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Umineko When They Cry (Manga English Numbering ) #9
Umineko WHEN THEY CRY Episode 4: Alliance of the Golden Witch, Vol. 3 - manga
One by one, the attendants of the Ushiromiya family gathering are killed under what can only be described as supernatural circumstances. Even Kyrie, the strongest proponent of logic and reason, is convinced by the vicious parade of witches and demons she has witnessed. Battler and Maria have yet to be tested for their suitability as family head, but the greater test for Battler will be whether or not his logical stance can hold out against the seemingly undeniable tide of the witch's magic...
532 pages, Paperback
First published December 22, 2010
5 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Ryukishi07
299 books321 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
November 24, 2020
Well, I am a little bit disturbed. This is the last volume of the 4th episode and I feel more confused than ever.
The timelines and the games are clashing with each other and now we’re not even sure Batler is the real Batler Ushiromiya. The blue statements are against the red truth but neither is answering any question. It just feels like a long chess game between the witches, who happen to be manipulative creatures, and skeptic people about magic.
I think what I like about this episode was Ange’s character development and how she understood magic in her own way –I have to admit the scene with Ange and Batler made me cry. It’s so damn unfair, you know. She broke the chains of pain from her relatives and started a new life, even if her family is dead.
As for Batler and Beatrice? They’re just pieces of greater opponents.
I really hope the next volume brings more answers. Overall I’m enjoying the series but sometimes there’s just a lot of info that doesn’t make any sense and I’m not going back to read it again, tbh.
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 | Volume 2
The timelines and the games are clashing with each other and now we’re not even sure Batler is the real Batler Ushiromiya. The blue statements are against the red truth but neither is answering any question. It just feels like a long chess game between the witches, who happen to be manipulative creatures, and skeptic people about magic.
I think what I like about this episode was Ange’s character development and how she understood magic in her own way –I have to admit the scene with Ange and Batler made me cry. It’s so damn unfair, you know. She broke the chains of pain from her relatives and started a new life, even if her family is dead.
As for Batler and Beatrice? They’re just pieces of greater opponents.
I really hope the next volume brings more answers. Overall I’m enjoying the series but sometimes there’s just a lot of info that doesn’t make any sense and I’m not going back to read it again, tbh.
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 | Volume 2
December 27, 2025
Trigger warnings: torture, emotional abuse, and graphic murders.
The ritual is complete, the witch is revived, and none is left alive.
It seems Battler was winning in his dual, but is this fragment lost where he is free.
There are a lot of background characters, and it makes you wonder who is manipulating who?
Another ending that leaves you with more questions than the answers you need, but there are always three truths to the story.
Will Battler be able to keep his wits about him? Can Beato make him kneel?
Battler's sin wasn't revealed. Will we know when the time comes?
Darkness still loomes in the corner, who is telling the real truth.
The ritual is complete, the witch is revived, and none is left alive.
It seems Battler was winning in his dual, but is this fragment lost where he is free.
There are a lot of background characters, and it makes you wonder who is manipulating who?
Another ending that leaves you with more questions than the answers you need, but there are always three truths to the story.
Will Battler be able to keep his wits about him? Can Beato make him kneel?
Battler's sin wasn't revealed. Will we know when the time comes?
Darkness still loomes in the corner, who is telling the real truth.
April 1, 2023
Everything changed... Can't Trust Beato still though..
September 16, 2025
Umineko es realmente una obra maestra este es el punto donde acaban los arcos de preguntas, realmente deseo empezar con los arcos de respuesta en manga, amo esta historia con todo mi corazón carajo
July 11, 2023
5 fucking stars!
holy shit. THE ENDING OF EPISODE 4 WAS AMAZING! so much was realized when it comes to beatrice and ESPECIALLY battler. this is so crazy i never saw any of this coming
holy shit. THE ENDING OF EPISODE 4 WAS AMAZING! so much was realized when it comes to beatrice and ESPECIALLY battler. this is so crazy i never saw any of this coming
June 30, 2025
Ange returned to Rokkenjima. Having survived everything she endured, she finally understood that everyone clings to their own belief in magic—a truth that can’t be seen without love.
