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Umineko When They Cry (Manga English Numbering ) #5
Umineko WHEN THEY CRY Episode 3: Banquet of the Golden Witch, Vol. 1
Time holds little meaning for Beatrice the Millennial Witch. Replaying the events leading up to the Golden Banquet again and again only gives her more opportunity to play with her new favorite toy, Battler Ushiromiya. The boy's will to resist the witch remains strong as the curtain rises for a third time on the Ushiromiya family's annual reunion. But as Beatrice pulls more and more players into the game, the strain on Battler's defenses is evident. Do the other members of his family hold the key to solving the witch's riddle and sealing her defeat?!
694 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2010
13 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Ryukishi07
299 books319 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 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 10, 2020
"The human world is filled with a lot of sadness from separation and loss. In order to escape from that sadness, everyone searches for a way to bear it and continue living."
I’m quite surprised by Episode 3: Banquet of the Golden Witch, because once again we have a volume that’s +600 pages and it never gets boring. Whilst Battler and Beatrice are still playing this game of accepting or denying the witch existence, we see more depth into some characters like Beatrice herself and Ushiromiya Eva, the oldest daughter of Kinzo, who always wanted to become the headmaster of their family despite being a woman.
In the first chapters we get to know a little bit more of this human Beatrice, who was indeed Kinzo’s mistress but who also lived as a caged animal, unknown to people outside her little mansion placed in Rokkenjima Island. We also learn that Kinzo’s obsession with occultism takes its toll on everyone around him, including her. He’s willing to sacrifice everybody in order to see Beatrice once again, even if she doesn’t feel real sympathy for him.
Later, two more witches appear: Virgilia, Beato’s predecessor who was disguised as Kumazawa-san; and thanks to her witty in solving the epitaph, Eva’s alter ego becomes the next Golden Witch. Now the title of the Golden Witch and the name Beatrice are the same for every witch, and it might get a little confusing so, for the sake of understanding the different witches, I’m gonna call Battler’s current opponent, Beato.
Beato is showing us the diffent shades of her character: on one hand, we have this cruel, mean and witty witch that rejoices on people’s suffering. On the other, we have a naïve girl who doesn’t want to get scolded by others, and who’s game is the only motivation to keep going. So, what is the truth? Perhaps a little both of them, which is truly entertaining to see.
I think the author along with the artist are working on this interesting project that keeps the audience right on their toes. Like I said before, we see more depth into side characters and the mind games really fuck your mind a little if you stop paying attention to the details. This murder/mystery is still one of my favorite stories ever and I truly can’t wait to read the second volume: the conclusion of this 3rd arc!
Note aside: Eva’s husband is what a real husband should be like! He’s truly a wonderful man!
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
EP 1: Legend of the Golden Witch
Volume 1 | Volume 2
EP 2: Turn of the Golden Witch
Volume 1 | Volume 2
I’m quite surprised by Episode 3: Banquet of the Golden Witch, because once again we have a volume that’s +600 pages and it never gets boring. Whilst Battler and Beatrice are still playing this game of accepting or denying the witch existence, we see more depth into some characters like Beatrice herself and Ushiromiya Eva, the oldest daughter of Kinzo, who always wanted to become the headmaster of their family despite being a woman.
In the first chapters we get to know a little bit more of this human Beatrice, who was indeed Kinzo’s mistress but who also lived as a caged animal, unknown to people outside her little mansion placed in Rokkenjima Island. We also learn that Kinzo’s obsession with occultism takes its toll on everyone around him, including her. He’s willing to sacrifice everybody in order to see Beatrice once again, even if she doesn’t feel real sympathy for him.
Later, two more witches appear: Virgilia, Beato’s predecessor who was disguised as Kumazawa-san; and thanks to her witty in solving the epitaph, Eva’s alter ego becomes the next Golden Witch. Now the title of the Golden Witch and the name Beatrice are the same for every witch, and it might get a little confusing so, for the sake of understanding the different witches, I’m gonna call Battler’s current opponent, Beato.
Beato is showing us the diffent shades of her character: on one hand, we have this cruel, mean and witty witch that rejoices on people’s suffering. On the other, we have a naïve girl who doesn’t want to get scolded by others, and who’s game is the only motivation to keep going. So, what is the truth? Perhaps a little both of them, which is truly entertaining to see.
