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Umineko When They Cry (Manga English Numbering ) #8
Umineko WHEN THEY CRY Episode 4: Alliance of the Golden Witch, Vol. 2 - manga
The appearance of Gretel has strengthened Battler's resolve to face off against Beatrice once again. Both players have become more skillful tacticians over the course of time, and Battler's new "blue truth" ability, along with Gretel's support, will be a boon to his strategy. As the curtain rises on the fourth game, the Ushiromiya family has gathered on Rokkenjima for their annual meeting. Gretel observes the family she hardly knew with complicated emotions...She must come to terms with the past if she wants to help Battler overcome the Golden Witch!
484 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2014
3 people are currently reading
108 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 22, 2020
Unfortunately, this is my least favorite episode of the series so far (and episode 1 was creepy and problematic AF).
Creepy!Maria strikes again but I can’t help but to feel sorry for her because her mother, Ushiromiya Rosa, is just terrible. She mistreats her daughter and even tells her things no parent should ever feel towards their kids. She deserves every death she experiences.
On the other hand, thanks to another witch whose name I can’t remember, Ange realizes that even if she can be with Battler in this game, it won’t happen in the real world. Her timeline is different. –Yeah, I know, shocking. Sometimes smart people just forget about the small details.
Anyway, Kinzo decides that the next head of the Ushiromiya family will be one of his 4 grandkids. His own children are out of the question, so the challenge is up to George, Jessica, Battler and Maria. The first two fight against Ronove and other witch but in the end, we get a cliffhanger again so I highly recommend to have the next volume at hand.
Anyway, I don’t know what happened to the artist I praised in the last volume but this just feels like it was done by a total different person. Perspective, oversexualized body proportions and obnoxious fan-service make the whole volume a weird experience.
I hope that the last part of the episode ends with a more interesting note. Also I think that it was the last part that was animated.
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
EP 1: Legend of the Golden Witch
Volume 1 | Volume 2
EP 2: Turn of the Golden Witch
Volume 1 | Volume 2
EP 3: Banquet of the Golden Witch
Volume 1 | Volume 2
EP 4: Alliance of the Golden Witch
Volume 1
Creepy!Maria strikes again but I can’t help but to feel sorry for her because her mother, Ushiromiya Rosa, is just terrible. She mistreats her daughter and even tells her things no parent should ever feel towards their kids. She deserves every death she experiences.
On the other hand, thanks to another witch whose name I can’t remember, Ange realizes that even if she can be with Battler in this game, it won’t happen in the real world. Her timeline is different. –Yeah, I know, shocking. Sometimes smart people just forget about the small details.
Anyway, Kinzo decides that the next head of the Ushiromiya family will be one of his 4 grandkids. His own children are out of the question, so the challenge is up to George, Jessica, Battler and Maria. The first two fight against Ronove and other witch but in the end, we get a cliffhanger again so I highly recommend to have the next volume at hand.
Anyway, I don’t know what happened to the artist I praised in the last volume but this just feels like it was done by a total different person. Perspective, oversexualized body proportions and obnoxious fan-service make the whole volume a weird experience.
I hope that the last part of the episode ends with a more interesting note. Also I think that it was the last part that was animated.
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
EP 1: Legend of the Golden Witch
Volume 1 | Volume 2
EP 2: Turn of the Golden Witch
Volume 1 | Volume 2
EP 3: Banquet of the Golden Witch
Volume 1 | Volume 2
EP 4: Alliance of the Golden Witch
Volume 1
December 27, 2025
Trigger warnings: absent parents, child abuse, occult, and graphic murders.
I saw a line on a t-shirt: Why should I apologise for the monster I've become when no one apologises for making me that way.
Maria completely lost it. The story delves deeper into her and Rosa's relationship. The fourth game is underway, and slowly, you get the fragments of the personal lives of the siblings and cousins.
Kinzo is now a master mind pawn. The epitaph is still in play, but this time, Kinzo takes the reigns.
The witches are growing in strength as the anti-magic toxins grow thinner with each game.
Each member have their own motives for needing the inheritance, but will they murder their family?
Battler, do you have what it takes to beat the golden witch Beatrice?
What if this is only happening in Battler's mind and he is in a psyhreatic hospital?
Another possible ending is heading our way...
