I didn't become a Higurashi fan until June of 2007; less than a month before the second season started. At the time, I was curious about the psychological horror aspect and quickly became hooked.
But the truth is, there is so much more to Higurashi than the insanity and killer lolis. The madness and horror is what makes it tragic. What are two of the core elements of Higurashi? Friendship and trust. Your friends are important, yes, but it doesn't matter if you don't trust each other. Worst case scenario? You end up killing those same beloved friends or end up killed by one of those same friends. Best case scenario? You and some of your friends might make it, but at least one of your friends is insane and/or dead. Opening up to your friends and sharing your fears and worries? You can smash fate itself. It is the juxtaposition of the horror and the heartwarming that makes Higurashi what it is.
I fell in love with the characters. Keiichi is by far my favorite, but I am ridiculously attached to almost everyone (with the exception of Teppei and Rina), including characters that aren't that popular, like Ooishi and Mion's grandmother. There is much more to everyone than there is at first glance.
Did Studio DEEN do a terrible job? Yes. Are you better off just reading the manga and sound novel? Probably. The anime holds a special place in my heart for bringing me to Higurashi in the first place, but the manga and sound novel (for all the typos Mangagamer makes) are miles better, even if Ryuukishi07's art style might seem off-putting.
Give it a try. I think both horror and non-horror fans will be surprised.
A series that is near and dear to my heart.
I didn't become a Higurashi fan until June of 2007; less than a month before the second season started. At the time, I was curious about the psychological horror aspect and quickly became hooked.
But the truth is, there is so much more to Higurashi than the insanity and killer lolis. The madness and horror is what makes it tragic. What are two of the core elements of Higurashi? Friendship and trust. Your friends are important, yes, but it doesn't matter if you don't trust each other. Worst case scenario? You end up killing those same beloved friends or end up killed by one of those same friends. Best case scenario? You and some of your friends might make it, but at least one of your friends is insane and/or dead. Opening up to your friends and sharing your fears and worries? You can smash fate itself. It is the juxtaposition of the horror and the heartwarming that makes Higurashi what it is.
I fell in love with the characters. Keiichi is by far my favorite, but I am ridiculously attached to almost everyone (with the exception of Teppei and Rina), including characters that aren't that popular, like Ooishi and Mion's grandmother. There is much more to everyone than there is at first glance.
Did Studio DEEN do a terrible job? Yes. Are you better off just reading the manga and sound novel? Probably. The anime holds a special place in my heart for bringing me to Higurashi in the first place, but the manga and sound novel (for all the typos Mangagamer makes) are miles better, even if Ryuukishi07's art style might seem off-putting.
Give it a try. I think both horror and non-horror fans will be surprised.