Many thanks to Yen Press for providing a review copy
About the Mangaka
This series is a collaboration between Ryukishi07 who, as well as doing the original game, does the story. And Houjyou Yutori who does the art.
Ryukishi07 is the pen name of a member of a doujin group called 07th Expansion. They are famous for their visual novels, of which Higurashi is the most famous. You can check out their website here (NSFW & Japanese).
Not a lot of information available on Houjyou, whose only notable work seem to be her work on this series, and another arc. She does however have a website. Be warned it’s all in japanese and potentially NSWF (or after recent events hell it could just be not safe in general lol).
About the Manga
I still don’t like the idea of changing artists every arc, since it leads to to many changes IMO. However I did enjoy this volume and found it almost as creepy as the first arc.
Art wise I’m still not keen on the changes. While it’s true the changes aren’t to bad overall, I found I still preferred the style used in the original arc. Suzuragi Karin has a unique feel to her art, that made the creepy aspects all the more creepy. Sadly Houjyou just isn’t able to pull it off.
She does however manage to draw in such a way that by the time I was only a chapter into the second volume I was liking her style. She uses a softer style than Karin did, and the creep factor isn’t as forced. Once you adjust to the change in how forceful they are, the art really does grow on you.
The character design have gone through subtle changes since the previous arc as well, and once again when given a chance to get used to it it does grow on you.
This volume does have some stunning situational art that really conveys the emotions of the scene really well. Such as Keiichi sitting alone in the dark. It’s not creepy, but a lonely and sorrowful scene that’s been really well drawn and expresses the emotions perfectly.
The cover design for this volume is just amazing, and while I found Shion to be cute, there’s also a creepy/uneasy feel to it. The colour panel inside is just stunning though, sure she’s wielding a huge meat cleaver, but she’s doing it in a cute and sexy way.
Story wise it’s awesome, there’s no other word for it. Higurashi is one, if not THE best horror/suspense series I’ve ever read. The way it just creeps up on you all unsuspecting then pounces. Even though I know it’s going to do it, it still manages to lull me into a happy go lucky feel, which means the impact of when it pounces is all the more intense.
This way of writing is a testament to Ryukishi07’s skill as a writer. I also find the way he keeps going back to the beginning and changing things and events to be really fun. It’s the old “What if…” scenario playing out and it does it so damn well.
This also adds to the impact, since you’ve no idea how it’s going to go next, until it jumps out and hits you.
For me though the only really creepy part of the volume was the end when Keiichi is in hospital (looks like he makes it out of this arc alive lol). But the meeting in his hospital room, and the ending, really did give me the shivers, it was extremely well handled.
Unfortunately I was a bit miffed with Yen Press with this release. It has some of the worst guttering I’ve seen in one of their releases for a long time. I have only read it through half a dozen times and already the spine is showing the creasing and wear from it.
However that’s my only complaint 
As always the editing is superb with no problems reading or following (except for the guttering bits). The translation is smooth and fluid, with no sticky bits. And as always it comes on a decent high quality paper, and a good glossy paper for the colour panels.
Needless to say it keeps it’s place on my Essential Read list and I’m not eagerly looking forward to the next arc.
Where to Buy
