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| name = Rena Ryūgū
| name = Rena Ryūgū
| image = Rena Ryūgū.jpg
| image = Rena Ryūgū.jpg
| image_size = 275px
| image_upright = 1.0
| caption = Rena in her casual clothes wielding her iconic cleaver, as seen in ''[[List of Higurashi When They Cry titles#Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sui|Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sui]]''
| caption = Rena as seen in ''[[List of Higurashi When They Cry titles#Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sui|Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sui]]''
| series = [[Higurashi When They Cry]]
| series = [[Higurashi When They Cry]]
| first = ''[[Higurashi When They Cry|Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Onikakushi-hen]]'' (2002)
| first = ''[[Higurashi When They Cry|Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Onikakushi-hen]]'' (2002)
| designer = [[Ryukishi07]]
| designer = [[Ryukishi07]]
| lbl1 = Voiced by
| lbl1 = Voiced by
| data1 = '''[[Japanese language|JA]]:''' [[Mai Nakahara]] <br>'''[[English language|EN]]:''' [[Mela Lee]] (2006 anime), [[Emi Lo]] (2020 anime)<ref name="funimation-dub">{{Cite web|date=November 4, 2020|title=Higurashi: When They Cry-Gou English Dub Cast Revealed|url=https://www.funimation.com/blog/2020/11/04/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou-english-dub-announced-cast-revealed/|access-date=November 4, 2020|website=[[Funimation]]|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105052048/https://www.funimation.com/blog/2020/11/04/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou-english-dub-announced-cast-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| data1 = {{Collapsible list|title=[[English (language)|English]]|[[Mela Lee]] (2006 anime)<ref name="funimation-dub"/>|[[Emi Lo]] (2020 anime)<ref name="funimation-dub">{{Cite web|date=November 4, 2020|title=Higurashi: When They Cry-Gou English Dub Cast Revealed|url=https://www.funimation.com/blog/2020/11/04/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou-english-dub-announced-cast-revealed/|access-date=November 4, 2020|website=[[Funimation]]|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105052048/https://www.funimation.com/blog/2020/11/04/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou-english-dub-announced-cast-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}{{Collapsible list|title=[[Japanese (language)|Japanese]]|[[Mai Nakahara]]}}
| lbl2 = Portrayed by
| lbl2 = Portrayed by
| data2 = [[Minami Kato]] (drama)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/177899|title=NGT48「ひぐらし」配役決定、レナは加藤美南|work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|date=February 28, 2016|language=ja}}</ref></br>{{ill|Airi Matsuyama|ja|松山愛里}} (film)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/65354/full/|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に誓』公開! レナ役・松山愛里の「足の指の間に入って来た」モノは?|work=[[Oricon|Oricon News]]|language=ja|date=April 18, 2009}}</ref>
| data2 = [[Minami Kato]] (drama)<ref name="drama">{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/177899|title=NGT48「ひぐらし」配役決定、レナは加藤美南|work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|date=February 28, 2016|language=ja}}</ref><br />{{ill|Airi Matsuyama|ja|松山愛里}} (film)<ref name="film">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/65354/full/|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に誓』公開! レナ役・松山愛里の「足の指の間に入って来た」モノは?|work=[[Oricon|Oricon News]]|language=ja|date=April 18, 2009}}</ref>
| full_name = Rena Ryūgū
| alias = Reina Ryūgū
| alias = Reina Ryūgū
| nickname = Cleaver Girl (鉈女, ''nata onna'')
| lbl21 = Birthday
| data21 = July 28, 1967
| affiliation =
| weapon = [[Hatchet]], [[cleaver]]
| nationality = Japanese
| nationality = Japanese
}}
}}
{{Nihongo|'''Rena Ryūgū'''|竜宮 レナ|Ryūgū Rena|lead=yes}} is a fictional character in the [[Higurashi When They Cry|''Higurashi When They Cry'' series]]. Rena was born and raised in fictional Hinamizawa under her real name '''Reina Ryūgū'''. While living in [[Ibaraki Prefecture]], she developed [[Mental disorder|mental problems]] followed by breaking many windows and assaulting several male students to serious injuries with a [[baseball bat]] at her local school and attempting to [[self-harm]], led her to moved back to Hinamizawa. Later she studied at the Hinamizawa Branch School and became friends with [[List of Higurashi When They Cry characters#Keiichi Maebara|Keiichi Maebara]] and others. Rena played the protagonist and antagonist many times in the series.
{{Nihongo|'''Rena Ryūgū'''|竜宮 レナ|Ryūgū Rena|lead=yes}} is a fictional character in the [[Higurashi When They Cry|''Higurashi When They Cry'' series]]. Rena was born and raised in fictional Hinamizawa under her real name {{Nihongo|'''Reina Ryūgū'''|竜宮 礼奈|Ryūgū Reina|lead=yes}}. While living in [[Ibaraki Prefecture]], she developed [[Mental disorder|mental problems]] followed by breaking many windows and assaulting several male students to serious injuries with a [[baseball bat]] at her local school and attempting to [[self-harm]], led her to moved back to Hinamizawa. Later she studied at the Hinamizawa Branch School and became friends with [[List of Higurashi When They Cry characters#Keiichi Maebara|Keiichi Maebara]] and others. Rena played the protagonist and antagonist many times in the series.


Rena has been popular with fans of the series, often ranking in polls. She is a character that symbolizes ''Higurashi When They Cry'',<ref name="to">{{cite web|url=https://sai-zen-sen.jp/works/extras/higurashinonakasekata/02/01.html|title=『ひぐらしのなかせ方』第二回|language=ja|date=January 2005|work=[[Comic Toranoana|Toratsu]]}}</ref> and is regarded as a mascot character for [[07th Expansion]]. <ref name="tg">{{cite web|author=Quinton O'Connor|title=Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters - How To Unlock Higurashi And Shanghai Alice|url=https://www.thegamer.com/neptunia-sisters-vs-sisters-higurashi-rena-shanghai/|date=January 25, 2023|work=[[Valnet|TheGamer]]}}</ref>
Rena has been popular with fans of the series, often ranking in polls. She is a character that symbolizes ''Higurashi When They Cry'',<ref name="to">{{cite web|url=https://sai-zen-sen.jp/works/extras/higurashinonakasekata/02/01.html|title=『ひぐらしのなかせ方』第二回|language=ja|date=January 2005|work=[[Comic Toranoana|Toratsu]]}}</ref> and is regarded as a mascot character for [[07th Expansion]].<ref name="tg">{{cite web|author=Quinton O'Connor|title=Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters - How To Unlock Higurashi And Shanghai Alice|url=https://www.thegamer.com/neptunia-sisters-vs-sisters-higurashi-rena-shanghai/|date=January 25, 2023|work=[[Valnet|TheGamer]]}}</ref> Her image has substantially inspired the ''[[Moe (slang)|moe]]'' genre including ''[[menhera]]'' and ''[[Glossary of anime and manga#yandere|yandere]]'', despite she herself is not an example of the later.<ref name="ma" /><ref name="ya" />


