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Higurashi When They Cry Manga Japanese Numbering #15
Higurashi When They Cry: Atonement Arc, Vol. 1
Rena Ryugu has made a lot of great friends since returning to Hinamizawa a year ago. But the happiness of playing with her classmates can hardly make up for the sadness she feels at home. Her father's new lover spends more and more time at their house, making Rena feel that she is no longer as needed as she was when her mother first abandoned the family for another man. Rena thought that coming back to the village would end the curse that tore apart her family and her mind, but she can't shake the feeling that more heartbreak is in store...
198 pages, Paperback
First published December 22, 2006
7 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Ryukishi07
299 books320 followersRyukishi07 (竜騎士07, Ryūkishi Zero Nana?, born November 19, 1973) is the pen name of a Japanese man originally from Chiba Prefecture who is well-known as the original creator for the idea of the visual novel series Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Umineko no Naku Koro ni. He is the representative member of the group 07th Expansion. His pen name originated from the Final Fantasy series, "Ryūkishi" being the Japanese term for "Dragoon", and "07" goroawase for the name "Lenna". His illustration style is recognizable from the large hands he draws on people.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 6, 2017
Poor, unsuspecting Hinamizawa.
Super biased since I love everything about this series. I especially enjoyed the focus on Rena in this volume.
Super biased since I love everything about this series. I especially enjoyed the focus on Rena in this volume.
December 3, 2020
Rena’s always come across as the most unsettling character in the Higurashi series, just because her mostly cheerful demeanour tends to slip now and then to show what’s underneath. Rena’s desire to protect things might better be termed an obsession and is protecting anything in Hinamizawa much more than a pipe dream?
It’s fair (and, if I’m honest, incredibly mean of me) to say that Rena’s always been a few cakes short of a bakery display window. This arc starts with us learning the reasons why, as history repeats once again, though maybe not how we usually think of it in this series.
And it’s effective! This series has certainly never shied away from body horror and just when I thought I had seen everything... but even Rena realizes that she might not be the most reliable narrator around in terms of what’s going on. It’s good to see that Higurashi hasn’t lost its ability to shock.
Belief is a hell of a drug and that’s kind of where this volume’s journey goes. Rena is convinced that her actions in coming back to the village will make things right, but when bad things keep happening it just makes her keep twisting that belief to make events fit rather than looking at it more objectively.
On the less positive side, I do think the villain of this piece is a little obvious and kind of lacking in what we would term ‘any nuance whatsoever’. Nothing about the storyline here is surprising in terms of narrative arc; it’s the characterization of our leads that makes it work.
And, as an aside, as a health professional, I burst out laughing every time a story references ‘injections’ as if there’s a magic syringe marked ‘psychotic break’ that they have to jab somebody with in order to cure them. It’s fine - you aren’t reading Higurashi because it’s scientifically accurate - but I do love the old school nature of that “science”.
4 stars. Faults aside, this is a worthwhile deep dive into a character who has been shown as a largely malevolent force when it comes down to it. While it doesn’t excuse her actions, it goes a long way to explaining them and it starts this arc off with a bang.
It’s fair (and, if I’m honest, incredibly mean of me) to say that Rena’s always been a few cakes short of a bakery display window. This arc starts with us learning the reasons why, as history repeats once again, though maybe not how we usually think of it in this series.
And it’s effective! This series has certainly never shied away from body horror and just when I thought I had seen everything... but even Rena realizes that she might not be the most reliable narrator around in terms of what’s going on. It’s good to see that Higurashi hasn’t lost its ability to shock.
Belief is a hell of a drug and that’s kind of where this volume’s journey goes. Rena is convinced that her actions in coming back to the village will make things right, but when bad things keep happening it just makes her keep twisting that belief to make events fit rather than looking at it more objectively.
On the less positive side, I do think the villain of this piece is a little obvious and kind of lacking in what we would term ‘any nuance whatsoever’. Nothing about the storyline here is surprising in terms of narrative arc; it’s the characterization of our leads that makes it work.
And, as an aside, as a health professional, I burst out laughing every time a story references ‘injections’ as if there’s a magic syringe marked ‘psychotic break’ that they have to jab somebody with in order to cure them. It’s fine - you aren’t reading Higurashi because it’s scientifically accurate - but I do love the old school nature of that “science”.
4 stars. Faults aside, this is a worthwhile deep dive into a character who has been shown as a largely malevolent force when it comes down to it. While it doesn’t excuse her actions, it goes a long way to explaining them and it starts this arc off with a bang.
April 24, 2024
4.5
I really like Rena’s character so I’m happy this arc is focusing more on her
I really like Rena’s character so I’m happy this arc is focusing more on her
October 20, 2025
I rate this 4.5 stars.
I'm writing this review 2 days later, so I might not remember everything I wanted to say and I'm not sure how to explain everything I want to say, but I'll try to at least talk about some of my feelings on this book and arc so far. I think I have more to say for vol. 2 because that's when things really go crazy.
