Thoughts on Umineko no Naku Koro ni
Thoughts on Umineko
The following post will start with a spoiler-free review of Umineko followed by a spoiler-filled review/critique/analysis separated by a few filler images. I firmly believe Umineko is best experienced as a VN and as blindly as possible, given its nature as a mystery novel. If you need further convincing, read on.
Spoiler-free Review
To paraphrase a YouTube comment, "The first thing you see in Umineko is a delusional old man yelling 'OH BEATOORIIICEEEEE' and by the end of the VN we are in his shoes, screaming at the skies for our dear Beatrice". Umineko had me hooked right from the beginning and even a few weeks later after the end, I can't stop thinking about it.
Before starting Umineko, I would greatly recommend (if not require) experiencing Higurashi to some degree (The anime itself is sufficient for this). While not a direct sequel, Umineko does utilize several writing conventions and styles from Higurashi and executes them with a greater degree of success and elegance. Higurashi also sets some form of expectation for the player which is helpful before going into Umineko properly. And if you ever have any gripes with Higurashi as I did, rest assured that Umineko rectifies most if not all of your issues. For one thing, Umineko is actually kind of scary.
For me, the greatest strength of Umineko is its pacing. It's slow when you want it to be, and fast when you want it to be. Everything is choreographed just right and nothing feels out of place. There is some filler in hindsight, but when you're experiencing everything for the first time, it all flows incredibly well. Unlike most of my other favourite VNs (this includes Higurashi), the second half doesn't falter at all and if anything, is even better than the first half, with its escalating conflicts and climax perfectly retaining the momentum from earlier.
At its core, Umineko is a mystery novel. As with all mystery novels, most of the fun is in trying to solve the whodunit, the howdunit and finally the whydunit before the grand reveal. I've always found VNs to be the perfect medium for a good mystery setting and Umineko delivers on all fronts. The writing, while not particularly fanciful or anything, does manage to retain my interest for the entirety of the novel. Umineko also has what I found possibly the only good example of well-written action scenes (take note Dies Irae). The action sequences aren't overly long-winded and don't linger on a particular scene for too long, providing excellent pacing for the duration of the setpiece.
The voice acting is just superb throughout. I'm playing with PS3 sprites and mods and the quality of the voice acting is just excellent even for relatively minor characters. Virtually everyone has highlights in this, but Ohara Sayaka really nails it with her incredibly hammy performance.
Umineko is considered a "Gateway VN" for many and for good reason. Excellent presentation combined with a stellar story make for an incredible experience that will leave you attached to the world and its characters for days to come.
Senza amore, la verita non si vede.
9/10 (Currently my second ever favourite VN)
Filler Images (Pettan Pettan Tsurupettan~)
Extended Thoughts on Umineko (Spoilers galore)
Let's talk metafiction. In truth, Umineko is less of a Mystery Novel than it is a Novel about Mystery Novels. It is ultimately metafiction, where the true story doesn't begin until the first Tea Party where Battler questions the nature of the murders and challenges Beatrice into a rematch. The novel does a great job easing you into this as your reactions mirror Battler's to some extent, as you get desensitized and get used to all the gruesome murders and deaths around the Ushiromiya residence as characters debate mystery novel genres and conventions as well as the use of magic and fantasy. This all brilliantly caps off in one of my favourite scenes at Chapter 7's Tea Party where Bern cruelly reveals the reality that is the awful truth to Ange and Lion. Suddenly the murders go back to being tense again as the only other time the VN dips into horror (well more horror-thriller) once again. As Will tries to counter her by using Van Dine's rules, Bern just laughs at him as she proceeds with the torment. It's such a great scene as it demonstrates the divide between the solvable mysteries from the previous episodes to the cold hard truth of the actual murders leading to Ange's existence.
The metanarrative aspect is quite interesting as well. As you go further into the novel, it slowly stops being a cheeky battle between Beato and Battler, but eventually a thinkpiece about the nature of mystery fiction and why we like them so. The metanarrative in actuality very rarely breaks the fourth wall, it only does so in the very first Tea Party and at the very end of Last Note of the Golden Witch in a final Wrap-up Party. I really like this approach and how it recontextualizes not just the entire first Episode, but the entirety of Higurashi as well, and puts a new lens on how to view other mainline titles. To digress a bit, a layman may view Ciconia as a standard war story with intrigue and mystery and politics thrown in, but the Umineko reader in me, wrought with paranoia, is viewing the story from an entirely different angle, not helped by the official website's ominous "You aren't my opponent. You're merely a piece that exists for my amusement.In this next game, I won't give you the privilege of being a player!" which certainly sounds like a letter of challenge directly addressed to the reader from Ryukishi07. In fact, conserving the metanarrative aspect of Umineko from newcomers is crucial to enjoying the VN (I was thankfully unspoiled), as it is by far the biggest plot twist for the entire WTC series.
Continuing with the aspects of the narrative, I do like how despite still being (one of the) main protagonist(s), the reader's perspective splits at Episode 4/5 and can shift to either Battler or Ange depending on their understanding of the nature of the game board, i.e. the whodunnit, the howdunnit, and the whydunnit, and to the VN's credit, all can be reasonably solved by Episode 4 (The whodunnit can be reasonably guessed by 2 and the howdunnit changes per Episode). At Episode 5 Battler has ascended to the title of Game Master while in Episode 6 Ange is still clueless on the whole proceedings of the story. One of the best parts of Umineko is that it allows the reader regardless of their skill level to attach themselves with either protagonist and the story itself will shift in tone depending on the reader. If you couldn't solve the mystery by Episode 5, I do strongly recommend a re-read of the Episodes after completing the game, you would find yourself sympathizing and relating to Battler instead of Ange and it makes for a compelling re-read even if you know what's happening.
And all this is brilliantly paid off in Episode 7 where, if the reader is (unfortunately like me) still struggling with finding out the truth to the Rokkenjima Incident and just asking for easy answers, Bernkastel very simply and very cruelly shows Ange (and by association, ourselves) the actual truth of the murders. It involved no locked doors, no foreshadowing, and no class. No Knox, No Dine, No Fair, as the original teaser would have put it. While Bernkastel never did anything wrong per se, since we are in Ange's shoes, we have been shown how otherwise somewhat likable characters have been turned into vicious cold blooded murderers. The player-character connection is strongest here if you have associated yourself with Ange, and this whole Episode has had me gripped to the edge of my seat until 3am just eager to complete this.
While a passive approach to reading a mystery novel is criticised heavily (especially in Episode 8), it does lend itself to some replay value. i.e. reading Chiru once as Ange and re-reading it as Battler provides a new experience each time despite the story being similar.
Which all brings me towards the central theme of Umineko, Truth, or rather, the relativity of truth. The ultimate message of Umineko is that, the actual truth of an event, particularly an unpleasant one, isn't important. The past is set in stone and cannot be changed. Ange can't bring her family back after all. But, the crucial thing is moving on and determining the best possible approach for the future. This is exemplified in the two endings. The Trick Ending and the Magic Ending. Before I reached Episode 8, I had read about the existence of two endings for Umineko based upon your answer as to whether a magic trick involving sweets (which itself appeared several times earlier in the VN) is really magic or just a trick. Back then I thought to myself how absurd it is to just accept that it's magic when prior to this Battler himself has been strongly advocating that it's a trick. However, actually playing through the VN and finally reaching that point where the choice is finally presented, I couldn't see any other option other than "Magic" as the definitive answer. There's no real other choice to make unless if you wanna see a bonus Bad End. This theme even permeates in Ciconia where research into WWIII is banned to prevent WWIV (the fact that it doesn't work looks to be a subversion of this theme though).