I saw a line on a t-shirt: Why should I apologise for the monster I've become when no one apologises for making me that way.
Maria completely lost it. The story delves deeper into her and Rosa's relationship. The fourth game is underway, and slowly, you get the fragments of the personal lives of the siblings and cousins.
Kinzo is now a master mind pawn. The epitaph is still in play, but this time, Kinzo takes the reigns.
The witches are growing in strength as the anti-magic toxins grow thinner with each game.
Each member have their own motives for needing the inheritance, but will they murder their family?
Battler, do you have what it takes to beat the golden witch Beatrice?
What if this is only happening in Battler's mind and he is in a psyhreatic hospital?
Another possible ending is heading our way...
January 12, 2023
there's so much happening!! i somehow feel like i simultaneously know much more and much less than i ever have before...... and i kind of like it!!! the game is confusing but also i think i'm figuring it out??? i want to read more now...... i love this story as much as i'm bewildered by it!!!! i'm gonna be kicking myself once i figure out what's going on. i just know it.
July 11, 2023
4 stars!
the 4th game is a little slow but i love the introduction to gaap! i love her character design and her motives. i wonder how the battle between jessica, george, and gaap will end BECAUSE OF THAT LAST PANEL😭
the 4th game is a little slow but i love the introduction to gaap! i love her character design and her motives. i wonder how the battle between jessica, george, and gaap will end BECAUSE OF THAT LAST PANEL😭
June 30, 2025
This volume is much easier than the previous one, as it mainly focuses on the chessboard world. Truth be told, even though we all recognize this arc contributes more to characterization than Umineko’s core mysteries, readers still feel duped by the “truth”—seriously? Everyone else was bribed by Yasu, just stringing Battler along? Okay... The truth itself isn’t the issue, but this explanation just feels like a cop-out...
Back to characterization. George and Jessica finally get their moments to shine… I loved George’s line: “A king's violence is for show. He does not destroy; he subdues and adds what is subdued to his wealth. If I knocked you unconscious, you couldn't show me the way to the place where everyone is being held.” (p. 392) It reminded me of the Banquet of the Three Kings in Fate/Zero. But then it turns out Gaap and the other demons were just acting the whole time and George and Jessica were quickly defeated…
Kyrie and Krauss also get brief spotlight moments—Kyrie finally showcases her intelligence (surviving past Night 1, at last!) and Krauss reveals remorse over his treatment of his younger siblings and his love for his daughter. Yet… they’re still killed off. And Kyrie admitting “witches do exist” to Battler? I’m just disappointed. I shall say this isn’t the Umineko volume I enjoy the most.
The highlight was when Maria’s hatred toward Rosa finally snapped (in Maria's diary). Maria became a dark witch, repeatedly killing Rosa with the help of Beatrice. But since this "incident" occurred before the Rokkenjima massacre, it likely represents Maria’s cyclic fantasy of murdering Rosa—only to forgive her afterward…Okay…
Back to characterization. George and Jessica finally get their moments to shine… I loved George’s line: “A king's violence is for show. He does not destroy; he subdues and adds what is subdued to his wealth. If I knocked you unconscious, you couldn't show me the way to the place where everyone is being held.” (p. 392) It reminded me of the Banquet of the Three Kings in Fate/Zero. But then it turns out Gaap and the other demons were just acting the whole time and George and Jessica were quickly defeated…
Kyrie and Krauss also get brief spotlight moments—Kyrie finally showcases her intelligence (surviving past Night 1, at last!) and Krauss reveals remorse over his treatment of his younger siblings and his love for his daughter. Yet… they’re still killed off. And Kyrie admitting “witches do exist” to Battler? I’m just disappointed. I shall say this isn’t the Umineko volume I enjoy the most.
The highlight was when Maria’s hatred toward Rosa finally snapped (in Maria's diary). Maria became a dark witch, repeatedly killing Rosa with the help of Beatrice. But since this "incident" occurred before the Rokkenjima massacre, it likely represents Maria’s cyclic fantasy of murdering Rosa—only to forgive her afterward…Okay…
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May 5, 2024Terminado el episodio 4 de la novela visual.