I think the author along with the artist are working on this interesting project that keeps the audience right on their toes. Like I said before, we see more depth into side characters and the mind games really fuck your mind a little if you stop paying attention to the details. This murder/mystery is still one of my favorite stories ever and I truly can’t wait to read the second volume: the conclusion of this 3rd arc!
Note aside: Eva’s husband is what a real husband should be like! He’s truly a wonderful man!
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
EP 1: Legend of the Golden Witch
Volume 1 | Volume 2
EP 2: Turn of the Golden Witch
Volume 1 | Volume 2
December 26, 2025
Trigger warnings: sexism, child and emotional abuse, occult, and graphic murders.
The third game is in motion, and Bearrice is challenging Battler's wits more than ever... Will he still be able to withstand her reasoning that everything is done with magic?
The epitaph is still in play, and somehow Aunt Eva's inner child comes into play. The stronger Beatrice gets, the more players are introduced.
Are the murders explainable by the hand of a human, or will we all bow down to the logic of the witch?
The closed rooms are getting closer than reason, Beatrice shows another side, and the story is getting darker by the minute.
Another witch joins the ceremony...
Even though this is my second time reading the series, I still turn the pages to see if what happens next.
The ending is looming, and will it be another bad ending to the family?
The third game is in motion, and Bearrice is challenging Battler's wits more than ever... Will he still be able to withstand her reasoning that everything is done with magic?
The epitaph is still in play, and somehow Aunt Eva's inner child comes into play. The stronger Beatrice gets, the more players are introduced.
Are the murders explainable by the hand of a human, or will we all bow down to the logic of the witch?
The closed rooms are getting closer than reason, Beatrice shows another side, and the story is getting darker by the minute.
Another witch joins the ceremony...
Even though this is my second time reading the series, I still turn the pages to see if what happens next.
The ending is looming, and will it be another bad ending to the family?
August 10, 2020
¡Qué volumen! Definitivamente mi favorito hasta ahora.
No solo hay más juegos de lógica que me vuelan la cabeza, también hay más historia.
Si Breatice existió, fue la amante de Kinzo, si siempre ha sido una bruja o qué, son preguntas que finalmente tienen respuestas.
Los elementos mágicos aumentan, pero no por ello Batler se rinde ante ellos.
También, por primera vez en los juegos, la familia Ushiromiya se pone las pilas en resolver el epitafio de la bruja en lugar de buscar a un posible asesino y/o 19na persona.
Además de que se nota la evolución que tanto Batler como Beato han tenido en este su tercer juego por ver quién gana.
Dentro de todo lo que puedo mencionar de este manga está el esfuerzo por dar verdaderas pruebas lógicas en una trama que, como lectores, sabemos es resultado de la magia.
No solo hay más juegos de lógica que me vuelan la cabeza, también hay más historia.
Si Breatice existió, fue la amante de Kinzo, si siempre ha sido una bruja o qué, son preguntas que finalmente tienen respuestas.
Los elementos mágicos aumentan, pero no por ello Batler se rinde ante ellos.
También, por primera vez en los juegos, la familia Ushiromiya se pone las pilas en resolver el epitafio de la bruja en lugar de buscar a un posible asesino y/o 19na persona.
Además de que se nota la evolución que tanto Batler como Beato han tenido en este su tercer juego por ver quién gana.
Dentro de todo lo que puedo mencionar de este manga está el esfuerzo por dar verdaderas pruebas lógicas en una trama que, como lectores, sabemos es resultado de la magia.
July 4, 2023
4 stars! I FINALLY PICKED UP UMINEKO AGAIN AND IM NOT DISAPPOINTED! things are getting so much better and i cannot wait to see what happens with beatrice’s red truth and how battler can use it against her. i also love some of the plot twists with eva and virgilia. cant wait to see what happens next
November 19, 2014
This book was so much fun. There was character growth, character death, non creepy/annoying Maria, a true battle of wits, and no hysteria like in the first two episodes. I honestly wasn't sure about this series, but now that we got out the setting the story up (episode 1) and Bea's complete and unappealing domination (episode 2) out of the way the real story finally started and it was worth getting to.
It's interesting how the people killed and the people left alive influence how the story unfolds. It was a relief that there wasn't a mass panic and characters so paranoid they try to accuse anyone. It was even more interesting how Battler and Bea have changed since episode 1, Bea especially.
As for the packaging, this is a big book. It's an omnibus, which is nice, but this isn't the easiest series to carry around. Yen Press did a really good job, but I always think they do a good job...