And finally, I do like how even after all that, there is still no easy answer or easy solution to any of Ange's problems. She does find Battler after all these years, but his amnesia and subsequent personality change is not dealt with as smoothly as most other media would suggest. There is significant baggage to it. But the ending where Battler is finally reunited with everyone in the Golden Land is incredibly bittersweet and well earned. Sure, I loved the super happy ending to Higurashi as much as anyone, but even I have to admit it was contrived and not well fought for.
Scattered thoughts:
Having said most of what I wanted to say, I wanna add that I really liked Bern and Lambda the most in this and I certainly am looking forward to seeing them again in Ciconia and hopefully that new Higurashi anime project.
Umineko has been an immensely fun ride and I've been glad to experience most of it relatively unspoiled. While Higurashi was entertaining in a popcorn movie kind of way, I did appreciate Umineko a lot more for making me think and for attempting such a bold and strange approach to its narrative.
Riposa. Riposa in pace. (Mi) Dolce Amore...in pace.
The metanarrative aspect is quite interesting as well. As you go further into the novel, it slowly stops being a cheeky battle between Beato and Battler, but eventually a thinkpiece about the nature of mystery fiction and why we like them so. The metanarrative in actuality very rarely breaks the fourth wall, it only does so in the very first Tea Party and at the very end of Last Note of the Golden Witch in a final Wrap-up Party. I really like this approach and how it recontextualizes not just the entire first Episode, but the entirety of Higurashi as well, and puts a new lens on how to view other mainline titles. To digress a bit, a layman may view Ciconia as a standard war story with intrigue and mystery and politics thrown in, but the Umineko reader in me, wrought with paranoia, is viewing the story from an entirely different angle, not helped by the official website's ominous "You aren't my opponent. You're merely a piece that exists for my amusement.In this next game, I won't give you the privilege of being a player!" which certainly sounds like a letter of challenge directly addressed to the reader from Ryukishi07. In fact, conserving the metanarrative aspect of Umineko from newcomers is crucial to enjoying the VN (I was thankfully unspoiled), as it is by far the biggest plot twist for the entire WTC series.
Continuing with the aspects of the narrative, I do like how despite still being (one of the) main protagonist(s), the reader's perspective splits at Episode 4/5 and can shift to either Battler or Ange depending on their understanding of the nature of the game board, i.e. the whodunnit, the howdunnit, and the whydunnit, and to the VN's credit, all can be reasonably solved by Episode 4 (The whodunnit can be reasonably guessed by 2 and the howdunnit changes per Episode). At Episode 5 Battler has ascended to the title of Game Master while in Episode 6 Ange is still clueless on the whole proceedings of the story. One of the best parts of Umineko is that it allows the reader regardless of their skill level to attach themselves with either protagonist and the story itself will shift in tone depending on the reader. If you couldn't solve the mystery by Episode 5, I do strongly recommend a re-read of the Episodes after completing the game, you would find yourself sympathizing and relating to Battler instead of Ange and it makes for a compelling re-read even if you know what's happening.
And all this is brilliantly paid off in Episode 7 where, if the reader is (unfortunately like me) still struggling with finding out the truth to the Rokkenjima Incident and just asking for easy answers, Bernkastel very simply and very cruelly shows Ange (and by association, ourselves) the actual truth of the murders. It involved no locked doors, no foreshadowing, and no class. No Knox, No Dine, No Fair, as the original teaser would have put it. While Bernkastel never did anything wrong per se, since we are in Ange's shoes, we have been shown how otherwise somewhat likable characters have been turned into vicious cold blooded murderers. The player-character connection is strongest here if you have associated yourself with Ange, and this whole Episode has had me gripped to the edge of my seat until 3am just eager to complete this.
While a passive approach to reading a mystery novel is criticised heavily (especially in Episode 8), it does lend itself to some replay value. i.e. reading Chiru once as Ange and re-reading it as Battler provides a new experience each time despite the story being similar.
