Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai, Episode 12 : Analysis, Thoughts, and Random Comments

[Disclaimer]: This entry might contain MILD spoilers. However, while the analysis might push you to these mild spoilers, NO foretelling spoiler is present. Therefore, please follow the same guideline, and understand that any spoiler can just ruin this critical part of the story for any reader. (NO spoiler will be tolerated. Any borderline hint either. Don’t even try to test me, instant edit/delete might fall without your permission. You have been WARNED). Good reading!
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I guess this episode was very informative, isn’t it? That said, the truth is not completely unfold, and there is even some elements to point out, considering the circumstances…
Considering how near we are from the truth, the MILD tag is necessary. Again, nothing foreshadowing, but it is rather a stunt for some parts of the points.
Minagoroshi-hen Analyses List: [Meiro no Housoku], [Unmei no Kaekata], [Yuragi], [Koushou], [Taiketsu], [Tsuyoi Ishi]

Be sure to have watched the episode before reading this!

Today, I will focus mainly on the following points:

1. Rika’s suspicions and trust
   
2. Inconsistency
3. Satoko’s parents
4. Random thing: Stigmata of the axe murder case
   

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[Analysis]

I. Rika’s suspicions and trust

Thanks to Ooishi, Rika was able to have suspicions about Takano…
Some people might think it is a bit weird, since she had a bit more than a century to figure it only now.

The major issue for Rika is the ability to gather information, as she is only a child. In that aspect, Rika is unable to be convincing enough, not able to use her position (either as a guinea pig or the priestess of the Furude Shrine).
As you can see, Ooishi gave the time of death information only thrice (or four time). Once (or twice) in Watanagashi-hen and Meakashi-hen to Keiichi, Once in Tsumihoroboshi-hen to Rena and once with Rika, only in this chapter.
The first case is self explanatory, as Keiichi is the only witness for “Mion” rampage, and his deposition is conflicting with the coroner report.
Secondly, for Rena, She was quite convincing with her story about the Sonozaki. Considering the striking (false) hints, and Ooishi’s suspicions and obsession about the Sonozaki, it is something normal. This is the logical consequence of the strong influence of RULE Z.
As for the lastcase, Rika proved to be very cooperative, and helpful to Ooishi. Considering her maturity, her social position and her report, Ooishi trusted her and gave her the corpse examination results.
There is another fundamental point: Ooishi wasn’t really convinced by the issue with the time of death. Except in Minagoroshi-hen, Ooishi was kidding about it, talking about zombie. He even says that it is probably a mistake of the coronor in Tsumihoroboshi-hen.
Outside of this, it is impossible to get, as this kind of information isn’t something available for the public.

Now, outside of this… Can Rika really be able to have suspicions on Takano? Considering her hellish trial, it is quite hard, because Takano has almost every reasons to help her.

1. Takano was sent with Irie, Tomitake and some staff to do research on the syndrome
2. Takano knows “what would happen if Rika dies”
3. Her death along with Tomitake’s makes perfect sense. If someone wants to aim for Rika, these 2 must be killed.

Rika’s handicap is the fact she wasn’t able to speculate betrayal from the very troop supposed to protect her. Much like what I said several times before, without the clear motives, it is nearly impossible to know “why”, and therefore, track down the possible culprits.
As a total annihilation of the village isn’t exactly something many people would usually wish, it is even harder when the said person has the knowledge and especially the reasons to do the opposite.
Let’s not mention Takano’s eerie obsession with tales and legends of Onigafuchi: these can be justified with her position of research.
Rika obviously doesn’t have the luxury to suspect Takano, as she must deal with Rule X and Rule Z already, not to mention the Irie Institute is the possibility which would almost have zero chance to strike her minds.
If she happened to know the Yamainu killed her before, that could help her reasoning, but it isn’t the case (again, because of loss of memories of the time prior her death, after each “rebirth”).

On the other hand, Rika finally makes her move with her friends. Why only now, and not before?
It is safe to assume that Rika already tried, but got easely ignored, as the matter is quite crazy after all.
The thing is despite the world wasn’t that perfect in the beginning, Rika tried some moves out of boredom, and it was effective.
Why then?