Final Rating: I really liked this book, I had so much fun and felt so much excitement when the characters battled. I really appreciated that knowledge that what Bea shows Battler isn't necessarily the truth.
I still think everyone is hallucinating (this shady enclosed island screams hallucinogenic fumes lol) and are actually killing each other without realizing it, so I'm excited to see what the real truth is.
It's interesting how the people killed and the people left alive influence how the story unfolds. It was a relief that there wasn't a mass panic and characters so paranoid they try to accuse anyone. It was even more interesting how Battler and Bea have changed since episode 1, Bea especially.
As for the packaging, this is a big book. It's an omnibus, which is nice, but this isn't the easiest series to carry around. Yen Press did a really good job, but I always think they do a good job...
Final Rating: I really liked this book, I had so much fun and felt so much excitement when the characters battled. I really appreciated that knowledge that what Bea shows Battler isn't necessarily the truth.
I still think everyone is hallucinating (this shady enclosed island screams hallucinogenic fumes lol) and are actually killing each other without realizing it, so I'm excited to see what the real truth is.
December 28, 2015
This volume was utterly sublime in its adaptation! I love this mangaka's style - the curved lines in the facial expressions can switch from elegant to grotesque within a second without any sense of whiplash whatsoever. That's exactly the style you need in a When They Cry manga. This portion of the story is also filled with scenes that are intentionally way over-the-top and have not tended to translate well away from the visual novel medium (I'm thinking of the magic duel and the second twilight in particular). While this manga didn't capture these scenes' full potential splendor (and I'm really not sure that's possible in pictures without motion) it did a solid enough job of it to still awe you at the sheer imagination of it, and furthermore, there were no scenes where I was left confused as to what action had just taken place. I have only one nitpick, and it's the only thing keeping this manga from getting a 5. Battler's pick-up lines were translated very painfully in a way that just sort of made me stop in the middle of the scene and go, "Oh, translators, you were really struggling there, weren't you?" If it weren't for the fact that it did take me out of the scene a little bit, it wouldn't be an issue. But this is a small nitpick. Overall, this was a really great volume.
December 31, 2022
Toda esa familia esta podrida, si acaso creo que se podrían salvar los nietos (Battler, Jessica, George y María con una mejor educación...), pero todos los adultos son un asco.
Durante los capítulos en que se muestra la juventud de Eva fue horrible tener que leer su experiencia y sobre todo tener la conciencia que, situándonos en los años en que se desarrolla la historia, esas actitudes eran la realidad de muchas mujeres capaces.
Algo que me llama la atención es todo el odio que recibe Rosa, es decir siempre le están recalcando que es la "tonta" de la familia y la maltratan por ello, calificación que aparte de considerar ofensiva ni siquiera se acerca a sus capacidades. Ella también pudo resolver el epitafio de Beatriz, si tardo un poco más que Eva, pero lo logro cosa que ninguno de los hombres hizo.
Aunque no por eso cambio mi odio por ella, sigue siendo un monstruo con María.
Durante los capítulos en que se muestra la juventud de Eva fue horrible tener que leer su experiencia y sobre todo tener la conciencia que, situándonos en los años en que se desarrolla la historia, esas actitudes eran la realidad de muchas mujeres capaces.
Algo que me llama la atención es todo el odio que recibe Rosa, es decir siempre le están recalcando que es la "tonta" de la familia y la maltratan por ello, calificación que aparte de considerar ofensiva ni siquiera se acerca a sus capacidades. Ella también pudo resolver el epitafio de Beatriz, si tardo un poco más que Eva, pero lo logro cosa que ninguno de los hombres hizo.
Aunque no por eso cambio mi odio por ella, sigue siendo un monstruo con María.
June 30, 2025
The moment I’d anticipated most across Episodes 1 through 4—the succession ceremony of Eva Beatrice—unfolds in this volume.
Even knowing all the atrocities Eva later commits here, in that instant, I truly felt joy for her. Though Bern mocks,“Your succession was less a miracle than a coincidence, unworthy of my recommendation”(p518), this scene remains poignant: Eva, using her own wits, solves the Golden Truth and becomes Ushiromiya head as she’s always craved. Despite enduring misogynistic slights, her dream realizes—even if this timeline is fictional.
Here, Beatrice also shifts her approach to Battler, using Virgilia’s mild tactics for a “North Wind and Sun” strategy—tempering force with persuasion.
