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Ryukishi07 Explains How Higurashi GOU and SOTSU Reinvent the Franchise

The Umineko influence on Gou/Sotsu isn’t the exact identities of the witches or references, it’s a certain way of perceiving the conflict. The key difference I’ve seen between WTC fans and Higurashi-only fans is spoiler[how LITERALLY the events are taken. As an Umineko fan, I’m not “shocked” or “horrified” that Rika forgave Satoko; I expected it. The plot was just a symbol of the issues with Rika and Satoko’s relationship, which we see resolved in a mundane fashion—the only way you can resolve that sort of conflict. To Higurashi fans, you’re used to seeing the loops as literal, not as a device. Satoko is a literal monster out of all proportion, etc.]

If there’s one thing I think the series managed to do, it made it very clear how Ryukishi’s narrative priorities have shifted over the years—for the better overall, even if Gou/Sotsu is pretty bad in and of itself.

musouka wrote:

The Umineko influence on Gou/Sotsu isn’t the exact identities of the witches or references, it’s a certain way of perceiving the conflict. The key difference I’ve seen between WTC fans and Higurashi-only fans is spoiler[how LITERALLY the events are taken. As an Umineko fan, I’m not “shocked” or “horrified” that Rika forgave Satoko; I expected it. The plot was just a symbol of the issues with Rika and Satoko’s relationship, which we see resolved in a mundane fashion—the only way you can resolve that sort of conflict. To Higurashi fans, you’re used to seeing the loops as literal, not as a device. Satoko is a literal monster out of all proportion, etc.] If there’s one thing I think the series managed to do, it made it very clear how Ryukishi’s narrative priorities have shifted over the years—for the better overall, even if Gou/Sotsu is pretty bad in and of itself.

I think that if a story only makes sense metaphorically that's a pretty big problem in itself. There should always be a surface level to the metaphors.

The story and the characters actions should make sense and be entertaining on a base level and if people don't want to dive deeper then that's all a story needs to be.