Which all brings me towards the central theme of Umineko, Truth, or rather, the relativity of truth. The ultimate message of Umineko is that, the actual truth of an event, particularly an unpleasant one, isn't important. The past is set in stone and cannot be changed. Ange can't bring her family back after all. But, the crucial thing is moving on and determining the best possible approach for the future. This is exemplified in the two endings. The Trick Ending and the Magic Ending. Before I reached Episode 8, I had read about the existence of two endings for Umineko based upon your answer as to whether a magic trick involving sweets (which itself appeared several times earlier in the VN) is really magic or just a trick. Back then I thought to myself how absurd it is to just accept that it's magic when prior to this Battler himself has been strongly advocating that it's a trick. However, actually playing through the VN and finally reaching that point where the choice is finally presented, I couldn't see any other option other than "Magic" as the definitive answer. There's no real other choice to make unless if you wanna see a bonus Bad End. This theme even permeates in Ciconia where research into WWIII is banned to prevent WWIV (the fact that it doesn't work looks to be a subversion of this theme though).
And finally, I do like how even after all that, there is still no easy answer or easy solution to any of Ange's problems. She does find Battler after all these years, but his amnesia and subsequent personality change is not dealt with as smoothly as most other media would suggest. There is significant baggage to it. But the ending where Battler is finally reunited with everyone in the Golden Land is incredibly bittersweet and well earned. Sure, I loved the super happy ending to Higurashi as much as anyone, but even I have to admit it was contrived and not well fought for.
Scattered thoughts:
- I liked the second half a lot more than the first half. As you'll see most of my favourite scenes and characters are from Chiru or play a larger role in Chiru.
- Since I empathized with her more, Ange has been my favourite protagonist out of the three
- The first Episode was scarier and more frightening than anything from Higurashi
- Like seriously the Maria faces and the Maria singing Chouchou thing was really creepy. Who knew Horie Yui could do that kind of voice.
- Ohara Sayaka's Engrish is absolutely amazing. Actually Beato was completely delightful up until she started siding with Battler for real.
- Ronoue blocking that attack in Episode 5 with dreamenddischarger playing in the background was such a 10/10 scene. The whole scene with Beato's friends just defending her and Battler was just so good.
- I really liked all the times Revelations plays in this. It works for such a good cliffhanger.
- The best action scene in the whole WTC series to date is still the simple scene of Battler punching Bern in the face. It's so simple yet so powerful and so utterly cathartic. Just a beautiful scene. Even though I liked Rika and think she deserved a happy ending, seeing her get her just desserts felt so satisfying. It's like the chair scene from Higurashi.
- All of Bern and Erika's scenes were excellent. It's the Beato trolling except with zero compassion and an absolute certain goal to make Battler and friends suffer.
- I liked how all the Italian used in the OPs and EDs, as well as the fact that Beatrice's name is in an Italian pronunciation foreshadowed the whole Italian gold thing. It's brilliant.
- The epitaph is totally bullshit, but in hindsight having so much focus on the epitaph and ignoring all the actual clues is kinda genius since essentially we are in Battler's shoes making the same mistakes as he is.
- I just love all the foreshadowing in this. Virtually nothing comes out of left field.
- If I had any nitpicks, I'd say I wasn't feeling the romance elements in this.
- Last Note of the Golden Witch was kinda interesting. Who knew Asumu was a complete pervert and possibly secret genius.
Having said most of what I wanted to say, I wanna add that I really liked Bern and Lambda the most in this and I certainly am looking forward to seeing them again in Ciconia and hopefully that new Higurashi anime project.
Umineko has been an immensely fun ride and I've been glad to experience most of it relatively unspoiled. While Higurashi was entertaining in a popcorn movie kind of way, I did appreciate Umineko a lot more for making me think and for attempting such a bold and strange approach to its narrative.
Riposa. Riposa in pace. (Mi) Dolce Amore...in pace.
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