Higurashi When They Cried “Abducted by Demon’s arc,” is not a pleasant manga (though I’m this is not hard to figure out), which will leave the reader with a empty feeling in their stomach for more then one reason. This creepy psychological horror manga leaves many questions unanswered, within a story that is both creating a creepy thrill and at the same time. It moves far too quickly and, ending with the reader puzzled about what they just read. I’ve never really been a big fan of most horrormanga, however despite this bias I think I can safely says that although Higurashi was an interesting read, I will not being reading it again any time soon. Despite my many questions nor will I be reading the rest of the Higurshi storyline either. Though parts of the manga are well played out and written, I have quite a bit of complaints both from a subjective and objective stance about this work.
Though their are few interesting elements to the art, overall the pallet of the work when one sets back and thinks about it isn’t very satisfying. The first thing I noticed when looking at this work was how artificial the style seemed, everything seems so sterile and bland, clearly lacking a organic look. Backgrounds are okay, on the one hand their mostly there and their done with a decent detail to most of them. The biggest flaw in backgrounds come during the horror scenes in which their is an over use the same sort of background, such a bland one of pure darkness. This lack of variety makes it harder to take the work serious, each time seeing the same thing it makes it far less effective. Overall the character design doesn’t help grab the eye, and seems for the most part fairly bland. The facial expressions in the work are limited and not believable alone, only adding to the lack of quality artwork. The work tries to be creepy, but it feels like it’s trying too hard and usually comes off as merely gruesome. Overall the work is passable, but pretty much the artwork is forgettable and clumsy.
The story is not as forgettable as the art, however some of the reasons the story is so hard to forget are not the good ones. The story starts out with theKeiichi who has just moved into a distant Japanese town. He speaks to the reader in 3rd person as he meets up with his new friends, the cute andditzsy Rena and, the large chested, cheery class leader Mion , as well as some other girls (who aren’t really that important to the story). The 3rd person perspective on the story at times is clever, overall though the main character doesn’t act in a introspectively manner and, although he questions things he jumps to conclusions far too often. The beginning of the story involves him and the girls acting in a cute and friendly manner, playing games like Rich-man, Poor-man. Their is only hint of what is to come, as a photographer mentions murders but only in passing, at this point it seems like the manga should be a cutesy love drama or comedy. Keiichi finds out that their was construction project in the town had been stopped and, later he discovers magazines about murders that occurred before he moved to the village. Something definite wrong at this point as Rena comes with a cleaver, claiming it’s to look through the trash pile (could it be any less mysterious something bad is going to happen). Soon the photographer gives even more info on the murders, at a festival though the story still retains it tame and cute nature for the most part. Finally though after a murder occurs in the town again, Keiichi decides to question his friend on why they have been hiding the murders from him.
This is where things start to move fast and begin to feel like they are rushing far too much, as the manga moves into a much darker mood. The murders according to the cop in charge have have a connection between Keiichi’s friends and the murder events. Keiichi is asked not to discuss with his friends his conversation as the cop discusses in more detail the events of the murders. Worrying about Rena’s safety, Keiichi confronts her about the murders and, is shocked when her personality (and appearance slightly) suddenly change and she becomes monstrous and threatening. Sickened and, made afraid for his safety after the encounter, he stays home pretending to be sick to avoid Rena. He is called by the detective about the murders, and learns of a legend about a demonic spirit’s curse on the town, while Rena behind the door hears his conversation. After he has many creepy encounters with the girl’s where they later act unaware of their actions (especially Rena). Soon Rena appears with Mion and both become possessed, they interrogate him about his calls and, then threatens him by telling him he should go to school or else. At this point things are to far over the top, first off if these girl could have been possibly be dangerous and involved with the murders or, be in danger from the murders why hasn’t the police done a thing about it? Why did it take so long for Keiichi to be confronted by possessing spirits? This surprising when first read it but, if one takes a step back it all seem hard to understand or believe.
