Oryou Sonozaki

Oryou Sonozaki (園崎 お魎) is the head of the Sonozaki family. Oryou is the most powerful person in Hinamizawa and is influential in the neighboring Okinomiya. She serves as the protagonist of the Higurashi prequel manga as Ryou Sonozaki.

Background
Oryou is the true power in Hinamizawa, although for appearances sake the Kimiyoshi family have been the town heads for generations. Politicians, political groups, even the child protective services group, look to her for direction and approval. She was forced to disinherit her daughter after she married outside the family, but is currently raising her granddaughter to inherit her position as head after her eventual death.

During the Dam War she was the head of the resistance, and it was her anger at the behavior the head of the Houjou family showed, especially the disrespect he showed her, that fueled the town's negative attitude toward that family. However, despite the belief of some of the local people, neither she nor her family had anything to do with the deaths that have occurred each Watanagashi, or even the kidnapping of the Minister of Construction's grandson during the war. All these acts were committed by others, but the Sonozaki, Oryou in particular, has been seen as the ones at fault.

Appearance
Oryou appears as an elderly woman with greyed hair and small, black eyes. She has gaunt and wrinkled skin resulting from her age. She typically wears a black yukata.

In the prequel manga, Oryou appears as a young woman with long green hair tied into a ponytail. She typically wears a red yukata.

Personality
Oryou has a hardened personality due to her position as head of the Sonozaki family. She avoids public appearances and is resolute in her orders towards other members of the Sonozaki family, demonstrating a notable unwillingness to change her viewpoints. However, while she places emphasis on maintaining appearances, she has been shown to be considerate behind-the-scenes.

In, she appears as a cheerful woman.

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Oni
Prior to the primary story of Higurashi, ORyou