This seems like it is the Abducted by Demons arc again, only this time Rena is the one who's going crazy instead of Keiichi. I'm really liking this arc so far, the last one was good too but this one is better (I've already read vol. 2 by the time I'm writing this review). I love that we finally got an arc where we see how Rena thinks and why she did the things in her past. On the surface, she seems like a carefree happy airheaded girl, but inside, the real her is actually pretty smart, always thinking (I think all of the girls plus Keiichi are like that on the inside) and has family issues. I really want to rewatch the anime (it's been years).
I will update this review if I think of what else I wanted to say about this book.
Blog: nazreads.ca
Twitter: Naz_readsanime
Instagram: nazreads01, nazcosplay, nradesigns, charmedanimegirl01
I'm writing this review 2 days later, so I might not remember everything I wanted to say and I'm not sure how to explain everything I want to say, but I'll try to at least talk about some of my feelings on this book and arc so far. I think I have more to say for vol. 2 because that's when things really go crazy.
This seems like it is the Abducted by Demons arc again, only this time Rena is the one who's going crazy instead of Keiichi. I'm really liking this arc so far, the last one was good too but this one is better (I've already read vol. 2 by the time I'm writing this review). I love that we finally got an arc where we see how Rena thinks and why she did the things in her past. On the surface, she seems like a carefree happy airheaded girl, but inside, the real her is actually pretty smart, always thinking (I think all of the girls plus Keiichi are like that on the inside) and has family issues. I really want to rewatch the anime (it's been years).
I will update this review if I think of what else I wanted to say about this book.
Blog: nazreads.ca
Twitter: Naz_readsanime
Instagram: nazreads01, nazcosplay, nradesigns, charmedanimegirl01
November 25, 2021
Not having a water gun fight that takes like 20-30 minutes to read was already a huge plus for the manga adaptation of this arc. I feel that the VN really delved into Rena's struggle with what's obviously depression better, though.
I like how Rina is drawn here, too. Suzuragi's art has been my least favourite of the artists so far, but there was obvious improvement since Onikakushi's manga.
I like how Rina is drawn here, too. Suzuragi's art has been my least favourite of the artists so far, but there was obvious improvement since Onikakushi's manga.
May 25, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! It was fast-paced, and I couldn't put it down. The fact that Rena killed Rina was completely not what I thought would happen, but what a good turn! I must read the second one to find out what happens next to Teppei.
I would recommend this book!!
I would recommend this book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2018
Really loving this series!!!^.^ one of the best Psychological mangas I’ve read!!!👌😁😻😻
June 10, 2020
4.5/5
September 27, 2020
Increible este manga, da mucha personalidad a Rena, no puedo esperar al siguiente.
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May 21, 2021weebing with Berfin dostumm #17
June 26, 2025
ily rena higurashi
January 11, 2012
I've been pretty excited to read this, having faithfully followed the series up to this point. The series is still far from over but this is where we start getting the clues towards who or what is causing this.
I really enjoyed this glimpse into Rina's life. Up until this point the manga has portrayed her as a mostly happy-go-lucky and easygoing girl, but this arc really dispels that aspect of her. This Rina is a worrywart and is just as capable of doing horrible things as her friends were in their arcs. She's a dark and tormented character, but we really shouldn't expect any less from any of the inhabitants of Hinamizawa.
The artwork in this is nice and as always, I loved it. I'm pretty easygoing as far as artwork goes and I'm a sucker for anything Rina related, so it's pretty obvious that this volume would be something I liked. This is an absolute must-buy for fans of the series.
On a side note, if you're someone who has just decided to pick up the series and is looking at the various volumes marked "1" for the Higurashi series, be aware that this is actually volume 15 and you will absolutely have to start at the true volume one, which is in the Abducted by Demons arc.
I really enjoyed this glimpse into Rina's life. Up until this point the manga has portrayed her as a mostly happy-go-lucky and easygoing girl, but this arc really dispels that aspect of her. This Rina is a worrywart and is just as capable of doing horrible things as her friends were in their arcs. She's a dark and tormented character, but we really shouldn't expect any less from any of the inhabitants of Hinamizawa.
The artwork in this is nice and as always, I loved it. I'm pretty easygoing as far as artwork goes and I'm a sucker for anything Rina related, so it's pretty obvious that this volume would be something I liked. This is an absolute must-buy for fans of the series.
On a side note, if you're someone who has just decided to pick up the series and is looking at the various volumes marked "1" for the Higurashi series, be aware that this is actually volume 15 and you will absolutely have to start at the true volume one, which is in the Abducted by Demons arc.
August 30, 2014
I like that there's different arcs for this series. And of course we have the same characters, but you wonder where they play in their role in the arcs. Plus the covers are drawn really good. And of course the colored pages at the beginning are really good as well. Good but dark series.
July 4, 2012
loved the book!!
rena is the best
rena is the best
August 11, 2014
Rena was my favorite character throughout the whole series. This Arc is probably my favorite one, although they are all excellent.
November 18, 2015
I love Rena so much. I'm so glad that I've finally made it to the arc that focuses on her.
August 8, 2016
Oh Rena, im so glad we could glimpse into her part but the maggots , that was seriously disgusting
September 11, 2016
Another rating: 9/10
Great arc! So many things happend, such great insight into characters, but where are my answers?
Great arc! So many things happend, such great insight into characters, but where are my answers?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews