Alpha Damien’s Cursed Mate

I think the terms *first impression is the last impression* seems to fit this novel well. **Chuunibyou

Alexandra is such a sweet girl.
While I’m so sad for Grace. I hope she and Ivan ended up with each other. She can be the mother of his kids since she cannot have a child of her own now.

Higurashi is one of my top anime series, but that doesn't imply I adore every part of it. Tatarigoroshi-hen is likely the arc I enjoyed the least while watching the anime. One reason could be its focus on Satoko, a character I find irritating. However, as they say, "Que sera sera." Even so, based on what I've read and watched, it remains my least favorite, though the manga adaptation made me dislike it less.

The plot of this arc appears straightforward initially but becomes increasingly complex as it unfolds. Among the question arcs in the series, this one provides the most significant hints about the mysteries surrounding Hinamizawa. I recommend paying close attention to the events. Nonetheless, it raises numerous questions that, even after finishing both the anime and reading most of the answer arcs, I still can't fully grasp. Given that I was actively trying to piece together the story while reading, this is quite disappointing.

As mentioned earlier, Tatarigoroshi-hen centers more on Satoko than any other arc. Personally, I find her quite annoying, a sentiment shared by many others. This arc does attempt to evoke sympathy for her character, but she remains irritating, particularly towards the end.

I believe the standout part of this arc is the final chapter, which wasn't included in the anime. It offers intriguing insights into the mindset of the focused character and is executed well.

Artwork is probably this arc's main flaw. From what I've seen, it features the worst art. Considering this is also the least popular arc, I wonder why they didn't enhance the art to make it more appealing to buyers. The quality is tolerable and occasionally good, but the characters sometimes go off-model, detracting from the overall experience.

Character development aligns with the other arcs, with the primary difference being deeper insight into Satoko's character. Overall, it's decent but somewhat underdeveloped.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this arc. It begins slowly, but once things escalate, it quickly becomes engaging. Naturally, anyone who appreciates the series should give this a read; they might discover something they liked here that they missed in the anime, just like I did.

Overall, I rate this cruel twist of fate a 7 out of 10.

Disappointing -- the best word to describe Tatarigoroshi-hen...  

Overall, it's a 6 for me...  
I wasn't really into this third Higurashi installment... Sure, I was curious about how it would conclude—hoping for a mind-blowing twist or an unforgettable ending like the first two. Unfortunately, my hopes were misplaced...  

The story began promisingly enough, moving quickly with a distinct rhythm. However, it soon grew monotonous due to excessive drama. While it was good to see the focus shift to Satoko and Keichi, the narrative felt overly melodramatic and predictable to me. Perhaps I'd been watching too many horror films, making them all blur together...  

I found myself rushing through the pages faster than I did with the first two arcs—not because the story was gripping, but because I was eager to reach the end. Finishing it was almost a relief, as it allowed me to move on to something else...  

This manga might appeal to those who enjoy a "Twilight Zone" vibe, though, like some TZ episodes, it simply doesn't deliver... :S

And now, my review of the third Higurashi arc. Please note that this is the last arc I have read; I currently know nothing about Higurashi beyond this point.

Story:

It's summer of 1983... and this is also starting just like the other arcs, almost as if they were all separate canons almost... well, Keiichi and his family move in, he gets along with some girls, they have wacky hijinx, but then he learns about Oyashiro-sama's Curse. Not only that, he learns that Satoko, one of his friends, lives under the thumb of an abusive uncle, and yet, she doesn't do anything to better her situation.

At first, the story is rather slow. Fortunately, the attempts at humor are better than in the first arc, (you'll laugh during the baseball game) but things don't start getting interesting until Keiichi becomes obsessed with helping Satoko. It does raise some interesting issues; at what point does helping out someone go from simple compassion to violent crusade? Not only that, the ending is a shocking ending. Again, many mysteries abound, but the story still intrigues me. 8/10.

Art:

Oh man. Why do they have different artists for these? This particular artist is unworthy. The characters, especially in the first half, are lacking in detail, the backgrounds look rushed, and, well, I would expect more from a professional publication. I've seen Touhou doujins that look better than this. By the second half, the art does improve, especially during the more shocking scenes, but it's too little, too late, and it never compares to the first two arcs art-wise. 5/10.

Characterization:

In spite of the unanswered questions, the characters are still quite the cast. Keiichi is even more paranoid here; you could even argue that he becomes a villain, and I wouldn't dispute it. Satoko appears to be a helpless little girl, but there is information that contradicts that, too. That would be the best word to describe these characters, contradictory. Another example, Ooishi appeared to be trustworthy in the first two arcs, but here, Keiichi doesn't trust him, and with good reason. We also learn more about Satoko's older brother, Satoshi, who was mentioned in the previous arcs. More and more about the characters is revealed. 9/10.

Enjoyment:

When this arc started, the mediocre art turned me off somewhat. I only slogged through that because I knew that it would eventually turn into a gripping horror tale. Luckily, my prediction came true. This arc was more straightforward than the second one, and I just can't get the ending out of my head. However, it only starts getting really good once Keiichi decides to do something about Satoko's situation; once you get there, you won't be able to stop. Disturbing thoughts and imagery are plentiful throughout the second half, yet somehow, instead of turning me away, I welcome it. Like I said before, if you don't mind seeing a horror story done right, well, you can't go wrong with Higurashi. 8/10.

At this stage in Higurashi, Keiichi is seriously beginning to annoy me as the main character. Keiichi's paranoia spanning nearly six volumes grows tiresome, and he genuinely loses his mind in this arc.  

I thoroughly appreciated how Satoko finally received her own arc; she is likely the least highlighted main character in the Higurashi series.  

This arc tackles a genuine issue in life: child abuse. Everyone wants to rescue Satoko, and there was a moment when Keiichi was arguing with Mion where it felt like shouting, GUY, YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, GET A GRIP!  

Nevertheless, this was a solid arc. It adds more mystery to the secrets of Hinamizawa at the conclusion. But I must say, I'm relieved that this is the final arc with Keiichi as the narrator.  

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There comes a moment when expectations weigh heavily. This arc of Higurashi serves as a prime example, as I initially didn't care much for it in the anime but have now grown to appreciate it more than the first arc adaptation due to how well the pieces and bonuses fit together.

For anime fans who have already seen this: There is additional material that was omitted by the company DEEN, which will certainly grab your attention.

To manga fans: If you enjoyed the first arc storyline adaptation, you'll love this even more because of the intense conclusion. However, if you liked the second arc adaptation, you might encounter some easier realizations here and there.

Art - This is another aspect that left me speechless. The first volume occasionally features subpar art, and it seems like there was a different character model set up for Rena towards the end of the first volume. Is it any better than the previous arcs' artwork?

Somewhat. I truly felt that the artist's potential for this arc blossomed in the second volume. (Keep in mind that it was 300 pages of translation, NOT including the bonus chapter.) The artwork really kicks in once Keiichi takes action, and the traditional "creepy eye" scenes start to appear, making you want to soil yourself and run. The way each character develops their own significant trait of "creepy eyes," switching from cute to murderous in an instant, is something no other arc captured as effectively.

Character - Did I mention Teppei deserves to be shot, horse-stretched, and hung? Okay, but seriously, the main plot characters here are Keiichi, Satoko, and Ooishi, who makes his mark as a new character this time around. Fans might notice another surprise when Keiichi speaks to "Another" character. The characters don't fall into clichés nor are they too niche; they successfully embody creepy little demon-spawn.

Enjoyment - I'll admit I bought the second volume yesterday on a whim after being disappointed with the first volume of this arc. I was thoroughly proven wrong, not only by the sheer size of the book (325 pages all in one volume), but also by how well the manga version was adapted compared to the anime. The differences caught my eye from the beginning to the end.

Overall - Originally, the first arc was my favorite for a long time, but I've recently found this to be the most significant adaptation that scared me half to death, making me want to soil myself at Barnes and Noble, yet hauntingly enjoyable enough to make me love it in the end.

Whether you find yourself wanting to keep the light on after reading it or just toss it aside as something you don't want, this arc is definitely worth a try. Not only does it offer new scenes for anime fans to enjoy, but it also provides a chance for new fans of the series to scare themselves and have fun.

By far the best question arc. Not only does it present the best questions, but it also boasts the most compelling story. The narrative was engaging from start to finish, with no dull moments. The slice-of-life elements were concise and integral to the plot. Witnessing Keiichi's gradual descent into madness as contradictions pile up, while Satoko endures increasing pain, effectively highlights the bleakness of Higurashi. The character development was exceptional too. It was refreshing to see Satoko take center stage, and Keiichi's realistic portrayal added depth to this arc.  

Overall, this Higurashi question arc offers an outstanding experience for fans of mystery manga. Highly recommended if you're looking for a gripping and thought-provoking read. 4.5/5, 9/10<p>