Kasumi appeared, tearing Maria’s diary to shreds and mocking Ange’s naivety. But Ange, now able to summon the dead, called forth demons and slaughtered Kasumi and her bodyguards (in reality I think we all know Amakusa did this, but magic was still a pleasant possibility). Kasumi’s vengeance stemmed from the pain of Kyrie abandoning the family, yet again, Ange reflected on the precious innocence of Maria’s heart: women like Eva, Rosa, and Kasumi were all victims of a patriarchal society, yet they repeatedly unleashed their rage on the next generation. Maria’s pure soul, however, broke this cycle of intergenerational trauma.
Within the chessboard, only Battler and Maria remained. Battler faced Beatrice’s final trial, deducing nearly all her puzzles—but Beatrice’s goal lay far deeper. She had orchestrated these games hoping Battler would remember something, yet he remained trapped in confusion. Coldly, Beatrice declared she’d end the games forever, revealing her true opponent was Kinzo’s grandson—and that Battler was not Asumu’s child. The realization that his mother wasn’t his biological parent plunged Battler into a vortex of identity crisis.
Ange stormed in, urging Battler to keep fighting. Whether he was Asumu’s son didn’t change the fact that he was Kinzo’s grandson. But as Battler descended into chaos, Ange revealed her true identity, sobbing that she was his sister—that in her world, none of their family had survived. Battler finally awoke to the truth, but Ange, having broken the pact by exposing her identity, was condemned to death.
Finally, we got a Lambdabern yuri moment. As the Witch of Certainty and the Witch of Miracles, they swore together: “Beatrice will never win. There will be no miracles—absolutely none.”
As the climax of the Question Arcs, this ending masterfully ties up loose ends, hammers home the theme, and leaves ample intrigue for the Answer Arcs. Ange’s confession pushes the emotional intensity to its peak. 9/10.
Kasumi appeared, tearing Maria’s diary to shreds and mocking Ange’s naivety. But Ange, now able to summon the dead, called forth demons and slaughtered Kasumi and her bodyguards (in reality I think we all know Amakusa did this, but magic was still a pleasant possibility). Kasumi’s vengeance stemmed from the pain of Kyrie abandoning the family, yet again, Ange reflected on the precious innocence of Maria’s heart: women like Eva, Rosa, and Kasumi were all victims of a patriarchal society, yet they repeatedly unleashed their rage on the next generation. Maria’s pure soul, however, broke this cycle of intergenerational trauma.
Within the chessboard, only Battler and Maria remained. Battler faced Beatrice’s final trial, deducing nearly all her puzzles—but Beatrice’s goal lay far deeper. She had orchestrated these games hoping Battler would remember something, yet he remained trapped in confusion. Coldly, Beatrice declared she’d end the games forever, revealing her true opponent was Kinzo’s grandson—and that Battler was not Asumu’s child. The realization that his mother wasn’t his biological parent plunged Battler into a vortex of identity crisis.
Ange stormed in, urging Battler to keep fighting. Whether he was Asumu’s son didn’t change the fact that he was Kinzo’s grandson. But as Battler descended into chaos, Ange revealed her true identity, sobbing that she was his sister—that in her world, none of their family had survived. Battler finally awoke to the truth, but Ange, having broken the pact by exposing her identity, was condemned to death.
Finally, we got a Lambdabern yuri moment. As the Witch of Certainty and the Witch of Miracles, they swore together: “Beatrice will never win. There will be no miracles—absolutely none.”
As the climax of the Question Arcs, this ending masterfully ties up loose ends, hammers home the theme, and leaves ample intrigue for the Answer Arcs. Ange’s confession pushes the emotional intensity to its peak. 9/10.
December 6, 2022
Flashback-Ange overstays her welcome just a bit too long and takes too much focus away from an excellent game, but this was otherwise an outstanding volume and a very strong end to Episode 4. While I'm not too fond of the pacing, Ange's arc is very emotional, wraps up nicely, and does some important legwork in clarifying the series' interpretation of love & magic.