Basically, Keiichi is a very important piece to gather “allies”. With what could happen because of RULE X, Rika had probably enough of witnessing the sorrow and pain of her friends, with all of this batshit.
Hence, her lone battle, until keiichi proved twice (Tsumihoroboshi-hen and Minagoroshi-hen) that fate can be undone. The most ironic of this part is that keiichi was able to do so, because of simple memories, and so, adaption with the past sins and the like.
Rika who is a bit “almighty'” due her experience is simply dumbstruck, and Keiichi’s stunts were just a perfect lesson, to get back her fighting spirit. It doesn’t even have anything to do with “hope/despair”, but rather “fight for the best”, which is the best mindest for this kind of catastrophe.

And as you can see, the trust was not one sided, as after all the trouble they could get through, they are united. It is because they were through of this stuff they could. Why? It is simply strengthening their bounds, but also giving them spirit for any hardship, whatsoever.
Considering who is Rika, and what she contributed recently (convinced Satoko, knew about Tomitake and Takano, etc), the mutual trust was simply natural.

If you add keiichi’s charisma, and the resolved issues recently (not only Satoko’s cases, but the gruesome dreams too), it is fairly logical to see an unison of this caliber.

 

II. Inconsistency

Now, let’s attack the main dish… the flaws in what Rika said about the Hinamizawa Syndrome.

Rika says that she is the “queen carrier” and if anything happen to her, the villagers won’t be able to get her pheromones, and therefore, they will be degrade into madness, and surely create a bloodshed.

It is obviously FALSE.

Why is that? Simply, Watanagashi-hen and Meakashi-hen are the proof it isn’t the case.
Basically, Rika was killed (either way by Shion or she committed suicide), and the result was simply null and void: no massacre, no disaster, not even peculiar event, except maybe keiichi, who just got delusioned because of the stress from the near death experiences, and Ooishi’s comments of the “walking dead”.
It is even proved in the [Ending Scroll of Meakashi-hen] that most characters are alive in 2004 (Even Irie is alive, which means they couldn’t act, as they kill him only when they can go further in the plan).
In many other instances, various people were able to live elsewhere without any problem. As for Rena’s case, it is safe to say that she was crushed by the divorce, and triggered the disease.

What does that mean? Simply, the Queen Theory is false, and that the syndrome isn’t affected by any distance or pheromones.
Thus, what is only affecting the syndrome is probably the mental state/resilience, the stimulii and the possible injections.

Now, what is the interesting fact…?
Basically, Tomitake and Irie believe in such theory. Remember their discussions about Rika being mad? Both Tomitake and Irie mentioned once or twice it would be a big problem if something happen to Rika.
Also, Takano says the syndrome was like a bomb, and they can make it explode.

If we also mention that Takano was revealed as the true leader of the Irie Institution, while Irie himself was just focusing on the cure, it is safe to assume that Takano deceived them.
For what objective?
It is extremely hard to tell. Obviously, Takano made up this theory, so she can make a massacre. It is unclear if it is a revenge, some madness, or anything of that sort.

Aside of the reason, always missing, why wasn’t Takano able to activate the disaster plan in both Watanagashi-hen and Meakashi-hen?
Remember: she said to Tomitake that some people would like this bomb to explode. What if we speculate that Takano even deceived the higher up? What if she crafted such theory so she can do the massacre?
That would mean she requires specific condition to do so.
And this is: villagers turning crazy when Rika isn’t there anymore.

This is convenient, because Takano has the perfect tool for this: an unidentified substance which can turn the subject quickly into LEVEL 5, the terminal stage of the syndrome.
Thefore, the “problem” for her is to kill Rika, and then creates false madness crisis.

Now, remember what happened in Watanagashi-hen and Meakashi-hen..
Shion threw Rika’s corpse in the well, and the police took like 1-2 days to recover it.
If there is a specific time for the syndrome to be activated without the pheromones, wouldn’t be a problem for her if she doesn’t know the time of death for Rika or if she is simply too late?

Shion was an hinderance as Rika was missing for 1-2 days before Keiichi and Rena’s confrontation against “Mion”, and then discovered some days later on. That quite a long time if you ask me. Even without knowing the detail, Takano would have hard time to activate the plan, considering the possible state of alert in the village, after what Shion did.

