🏾

[@chopsticks4079]

I have had this thought for a time and now that this has finally come out I can get others' thoughts. There is a 2 part manga separate from the main story that follows this timeline only Rena succeeded in detonating the bomb. The story follows shion 20 or 30 years later. When Rika told keiichi that this wasn't the first time she dealt with Rena and that if only she could have saved keiichi things would be different. Well I'm wondering if she is referring to THAT timeline??

[@dontpickonme]

You're so good at this, what a fantastic series.

[@Stabbyhara]

2:33:17 made me giggle so hard, actually a lot of moments did but that was the standout gag lol.. The editing and script for this one is niiice. Even though I'm still unfortunately spoiled to hell and back on this series (07th mod linking youtube uploads of the OST and thier comment sections... And my own curiosity, goddammit) BUT there was a lot of insightful quips for details even I missed, Miyo. dawg oh, she. Yeahhh Anyway personal rant to get this out my system, this chapter, LORD, I really wasn't expecting Meakashi to be one upped for me personally, the tragedy of Shion, actually just her as a character, the whole package (I NEED HER UUUUUUUUUUHYH) she is so fun to watch an fawn over, the "I need to h4ng m7s3lf now" ending. Yo, it's peak but... Oh god, how did Ryukishi do it, Kino straight kino, I'm so happy Rena got more depth, heartrending!!! And reading that absolutely legendary duel on the rooftop which every Anime fan knows abt. Fuck. Good stuff, good stuff

[@Regretted]

Up to 38:16 and just wanted to share some experience about this kind of depression and why ryukishi writes this so well. Spoilers for up to this part in the video Rena never really dealt with and reached a resolution with the situation with her mom. While she did move on past it for a while, it was always kind of just pushing forward and trying to cover up the problem. As I've experienced with myself and other people in my life, you'll always carry that hate and bitterness no matter what you do if you don't confront the root of the problem and come to terms with it in some way. Thats why no matter how happy she is in hinamizawa, surrounded by people who love her, her feelings from the past will always bleed back through to the present. Ryukishi used to be a social service worker which is why I think he realized this as well because he's been around it. Thats one of the things that make higurashi feel so authentic and such a good representation of real life mental and social issues. It just feels so genuine

[@joewan3622]

Every time i see oisshi im like "MY FUCKING BOI!!!!!" also his voice actor is awesome

[@VelvetShadeBloom]

Woah I just found your channel! This is an amazing amt of work and effort so thank you! I cant wait to listen to all these at work 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@keiichi.maebara]

great work team i appreciate your voice acting amazing video

[@gabrieldehyrule]

I'm loving this series, I hope you get to cover the rest of Higurashi or even Umineko and Ciconia!

[@kaigui7007]

Thank you for the analysis! ❤

[@HellsWaffle]

1:28:16 caught me off guard moreso than the actual scene right after

[@MadMick7]

God damn I wish I could watch this but I'm still on this part. Haven't touched Higurashi in a year now so I better get on that. And yes even though I haven't seen this video I'm still gonna say great job, I've loved the other videos.

[@KazeTheCursedOne]

Let's gooo this one makes my heart HURT!

[@madamrsir]

great video! now i wait for the next one

[@hedgehogsnonsense]

Well luckily you’re going to be IN the next one, so your wait wont be very long lol

[@technorave555]

I'm so hyped for this let's get it

[@s0niKu]

I'll never accuse Ryukishi of not liking anime-ass fight scenes.

[@justanotherredheadattheend955]

RIGHT. WELL. Back to rewatch the first episode again. (Queen say less, a series of videos this long and this good is going to be my default whenever I have anything time consuming to do ✨)

[@red_cosplay]

Crazy? I was crazy once. They put me in a room. A rubber room. A rubber room with rats. And rats make me crazy.

[@YOOT_JJ]

It's time for a five star meal. Thanks, Hedgehog :>

[@kal-hh2ek]

i watched ur previous analysis videos just a couple days ago so imagine my shock seeing this uploaded today 🗣

[@Hentao]

And one more night with a 3hour long higurashi video. Life is good

[@robintauber9994]

Military maneuver training in Texas makes sense… I am amused that they stopped off in San Francisco to sight-see😊! Hi from San Francisco BTW!

[@somethinsoup777]

Thank you for being alive 👍🏾

[@shoethief600]

Let's goo been waiting for the next chapter, can't wait to see what bat shit crazy things happen next

[@3am790]

Never could've came at a more perfect time. Literally just came after I finish chapter 6!

[@QuintetMagician]

Just finished chapter 7 with my boyfriend today, and MAN I cannot wait until you talk about it because. Somehow I didn’t think it could get worse after this one. But it gets so. Much. Worse.

[@carcebe9622]

First, love your Higurashi series, second of all, OMG you're so pretty!!

[@nTGenTLemen]

I've been waiting for this...

[@ChesuMori]

Eyyy! This part came sooner than I expected!

[@TheLyokoWarriors]

*happy stims* Yes! New Higurashi video!

[@surelylune]

HOW DID I MISS THIS ACH, IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

[@MatthewStirling-g9f]

Fabulous video. I closed it for a moment and opened it later and it swore at me loudly 10/10 😂

[@robinfire0772]

Best underrated queen is back~☆

[@austinbusumbru123]

Chapter 6 is peak story telling in my opinion 😊 ❤❤❤

[@SirArtanis7]

I mean Rena is a go getter, let's face it murder was the right way to handle that issue. I mean she wasn't a good person and I think Rena's an upstanding citizen!... what's another body of another vagrant... all he did was take from others... see her friend know what's going on! she just need to disappear a few bodies... get her cure and everything will be fine!... little odd that Rena is doing so much work and your so against her...with a lot of 'convenient' conclusions when it comes to her being 'crazy'... maybe your in league with the space aliens! You want to keep the maggots inside, let them out! She needs to clean! But no seriously this is an awesome chapter, it's been to long since I've last seen it but, I do remember the crazy Rena!

[@garris2046]

BAH WHENS THE NEXT ONE, IM HOOKED!!

[@hedgehogsnonsense]

It's gonna be, uhhh, quite a while, but I'm going to begin my pre-production on it within the week, so hopefully it'll only be a couple of months!

[@garris2046]

Well you've done an amazing job, don't rush we can wait :)@@hedgehogsnonsense

[@historymax5479]

Still doesn't explain why Rena chased Keiichi home with a hatchet in Chapter 1.

[@surelylune]

cant a girl have hobbies

[@friendlyghosthost1830]

Considering that Keiichi mistook a marker for a syringe and what she was saying it’s entirely possible that she was holding something innocuous and was genuinely trying to help him because she saw how scared he looked.

[@ciaraMaeGatchalian]

2:58:23 " *This truly was our JJK* "Ahh ending. (Still decently good tho).

[@socalop8600]

The goat has posted again

[@digimonfan1335]

Me and my bestie were hyped as hell to see this video! We love this series you are doing and it's making things that we only knew from digesting the anime, make SO much more sense! You guys do such a great job at this! Also I low-key hope that maybeeee you guys will even cover Umineko because you guys make these so entertaining and easy to understand 👀

[@johnkim7890]

More Hedgehog's nonsense's Higurashi? Yes please : 3c.