Nekogoroshi-hen
| Nekogoroshi-hen 猫殺し編 | ||||
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| Arc Type | Question | |||
| Released | June 2006 (novel) August 2, 2007 (anime) | |||
| Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Chronology | ||||
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| Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Episode Chronology | ||||
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Nekogoroshi-hen (猫殺し編, Cat Killing Chapter) is a one-shot arc between Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai. The arc was initially published as a light novel under the name Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gaiden: Nekogoroshi-hen. It was later released as a special bridging the first and second seasons of the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni anime
Plot
Keiichi Maebara, Mion Sonozaki, Rena Ryuuguu, Satoko Houjou, and Rika Furude play poker as part of after-school club activities. The punishments and bets escalate and each member loses some matches and wins some matches, resulting in everyone having to participate in some kind of punishment. As a result, the club members all parade around town in various costumes.[1] When they come to a fork in the road, the group heads towards Yagouchi, a nearby abandoned village. While there, Mion tells Rena and Keiichi of an a gruesome murder that happened amidst the Dam War. After the company president of a nearby quarry went bankrupt, he murdered his family and committed suicide. Some time after this event, Mion and several other kids played kick the can near the quarry. A construction worker angrily yells at the kids about the danger of being in the area. The kids, frightened, scatter and run home. One kid, designated as "Friend A", never returned home. Friend A's father went to the quarry in search of him and managed to successfully find him. However, the two died in a crash on the way back to Hinamizawa. At both the quarry and inside the car, a smell reminiscent of rotten eggs was present.[2] Furthermore, the police investigation found no construction workers were to be on-site at the quarry on that day. After hearing the story, Rena and Keiichi attempt to explain the mysterious circumstances of the deaths of Friend A and his father. During the discussion, Mion feels inspired to investigate the quarry. However, Rika repeatedly objects and manages to convince the group to return home instead of investigating the quarry.
Characters
Villagers
Outsiders
- Unnamed construction worker
Mentioned
- The Fukudaya family
- Company president
- Company president's wife
- Company president's child
Deaths and Disappearances
All deaths and disappearances are listed only as they are told in Nekogoroshi-hen and apply only for the individual arc, not the overall series.
Deaths
- Company president, self-immolated.
- Company president's wife, murdered by company president.
- Company president's child, murdered by company president.
- Friend A, found dead in his father's car.
- Friend A's father, found dead in his car.
Notes
- ^ The club members wore a variety of costumes for the punishment. Keiichi dressed as a french maid with bunny ears, Mion dressed as a cow, Rena dressed as an elementary schooler, Satoko dressed in a cheongsam, and Rika dressed as a nurse.
- ^ The smell of rotten eggs is from the poison held within the quarry meant to be used as part of the Great Hinamizawa Disaster in the event of Rika's death.