Mixed Feelings
First impressions for Rei are not good. The first episode is a forced fanservice episode that doubles as a pool episode. It’s meant to be funny, and to some degree it is, but that’s not why you’re here. Rei is meant to tie up the few loose ends that Kai had in its conclusion. So does it deliver on that front? Let’s dive in and find out!
Episode one and six are silly episodes while the middle ones (2-5) are the real meat of the series. As I said, episode one is a pool episode for fanservice but it does have some comedy that managed to make me laugh. You do need the context of season one and two to get the jokes, but if you are wanting to watch this then you’ve surely seen the rest. As for the last episode… it was ridiculous. Leagues better than the first episode though. I laughed a lot.
The serious episodes are what actually matter though. Things start off where episode one left off but then quickly transition into the serious story. I’ve go to say, it was quite compelling because everything was so off. Rika finds herself in a seemingly perfect world after dying in a car crash. This is the Higurashi we all know and love.
I hadn’t watched any of Rei before doing this write up and didn’t know exactly what to expect. After so thoroughly enjoying the first and second season it was refreshing to have a new mystery with its own wave of crazy. Any trepidation I had prior to viewing this was gone by episode two.
In the second episode of the “Die Killing” arc, Rika must figure out what, or who, is the key to returning to the world she fought so hard to obtain. This seemingly perfect world just isn’t the same. For instance, there is no Keiichi, Ire, or Hanyu. Satako hates Rika as well. Basically, Rei sets up Rika needing to kill someone in order to get her world back. I can get behind that.
Of course I won’t be telling you what Rika decides to do but I will say that I have mixed feelings about everything in this season. In some respects, I’m happy I watched it as it filled in some parts of the story. On the other hand though, I don’t really think viewing the third season is necessary and it didn’t wrap everything up plot wise. In fairness though, it does put a nice emotional capstone on things.
If you are curious or just want to complete the series out (what fourth season? That doesn’t exist) then there isn’t much harm in watching this. This doesn’t apply to you? Then you aren’t missing out on too much. A bit of a lackluster end to Higurashi Week for our October Review Fest but I hope you enjoyed it any way.
Have you seen Rei or did you even know it existed before now? Be sue to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you enjoyed this review consider helping me out by becoming a Patron, just click the button below for details. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you back here at Jon Spencer Reviews real soon!
Jon Spencer Reviews 
I agree with Karandi, but then again, I do like my emotional tie-ups (plus it’s so short, what’s the harm?). Thanks for sharing!
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That’s true, it is pretty short. Like I said, not super necessary but at least it does offer an emotional tie-up, so it isn’t a total loss.
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After reading this I really don’t think I’m ever going to seek out this story. I’m happy enough with how season 2 ended and this doesn’t feel like it is going to add anything of significance to that ending.
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Whoops sorry for not replying to this, must have gotten lost in the shuffle since I did remember reading your comment. It’s very much unnecessary but it does at just a bit more if you really want it.
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