== Development and design ==
== Development and design ==


[[Ryukishi07]] portrayed the duality of Rena,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://febri.jp/topics/higurashianime/|title=ひぐらしのなく頃に業 原作・竜騎士07インタビュー|work=[[Ichijinsha#Magazines published|Febri]]|date=March 23, 2021|language=ja}}</ref> and created her a sense of mystery.<ref name="to" /> She is described as a bubbly, caring, and respectful individual toward her friends and will do whatever it takes to protect them.<ref name="cbr" /> She has a hobby to take things home because they're cute, which ''[[Valnet|TheGamer]]'' described as her most infamous quirk.<ref name="tg" /> Her garden is full of strange things cause this hobby.<ref name="tt">{{cite web|url=https://sai-zen-sen.jp/works/extras/higurashinonakasekata/01/01.html|title=『ひぐらしのなかせ方』第一回language=ja|date=November 2004|work=[[Comic Toranoana|Toratsu]]}}</ref> Despite looking innocent, she is extreme and mentally illness. One example is in ''[[List of Higurashi When They Cry titles|Tsumihoroboshi-hen]]'' where Rena slaughters her father's new spouse, [[List of Higurashi When They Cry characters#Rina Mamiya|Ritsuko]], as she learns that Ritusko's only after her father's money.<ref name="cbr" /> She has the highest direct kill count of the entire main cast.<ref>{{cite web|author=Adriano Valente|url=https://www.cbr.com/when-they-cry-higurashi-main-character-facts/|title=When They Cry: 10 Hidden Details About The Main Characters|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=February 18, 2020}}</ref>
[[Ryukishi07]] portrayed the duality of Rena,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://febri.jp/topics/higurashianime/|title=ひぐらしのなく頃に業 原作・竜騎士07インタビュー|work=[[Ichijinsha#Magazines published|Febri]]|date=March 23, 2021|language=ja}}</ref> and created her a sense of mystery.<ref name="to" /> On the surface, she is a ditzy, excitable young girl with an offbeat taste in trinkets.<ref name="ya">{{cite web|author=Audrey Di Martino|date=May 3, 2023|url=https://www.animefeminist.com/higurashi-subversion-of-moe-and-the-birth-of-the-modern-yandere/|title=Higurashi, subversion of moe, and the birth of the modern yandere|work=Anime Feminist}}</ref> She developed some quirks and oddball tendencies such as taking things home from places including dump because they're cute.<ref name="tg" /><ref name="ya" /> Her garden is full of strange things cause this habit.<ref name="tt">{{cite web|url=https://sai-zen-sen.jp/works/extras/higurashinonakasekata/01/01.html|title=『ひぐらしのなかせ方』第一回|language=ja|date=November 2004|work=[[Comic Toranoana|Toratsu]]}}</ref> Besides, she has a habit of saying "''haū''" and "''kana'', ''kana''?" and [[Illeism|referring to herself in third-person]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sai-zen-sen.jp/sa/higurashi/story/characters/3/RyuguRena.html|title=竜宮レナ &#124; 星海社文庫 『ひぐらしのなく頃に』|language=ja|work=[[Comic Toranoana|Toratsu]]}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=07th Party7 全作品無差別人気投票 結果発表|url=https://07th-expansion.net/party/card_circle/07th_images/07thParty07booklet.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108055643/https://07th-expansion.net/party/card_circle/07th_images/07thParty07booklet.pdf|archive-date=November 8, 2020|url-status=dead|language=ja|website=07th Expansion}}</ref> Despite looking exuberant and lackadaisical, she has a history of [[psychological trauma]] and mental illnesses, causing her to resort to violent methods when stimulated. One example is in ''[[List of Higurashi When They Cry titles|Tsumihoroboshi-hen]]'' where Rena slaughters her father's new spouse, [[List of Higurashi When They Cry characters#Rina Mamiya|Ritsuko]], as she learns that Ritusko's only after her father's money.<ref name="cbr" /><ref name="ya" /> She has the highest direct kill count of the entire main cast.<ref>{{cite web|author=Adriano Valente|url=https://www.cbr.com/when-they-cry-higurashi-main-character-facts/|title=When They Cry: 10 Hidden Details About The Main Characters|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> However, she is bubbly, caring, and respectful to her friends and will do whatever it takes to protect them.<ref name="cbr" />


According to Ryukishi07, Rena embodies the world of the story like no other character, a girl trying to be normal in a world that won't allow it.<ref name="ann">{{cite web|author=Rebecca Silverman|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higurashi/when-they-cry/gn-15|title=Higurashi: When They Cry GN 15 - Review|date=December 3, 2011}}</ref> He explained how Rena thinks that "if she is desperate and concludes that she has no choice but to kill, she can easily do it", and after she can easily pretend she had no knowledge as she is smart and witty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sai-zen-sen.jp/works/extras/higurashinonakasekata/03/01.html|title=『ひぐらしのなかせ方』第三回|language=ja|date=September 2005|work=[[Comic Toranoana|Toratsu]]}}</ref> Ryukishi07 said he made Rena weird and close to a [[Perversion|pervert]] on purpose.<ref name="tt" /> In a famous scene named "door scene" by fans, from Keiichi's perspective, Rena tries to force her way into his house to feed him, ferociously screaming with a crazed look in her eye, all while trying to force her way beyond the [[Door chain|chained door]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Chase Wilkinson|url=https://www.cbr.com/higurashi-anime-5-spookiest-moments/|title=Higurashi: The Horror Anime's 5 Spookiest Moments So Far|date=October 20, 2021|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref>
According to Ryukishi07, Rena "embodies the world of the story like no other character, a girl trying to be normal in a world that won't allow it."<ref name="ann">{{cite web|author=Rebecca Silverman|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higurashi/when-they-cry/gn-15|title=Higurashi: When They Cry GN 15 - Review|date=December 3, 2011}}</ref> He explained how Rena thinks that "if she is desperate and concludes that she has no choice but to kill, she can easily do it", and she can easily pretend to be innocent as she is smart and witty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sai-zen-sen.jp/works/extras/higurashinonakasekata/03/01.html|title=『ひぐらしのなかせ方』第三回|language=ja|date=September 2005|work=[[Comic Toranoana|Toratsu]]}}</ref> With a keen insight, She is good at spotting lies.<ref>{{cite book|page=106|title=ひぐらしのなく頃に祭公式コンペリートガイド|isbn=978-4-04-707237-4|language=ja|date=June 1, 2007|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]}}</ref> Ryukishi07 said he made Rena weird and close to a [[Perversion|pervert]] on purpose.<ref name="tt" /> In a famous scene named the "door scene" by fans, from Keiichi's perspective, Rena tries to force her way into his house to feed him, ferociously screaming with a crazed look in her eyes, all while trying to force her way beyond the [[Door chain|chained door]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Chase Wilkinson|url=https://www.cbr.com/higurashi-anime-5-spookiest-moments/|title=Higurashi: The Horror Anime's 5 Spookiest Moments So Far|date=October 20, 2021|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref>

Yatazakura, member of 07th Expansion, designed a change for Rena's eyes in places where the story makes a sudden turn, removing the light from Rena’s big eyes and giving them an unsettlingly [[preternatural]] glow, which fans called the "''Higurashi eyes''". He stated in an interview that he had analyzed many games and found that suddenly the eyes become cloudy can cause a strong unbalanced fear, so he filled her eyes with flat blue color and touched a bit with an [[airbrush]]. ''[[Ichijinsha]]'' added that the eyes are the first thing that people look at in 2D things, so "when you combine it with the shock factor, the impact is huge." In the anime, this shift is done through uncomfortably angled framing, as well as a gradual increase in the use of blackout shadows to obscure half of Rena’s face.<ref name="tt" /><ref name="hc">{{cite book|publisher=[[Ichijinsha]]|title=ひぐらしのなく頃にビジュアルファンブック|date=June 24, 2005|language=ja|isbn=4-7580-1034-X}}</ref>{{Rp|page=108}}<ref name="ya" />


One of Rena's icons is a [[cleaver]] (''nata'' more accurately, a Japanese [[Garden tool|gardening tool]]).<ref>{{cite web|author=Kara Dennison|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2021/7/2/higurashi-fans-can-now-hug-a-cushion-version-of-renas-cleaver|date=July 2, 2021|work=[[Crunchyroll]]|title=Higurashi Fans Can Now Hug a Cushion Version of Rena's Cleaver}}</ref> Her hatchet weapon originally was an [[axe]], but this design was changed during development because it seemed a lot more "stylish". Ryukishi07 described it become "a recurring theme to show on the cover a girl and ''kyoki''{{efn|1=A [[pun]] of "dangerous weapon" (凶器, ''kyoki'') and "insanity" (狂気, ''kyoki'').}}".<ref>{{cite book|page=97|title=ひぐらしのなく頃に 名場面捜査ファイル100|language=ja|isbn=978-4796665728|date=April 2007|publisher=[[Takarajimasha]]}}</ref>
One of Rena's icons is a [[cleaver]] (''nata'' more accurately, a Japanese [[Garden tool|gardening tool]]).<ref>{{cite web|author=Kara Dennison|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2021/7/2/higurashi-fans-can-now-hug-a-cushion-version-of-renas-cleaver|date=July 2, 2021|work=[[Crunchyroll]]|title=Higurashi Fans Can Now Hug a Cushion Version of Rena's Cleaver}}</ref> Her hatchet weapon originally was an [[axe]], but this design was changed during development because it seemed a lot more "stylish". Ryukishi07 described it become "a recurring theme to show on the cover a girl and ''kyoki''{{efn|1=A [[pun]] of "dangerous weapon" (凶器, ''kyoki'') and "insanity" (狂気, ''kyoki'').}}".<ref>{{cite book|page=97|title=ひぐらしのなく頃に 名場面捜査ファイル100|language=ja|isbn=978-4796665728|date=April 2007|publisher=[[Takarajimasha]]}}</ref>


