Higurashi When They Cry vol. 1 by RYUKISHI07 and Karin Suzuragi review

Higurashi When They Cry vol. 1

Author/Artist: RYUKISHI07/Karin Suzuragi

Publisher: Yen Press

Rating: OT – 16 and up

Genre: Shonen, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural

Grade: C

Keiichi Maebara has recently moved to the little sleepy village of Hinamizawa. You would think that life would be boring but Keiichi loves every minute of it. Whether he's dodging traps set by underclassmen to just spending time with Rena and Mion his two best friends that he's made in the village, he couldn't be any more content than he is right now. That is until he meets Tomitake, a freelance photographer. Tomitake relates a story of how Hinamizawa might look like a quiet, country village but it actually has a grisly past. There was a horrible murder and dismemberment of the body several years ago and they still hadn't located all of the body parts. Of course Keiichi has a hard time believing this. He even goes out of his way to ask Rena if she knew anything about it. She dodges the question. The seeds of doubt have been planted in Keiichi's mind. What is really going on in Hinamizawa?

Higurashi When They Cry is based on a doujin novel game. You know it kind of falls into the category like Gakuen Heaven (a BL game that exploded in popularity so it spawned manga, anime, and more games). I've been impressed by Yen Press' titles so far but in regards to Higurashi When They Cry I'm not too sure. The quality is fantastic. You get a few colored pages peppered throughout, and the quality of the materials is really good. Plus their titles are reasonably priced. So I guess my hesitance isn't with Yen Press itself. I guess it has to do with the story. I enjoy suspense but horror isn't quite my cup of tea. Sure, the art is gorgeous, but hmmm… I still am on the fence with this title. I guess that I'll have to read the second volume to decide whether I like this title or not.

I found myself confused but wanting to know more so I'll continue to read the series to decide whether I'll keep reading or not. Why are the natives keeping so many secrets? I'll have to read more to find that out.