English Dub Review: Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou “Cotton-Deceiving Chapter, Part 2”

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)
Shion saves Keiichi from the thugs approaching him with the help of the nearby townsfolk, leading to the two of them getting a lot closer, much to Mion’s chagrin (or at least partially with Mion too, what with the switching and all). During this time, Keiichi also learns about the tragic Dam Project that almost drowned the town but was fought back against by the townsfolk, including the Sonozaki family, but was stopped when one of the workers was mysteriously killed and the body cut up. On the night of Watanagashi, he meets Takano and Tomitake, who expand on the supposed curse of Oyashiro, the god of the village, which seems to be occurring to people connected to support of the dam project, and happens every year with one person dying and another disappearing. The four sneak off to go break into the shrine, which Keiichi initially is against, but decides to look into out of curiosity.

OUR TAKE
We’re back to Higurashi after a three week break (likely boosted from the usual one to two week break thanks to the holidays), though we’re not exactly hitting the ground running. Part of that being that, at least compared to the original arc, this pacing is weirdly slow and so there isn’t a whole lot that really happens that’s worth noting, and what IS worth noting is pretty easily summarized: Keiichi gets closer with Shion, he learns about the Dam Project and the curse, and he sneaks into the shrine with her, Tomitake, and Takano. All of this happened considerably earlier in the second episode of the first version of the arc, leaving room for things to escalate further down the line, but in both this and the arc before it, everything feels rather dull for the most part with the tension not rising to the same level as their counterparts.

Still, this episode certainly had its important information to pass on for the viewer, specifically the exposition regarding the dam project leading into the annual murders and disappearances occurring in the town. This is important info for later, of course, I just wish that it was something I could pair with more notable character moments. Though as we’re still recreating the old stories here, I guess it makes sense that we’re just focusing on the Mion/Shion stuff at the moment, as it’s heavily implied that Mion and Shion have been switching out at certain situations to give Mion a chance to be closer to Keiichi, who she is crushing hard on. This is one of the more innocent aspects of the series, and so naturally it is surrounded by tragedy and cruelty soon after, at least in the first season. Except, as mentioned last time, Keiichi giving Mion that doll at Rika’s request was meant to circumvent that tragedy (which is a lot to get into right now), though who knows if it’s done so, seeing as we wouldn’t have a story otherwise. Unfortunately, it seems that next episode will also be a rather slow installment too, but there’s likely to be at least something to discuss when it comes, likely within one to three weeks. And good thing I already watched this whole arc subbed over a month ago or this irregular pacing of release would be really messing with my thoughts! And maybe we’ll pick up the pace before the end.