Unfortunately with this issue, Rika isn’t able to question this inconsistency… Why?
Because to confirm the theory, she has to be dead so one can see if it turns into insanity hell or not. And since this theory was made from the very research, from the “good researchers”, it is hardly possible to go against, and expecting anything else. Thus, Rika is forced to trust this, and once again, she doesn’t have any reason to doubt about it, considering the efforts of the Irie Institution and the means dispatched for it (budget, Yamainu, etc).

Rika obviously believes in this theory, as she is explaining it calmely to her friends, but also claimed “everyone will die” in Yakusamashi-hen, despite the fact she obviously doesn’t know about the disaster.
Therefore, her own situation is simply deceiving her from the very beginning, and there is no way prior this point to realize about it.

 

III. Satoko’s parents

I’m not exactly sure if it is really useful to cover this, but anyway…
In this episode, Satoko realized about something of her past. Basically, everyone knows Satoko took injections to fight the effects of LEVEL 3 of the syndrome.
Since Rika said that even LEVEL 5 was possible to reduce with injection, what would happen if… Satoko was a LEVEL 5 before?

It isn’t far fetched considering her situation: she was a Houjou and get shunned along with Satoshi and their parents. If we add the fact she wasn’t in good terms with her stepfather and she even faked an abuse report, it is fairly possible to think she would go in such mental unstability that she could attempt on her parents’ life.

Considering the flashback in season 1, it is very clear that Satoshi wasn’t with Satoko and their parents in the trip. So Satoko is with them, but since she isn’t really in good terms with the man, she would probably stay alone by herself.

Now, See Rika’s intervention? She asked her to not force herself to remember about this day, even if she will do it in the future, it isn’t necessary now.
Considering Satoko’s terror, it is safe to assume she is the culprit and pushed her parents from the cliff.
As seen in this TIPS, [The dam project supporter couple’s falling accident], the fence wasn’t really solid first. So if Satoko pushes them brutally, what would be the result, I wonder?

There isn’t any solid proof, indeed. But Satoko’s and Rika’s behaviour in this episode, plus the fact she was treated with injections daily for a while are hints that her mental instability is kinda advanced.

 

…This Fate of June 1983 reveals its ebony truths…
…brave souls are still fighting…
…cornered in the darkness…

…As a last resort against fate…

Now… Doom is inevitable? Will everyone be happy?
This is your decision to witness the possible arrival of a miracle…
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai continues…

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[Random Thing]

 

Meh… I guess many of you were fearing the complete cancellation of the show huh?
For those who doesn’t know yet, an IRL incident shook the community, as the show was endangered of cancellation and the like. Read this entry to see further informations.

That said, the funny stigmata of this case is probably the OP. I guess most of you noticed it, but considering some cases (right deathy? ^^), I guess it worth the mention.

 

Rena’s Favourite (and bloody!) cleaver turns into…

…the junkyard

 

Well, at least it isn’t OOC, and it makes sense for Rena.
As another fun fact: the OP sequence has a much better quality.
At first I thought it was because of the raw (240 instead of usually 140-175 with G-R etc), but considering the episode itself and the ED, it is clearly that the OP for this episode had extra care.
We can assume that when DEEN did this censored OP, they kinda give a better master for it… maybe ^^”
This is quite ironical, as i said in the summary: this episode was probably the budget one so err…

 

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Another difficule analysis, as various hints but also foreshadowing ones were included. They weren’t numerous, but it could be easy to blurt something I shouldn’t… I hope i didn’t make any mistake.
Yes i know, this analysis is very short… i guess the truckload of truth is rather self explanatory here.

Much like how i warned in Animesuki forums, DON’T WATCH THE PREVIEW!
Yes, same stuff. There isn’t anything to spoil about, but it is the end of Minagoroshi-hen, and much like episode 5, it will be a big shot. No really, it is the pinnacle of the chapter, and it is better to enjoy the ride without being spoiled.

This will be probably the best episode of the series, so be patient for 終末 – Shuumatsu – Finale.

Stay tuned for another “Klash’s overload babbling of Higurashi” ^^