Rena is voiced by [[Mai Nakahara]] in Japanese and [[Mela Lee]] and [[Emi Lo]] in English.<ref>{{cite web|author=Travis Bruno|url=https://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2011/02/interview-with-mela-lee-voice-actress/|title=Interview with Mela Lee – Voice Actress|website=Capsule Computers|date=February 25, 2011}}</ref><ref name="funimation-dub" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/66988/|title=アプリ『ひぐらしのなく頃に 命』初の生放送が配信決定。中原麻衣、相良茉優、高橋李依が出演|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=February 6, 2021|language=ja}}</ref> Mai Nakahara describes Rena as a diverse character.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Animate (retailer)|Animate Times]]|url=https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1631853657|title=夏アニメ『ひぐらしのなく頃に 卒』竜宮レナ役・中原麻衣さんインタビュー「ただのキャラクターではなく、一人の人間としての多様性を感じるようになってきました」【連載第6回】|language=ja|date=July 1, 2021}}</ref>
Rena is voiced by [[Mai Nakahara]] in Japanese and [[Mela Lee]] and [[Emi Lo]] in English.<ref>{{cite web|author=Travis Bruno|url=https://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2011/02/interview-with-mela-lee-voice-actress/|title=Interview with Mela Lee – Voice Actress|website=Capsule Computers|date=February 25, 2011}}</ref><ref name="funimation-dub" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/66988/|title=アプリ『ひぐらしのなく頃に 命』初の生放送が配信決定。中原麻衣、相良茉優、高橋李依が出演|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=February 6, 2021|language=ja}}</ref> Nakahara describes Rena as a diverse character.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Animate (retailer)|Animate Times]]|url=https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1631853657|title=夏アニメ『ひぐらしのなく頃に 卒』竜宮レナ役・中原麻衣さんインタビュー「ただのキャラクターではなく、一人の人間としての多様性を感じるようになってきました」【連載第6回】|language=ja|date=July 1, 2021}}</ref> Rena is portrayed by {{ill|Airi Matsuyama|ja|松山愛里}} in the live-action film series,<ref name="film" /> and by [[Minami Kato]] in the TV drama.<ref name="drama" /> Matsuyama had worried about her performance, and portrayed her in a more realistic way.<ref>{{cite book|date=April 1, 2008|isbn=978-4-06-214562-6|title=ひぐらしのなく頃に徹底解析ＢＯＯＫ|language=ja|page=28|publisher=[[Kodansha]]}}</ref>


== Appearances ==
== Appearances ==


Rena was introduced in ''[[Higurashi When They Cry|Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Onikakushi-hen]]'' and has appeared in every installment. Her real name is Reina Ryūgū. Due to her mother's [[affair]] and [[Pregnancy|pregnant]], she begins to detest her position with her mother and insists on being called "Rena".<ref name="bk">{{Cite book|author = Yukie Ishikawa|date = December 8, 2006|title = ひぐらしのなく頃に 公式キャラクター&アナライズブック|publisher = [[Jive (publisher)|Jive]]|isbn = 4-86176-339-8|language=ja}}</ref>{{Rp|page=7}} With her parents' divorce, she became mentally unstable and desperate, attacking three of her male classmates with a baseball bat and smashing all the windows in her school. She was diagnosed with [[dysautonomia]] and hospitalized, during which she attempted to slit both her wrists.<ref name="bk" />{{Rp|page=6}} She believed that "''[[List of Higurashi When They Cry characters#Oyashiro|Oyashiro-sama]]''" was punishing her for leaving the village by destroying her family and making [[Maggot|maggots]] live in her blood.<ref name="ann" /> After moving back to Hinamizawa, she became meddlesome, who couldn't resist cute things and tries to take everything home.<ref name="tt" /> Her best friend is Keiichi Maebara, and she has a crush on him. Although she is aware that [[List of Higurashi When They Cry characters#Mion Sonozaki|Mion Sonozaki]] has feelings for Keiichi, she does not change the way she treats him.<ref name="bk" />{{Rp|page=6}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Jamie S. Rich|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222191335/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/29590/when-they-cry-vol-1/|archive-date=December 22, 2013|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/29590/when-they-cry-vol-1/|title=When They Cry, Vol. 1 Review|work=DVD Talk|date=June 5, 2007}}</ref> Rena serves as the primary character in ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen'',<ref>{{cite web|author=Rebecca Silverman|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higurashi/when-they-cry/gn-16|title=Higurashi: When They Cry GN 16 - Review|date=December 24, 2011}}</ref> which is considered one of the most intense in the series.<ref name="ann" />
Rena originally appeared as the mascot of 07th Expansion on its homepage and card illustrations, and her name is a variant of Ryukishi07.<ref name="hc" />{{Rp|page=10}} She was officially introduced in ''[[Higurashi When They Cry|Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Onikakushi-hen]]'' and has appeared in most installment. Her real name is Reina Ryūgū. Due to her mother's [[affair]] and [[Pregnancy|pregnant]], she begins to detest her position with her mother and insists on being called "Rena".<ref name="bk">{{Cite book|author = Yukie Ishikawa|date = December 8, 2006|title = ひぐらしのなく頃に 公式キャラクター&アナライズブック|publisher = [[Jive (publisher)|Jive]]|isbn = 4-86176-339-8|language=ja}}</ref>{{Rp|page=7}} With her parents' divorce, she became mentally unstable and desperate, attacking three of her male classmates with a baseball bat and smashing all the windows in her school. She was diagnosed with [[dysautonomia]] and hospitalized, during which she attempted to slit both her wrists.<ref name="bk" />{{Rp|page=6}} She believed that "''[[List of Higurashi When They Cry characters#Oyashiro|Oyashiro-sama]]''" was punishing her for leaving the village by destroying her family and making [[Maggot|maggots]] live in her blood.<ref name="ann" /> But the reason for the latter actually is that she suffers from Hinamizawa Syndrome, a fictional disease based on [[schizophrenia]] and [[delusional parasitosis]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Brittanie Maldonado|url=https://www.cbr.com/higurashi-hinamizawa-syndrome-facts-trivia/|title=Higurashi: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Hinamizawa Syndrome|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=September 14, 2021}}</ref> After moving back to Hinamizawa, she became meddlesome, who couldn't resist cute things and tries to take everything home.<ref name="tt" /> Her best friend is Keiichi Maebara, and she has a crush on him. Although she is aware that [[List of Higurashi When They Cry characters#Mion Sonozaki|Mion Sonozaki]] has feelings for Keiichi, she does not change the way she treats him.<ref name="bk" />{{Rp|page=6}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Jamie S. Rich|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222191335/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/29590/when-they-cry-vol-1/|archive-date=December 22, 2013|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/29590/when-they-cry-vol-1/|title=When They Cry, Vol. 1 Review|work=DVD Talk|date=June 5, 2007}}</ref> Rena serves as the primary character in ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen'',<ref>{{cite web|author=Rebecca Silverman|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higurashi/when-they-cry/gn-16|title=Higurashi: When They Cry GN 16 - Review|date=December 24, 2011}}</ref> which is considered one of the most intense in the series.<ref name="ann" />

The expanded arcs of ''[[List of Higurashi When They Cry titles#Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna|Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna]]'' includes Rena being involved in a series of murder cases investigated by [[List of Higurashi When They Cry characters#Kagebōshi-hen|Tomoe Minai]]. Victims in the case include the boyfriend of [[List of Higurashi When They Cry characters#Tokihogushi-hen|Ozaki Nagisa]], Rena's childhood friend, who was wounded in Rena's attacks in Ibaraki Prefecture, and Nagisa herself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20090515-a003/|title=DS『ひぐらしのなく頃に絆 第三巻・螺』、「解々し編」のシナリオを紹介|date=May 15, 2009|website=[[:ja:マイナビニュース|news.mynavi.jp]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20091204-a002/|title=DS『ひぐらしのなく頃に絆 第四巻・絆』、新シナリオの概要と限定版特典|date=December 4, 2009|website=[[:ja:マイナビニュース|news.mynavi.jp]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wap.gamersky.com/news/Content-142146.html|title=NDS《寒蝉鸣泣之时 绊：第三卷螺》评测|language=zh-cn|work=[[:zh:游民星空|Gamersky]]|date=June 1, 2009}}</ref>


One of the main characters in "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei" which is set in 2019, Kihiro, is mentioned as Rena's son.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/480743|title=「令和の雛見沢村で新たな惨劇が…「ひぐらしのなく頃に令 鬼熾し編」「星渡し編」1巻|work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|date=June 10, 2022|language=ja}}</ref>
In ''[[List of Higurashi When They Cry episodes#Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou (2020–21)|Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou]]'', the sequel to the series, Rena was present for the Three Families announcing that ''Oyashiro-sama'''s curse is no more, and entered university as she grown-up.<ref>{{cite web|author=Adriano Valente|url=https://www.cbr.com/higurashi-gou-episode-18-rika-satoko/|title=Higurashi Flashes Forward To Reveal Rika's Surprisingly Bright Future|date=February 10, 2021|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Adriano Valente|url=https://www.cbr.com/higurashi-gou-episode-20-satoko-rika-prank/|title=Higurashi: Satoko's Prank Gone Wrong Sets up a FATAL Misunderstanding|date=February 26, 2021|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Lynzee Loveridge|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou/episode-20/.169874|title=[Review] Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU ‒ Episode 20|date=February 23, 2021|work=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> One of the main characters in ''Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei'' which is set in 2019, Kihiro, is mentioned as Rena's son.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/480743|title=「令和の雛見沢村で新たな惨劇が…「ひぐらしのなく頃に令 鬼熾し編」「星渡し編」1巻|work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|date=June 10, 2022|language=ja}}</ref>