Vale ahora en serio, creo que aquí hay algo de que solo existes cuando otro te percibe, o algo así. O eso o que formamos nuestra identidad en interacción/relación con otros. Así, cuando mueren ciertas interacciones/relaciones, también morimos nosotros (la persona que éramos, no solo "una parte", puesto que somos indivisibles). Por eso toda la vaina de habitaciones cerradas (mueres cuando nadie te percibe, cuando estás solo), de andar preguntando Beato quién es, de los amigos imaginarios (para auto-definirnos), de la isla de Schrödinger sellada por el tifón... Por eso la obsesión de Beato por que la reconozcan como BRUJA porque eso es lo que cree que es, y por eso Battler puede matarla al negarla... De ahí toda la vaina de los Fragmentos, como esas personas que soms, hemos sido, podríamos ser o podríamos haber sido... Por eso existe la Ange del episodio 4, y Bern puede prometerle que otra Ange recuperará a su familia... Siempre somos "quienes somos con respecto a", por eso Beato parece que cambia su personalidad según con quien se relacione... "without love it cannot be seen"... etc...
Update tras la tea party:
JAJSJSJASDFJASJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJSAJASJASJKAFJKLASJKASKJLSJKLAKJLSJKS FELIZ DÍA DE LA VISIBILIDAD LÉSBICA BERNKASTEL HUYE
ALMOST ALL OF BATTLER'S BLUE TRUTH IS OFF ASJASJFASJFASJFAJSHFAKSDF
BEATO'S RED IS FULL OF HOLES................................
Vale ahora en serio, creo que aquí hay algo de que solo existes cuando otro te percibe, o algo así. O eso o que formamos nuestra identidad en interacción/relación con otros. Así, cuando mueren ciertas interacciones/relaciones, también morimos nosotros (la persona que éramos, no solo "una parte", puesto que somos indivisibles). Por eso toda la vaina de habitaciones cerradas (mueres cuando nadie te percibe, cuando estás solo), de andar preguntando Beato quién es, de los amigos imaginarios (para auto-definirnos), de la isla de Schrödinger sellada por el tifón... Por eso la obsesión de Beato por que la reconozcan como BRUJA porque eso es lo que cree que es, y por eso Battler puede matarla al negarla... De ahí toda la vaina de los Fragmentos, como esas personas que soms, hemos sido, podríamos ser o podríamos haber sido... Por eso existe la Ange del episodio 4, y Bern puede prometerle que otra Ange recuperará a su familia... Siempre somos "quienes somos con respecto a", por eso Beato parece que cambia su personalidad según con quien se relacione... "without love it cannot be seen"... etc...
Update tras la tea party:
JAJSJSJASDFJASJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJSAJASJASJKAFJKLASJKASKJLSJKLAKJLSJKS FELIZ DÍA DE LA VISIBILIDAD LÉSBICA BERNKASTEL HUYE
ALMOST ALL OF BATTLER'S BLUE TRUTH IS OFF ASJASJFASJFASJFAJSHFAKSDF
BEATO'S RED IS FULL OF HOLES................................
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2022
What a jam-packed volume. Episode 4 has some weird tonal issues (previous Episodes didn't push humor this much), but I think the manga actually manages to tone things down compared to the VN which I really appreciate. There's a lot going on here. Maria's whole dynamic with Rosa is the downright tragic to read and pretty uncomfortable reflects Ryukishi's background as a social worker. Their relationship is probably the realest and rawest in Umineko. I always need to take a beat reading through their stuff, it's just too much sometimes.
The fourth game itself is a ton of fun, even if we haven't gotten many logic battles or breakdowns yet. I love the role Ange is playing as Battler's helper, Battler slowly becoming more confident, and the board is just pure fun. Kinzo showing up and then challenging the grandkids to the inheritance is a great flip of the script. The sudden emphasis on action also works much better in the manga. The VN's fight scenes left a lot to be desired but the choreography and paneling in the manga are really engaging.
I remember Episode 4's endings being my favorite part of the first half when I read it for the first time, so I'm very eager to read the last volume.
The fourth game itself is a ton of fun, even if we haven't gotten many logic battles or breakdowns yet. I love the role Ange is playing as Battler's helper, Battler slowly becoming more confident, and the board is just pure fun. Kinzo showing up and then challenging the grandkids to the inheritance is a great flip of the script. The sudden emphasis on action also works much better in the manga. The VN's fight scenes left a lot to be desired but the choreography and paneling in the manga are really engaging.
