Do you think that murder can be justified, depending on the motive?

Hi, this is Ryuukishi07.

Thank you for playing Higurashi When They Cry Kai - Ch.5 Meakashi.

Although I depict many deaths in my work, I often ask myself a question.

That question is: is there such a thing as justifiable murder?

In our world, murder is prosecuted, and the degree of punishment varies depending on the motive and circumstances.

Having different degrees of punishment means that we are putting a value on the dead person's life.

Some scenes justify murder in 'Higurashi.'

By degrading the life of the victim in those scenes, the players can sympathize with the character more easily.

The degree of sympathy would be different from person to person.

The people who could sympathize probably felt catharsis, and the people who disagreed with the character might have felt uncomfortable.

That's indicated by how opinions were polarized regarding Keiichi's actions in Tatarigoroshi.

In Meakashi, there are also a number of murders.

But this time, the main character, Shion, tries to earn sympathy for each one of them.

How did you feel?

How much were you able to sympathize with her?

If you couldn't sympathize with her at all, then please berate her as a crazy murderer.

If you sympathized with her at all, then please have mercy on her.

If you sympathized with her almost entirely, then please have mercy on her.

If you completely sympathized with her, then please let us berate both of you as crazy murderers (lol).

What about me?

......Well, that's a secret.

I'd like to reverse my question this time...

What kind of murderer could you sympathize with, if you were to be killed?

A murderer who doesn't care about people's lives?

That'd be quite a regrettable death.

It's extremely sad to be killed in denial of all your values.

A murderer who begs for forgiveness in tears?

That'd be quite regrettable too.

They shouldn't kill you at all if they're begging your forgiveness, ha ha.

So, what kind of murderer could you sympathize with...?

In the end, 'sympathy' might be just a method for making the story more interesting.

If you can sympathize, it's fun.

If you can't sympathize, they're just crazy.

We cannot put value on human life.

It's a sin to even try doing so.

A murder is a murder.

Nothing more than that.

I just hope everybody can live happily together.

How does that sound?

Would you agree to that?

If you wouldn't

............ hee hee hee hee hee.

Thank you very much for playing Higurashi When They Cry Kai - Ch.5 Meakashi.

I could only bring out this fifth episode thanks to all of your support.

Higurashi will only get more intense as it approaches the finale.

Nothing would make me happier than if you continued reading the chapters to come.

The next chapter will be titled 'Tsumihoroboshi.'

Really, I'm rather fortunate if you've enjoyed yourself even a little.

Thank you again for playing.

I hope this has brought a little color to your life.

07th Expansion\n

Ryuukishi07