Rena has also appeared in ''[[Super Heroine Chronicle]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/647/647016/|title=竜宮レナやでじこなどスーパーヒロイン大集結の『超ヒロイン戦記』から戦闘カットを紹介！|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=May 31, 2013|language=ja}}</ref> ''[[Last Period]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://anime.eiga.com/news/106183/|title=「ラストピリオド」第3話に「ひぐらしのなく頃に」キャラ登場　ゲーム版に続いてコラボ実現|website=[[:ja:映画.com|eiga.com]]|language=ja|date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> ''[[SINoALICE]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/47779/|title=『シノアリス』×『ひぐらし』ログインだけで圭一や魔晶石1,777個が手に入る|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=August 26, 2020|language=ja}}</ref> ''[[Ao Oni|Ao Oni Online]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/69234/|title=『青鬼』×『ひぐらし』コラボはいつから？ 本日20時から特番も！|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=February 25, 2021|language=ja}}</ref> ''{{ill|Elemental Story|ja|エレメンタルストーリー}}'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000816.000006324.html|title=共闘対戦 爽快パズル消しゲー『エレメンタルストーリー』が、『ひぐらしのなく頃に』とのコラボイベントを開催！クリスタル300個&★5竜宮レナもらえる！|work=[[PR Times]]|language=ja|date=April 16, 2021}}</ref> and ''[[PUBG Mobile]]''<ref>{{cite web|date=September 30, 2021|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/402/G040281/20210930091/|title=「PUBG MOBILE」×「ひぐらしのなく頃に 卒」コラボが開催|website=[[4Gamer.net]]|language=ja}}</ref> as part of a collaboration event. Besides, she also appeared in the official illustrations of ''[[The Fruit of Grisaia#Anime|Grisaia: Phantom Trigger the Animation Stargazer]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/406321|title=グリザイアPT×ひぐらしのなく頃に、渡辺明夫の描き下ろしでトーカとレナが衣装交換|work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|date=November 27, 2020|language=ja}}</ref> and ''[[A Couple of Cuckoos#Anime|A Couple of Cuckoos]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/454775|title=「カッコウの許嫁」と「ひぐらしのなく頃に」がコラボ、エリカとレナが衣装を“取り違え”|work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|date=November 24, 2021|language=ja}}</ref>
She made a [[guest appearance]] in a crossover manga with Ryukishi07's another work, ''[[Umineko When They Cry]]''.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|author=Shanna Rie|date=May 1, 2021|url=https://www.cbr.com/ways-higurashi-different-manga/|title=10 Ways Higurashi Is Different In The Manga}}</ref> Rena has also appeared in ''[[Trickster Online]]'',<ref>{{cite web|date=December 13, 2011|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/008/G000800/20111213074/|title=「トリックスター」，「ひぐらし」コラボ第4弾はボイスペット「竜宮レナ」|website=[[4Gamer.net]]|language=ja}}</ref> ''[[Super Heroine Chronicle]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/647/647016/|title=竜宮レナやでじこなどスーパーヒロイン大集結の『超ヒロイン戦記』から戦闘カットを紹介！|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=May 31, 2013|language=ja}}</ref> ''[[Last Period]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://anime.eiga.com/news/106183/|title=「ラストピリオド」第3話に「ひぐらしのなく頃に」キャラ登場 ゲーム版に続いてコラボ実現|website=[[:ja:映画.com|eiga.com]]|language=ja|date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> ''[[SINoALICE]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/47779/|title=『シノアリス』×『ひぐらし』ログインだけで圭一や魔晶石1,777個が手に入る|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=August 26, 2020|language=ja}}</ref> ''[[Ao Oni|Ao Oni Online]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/69234/|title=『青鬼』×『ひぐらし』コラボはいつから？ 本日20時から特番も！|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=February 25, 2021|language=ja}}</ref> ''{{ill|Elemental Story|ja|エレメンタルストーリー}}'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000816.000006324.html|title=共闘対戦 爽快パズル消しゲー『エレメンタルストーリー』が、『ひぐらしのなく頃に』とのコラボイベントを開催！クリスタル300個&★5竜宮レナもらえる！|work=[[PR Times]]|language=ja|date=April 16, 2021}}</ref> and ''[[PUBG Mobile]]''<ref>{{cite web|date=September 30, 2021|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/402/G040281/20210930091/|title=「PUBG MOBILE」×「ひぐらしのなく頃に 卒」コラボが開催|website=[[4Gamer.net]]|language=ja}}</ref> as part of a collaboration event. Besides, she also appeared in the official illustrations of ''[[The Fruit of Grisaia#Anime|Grisaia: Phantom Trigger the Animation Stargazer]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/406321|title=グリザイアPT×ひぐらしのなく頃に、渡辺明夫の描き下ろしでトーカとレナが衣装交換|work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|date=November 27, 2020|language=ja}}</ref> and ''[[A Couple of Cuckoos#Anime|A Couple of Cuckoos]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/454775|title=「カッコウの許嫁」と「ひぐらしのなく頃に」がコラボ、エリカとレナが衣装を"取り違え"|work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|date=November 24, 2021|language=ja}}</ref>


