Higurashi When They Cry: Festival Accompanying Arc, Vol. 2 - manga (Higurashi, 23) (Volume 23)

I was rather pleased with this volume overall, although it did remind me exactly how long this series has been running. It brought back one of the biggest complaints I've seen for the series: that its length has worked against it and the constant repetitions water down some of the revelations that would otherwise be seen as shocking. This is somewhat the case in this volume, which gives us a few big reveals that really should have had more impact with me than they ended up having.This is the first volume where we really delve into Rika's family and home life. There's always been a bit of a question over the deaths of Rika's parents, as I imagine that few of us would really see them getting into the idea of her getting used as a lab rat. This element is brought up in this volume and dealt with in a manner that is relatively shocking for the most part. What will surprise most will be that Rika's parents *didn't* see it coming, as you'd imagine that if a government agency went to the trouble of setting up a rather intricate laboratory/hospital to study the town's disease, that they would do whatever it took to keep their prize subject around.Most of the volume deals with Miyo's not so slow descent into madness. It's made fairly aware to everyone that not only was Miyo crazy to begin with, but that she's apparently suffering from Hinamizawa Syndrome. This isn't clearly stated in this volume or the prior one, but readers will have begun to have noticed that Miyo began showing symptoms in the prior volume and that this becomes more apparent here. It does lead to some interesting questions, as to whether or not Miyo would have done half of the things she would have if she wasn't infected... or if she's even infected at all and that this is all her.The only problem is that while there are some interesting plot points, I can't help but keep remembering how darn long all of this took to unfold and how long it's going to take before the series as a whole is over. We have two further omnibus editions until the series is completed and I'll admit that I'm ready for the series to be over. The nature of the original games necessitated a long manga run, but sometimes I can't help but think that a bit of abridging would have helped keep the manga's story line a little tighter.

The history of the Irie Institute and its unsavory research into the Hinamizawa Syndrome is exposed. Takano's goals are revealed as she works with Dr Irie to find out the truth of the disease and prove her grandfather's research correct. It's her life's goals.Luckily, she has an ally. A powerful man who wants to help her out. So long as she has his support, she knows she'll unravel the mystery of the disease and find a cure, and to weaponize it for the government. But most of all, her grandfather's theories, laughed by his peers, would be vindicated.Meanwhile, Rika and Hanyu work to make things ready for the arrival of all their friends, to ensure that events play out the way we've seen. It's clear that they've had to figure out things, like how to ensure Keiichi moves to town or to keep Satako alive after her parents death. Like with Akasaka, she's manipulating things to give her the best chance through so many trial and error. And now she might have found it.But she's missing one thing. Will she get it?The pieces are moving into place for the final arc to begin in truth. We're rushing towards the finale to Higurashi! I can't wait to read it.

This volume continues right where the last one left off, with Dr. Irie facing a terrible dilemma. The solution to his predicament is well executed by Ryukishi07, and it even sheds some light on things that readers may have wondered about in previous volumes, like why Satoko and Rika visit the Irie clinic so frequently...*cough*In this volume we are shown the likely truth behind the events of the second year's curse (Satoshi and Satoko's parents falling from the viewing platform). We don't want to believe the explanation, but it seems there could be no other way. These strokes of ultimate ambiguity are one of Ryukishi07's trademarks, and he continues to use them masterfully.Right after this we are shown the truth behind the events of the third year's curse (Rika's father dying and her mother disappearing). Here Ryukishi07 uses swift and dramatic storytelling that has hints of ambiguity as well as stark, undeniable truths. What happens to Rika's father seems WAY too simple for the reader to accept in light of all the trickery going on, and yet Ryukishi07 leaves it dangling there to torment us. What happens to Rika's mother, on the other hand, is so abominable and unforseen that all the reader can do is gape in horror.Then comes the truth behind the events of the fourth year's curse (Satoshi disappearing and his aunt getting beaten to death). This story we are a little more familiar with, since it was told from Shion's perspective in the Eye Opening Arc. But now we get a more objective look at it from the viewpoint of Dr. Irie, but again we are not directly shown what happens to Satoshi's aunt. However, based on Satoshi's reaction after Dr. Irie finds him, the truth behind her death is nearly guaranteed...The truth behind Satoshi's disappearance is also revealed, although we don't learn his ultimate fate...yet...This volume also shows us the history and motivations behind one of the most enigmatic characters in the whole series, Detective Oishi. It only lasts a couple pages, which makes sense since Oishi isn't a major character. It's clear that Ryukishi07 was careful to incorporate themes and actual story elements into Oishi's past, and I would say he did a satisfying job of it.There is also the origin story of Hanyuu included at the end of this volume, for those who have been wondering about this mysterious character.Miyo Takano and Dr. Irie are still the main characters of this story, but the focus does not stay with them for long before switching to one of the many other characters mentioned above. The overall thrust of the story still remains Takano's struggle to complete her research on Hinamizawa Syndrome and thus repay the kindness that Hifumi Takano showed her as a child. I am pleased to say that Ryukishi07 keeps this core story line going with momentum in this volume. I was a little worried in the last volume that the focus was shifting a bit too heavily toward Dr. Irie and that we would lose the sense of Miyo's character arc, but this volume dashes those fears. Miyo's struggle is very well balanced with all the more minor story elements like Dr. Irie's ongoing moral struggle, Rika's parents' struggle to protect Rika, and the Hojo siblings' struggle with being accepted by the village. It's really a remarkable feat of storytelling to simultaneously keep these old story lines fresh(something Ryukishi07 has already proven himself very adept at), reveal key secrets that both make sense AND are dramatically engaging, and weave Miyo Takano's own story throughout all this without losing the sense of her character arc. Of course, it is absolutely necessary to be very familiar with the earlier volumes in Higurashi but that should be a given at this point.This volume could be criticized for it's lack of a fluid narrative. It tends to jerk around from one place to the next a lot, so I wouldn't call it the most pleasingly presented narrative.The artwork continues to be Karin Suzuragi's standard mix of occasionally awkward or cartoony looking characters as well as fine attention to gory details and dramatic moments. Overall I'd say she does a fine job, but I envision my own ideal Higurashi to be illustrated in a way closer to Junji Ito's artwork (more realism).

Excellent packaging as described, thank you!

OK I like this one because it shows Dr ire good heart and rikas compassion for friend it was glorious

This was a great addition to the series and I cannot wait until the next one is released! 5 stars!

Arrived early, and in pristine condition. Very pleased, great service.Great horror series, addicting to read.

Higurashi dans toute sa splendeur, entre humour et horreur.Un tome 2 passionnant, pour un dernier arc assimilable à un bouquet final.