Higurashi When They Cry: Cotton Drifting Arc, Vol. 1

I have to say, I've been waiting for this manga for a very long time. I'd heard about this series a few years ago before it was released into the US & hoped that eventually someone would bring us the whole Higurashi line- the manga, anime & the games that started it all. While we didn't get the games (yet), we do have the other two. This arc starts off with the appearance that the previous arc's events seemingly never happened. Keiichi & the gang are enjoying their idyllic lifestyle in the village of Hinamizawa. With the cotton drifting festival on the horizon, the gang spends their time playing games at one of the local hobby stores & goofing off. It isn't until Keiichi meets Mion's twin sister Shion that events begin to visibly change & warp. I love how this series is so well plotted out. Part of the series's charm is how it keeps you guessing at the why & wherefore of the plotline. I honestly can't wait for the answer arc to come out for this arc. My only complaint with the series has nothing to do with the actual series but is more about how the publishing company is displaying the volumes. It's a pretty superficial complaint, to be honest. The series number order is smaller than the arc number order, which may confuse some readers who could purchase this volume thinking that it's the 2nd volume of the previous plot arc. Like I said, it's a minor complaint so it's not really worth complaining about.

This is a fantastic mystery-murder,best I've ever seen. It's my favorite manga,sound novel and anime series. But I advise you to watch the anime if you want to recieve the full experience.