== Reception and legacy ==
== Reception and legacy ==
[[File:Rena Uso Da.jpg|thumb|The scene of "Uso Da!" [[Jump scare|jumpscare]] is received generally positive reception and identified as a fan favorite<ref>{{cite web|author=Michael Betar IV|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/can-ryukishi07-s-sound-novels-be-considered-games-|title=Can Ryukishi07’s “Sound Novels” be considered Games?|date=February 15, 2024|work=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref>]]
[[File:Rena Uso Da.jpg|thumb|The scene of "Uso Da!" [[Jump scare|jumpscare]] is received generally positive reception and identified as a fan favorite<ref>{{cite web|author=Michael Betar IV|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/can-ryukishi07-s-sound-novels-be-considered-games-|title=Can Ryukishi07's "Sound Novels" be considered Games?|date=February 15, 2024|work=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref>]]
Rena was selected in the best 4 in the 2007 [[Moe (slang)#Contests|Anime Saimoe Tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|work=[[:ja:GIGAZINE|GIGAZINE]]|date=October 31, 2007|url=https://gigazine.net/news/20071031_animemoe2007/#google_vignette|title=アニメ最萌トーナメント2007、本日から準決勝開始|language=ja}}</ref> In a 2013 poll by [[BIGLOBE]], Rena was ranked as the 5th most popular ''[[Glossary of anime and manga#yandere|yandere]]'' character.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/pt-br/anime-news/2013/06/18/japanese-poll-ranks-best-yandere-girls |title=Japanese Poll Ranks Best Yandere Girls |website=[[Crunchyroll]] |last=Rush |first=Amanda |access-date=February 4, 2021 |language=en |date=June 18, 2013 |archive-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127214217/https://www.crunchyroll.com/pt-br/anime-news/2013/06/18/japanese-poll-ranks-best-yandere-girls |url-status=dead }}</ref> In a 2015 poll held by [[Kaga Create]], Rena was voted the most popular ''Higurashi When They Cry'' character with 2,973 votes. To celebrate this result, [[PlayStation Vita]] and [[PlayStation 3]] have released the Rena Ryūgū theme.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 31, 2015|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/283/G028305/20150331059/|title=「ひぐらしのなく頃に粋」人気投票の結果と，優勝者のPS Vita用テーマが公開|website=[[4Gamer.net]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=April 17, 2015|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201504/17076863.html|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に粋』 ひぐらし総選挙優勝者“竜宮レナ”のテーマが無料配信開始！|work=[[Famitsu]]|language=ja}}</ref> In a ''[[:ja:ITmedia|Netorabo]]'' poll, Rena was the most popular ''Higurashi When They Cry'' character in 2020, polling 19.6%.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 24, 2020|url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/75443/|title=【投票結果】「ひぐらしのなく頃に」登場キャラクターで最も人気なのは……？　竜宮レナが第1位をお持ち帰り！|language=ja|website=Netorabo}}</ref> In its 2021 poll, Rena was the second-most frightening ''Higurashi When They Cry'' character, polling 22.5%,<ref>{{cite web|date=September 27, 2021|url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/380889/amp/|title=【ひぐらしのなく頃に】シリーズで一番怖いキャラクターランキングTOP34！　第1位は「園崎詩音」に決定！【2021年投票結果】|language=ja|website=Netorabo}}</ref> and the second-most character on the classmate list.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 12, 2021|url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/322310/|title=「ひぐらしのなく頃に」クラスメイトになりたいキャラクターランキングTOP18！　第1位は「園崎魅音」！【2021年投票結果】|language=ja|website=Netorabo}}</ref> At the same year, Rena was voted the fan-favorite character amongst the ''Higurashi When They Cry'' cast with 5,515 votes in a ''[[MyAnimeList]]'' poll.<ref name="cbr">{{cite web|author=Jose Arroyo|url=https://www.cbr.com/higurashi-fan-favorite-characters-myanimelist/|title=Higurashi: 10 Fan Favorite Characters, According To MyAnimeList|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=January 11, 2021}}</ref> Numerous figures of Rena have been created.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hobby.dengeki.com/news/1100540/|title=印象的なおもちかえり顔や半狂乱の発症顔などが付属！『ひぐらしのなく頃に 業』竜宮レナがねんどろいどシリーズからフィギュア化！|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Hobby Web]]|date=October 22, 2020|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hobby.dengeki.com/news/1108266/|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に 業』竜宮レナのフィギュアを1名様にプレゼント！鉈を手に笑顔で振り返る姿を再現!!（Twitterプレゼント企画）|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Hobby Web]]|date=November 19, 2020|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/84848/|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に卒』BD＆DVD限定版は猫耳レナのフィギュア付き！|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=June 22, 2021|language=ja}}</ref>
Rena was selected in the best 4 in the 2007 [[Moe (slang)#Contests|Anime Saimoe Tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|work=[[:ja:GIGAZINE|GIGAZINE]]|date=October 31, 2007|url=https://gigazine.net/news/20071031_animemoe2007/#google_vignette|title=アニメ最萌トーナメント2007、本日から準決勝開始|language=ja}}</ref> In a 2013 poll by [[BIGLOBE]], Rena was ranked as the 5th most popular ''[[Glossary of anime and manga#yandere|yandere]]'' character.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/pt-br/anime-news/2013/06/18/japanese-poll-ranks-best-yandere-girls |title=Japanese Poll Ranks Best Yandere Girls |website=[[Crunchyroll]] |last=Rush |first=Amanda |access-date=February 4, 2021 |language=en |date=June 18, 2013 |archive-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127214217/https://www.crunchyroll.com/pt-br/anime-news/2013/06/18/japanese-poll-ranks-best-yandere-girls |url-status=dead }}</ref> In a 2015 poll held by [[Kaga Create]], Rena was voted the most popular ''Higurashi When They Cry'' character with 2,973 votes. To celebrate this result, [[PlayStation Vita]] and [[PlayStation 3]] have released the Rena Ryūgū theme.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 31, 2015|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/283/G028305/20150331059/|title=「ひぐらしのなく頃に粋」人気投票の結果と，優勝者のPS Vita用テーマが公開|website=[[4Gamer.net]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=April 17, 2015|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201504/17076863.html|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に粋』 ひぐらし総選挙優勝者"竜宮レナ"のテーマが無料配信開始！|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|language=ja}}</ref> According to a survey in August 2015, Rena was considered one of the most typical "''[[menhera]]''" [[anime and manga]] characters.<ref name="ma">{{cite web|date=August 26, 2015|url=https://news.livedoor.com/lite/article_detail/10514733/|title=美少女率高し！ 「一番メンヘラ」だと思うアニメ・漫画キャラ「ひぐらしのレナ」「未来日記の我妻由乃」|work=[[Livedoor]]|language=ja}}</ref> In a ''[[:ja:ITmedia|Netorabo]]'' poll, Rena was the most popular ''Higurashi When They Cry'' character in 2020, polling 19.6%.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 24, 2020|url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/75443/|title=【投票結果】「ひぐらしのなく頃に」登場キャラクターで最も人気なのは……？ 竜宮レナが第1位をお持ち帰り！|language=ja|website=Netorabo}}</ref> In its 2021 poll, Rena was the second-most frightening ''Higurashi When They Cry'' character, polling 22.5%,<ref>{{cite web|date=September 27, 2021|url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/380889/amp/|title=【ひぐらしのなく頃に】シリーズで一番怖いキャラクターランキングTOP34！ 第1位は「園崎詩音」に決定！【2021年投票結果】|language=ja|website=Netorabo}}</ref> and the second-most character on the classmate list.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 12, 2021|url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/322310/|title=「ひぐらしのなく頃に」クラスメイトになりたいキャラクターランキングTOP18！ 第1位は「園崎魅音」！【2021年投票結果】|language=ja|website=Netorabo}}</ref> At the same year, Rena was voted the fan-favorite character amongst the ''Higurashi When They Cry'' cast with 5,515 votes in a ''[[MyAnimeList]]'' poll.<ref name="cbr">{{cite web|author=Jose Arroyo|url=https://www.cbr.com/higurashi-fan-favorite-characters-myanimelist/|title=Higurashi: 10 Fan Favorite Characters, According To MyAnimeList|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=January 11, 2021}}</ref> Numerous figures of Rena have been created.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hobby.dengeki.com/news/1100540/|title=印象的なおもちかえり顔や半狂乱の発症顔などが付属！『ひぐらしのなく頃に 業』竜宮レナがねんどろいどシリーズからフィギュア化！|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Hobby Web]]|date=October 22, 2020|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hobby.dengeki.com/news/1108266/|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に 業』竜宮レナのフィギュアを1名様にプレゼント！鉈を手に笑顔で振り返る姿を再現!!（Twitterプレゼント企画）|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Hobby Web]]|date=November 19, 2020|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/84848/|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に卒』BD＆DVD限定版は猫耳レナのフィギュア付き！|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=June 22, 2021|language=ja}}</ref> Other merchandise, including acrylic stands and watches, have been modeled after Rena,<ref>{{cite web|date=July 6, 2021|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20210706093/|title=「ひぐらしのなく頃に業」から竜宮レナと古手梨花をイメージした腕時計やバッグなどのアイテムが登場|website=[[4Gamer.net]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000835.000099047.html|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に 卒』印象的なセリフと表情が楽しめる、竜宮レナ・古手梨花それぞれの「セリフアクリルスタンド」が二次元コスパから登場！【株式会社コスパ】|work=[[PR Times]]|language=ja|date=July 1, 2024}}</ref> including [[cushion]] replicas of her cleaver.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=July 4, 2024|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202107/04225835.html|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に』竜宮レナの"鉈"がクッションになって登場。抱き枕にぴったりのサイズ感【かぁいい】|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|language=ja}}</ref>


Asahi, the illustrator of ''[[Higurashi When They Cry#Manga|Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Oni]]'', described Rena as the most "''[[kawaii]]''" character overall. He stressed the sense of reality and charm of this character, stating that it is an excellent character that will not fade "even after 20 years".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://realsound.jp/book/2022/12/post-1215937.html|title=竜騎士07のノベルゲーム『ひぐらしのなく頃に』が20年愛される理由。漫画家・旭が語る作品の魅力|date=December 22, 2022|work=[[:ja:リアルサウンド|Real Sound]]|language=ja}}</ref> Marcus Estrada from ''[[Valnet|Hardcore Gamer]]'' praised Rena's role characterization in ''[[List of Higurashi When They Cry titles|Tsumihoroboshi-hen]]'' that "Rena is a much stronger, deeper character than anyone may have expected".<ref>{{cite web|author=Marcus Estrada|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-higurashi-when-they-cry-hou-ch-6-tsumihoroboshi/305115/|title=Review: Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.6 Tsumihoroboshi|date=July 3, 2018|work=[[Valnet|Hardcore Gamer]]}}</ref> Hinamizawa Shūichi of ''Netorabo'' described Rena as synonymous with the [[psychological horror]] part of the series, and praised the horror and contrast of the scenes involving her.<ref>{{cite web|author=Hinamizawa Shūichi|url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/spv/0703/01/news007.html|title=惨劇は進化する――舞台をPS2に変えた“正解率1％の謎”の魅力|work=Netorabo|language=ja|date=March 1, 2007}}</ref> Jenni Lada for ''Siliconera'' also pointed out that the shift of Rena is especially evocative due to she was set up as the "cutest" character at the beginning of the story.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jenni Lada|url=https://www.siliconera.com/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou-manga-doesnt-hold-back/|title=Higurashi When They Cry: Gou Manga Doesn’t Hold Back|work=Siliconera|date=July 22, 2023}}</ref> Sarah Fimm from ''[[Dan Abrams#The Mary Sue|The Mary Sue]]'' said Rena is "especially scary", and called her the "[[Demon|demonic]] little sister".<ref>{{cite web|author=Sarah Fimm|work=[[Dan Abrams#The Mary Sue|The Mary Sue]]|date=October 29, 2022|url=https://www.themarysue.com/the-best-demon-girl-anime-ranked/|title=The Best Demon Girl Anime, Ranked}}</ref> The ''Capsule Computers'' reviewer Luke Halliday praised Rena's Japanese voice actor Mai Nakahara for "doing a great job with the character", though he thought Rena's character molding is slightly stereotypical.<ref>{{cite web|author=Luke Halliday|work=Capsule Computers|url=https://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2011/07/when-they-cry-part-2-review/|title=When They Cry Part 2 Review|date=July 9, 2011}}</ref> Theron Martin of ''[[Anime News Network]]'' praised Rena's English voice actor Mela Lee for performing sufficiently close to the original.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 23, 2007|author=Theron Martin|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/when-they-cry/dvd-1|title=When They Cry DVD 1 - Review|work=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> Rebecca Silverman from the same website criticized Rena's role in the ''[[List of Higurashi When They Cry episodes#When They Cry: Rei (2009)|When They Cry: Rei]]'' episode "''Hirukowashi-hen''" for she was used to make an "uncomfortable" [[lesbian]] joke,<ref>{{cite web|date=August 7, 2016|author=Rebecca Silverman|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/when-they-cry/rei/blu-ray/.104976|title=When They Cry: Rei Blu-Ray - Review|work=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> and the [[THEM Anime Reviews]] thought this episode shows that Rena is "perhaps the least [[Feminism|feminist]] of the girls".<ref>{{cite web|work=[[THEM Anime Reviews]]|title=When They Cry - Higurashi 3 (Rei)|url=https://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1865}}</ref> ''Anime Feminist'' writer Lilith Miao stated that Rena was the first character with "[[Dissociative identity disorder|multiple personalities]]" that she got invested in, but she criticized the inaccurate portrayal of Rena's split personality in the plot.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lilith Miao|url=https://www.animefeminist.com/i-am-one-yet-many-plurality-representation-in-the-when-they-cry-series/|title=I Am One Yet Many: Plurality representation in the When They Cry Series|date=March 6, 2020|work=Anime Feminist}}</ref>
Asahi, the illustrator of ''[[Higurashi When They Cry#Manga|Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Oni]]'', described Rena as the most "''[[kawaii]]''" character overall. He stressed the sense of reality and charm of this character, stating that it is an excellent character that will not fade "even after 20 years".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://realsound.jp/book/2022/12/post-1215937.html|title=竜騎士07のノベルゲーム『ひぐらしのなく頃に』が20年愛される理由。漫画家・旭が語る作品の魅力|date=December 22, 2022|work=[[:ja:リアルサウンド|Real Sound]]|language=ja}}</ref> Marcus Estrada from ''[[Valnet|Hardcore Gamer]]'' praised Rena's role characterization in ''Tsumihoroboshi-hen'' that "Rena is a much stronger, deeper character than anyone may have expected".<ref>{{cite web|author=Marcus Estrada|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-higurashi-when-they-cry-hou-ch-6-tsumihoroboshi/305115/|title=Review: Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.6 Tsumihoroboshi|date=July 3, 2018|work=[[Valnet|Hardcore Gamer]]}}</ref> Hinamizawa Shūichi of ''Netorabo'' described Rena as synonymous with the [[psychological horror]] part of the series, and praised the horror and contrast of the scenes involving her.<ref>{{cite web|author=Hinamizawa Shūichi|url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/spv/0703/01/news007.html|title=惨劇は進化する――舞台をPS2に変えた"正解率1％の謎"の魅力|work=Netorabo|language=ja|date=March 1, 2007}}</ref> Jenni Lada for ''Siliconera'' also pointed out that the shift of Rena is especially evocative due to she was set up as the "cutest" character at the beginning of the story.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jenni Lada|url=https://www.siliconera.com/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou-manga-doesnt-hold-back/|title=Higurashi When They Cry: Gou Manga Doesn't Hold Back|work=Siliconera|date=July 22, 2023}}</ref> Sarah Fimm from ''[[Dan Abrams#The Mary Sue|The Mary Sue]]'' said Rena is "especially scary", and called her the "[[Demon|demonic]] little sister".<ref>{{cite web|author=Sarah Fimm|work=[[Dan Abrams#The Mary Sue|The Mary Sue]]|date=October 29, 2022|url=https://www.themarysue.com/the-best-demon-girl-anime-ranked/|title=The Best Demon Girl Anime, Ranked}}</ref> The ''Capsule Computers'' reviewer Luke Halliday praised Rena's Japanese voice actor Mai Nakahara for "doing a great job with the character", though he thought Rena's character molding is slightly stereotypical.<ref>{{cite web|author=Luke Halliday|work=Capsule Computers|url=https://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2011/07/when-they-cry-part-2-review/|title=When They Cry Part 2 Review|date=July 9, 2011}}</ref> Theron Martin of ''[[Anime News Network]]'' praised Rena's English voice actor Mela Lee for performing sufficiently close to the original.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 23, 2007|author=Theron Martin|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/when-they-cry/dvd-1|title=When They Cry DVD 1 - Review|work=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> Rebecca Silverman from the same website criticized Rena's role in the ''[[List of Higurashi When They Cry episodes#When They Cry: Rei (2009)|When They Cry: Rei]]'' episode "''Hirukowashi-hen''" for she was used to make an "uncomfortable" [[lesbian]] joke,<ref>{{cite web|date=August 7, 2016|author=Rebecca Silverman|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/when-they-cry/rei/blu-ray/.104976|title=When They Cry: Rei Blu-Ray - Review|work=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> and the [[THEM Anime Reviews]] thought this episode shows that Rena is "perhaps the least [[Feminism|feminist]] of the girls".<ref>{{cite web|work=[[THEM Anime Reviews]]|title=When They Cry - Higurashi 3 (Rei)|url=https://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1865}}</ref> ''Anime Feminist'' writer Lilith Miao stated that Rena was the first character with "[[Dissociative identity disorder|multiple personalities]]" that she got invested in, but she criticized the inaccurate portrayal of Rena's split personality in the plot.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lilith Miao|url=https://www.animefeminist.com/i-am-one-yet-many-plurality-representation-in-the-when-they-cry-series/|title=I Am One Yet Many: Plurality representation in the When They Cry Series|date=March 6, 2020|work=Anime Feminist}}</ref>


Rena's most famous word, {{Nihongo|"Uso Da!"|嘘だ!||{{lit.|That's a lie!}}}}, stemming from she suddenly screams the term as Keiichi angers her in ''[[Higurashi When They Cry|Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Onikakushi-hen]]''. The scene is regarded as a symbol of the work's shift towards psychological horror.<ref>{{cite web|website=[[Excite (web portal)|Excite Japan]]|title=嘘だッ！『ひぐらしのなく頃に』竜宮レナに恐怖を感じた‟トラウマ台詞”といえば…|url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Numan_DTe4j/|date=May 3, 2021|language=ja}}</ref> Episode 3 of ''[[Higurashi When They Cry#Gou and Sotsu|Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou]]'' reproduced this scene.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000143.000050435.html|title=【保志総一朗・中原麻衣・竜騎士07出演】「ひぐらしのなく頃に」第1話～第3話振り返り特番「ひぐらしのなく頃に業」はオープニングとエンディングに大きなヒントが隠されている！？|work=[[PR Times]]|language=ja|date=October 22, 2022}}</ref> The derivatives of the buzz word included the [[Nendoroid|nendoroid]] figure of Rena Ryūgū with interchangeable "Uso Da" face,<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Animate (retailer)|Animate Times]]|url=https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1605701346|title=アニメ『ひぐらしのなく頃に 業』より、ヒロイン「竜宮レナ」がねんどろいど化！「嘘だっ！！顔」をはじめとした、さまざまな表情パーツとオプションで多彩なシーン表現が可能！【今なら18％OFF！】|language=ja|date=December 11, 2020}}</ref> a [[mug]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1312049.html|title=お湯を注ぐと様子が豹変。「ひぐらしのなく頃に 業」より竜宮レナの「嘘だッ！！」を再現したマグカップが登場|work=Game Watch|language=ja|date=March 15, 2021}}</ref> a theme [[hoodie]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000181.000099047.html|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に 卒』レナの「嘘だッ！！！ ジップパーカー」、梨花ちゃまの「にぱー☆ ジップパーカー」が登場！『07th 大宴会』先行販売！【株式会社コスパ】|work=[[PR Times]]|language=ja|date=October 4, 2022}}</ref> and [[Line (software)|LINE]] stickers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/58378/|title=「嘘だッ!!!」もある『ひぐらしのなく頃に業』LINEスタンプが登場|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=November 30, 2020|language=ja}}</ref>
Rena's most famous word, {{Nihongo|"Uso Da!"|嘘だ!||{{lit.|That's a lie!}}}}, stemming from she suddenly screams the term as Keiichi angers her in ''[[Higurashi When They Cry|Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Onikakushi-hen]]''. The scene is regarded as a symbol of the work's shift towards psychological horror.<ref>{{cite web|website=[[Excite (web portal)|Excite Japan]]|title=嘘だッ！『ひぐらしのなく頃に』竜宮レナに恐怖を感じた"トラウマ台詞"といえば…|url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Numan_DTe4j/|date=May 3, 2021|language=ja}}</ref> Episode 3 of ''[[Higurashi When They Cry#Gou and Sotsu|Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou]]'' reproduced this scene.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000143.000050435.html|title=【保志総一朗・中原麻衣・竜騎士07出演】「ひぐらしのなく頃に」第1話～第3話振り返り特番「ひぐらしのなく頃に業」はオープニングとエンディングに大きなヒントが隠されている！？|work=[[PR Times]]|language=ja|date=October 22, 2022}}</ref> The derivatives of the buzz word included the [[nendoroid]] figure of Rena Ryūgū with interchangeable "Uso Da" face,<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Animate (retailer)|Animate Times]]|url=https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1605701346|title=アニメ『ひぐらしのなく頃に 業』より、ヒロイン「竜宮レナ」がねんどろいど化！「嘘だっ！！顔」をはじめとした、さまざまな表情パーツとオプションで多彩なシーン表現が可能！【今なら18％OFF！】|language=ja|date=December 11, 2020}}</ref> a [[mug]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1312049.html|title=お湯を注ぐと様子が豹変。「ひぐらしのなく頃に 業」より竜宮レナの「嘘だッ！！」を再現したマグカップが登場|work=Game Watch|language=ja|date=March 15, 2021}}</ref> a theme [[hoodie]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000181.000099047.html|title=『ひぐらしのなく頃に 卒』レナの「嘘だッ！！！ ジップパーカー」、梨花ちゃまの「にぱー☆ ジップパーカー」が登場！『07th 大宴会』先行販売！【株式会社コスパ】|work=[[PR Times]]|language=ja|date=October 4, 2022}}</ref> and [[Line (software)|LINE]] stickers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/58378/|title=「嘘だッ!!!」もある『ひぐらしのなく頃に業』LINEスタンプが登場|work=[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]|date=November 30, 2020|language=ja}}</ref>


During the [[Osaka|Osaka city]] mayor election in 2014, the candidate Shigeo Ninomiya cited Rena's word on [[Twitter]] to express his enthusiasm for the election.<ref>{{cite web|website=[[:ja:ガジェット通信|getnews.jp]]|url=https://getnews.jp/archives/530458|title=自作ゲームの公開や『ひぐらしのなく頃に』竜宮レナの言葉の引用ツイートも　大阪市長選立候補の二野宮茂雄さん|language=ja|date=March 10, 2014}}</ref> In 2017, the Ogawa Junior High School in [[Nakagawa, Tochigi|Nakagawa]], [[Tochigi Prefecture|Tochigi]] found 12 glass doors were broken and the word "''Higurashi''" written in red spray paint across the windows in the staff room, which was thought to be a reference to Rena Ryūgū.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lynzee Loveridge|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2017-08-03/higurashi-written-on-windows-of-vandalized-middle-school-in-tochigi/.119703|title='Higurashi' Written on Windows of Vandalized Middle School in Tochigi|date=August 3, 2017}}</ref>
During the [[Osaka|Osaka city]] mayor election in 2014, the candidate Shigeo Ninomiya cited Rena's word on [[Twitter]] to express his enthusiasm for the election.<ref>{{cite web|website=[[:ja:ガジェット通信|getnews.jp]]|url=https://getnews.jp/archives/530458|title=自作ゲームの公開や『ひぐらしのなく頃に』竜宮レナの言葉の引用ツイートも 大阪市長選立候補の二野宮茂雄さん|language=ja|date=March 10, 2014}}</ref> In 2017, the Ogawa Junior High School in [[Nakagawa, Tochigi|Nakagawa]], [[Tochigi Prefecture|Tochigi]] found 12 glass doors were broken and the word "''Higurashi''" written in red spray paint across the windows in the staff room, which was thought to be a reference to Rena Ryūgū.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lynzee Loveridge|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2017-08-03/higurashi-written-on-windows-of-vandalized-middle-school-in-tochigi/.119703|title='Higurashi' Written on Windows of Vandalized Middle School in Tochigi|date=August 3, 2017}}</ref>


== Footnotes ==
== Footnotes ==
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Revision as of 11:13, 28 December 2024

Rena Ryūgū
Higurashi When They Cry character
Rena as seen in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sui
First appearanceHigurashi no Naku Koro ni Onikakushi-hen (2002)
Designed byRyukishi07
Voiced by
Portrayed byMinami Kato (drama)[2]
Airi Matsuyama [ja] (film)[3]
In-universe information
AliasReina Ryūgū
NationalityJapanese

Rena Ryūgū (Japanese: 竜宮 レナ, Hepburn: Ryūgū Rena) is a fictional character in the Higurashi When They Cry series. Rena was born and raised in fictional Hinamizawa under her real name Reina Ryūgū (Japanese: 竜宮 礼奈, Hepburn: Ryūgū Reina). While living in Ibaraki Prefecture, she developed mental problems followed by breaking many windows and assaulting several male students to serious injuries with a baseball bat at her local school and attempting to self-harm, led her to moved back to Hinamizawa. Later she studied at the Hinamizawa Branch School and became friends with Keiichi Maebara and others. Rena played the protagonist and antagonist many times in the series.

Rena has been popular with fans of the series, often ranking in polls. She is a character that symbolizes Higurashi When They Cry,[4] and is regarded as a mascot character for 07th Expansion.[5] Her image has substantially inspired the moe genre including menhera and yandere, despite she herself is not an example of the later.[6][7]

Development and design

Ryukishi07 portrayed the duality of Rena,[8] and created her a sense of mystery.[4] On the surface, she is a ditzy, excitable young girl with an offbeat taste in trinkets.[7] She developed some quirks and oddball tendencies such as taking things home from places including dump because they're cute.[5][7] Her garden is full of strange things cause this habit.[9] Besides, she has a habit of saying "haū" and "kana, kana?" and referring to herself in third-person.[10][11] Despite looking exuberant and lackadaisical, she has a history of psychological trauma and mental illnesses, causing her to resort to violent methods when stimulated. One example is in Tsumihoroboshi-hen where Rena slaughters her father's new spouse, Ritsuko, as she learns that Ritusko's only after her father's money.[12][7] She has the highest direct kill count of the entire main cast.[13] However, she is bubbly, caring, and respectful to her friends and will do whatever it takes to protect them.[12]

According to Ryukishi07, Rena "embodies the world of the story like no other character, a girl trying to be normal in a world that won't allow it."[14] He explained how Rena thinks that "if she is desperate and concludes that she has no choice but to kill, she can easily do it", and she can easily pretend to be innocent as she is smart and witty.[15] With a keen insight, She is good at spotting lies.[16] Ryukishi07 said he made Rena weird and close to a pervert on purpose.[9] In a famous scene named the "door scene" by fans, from Keiichi's perspective, Rena tries to force her way into his house to feed him, ferociously screaming with a crazed look in her eyes, all while trying to force her way beyond the chained door.[17]

Yatazakura, member of 07th Expansion, designed a change for Rena's eyes in places where the story makes a sudden turn, removing the light from Rena’s big eyes and giving them an unsettlingly preternatural glow, which fans called the "Higurashi eyes". He stated in an interview that he had analyzed many games and found that suddenly the eyes become cloudy can cause a strong unbalanced fear, so he filled her eyes with flat blue color and touched a bit with an airbrush. Ichijinsha added that the eyes are the first thing that people look at in 2D things, so "when you combine it with the shock factor, the impact is huge." In the anime, this shift is done through uncomfortably angled framing, as well as a gradual increase in the use of blackout shadows to obscure half of Rena’s face.[9][18]: 108 [7]

One of Rena's icons is a cleaver (nata more accurately, a Japanese gardening tool).[19] Her hatchet weapon originally was an axe, but this design was changed during development because it seemed a lot more "stylish". Ryukishi07 described it become "a recurring theme to show on the cover a girl and kyoki[a]".[20]

Rena is voiced by Mai Nakahara in Japanese and Mela Lee and Emi Lo in English.[21][1][22] Nakahara describes Rena as a diverse character.[23] Rena is portrayed by Airi Matsuyama [ja] in the live-action film series,[3] and by Minami Kato in the TV drama.[2] Matsuyama had worried about her performance, and portrayed her in a more realistic way.[24]

Appearances

Rena originally appeared as the mascot of 07th Expansion on its homepage and card illustrations, and her name is a variant of Ryukishi07.[18]: 10  She was officially introduced in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Onikakushi-hen and has appeared in most installment. Her real name is Reina Ryūgū. Due to her mother's affair and pregnant, she begins to detest her position with her mother and insists on being called "Rena".[25]: 7  With her parents' divorce, she became mentally unstable and desperate, attacking three of her male classmates with a baseball bat and smashing all the windows in her school. She was diagnosed with dysautonomia and hospitalized, during which she attempted to slit both her wrists.[25]: 6  She believed that "Oyashiro-sama" was punishing her for leaving the village by destroying her family and making maggots live in her blood.[14] But the reason for the latter actually is that she suffers from Hinamizawa Syndrome, a fictional disease based on schizophrenia and delusional parasitosis.[26] After moving back to Hinamizawa, she became meddlesome, who couldn't resist cute things and tries to take everything home.[9] Her best friend is Keiichi Maebara, and she has a crush on him. Although she is aware that Mion Sonozaki has feelings for Keiichi, she does not change the way she treats him.[25]: 6 [27] Rena serves as the primary character in Tsumihoroboshi-hen,[28] which is considered one of the most intense in the series.[14]

