LogFAQs > #940703957

So, how is Higurashi played? Umineko has a few very set foundations embedded from the start:

1. Who is the killer and how do they accomplish their murders?
2. Can you prove that all the murders were done by humans and successfully deny witches?
3. Who is Beatrice?
4. Most importantly, why is this happening? What is the motive?
5. Is there a way to save everyone?

There are many, many other mysteries dancing about throughout as well like: what's up with Maria? Where is the gold? How do you solve the epitaph? Who wrote the letters? What happened to Kinzo? Does Kumasawa regularly feed the mustached walrus mackerel? All the parents need a lot of money and they need it RIGHT NOW, but can they see why kids love cinnamon toast crunch? Why can't George and Shannon just fall in love together without spoiling Jessica/Kanon and Battler/Beatrice? Who is Maria's father? Why is Krauss arguably the least relevant main character to the story aside from Gohda? What happened to the rose (spoiler: Gohda used it in his dinner! I solved that the first time I played and people commended me for it! Then I was endlessly ridiculed for never figuring out what the **** happened in episode 3)? Etc. etc.

If Higurashi is anything like Umineko, then it is solvable right now with all the clues given. Even though Shkanontrice felt impossible to me even long after Episode 7 spelling it out, in retrospect... it was... plausible? It makes more tangible sense after playing Higurashi so far, with twins and mistaken identities and "Oh you think Mion and Shion are one person? Guess what' they're two people! Enjoy the sequel game where we reverse this and turn who you thought were two people into one!"

What is the mystery of Higurashi then?

1. What is Oyashiro-sama's curse and why do two people die/disappear every year?
2. What exactly happens in 1983?
3. Who is the killer and what is their motive?
4. Every scenario is different, but what are the core elements consistent to all of them?
5. Is there a way to save everyone?

The thing hammered in during the afterparties is what remained the same? Tomitake and Takano were always the two victims of Watanagashi; all the murders in previous years happened as they did; every character is the same in every game; Tomitake always dies in the same way at the same time in the same location; Keiichi suffers punishment games.

The core is Tomitake then, isn't it? He's an ancillary character, gut an important lynchpin to the events surrounding everything. No matter if Satoko's having a miserable home like, Shion and Mion are fighting for control of their existence and perception as their own person, or Rena's axe crazy and spiking paranoid Keiichi's riceballs with hot sauce needles, Tomitake always dies clawing out his throat in the woods and Takano is always missing/dead. But we follow the Gaming Club. Why?

Keiichi is a newcomer with fresh eyes on the village. He is easily manipulated into thinking the worst, horrible at healthy communication, but is loyal, hopeful, and takes actions he thinks are necessary. He is the faceless protagonist though probably not a detective. His decisions cause wide ranging ripples to affect the others, but aside from a simple interaction with Tomitake/Takano or two, and outside of episode 2 where he sneaks with them into the storeroom, those two scenarios seem to have nothing much to do with each other. Do we only use Keiichi-kun in these scenarios to establish the pattern of events and timelines leading up to Tomitake's death? By showing how much Keiichi can affect or be affected by things happening, does his minimal but significant enough interactions with the photographer actually highlight that part of the story?

Okay, then who is Tomitake? He's a photographer who regularly comes this time of year to do birdwatching. Established in Akasaka's.... hmm.

Is Rika the only one who mentions Tomitake in episode four?

If Rika is established as knowing what's to come, my previous thought of Tomitake being around since before Akasaka arrived in 1978 no longer holds up. Akasaka is a birdwatcher "just like Tomitake," but if this is an offhand comment by someone with foreknowledge... Tomitake may not have shown up yet. He might've been sent after Akasaka to fill the same role as badge-hiding observer. Tomitake an undercover cop? He is there to investigate the murders before they happen and who may be responsible? He talks with Keiichi in game one warning him of the town, and being the harbinger by bringing up the past murders and the village's involvement in the dismemberment of the dam workers. He is also using the distraction of Watanagashi to break into the shrine and see the ritual implements, maybe gather information on how murders/disappearanceswere carried out. And he always dies shortly after tearing at his own throat. Keiichi suffers a similar affect in game one, going crazy paranoid and looking to tear out his own throat if not for needing to kill everyone who's out to get him.

And doesn't Shion/Mion commit a similar suicide after the events of episode two?

Also, Satoshi likely murders his aunt to protect Satoko before disappearing himself. And in 1 and 3, characters comment on how much like Satoshi Keiichi is getting: bat-wielding paranoid in 1, vengeful protector of Satoko in 3.

Why does Irie commit suicide before the explosion in 3? What happened to Satoko's uncle? Why did Satoko try to kill Keiichi? What happened to Rika? Why does Rena short-circuit and become terrifying? How much is Mion involved in the family business in the first three games? Why does Chie have a sprite but others don't?

I've fried my brain enough for now.

Kira, may I ask if you have any subtle hints or directions you think I should take, ala Rika trying to help Akasaka help herself?

And should I go back and play the first four games again to try and figure things out on my own before moving onto the Answer arcs?

....Also, why did I just notice your name is an anagram of Rika, Kira? Have you been the Witch of Miracles this entire time??? And are you still a vampire hunter at night, or have you and Arria established new scenarios now that it's been a few months together?

---

"In my headcanon, some staffer saw Trump pull out his phone and start typing so they just Terry Tate Office Linebacker'd him out of his shoes." - FFD