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And so the first season comes to a close, with the promise of so much if this ever gets a second season.
Plot Recap
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The Root Of The Hatred – Higurashi
Like many, Higurashi had a wonderful childhood. However, as middle school hit, things took a downturn, and Higurashi’s life, due to being introverted and shy, didn’t get better. Mind you, he tried to be social in college, but eternally feeling like an outsider led him to self-sabotage constantly. Thus, he became envious to the point of wanting to destroy other people’s joy.
The Good Son & The Rebuild – Higurashi, Akira, Tendo, Mr. Kumano
Yet, from what we’re told, Akira did extend an invitation when he and Higurashi were in college, where they could have been friends and Higurashi could have had the friends he wanted. But, Higurashi ran away and took himself down this path where he felt the need to threaten Tendo and try to force Akira to become a zombie.
Naturally, that doesn’t happen, as Akira tricks Higurashi, and like the rest of Higurashi’s group, he becomes a zombie. But, before that happens, Akira has a heart-to-heart with Higurashi, leading to him crying and running away, as he did before. Yet, seemingly knowing he could have had a friend allows him peace as he jumps into a river, potentially trying to drown himself before the transformation is complete.
Once that is resolved, Akira and his friends get everyone out of the village and, thanks to Mr. Kumano, who wanted to see what all the zombie fuss was about, helping everyone over a huge rift where the zombies chasing them fall in. This leads to Mr. Kumano deciding to join the village to help it rebuild.
Leaving one last thing: Tendo. It has been pushed that something is wrong with him, and of course, the potential of him being bitten, cancer, things of that nature floated in the air. However, all he had was hemroids, and with refusing to go to a doctor, they have gone untreated. So, Akira commits himself to finding a doctor to help his dad, especially since their relationship is better than ever.
Onto What’s Next – Akira, Kencho, Beatrix, Shizuka
After everyone says their goodbyes, Akira and crew are off to find a doctor, a vaccine, and a lot of personal objectives. Shuzuka wants to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a doctor, especially after everyone’s encouraging words in Akira’s village.
Beatrix? She wants to continue seeing Japan and wants to take part in returning it to its glory. Kencho? He just wants to make people laugh and give some levity in these dark times.
General Information
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Network |
Netflix |
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Release Date |
December 25, 2023 |
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Director(s) |
Jun Shinohara |
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Writer(s) |
Jun Shinohara |
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Previously Noted Characters and Cast |
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|
Higurashi |
Okamoto Nobuhiko |
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Akira |
Shūichirō Umeda |
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Tendo |
Sasaki Yuuko |
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Mr. Kumano |
Kusumi Naomi |
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Beatrix |
Minami Takahashi |
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Kencho |
Makoto Furukawa |
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Shizuka |
Tomori Kusunoki |
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Tendo |
Sasaki Yuuko |
Review
Highlights
While A Quick Ending, It Could Be Seen As Satisfying
Did I wish Higurashi’s arc was longer, or the episodes had more time? Yes. Did a part of me lowkey wish he would have bit Akira and really pushed Akira to have a reason to really live life to the fullest? Also, yes.
However, with seeing how quick people turned, you and I know that wasn’t going to happen. But nonetheless, while this arc felt anticlimactic since no one we got to know died, and even Tendo’s situation wasn’t mortally serious, in some ways, it was satisfying.
With Akira feeling like he repaid his parents, even just a little bit, and having a renewed purpose, considering what almost happened to his hometown, here is hoping this is the kick in the pants the series needed.
Though, as noted towards the end, maybe we’ll just end up seeing more of the same.
Episode Directory
Previous Episode: Season 1/ Episode 11 “Hometown Of The Dead II” (Series Page | Character Guide)
TV Shows We’re Covering This Season
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