Yet the irony stings: Eva Beatrice later tries murdering Rosa and Maria in gruesome ways, while “real” Eva suffers, horrified by her alter ego’s cruelty. This brilliantly mirrors the rot in Eva’s heart, underscoring the series’ theme: everyone harbors a “witch” within—a dark side that greed can unleash. Even those who commit irredeemable acts aren’t entirely devoid of humanity; such complexity requires love to perceive.
Though not Rosa’s focus (that’s Episode 2), this volume hints at her underestimated cunning—she finds the gold before Kyrie, proof of her sharpness beneath mental instability. With Eva and Eva-Beatrice (and Rosa) all taking the spotlight, I’ll rate this 9/10. Umineko consistently delivers the most compelling female characters…
Even knowing all the atrocities Eva later commits here, in that instant, I truly felt joy for her. Though Bern mocks,“Your succession was less a miracle than a coincidence, unworthy of my recommendation”(p518), this scene remains poignant: Eva, using her own wits, solves the Golden Truth and becomes Ushiromiya head as she’s always craved. Despite enduring misogynistic slights, her dream realizes—even if this timeline is fictional.
Here, Beatrice also shifts her approach to Battler, using Virgilia’s mild tactics for a “North Wind and Sun” strategy—tempering force with persuasion.
Yet the irony stings: Eva Beatrice later tries murdering Rosa and Maria in gruesome ways, while “real” Eva suffers, horrified by her alter ego’s cruelty. This brilliantly mirrors the rot in Eva’s heart, underscoring the series’ theme: everyone harbors a “witch” within—a dark side that greed can unleash. Even those who commit irredeemable acts aren’t entirely devoid of humanity; such complexity requires love to perceive.
Though not Rosa’s focus (that’s Episode 2), this volume hints at her underestimated cunning—she finds the gold before Kyrie, proof of her sharpness beneath mental instability. With Eva and Eva-Beatrice (and Rosa) all taking the spotlight, I’ll rate this 9/10. Umineko consistently delivers the most compelling female characters…
September 8, 2020
The formula finally changes in this volume; instead of the remain characters acussing each other, in this one they focus on solving the epitaph. I really wanted to see Kyrie in action, I knew I was gonna like her. I missed Maria though.
We learn more about Beatrice (well... I don't know if we can say that considering we are just watching her fantasies, but you get my point). However, I didn't like the "new witch". Unnecesary childish. This is actually what made me not a big fan of Beatrice in the previous episode; in this one she is growing, but the immature stuff passed to another character.
Anyways, the logic games are great this time and I can't wait to see the reality behind the magic scenes. As a side note, I love the relationship between Eva and her husband.
We learn more about Beatrice (well... I don't know if we can say that considering we are just watching her fantasies, but you get my point). However, I didn't like the "new witch". Unnecesary childish. This is actually what made me not a big fan of Beatrice in the previous episode; in this one she is growing, but the immature stuff passed to another character.
Anyways, the logic games are great this time and I can't wait to see the reality behind the magic scenes. As a side note, I love the relationship between Eva and her husband.
December 4, 2022
Far and away the best volume so far, but Episode 3 is already a big jump in quality from the first two episodes to begin with. Right off the bat, Episode 3 has much faster and tighter pacing than its predecessors. It takes almost no time at all to get into the meat of the story, but we're also introduced to a lot of new players, concepts, and ideas that fundamentally change Umineko's flow. Rules for the game are also established much better here than they were in Episode 2, which makes it easier not only to care, but actually play along.
Battler & Beatrice's dynamic is also developing fantastically while Eva's added focus is much appreciated. Overall an excellent start to what I remember being one of the standout Umineko episodes.
Battler & Beatrice's dynamic is also developing fantastically while Eva's added focus is much appreciated. Overall an excellent start to what I remember being one of the standout Umineko episodes.
May 9, 2025
Dejo bastante espacio ente volumen y volumen del manga de umimeko que leo por un simple motivo, me trae demasiados sentimientos, la novela visual es MI historia favorita jamás escrita así que me pone tan emocional que quiero extender esta relectura porque cada nuevo detalle que encuentro es otro puñetazo emocional amo umimeko.
en cuanto a este volumen aún recuerdo como la novela me hizo sentir en esta parte, este es el momento donde empiezas a entender a qué estás jugando realmente, que es lo que Beatrice espera de ti y como funciona este mundo
en cuanto a este volumen aún recuerdo como la novela me hizo sentir en esta parte, este es el momento donde empiezas a entender a qué estás jugando realmente, que es lo que Beatrice espera de ti y como funciona este mundo
January 10, 2023
so much changing! a new witch! lots of chaos! i'm actually starting to theorize things! i'm glad the collage theater is back! i definitely can't solve all these puzzles. i'm glad other people can!!! i'm enjoying these so much!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2020
maybe magic is real actually idk
August 30, 2020
right off the rails - this gets better with every volume.
October 20, 2020
The plot is absolutely bonkers, but I’m here for it.
October 22, 2021
Amazing.
March 6, 2023
This episode was a non-stop page turner that made me fall behind in all my responsibilities...
December 20, 2023
madhouse but so long
March 29, 2024
WHAT THE FUCK
June 25, 2024
Eva m4tate 🙏
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2024
Story is getting more convoluted but is still enjoyable. Already catching hints of the solution to the mystery.
January 13, 2025
Cuando ya conoces la historia completa estás historias "randoms" empiezan a coger fuerza y contexto y la verdad es que da mucha pena🥲
May 18, 2014
Rated Older Teen by Yen press for very good reasons. If you are sqeumish when it comes to bloody scenes of murder then I suggest avoiding any of this series.
The third Chapter of of the Umineko series seems to be a turning point as Battler really begins to understand the rules of his game with the Golden Witch Beatrice. It is also a book that delves into the mysteries of the past of Beatrice and shows us peeks into her life. This time however the Ushiromiya family's servants are first to go as a new wave of murders mark the beginning of a new round of the Battler/Beatrice challenge. I must say regardless of his reasoning I don't understand how Battler can deny Beatrice is a witch simply because she can restart murder scenes and murder people he cares for in different way(If that's a spoiler for you why are you not reading the previous books before reading this? They are marked by episode numbers.)
My personal favorite part of the book is when Battler ,disgusted by Beatrice's words, slaps her solidly and refuses t play her game any further giving her time to consider her recent actions.
The third Chapter of of the Umineko series seems to be a turning point as Battler really begins to understand the rules of his game with the Golden Witch Beatrice. It is also a book that delves into the mysteries of the past of Beatrice and shows us peeks into her life. This time however the Ushiromiya family's servants are first to go as a new wave of murders mark the beginning of a new round of the Battler/Beatrice challenge. I must say regardless of his reasoning I don't understand how Battler can deny Beatrice is a witch simply because she can restart murder scenes and murder people he cares for in different way(If that's a spoiler for you why are you not reading the previous books before reading this? They are marked by episode numbers.)
My personal favorite part of the book is when Battler ,disgusted by Beatrice's words, slaps her solidly and refuses t play her game any further giving her time to consider her recent actions.
January 22, 2025
✨Writing a grouped review for the entirety of the manga and copy/pasting. I started reading this 6 months ago at the time of writing and read over a few months and don't remember specifics about every single volume except what I rated them ✨
Umineko has an intriguing premise and good execution which does a lot right. The author manages to create such eerie and scary atmospheres and have the reader on edge wondering what is going to happen next. I particularly enjoyed a lot of the locked room scenarios and discussions and explanations.
Where this manga fails is it's extreme repetitiveness. It wears down on the reader very quickly. As a result I'm not sure this is a manga I would recommend to many people.
I will eventually watch the anime, whilst a short run this may be something I'd be inclined to recommend more as the premise itself is well done.
Umineko has an intriguing premise and good execution which does a lot right. The author manages to create such eerie and scary atmospheres and have the reader on edge wondering what is going to happen next. I particularly enjoyed a lot of the locked room scenarios and discussions and explanations.
Where this manga fails is it's extreme repetitiveness. It wears down on the reader very quickly. As a result I'm not sure this is a manga I would recommend to many people.
I will eventually watch the anime, whilst a short run this may be something I'd be inclined to recommend more as the premise itself is well done.
December 21, 2015
Unfortunately, I jumped into this series with this as my first book. However, despite initial confusion, it was still amazing. A devil's logic battle ensues with the hero fighting to prove that the witch Beatrice does not exist. The battle becomes set in a murder mystery on an isolated island. The atmosphere created is fabulous and unsettling.
January 26, 2016
We are starting to see that Beatrice is more than just a powerful witch but maybe human? But we have a new witch and she is not willing to share the gold . This episode was much more enjoyable than the others maybe due to that we already know most of the basic information about the characters.
May 30, 2024
Kinda confusing. Less so towards the end. Not as good as previous volumes but I will still read the next book. If that's a 3 or below I'll probably stop reading the series then.
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