At this point characters like the photographer or the other two girls that are his friend that seemed important at first never appear within the story again. Things get even more strange when Rena apologizes to him while at the same time following him, and warns him not to transfer like a past boy suggesting to him that the last boy got to nosy and was murdered by them. Keiichi, begins carrying around a bat, and has determined that the girls are after his life at this point. He mentions the spirit’s curse in a note to be written encase he dies and, prepares for the worst at any moment. Keiichi speaks once again on the phone to the detective where it is revealed that Rena was treated in the past for attacking students and damaging her past school. Keiichi is then attacked by a van, and then eventually two strangers (why this occurs is never really explained), when he awakes after being beat up he finds Rena and Mion in his room. They both claim that the murders are caused by some sort of spirit, and inject him with something causing him to black out. The real kicker and, best part of the story comes when he awakens to find he has killed the girl’s and then writes a note trying to explain the situation as the police arrive at his home. At this point he shouldn’t waste time doing this as it is clear he looks insane nor, should he be that calm realistically. He then for some reason commits suicide by killing himself in a similar way as a past victim, by scratching out his throat while talking to the cop. At this point if you look back once again it just doesn’t seem well thought out or planned. So many things seem unanswered, confusing and over the top that it’s hard to begin to unravel what you have read.
The characterization begins as bland, and goes on to be more interesting and, at the same time more flawed and, hard to believe. In the beginning most of the characters have light and slightly empty form of characterization, Mionn the leader flaunting her chest, Keiichi is the main character that reacts to what the other characters do and who teases Rena, Rena has a special cutesy mode (she already doesn’t need one but whatever) and shy, his other two friends (which aren’t that important to the story as whole) are the trap laying Satoko Hojo, and nice girl Rika Furude. Although the characters are bland they work well enough, and with more time they could have been developed more down the comedy vein and have been decent. However, when the story changes emotions flare up and believability concerns of the writer seems to fly out the window. Rena and, Mion become monstrous at times, and yet don’t seem to realize it some how. You’d think especially Rena that they’d realize something was seriously wrong especially when you were treated for mystery emotions occurring during times where you bland out. However, they don’t seem to react when Keiichi is freaking out in any way or understand really why he is acting strangely. When they are possessed it is hard to determine their motivation and, whether they have anything to do with the murders and/or, what part of the murders they are responsible for.
Keiichi on the one hand, acts realistically panicked when suspects he is not safe. Despite this though he frequently jumps to conclusion too quickly, seems at times to be very dense. On top of that instead of talking to his parents or, speaking his mind to the detective about his problems he hides his problems. Due to a threat that could never possibly be upheld by Rena and Mion to harm him should he tell he keeps his mouth shut (though it is likely in his eyes that he will be harmed regardless if he speaks or doesn’t). It’s not as though Rena and Mion can always follow him, and if my life were in danger I’d do almost anything to protect it, including things like running away or talking to people, but Keiichi doesn’t even seem to think about doing either of which. His parents also don’t seem to be concerned about him enough either, when he claims his life is in danger to them they don’t force him to tell them whats going on. Then they leave town without him when he clearly is in distress and, perhaps ill. The best part of the characterization comes with the end, which is so sudden that it makes one question the sanity of Keiichi and, if he is either possessed or insane for parts of the story. Their are some good elements of characterization, however their are some major flaws that are easily apparent.
This manga seems like it was greatly inspired by British film Children of the Damned, however as a manga it is harder for me to accept the stories concept then as a movie (as unfair as this may be). As much as their are many good things about this work and it has some neat concepts, certain elements simply don’t make any sense. The ending the plot leaving too many question and is far to jumbled and sudden, catching the reader off guard in a unpleasant way. These flaws plus a lack of interesting art keeps this manga from getting it’s full impact, and after reading the manga it seemed confusing and unpleasantly tense, then really scary. Most of all this manga doesn’t fall into the category of well written manga, nor does it fall into the category enjoyable. It just ends up as un-nerving, gruesome at times and, forgettable save for a few interesting elements, making it definitely worth skipping unless your a die hard horror manga fan. If you looking for a tense thriller with madness, suspense and, a well written plot I’d suggest instead picking up MW instead.