The game doesn't have a lot in the way of mystery, but it's extremely entertaining and Battler's investigation leading up to his final battle with Beatrice has been one of my favorite chapters in the whole manga. Battler vs Beatrice is an excellent showdown. Revisiting all the different murders is a blast and Battler brute forcing himself to victory is as endearing as it is sad. Episode 4 probably has the strongest ending so far: exciting, emotional, and thought-provoking. The mystery is presented to the reader front and center, and we finally have enough information to come to an answer. Loved this volume and Episode 4 holds up much stronger when you know the full picture.
Episode Ranking:
3 > 4 > 2 > 1
The game doesn't have a lot in the way of mystery, but it's extremely entertaining and Battler's investigation leading up to his final battle with Beatrice has been one of my favorite chapters in the whole manga. Battler vs Beatrice is an excellent showdown. Revisiting all the different murders is a blast and Battler brute forcing himself to victory is as endearing as it is sad. Episode 4 probably has the strongest ending so far: exciting, emotional, and thought-provoking. The mystery is presented to the reader front and center, and we finally have enough information to come to an answer. Loved this volume and Episode 4 holds up much stronger when you know the full picture.
Episode Ranking:
3 > 4 > 2 > 1
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2020
No fue hasta que busqué que me di cuenta de que el anime adaptó hasta este arco. Qué perros, se detuvieron justo antes de lo mejor.
En fin, triste el sacrificio de Ange aunque necesario para Batler; la interrogante respecto a su identidad me gustó, dije "ah, perro, qué está pasando".
Algo que rescato de toda esta serie es el uso de la lógica, desde la prueba del diablo, del cuervo hasta el empleo de las falacias, le da profundidad a la trama, a pesar de que luego me revuelvo.
En fin, triste el sacrificio de Ange aunque necesario para Batler; la interrogante respecto a su identidad me gustó, dije "ah, perro, qué está pasando".
Algo que rescato de toda esta serie es el uso de la lógica, desde la prueba del diablo, del cuervo hasta el empleo de las falacias, le da profundidad a la trama, a pesar de que luego me revuelvo.
January 12, 2023
wow there's so much happening all the time!! i have so many theories and also so much certainty that i'm wrong but oh well!! after reading volume 2 of episode 4 i wanted to finish it up, and i genuinely don't know how we still have so so many volumes left in this story. i can only assume that whatever happens next is beyond my imagination. curious to see where this is going to go from here! i have my ideas but i've come to learn that those mean pretty much nothing!
June 17, 2021
Aquí sigo con mi lectura/relectura de Umineko. Qué lástima que estén tan difíciles de encontrar los tomos porque de verdad está resultando ser una maravilla. Este tomo es un poco confuso, sobre todo por su final, pero como todo en When They Cry, ya se resolverá. Me ha dado mucha pena lo de Ange :(
March 11, 2019
2.5 stars.
September 8, 2020
okay, my mind is officially blown
October 22, 2021
Amazing.
February 3, 2023
Episode 4 is so far the best of the series I’ve read. Nothing beats what it has become so far. The build up has definitely been worth it. Someone coming from the VN still love the manga a lot.
November 23, 2015
Bering the last part of the Alliance of the Golden Witch arc this book is rated Older Teen and contains realistic violence and injuries leading ultimately to death (much like most of the other books in this series .) If you are queasy to such artwork then I would suggest you not read this series which revolves around death and witches. Don't say you have not been warned.