I remember Episode 4's endings being my favorite part of the first half when I read it for the first time, so I'm very eager to read the last volume.
December 16, 2020
Ufff, me gusta que en este juego el protagonismo de quién será el heredero recae en los nietos. Las escenas de pelea estás buenas, peeero la bruja que Kinzo invoca no me agrada porque está supersexualizada y es innecesario en esta trama.
Esa parte en la que Lambdadelta le dice a Ange (ahora Gretel) que la familia de su línea temporal no regresará me gustó, uno casi no piensa en las repercusiones que tiene cambiar el pasado hasta que la realización pega.
Esa parte en la que Lambdadelta le dice a Ange (ahora Gretel) que la familia de su línea temporal no regresará me gustó, uno casi no piensa en las repercusiones que tiene cambiar el pasado hasta que la realización pega.
October 22, 2021
Amazing.
August 23, 2025
umineko... Dios estás partes de verdad son tan durísimas como recordaba
December 14, 2014
Salutations friends. If you have been reading this series up to now I am sure you must know but just in case I should warn you it is rated Older Teen for very good reasons including realistic violence and gore as well as the occasional psychological terror to keep you on the edge of your psyche. Maybe I overplayed my warning but only by reading will you know for sure as we we look into the 2nd volume of the Alliance of the Golden Witch. Let the games resume. :)
The fourth night in a game of beliefs is on and all the pieces are on the field once more as the Ushiromiya family are once more alive and upon the 1st day of their visit to the island of Rokkenjima which is the home of the head of the family and the site of many unexplained events. Now with Ange at his side, now with the assumed name of Gretel, Battler is once again ready to dispute Beatrice the Golden Witch and now he has the new tool of the Blue Truth to help him rise to the challenge. Normally each of the Umineko series is only two volumes long but this one is three so if you buy the arcs in full sets and read them one after another you still have a little time before the next volume is out yet.
Being a two part omnibus I will now offer my favorite part in each half of the book. For the first half of the book which not only delves deeper into what makes Ange the person she is but also offers insight into Maria's problems as her mother does something dreadful that turns out even worse considering Maria sees her toys as friends and none more so then Sakutarou. It is at this point that I see Maria losing her innocence and succumbing to the madness that seems to take hold of witches from time to time in this story. For the second part I would have to say my favorite part is when George begins his fight against one of the demon servants and like Jessica who also begins to fight gains true power from his determination. I am looking forward to see how this game will end in the next volume. :)
The fourth night in a game of beliefs is on and all the pieces are on the field once more as the Ushiromiya family are once more alive and upon the 1st day of their visit to the island of Rokkenjima which is the home of the head of the family and the site of many unexplained events. Now with Ange at his side, now with the assumed name of Gretel, Battler is once again ready to dispute Beatrice the Golden Witch and now he has the new tool of the Blue Truth to help him rise to the challenge. Normally each of the Umineko series is only two volumes long but this one is three so if you buy the arcs in full sets and read them one after another you still have a little time before the next volume is out yet.
Being a two part omnibus I will now offer my favorite part in each half of the book. For the first half of the book which not only delves deeper into what makes Ange the person she is but also offers insight into Maria's problems as her mother does something dreadful that turns out even worse considering Maria sees her toys as friends and none more so then Sakutarou. It is at this point that I see Maria losing her innocence and succumbing to the madness that seems to take hold of witches from time to time in this story. For the second part I would have to say my favorite part is when George begins his fight against one of the demon servants and like Jessica who also begins to fight gains true power from his determination. I am looking forward to see how this game will end in the next volume. :)
June 30, 2025
3.5✨
���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.
���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.
December 28, 2015
Another really awesome volume! I noticed that they cut out a little of the comic relief that pops up when the action gets going. That's not a huge loss (Though I'm still hoping they keep Goat-kun even if in an abbreviated form... though maybe we just passed that point?). The artwork is beautiful. Kinzo takes a leading role in this arc that is very unusual, and the artwork for him is pitch-perfect, equal parts authoritative and deranged. Ange and Battler go out of the spotlight for this volume, but they'll be back in the next one. I have no complaints about this volume except for a few minor comic relief omissions that I can also understand being left out.
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