 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | GENEON ENTERTAINMENT | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 16:9 FULL SCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH AND JAPANESE DD 2.0 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 125 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | 16UP | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 08/07/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 08/05/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | SCOTT CAMPBELL |
Vol. 2 of When They Cry continues with the “Cotton Drifting” chapter of this very strange tale of murder, demons, and a whole lot of “hush hush” from many a suspicious character. This is one of those shows that isn’t going to shed light on everything you want to know until the story is complete. The pacing is well planned out, and the actions of characters only give you tidbits of information as you go along, just enough to keep you terribly hooked.
This second “chapter” seems to be evolving into a slightly different look on the events that happened in the first chapter. All the same characters are there, but a few are added in and some events we weren’t privy to in the first chapter come into focus. Again, as the new guy in town, Keiichi Maebara has quickly adjusted to the rural life of Hinamizawa, befriending cute classmates Rena, Mion, Satoko and Rika, but he’s appalled to learn of the numerous gruesome murders that have occurred awhile ago in the village. Everyone acts as though it is some normal way of life, each murder having been brought about by an uncontrollable curse. When an acquaintance of Keiichi’s is found dead, a police detective asks Keiichi to become an informant, suspecting that his classmates are connected to the incident (and quite frankly, Keiichi thinks so too). When Keiichi accuses Rena of withholding information, she cryptically tells him that everyone has secrets to hide. More new information is thrown into the mix, and we can start to see the characters in question become even more questionable as we learn about their pasts. After discovering that his classmates, and supposed friends, were aware of his secret meeting with Detective Oishi and upon learning new, disturbing information about Rena’s past, Keiichi’s growing unease and suspicions escalate into insane paranoia, much like before. Again, someone may be trying to kill him – but we’re starting to get closer to the truth as a new angle is presented. That ends the Cotton Drifting chapter, and starts the “Curse Killing” chapter with the first two episodes of such contained on the disc. Again, the story gets rewound, but only as far back as about halfway through. Are you confused? Don’t worry, you just have to watch it and it all makes sense – it’s actually very smart, and makes for some tense moments! Keiichi is unnerved by the uncharacteristic, menacing behaviour of Rena and Mion and fearful for his life. He again begins to distance himself from his former friends, but on his way home he is attacked again by strange men. Episode 2 of Curse Killing rewinds a bit yet again, to where Keiichi first meets a waitress who looks exactly like his tomboyish classmate, Mion. However, she introduces herself as Shion, the younger twin sister of Mion. Keiichi is skeptical, but plays along with what he believes is a trick, not knowing a ruse perpetuated by the twins awaits him. Shion takes Keiichi to a place he shouldn’t be and he sees things that he will soon wish he never had… The plot is certainly thickening, and all the shocks and awkwardly frightening moments of the first volume is again present here. It’s hard not to get wrapped up in this series because it throws you a bone, but than holds on to the rest. Again, the pacing is perfect, and the way the story is presented is very innovative. You’ve got to be on your toes to keep up and see the signs that are being presented as hints to the viewer. It’s scary, it’s smart, and even sometimes very funny. This show has such a weird mix of so many interesting traits, you would think it should be a mess – but it’s actually highly effective, and in many ways it’s also quite a unique watch. For horror fans it is a must, but anyone else in the mood for a bit of mystery and a scare should seriously consider giving this rare oddity a once over. EXTRAS:
Geneon previews. IN SUMMARY:
When They Cry is the stuff of mental hospitals, but let loose upon the streets of a quiet rural town. This anime has many different faces, so it never ceases to surprise and shock!
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