Unlike the other arcs in this series I was caught off guard by the fact that this one had a 3rd volume which picks up from the unfortunate demise of George and Jessica after they were fooled into striking one another in the last volume(If that's a spoiler then you really should be reading the other books first before reading on if you are interested.) Soon there is an escape attempt by the other humans with varying results and Battler must compete with Beatrice on the battle field of Rokkenjima and within her room where he must try to disprove magic was used to murder everyone (though I find it funny since she Beatrice can reset the game and obviously has magic unless this whole thing is a wonky nightmare.) Meanwhile in a different timeline Angie travels to the island with hopes to make amends with Maria who was one of the victims in the murders and she learns not only a deeper truth about magic but about sacrifice leading to one of the most tragic and yet important moments so far. All this and more happens as Battler and Beatrice the Golden Witch compete in a game of life and death where pasts are revealed, faith is renewed, and conspiracies are exposed. What secrets are Beatrice going to pull off in the next arc? Only time will tell. :)
Due to the size of the book I am going to tell you a part of the book I enjoyed best in the beginning and in the later half. For the beginning of the volume my favorite part is when the human are stopped by Virgilia when they make their escape. Not only do we get a new insight on Virgilia but Krauss sends her demonic servant back at her after delivering a powerful left punch and temporarily trapping her under the large creature. In the second half of the book would have to be when Ange is able to call upon the 7 sisters of purgatory to protect her . I am not going to say much about it to avoid spoiling but lets say things get pretty messy.
Unlike the other arcs in this series I was caught off guard by the fact that this one had a 3rd volume which picks up from the unfortunate demise of George and Jessica after they were fooled into striking one another in the last volume(If that's a spoiler then you really should be reading the other books first before reading on if you are interested.) Soon there is an escape attempt by the other humans with varying results and Battler must compete with Beatrice on the battle field of Rokkenjima and within her room where he must try to disprove magic was used to murder everyone (though I find it funny since she Beatrice can reset the game and obviously has magic unless this whole thing is a wonky nightmare.) Meanwhile in a different timeline Angie travels to the island with hopes to make amends with Maria who was one of the victims in the murders and she learns not only a deeper truth about magic but about sacrifice leading to one of the most tragic and yet important moments so far. All this and more happens as Battler and Beatrice the Golden Witch compete in a game of life and death where pasts are revealed, faith is renewed, and conspiracies are exposed. What secrets are Beatrice going to pull off in the next arc? Only time will tell. :)
Due to the size of the book I am going to tell you a part of the book I enjoyed best in the beginning and in the later half. For the beginning of the volume my favorite part is when the human are stopped by Virgilia when they make their escape. Not only do we get a new insight on Virgilia but Krauss sends her demonic servant back at her after delivering a powerful left punch and temporarily trapping her under the large creature. In the second half of the book would have to be when Ange is able to call upon the 7 sisters of purgatory to protect her . I am not going to say much about it to avoid spoiling but lets say things get pretty messy.
June 30, 2025
4.5✨
✨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.
January 9, 2025
*using to log the VN*
So close to being five stars. Could def become five stars as I reflect on it. Four months of on and off reading the VN when I wasn't busy and finishing it in 2 days is some of the most satisfied I have felt reading. Ange is a character who I almost instantly became endered to from the start. The empathy and care for her shown to us is some I respect. This version of the game baord is some of the most exhilirating it has been the entire story, with jaw dropping plot twist and a hella emotional ending. I am really starting to 'see the vision' when it comes to umineko. Hopefully the answers arc continues to improve.
So close to being five stars. Could def become five stars as I reflect on it. Four months of on and off reading the VN when I wasn't busy and finishing it in 2 days is some of the most satisfied I have felt reading. Ange is a character who I almost instantly became endered to from the start. The empathy and care for her shown to us is some I respect. This version of the game baord is some of the most exhilirating it has been the entire story, with jaw dropping plot twist and a hella emotional ending. I am really starting to 'see the vision' when it comes to umineko. Hopefully the answers arc continues to improve.
June 24, 2016
out of all of the books I think that the 4th episode books we're my favorite. you learn a little more about Beato and about what's going on outside of the game board. it's insane to think so many years have passed and they are still playing. I hope that there is a true victory soon. No one is really winning or losing no matter if it appears Battled is winning or not. It's weird to see their true faces a d that they are just playing with Battled and Beato. I wonder if the two will team up and actually beat both Bern and Lamba. THAT! Would be a great ending :)
December 28, 2015
A wonderful wrap-up to a really great arc (though the omake were a little... different). All of my previous praise of the volumes of this arc continue to hold, and I really don't have that much to add beyond them, at least not without spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews