About Tatakai:
Higurashi, with this release, has possibly become my favorite series of all time. Every release adds something, has a different flavor, and never gets boring. This one leaves even less room for setup than before, knowing that, because you played the other two chapters, it doesn’t need to waste its time with introductions. By chapter 3, the plot is already in motion, and things are starting to get incredbily sad…and creepy. Let me warn you: This episode is depressing. If you can’t take representations of child abuse well, then I would suggest you stay away from this. It isn’t the most detailed description/situation out there, but it’s enough that it gets the point across and is extremely depressing (and disturbing). So, with that out of the way, let’s get into the basic plot of this At the time of writing this I haven’t read Ch 7, and it’s been well over a decade since I’ve watched the kai anime. That all being said, this is currently my favorite chapter of the lot. Ryukashi07 spent some of his life working in protective services, and his passion for the empathy in his work really comes through in this chapter. Be it blatant criticism of the Japanese CPS, or how he depicts the mental degradation of his victimized characters, or possibly the sheer schadenfreude of railing against the system and taking matters into ones own hands, I can feel his background knowledge characterizing this work as well as it does. Thankfully by this chapter, I feel as though Ryukashi07 has improved over his past work. No more 6 hours of board games. Instead the lighter moments fell more evenly spaced out. I also love the stakes and action set pieces that are in place for the later half of the story, truly it is a spicy evening. I will say, ♥♥♥♥ Irie. Irie’s a creep, and his pedophilic loving ass trope needs called attention to and vocally criticized. But considering Gou just came out and Irie is still making passing remarks (be it not as bad as some of the stuff in the sound novel) I think it’s well within the means to disprove how this character is depicted. Specifically that he isn’t ostracized within the context of the story and gets away with making overtly perverse remarks to kids. Other than that, have fun kiddos.