The expanded arcs of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna includes Rena being involved in a series of murder cases investigated by Tomoe Minai. Victims in the case include the boyfriend of Ozaki Nagisa, Rena's childhood friend, who was wounded in Rena's attacks in Ibaraki Prefecture, and Nagisa herself.[29][30][31]

In Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou, the sequel to the series, Rena was present for the Three Families announcing that Oyashiro-sama's curse is no more, and entered university as she grown-up.[32][33][34] One of the main characters in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei which is set in 2019, Kihiro, is mentioned as Rena's son.[35]

She made a guest appearance in a crossover manga with Ryukishi07's another work, Umineko When They Cry.[36] Rena has also appeared in Trickster Online,[37] Super Heroine Chronicle,[38] Last Period,[39] SINoALICE,[40] Ao Oni Online,[41] Elemental Story [ja],[42] and PUBG Mobile[43] as part of a collaboration event. Besides, she also appeared in the official illustrations of Grisaia: Phantom Trigger the Animation Stargazer[44] and A Couple of Cuckoos.[45]

Reception and legacy

The scene of "Uso Da!" jumpscare is received generally positive reception and identified as a fan favorite[46]

Rena was selected in the best 4 in the 2007 Anime Saimoe Tournament.[47] In a 2013 poll by BIGLOBE, Rena was ranked as the 5th most popular yandere character.[48] In a 2015 poll held by Kaga Create, Rena was voted the most popular Higurashi When They Cry character with 2,973 votes. To celebrate this result, PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 3 have released the Rena Ryūgū theme.[49][50] According to a survey in August 2015, Rena was considered one of the most typical "menhera" anime and manga characters.[6] In a Netorabo poll, Rena was the most popular Higurashi When They Cry character in 2020, polling 19.6%.[51] In its 2021 poll, Rena was the second-most frightening Higurashi When They Cry character, polling 22.5%,[52] and the second-most character on the classmate list.[53] At the same year, Rena was voted the fan-favorite character amongst the Higurashi When They Cry cast with 5,515 votes in a MyAnimeList poll.[12] Numerous figures of Rena have been created.[54][55][56] Other merchandise, including acrylic stands and watches, have been modeled after Rena,[57][58] including cushion replicas of her cleaver.[59]

Asahi, the illustrator of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Oni, described Rena as the most "kawaii" character overall. He stressed the sense of reality and charm of this character, stating that it is an excellent character that will not fade "even after 20 years".[60] Marcus Estrada from Hardcore Gamer praised Rena's role characterization in Tsumihoroboshi-hen that "Rena is a much stronger, deeper character than anyone may have expected".[61] Hinamizawa Shūichi of Netorabo described Rena as synonymous with the psychological horror part of the series, and praised the horror and contrast of the scenes involving her.[62] Jenni Lada for Siliconera also pointed out that the shift of Rena is especially evocative due to she was set up as the "cutest" character at the beginning of the story.[63] Sarah Fimm from The Mary Sue said Rena is "especially scary", and called her the "demonic little sister".[64] The Capsule Computers reviewer Luke Halliday praised Rena's Japanese voice actor Mai Nakahara for "doing a great job with the character", though he thought Rena's character molding is slightly stereotypical.[65] Theron Martin of Anime News Network praised Rena's English voice actor Mela Lee for performing sufficiently close to the original.[66] Rebecca Silverman from the same website criticized Rena's role in the When They Cry: Rei episode "Hirukowashi-hen" for she was used to make an "uncomfortable" lesbian joke,[67] and the THEM Anime Reviews thought this episode shows that Rena is "perhaps the least feminist of the girls".[68] Anime Feminist writer Lilith Miao stated that Rena was the first character with "multiple personalities" that she got invested in, but she criticized the inaccurate portrayal of Rena's split personality in the plot.[69]

Rena's most famous word, "Uso Da!" (嘘だ!, lit. 'That's a lie!'), stemming from she suddenly screams the term as Keiichi angers her in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Onikakushi-hen. The scene is regarded as a symbol of the work's shift towards psychological horror.[70] Episode 3 of Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou reproduced this scene.[71] The derivatives of the buzz word included the nendoroid figure of Rena Ryūgū with interchangeable "Uso Da" face,[72] a mug,[73] a theme hoodie,[74] and LINE stickers.[75]

During the Osaka city mayor election in 2014, the candidate Shigeo Ninomiya cited Rena's word on Twitter to express his enthusiasm for the election.[76] In 2017, the Ogawa Junior High School in Nakagawa, Tochigi found 12 glass doors were broken and the word "Higurashi" written in red spray paint across the windows in the staff room, which was thought to be a reference to Rena Ryūgū.[77]

Footnotes

Notes

  1. ^ A pun of "dangerous weapon" (凶器, kyoki) and "insanity" (狂気, kyoki).

References

  1. ^ a b c "Higurashi: When They Cry-Gou English Dub Cast Revealed". Funimation. November 4, 2020. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "NGT48「ひぐらし」配役決定、レナは加藤美南". Natalie (in Japanese). February 28, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "『ひぐらしのなく頃に誓』公開! レナ役・松山愛里の「足の指の間に入って来た」モノは?". Oricon News (in Japanese). April 18, 2009.
  4. ^ a b "『ひぐらしのなかせ方』第二回". Toratsu (in Japanese). January 2005.
  5. ^ a b Quinton O'Connor (January 25, 2023). "Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters - How To Unlock Higurashi And Shanghai Alice". TheGamer.
  6. ^ a b "美少女率高し！ 「一番メンヘラ」だと思うアニメ・漫画キャラ「ひぐらしのレナ」「未来日記の我妻由乃」". Livedoor (in Japanese). August 26, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e Audrey Di Martino (May 3, 2023). "Higurashi, subversion of moe, and the birth of the modern yandere". Anime Feminist.
  8. ^ "ひぐらしのなく頃に業 原作・竜騎士07インタビュー". Febri (in Japanese). March 23, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d "『ひぐらしのなかせ方』第一回". Toratsu (in Japanese). November 2004.
  10. ^ "竜宮レナ | 星海社文庫 『ひぐらしのなく頃に』". Toratsu (in Japanese).
  11. ^ "07th Party7 全作品無差別人気投票 結果発表" (PDF), 07th Expansion (in Japanese), archived from the original (PDF) on November 8, 2020
  12. ^ a b c Jose Arroyo (January 11, 2021). "Higurashi: 10 Fan Favorite Characters, According To MyAnimeList". Comic Book Resources.
  13. ^ Adriano Valente (February 18, 2020). "When They Cry: 10 Hidden Details About The Main Characters". Comic Book Resources.
  14. ^ a b c Rebecca Silverman (December 3, 2011). "Higurashi: When They Cry GN 15 - Review". Anime News Network.
  15. ^ "『ひぐらしのなかせ方』第三回". Toratsu (in Japanese). September 2005.
  16. ^ ひぐらしのなく頃に祭公式コンペリートガイド (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. June 1, 2007. p. 106. ISBN 978-4-04-707237-4.
  17. ^ Chase Wilkinson (October 20, 2021). "Higurashi: The Horror Anime's 5 Spookiest Moments So Far". Comic Book Resources.
  18. ^ a b ひぐらしのなく頃にビジュアルファンブック (in Japanese). Ichijinsha. June 24, 2005. ISBN 4-7580-1034-X.
  19. ^ Kara Dennison (July 2, 2021). "Higurashi Fans Can Now Hug a Cushion Version of Rena's Cleaver". Crunchyroll.
  20. ^ ひぐらしのなく頃に 名場面捜査ファイル100 (in Japanese). Takarajimasha. April 2007. p. 97. ISBN 978-4796665728.
  21. ^ Travis Bruno (February 25, 2011). "Interview with Mela Lee – Voice Actress". Capsule Computers.
  22. ^ "アプリ『ひぐらしのなく頃に 命』初の生放送が配信決定。中原麻衣、相良茉優、高橋李依が出演". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). February 6, 2021.
  23. ^ "夏アニメ『ひぐらしのなく頃に 卒』竜宮レナ役・中原麻衣さんインタビュー「ただのキャラクターではなく、一人の人間としての多様性を感じるようになってきました」【連載第6回】". Animate Times (in Japanese). July 1, 2021.
  24. ^ ひぐらしのなく頃に徹底解析ＢＯＯＫ (in Japanese). Kodansha. April 1, 2008. p. 28. ISBN 978-4-06-214562-6.
  25. ^ a b c Yukie Ishikawa (December 8, 2006). ひぐらしのなく頃に 公式キャラクター&アナライズブック (in Japanese). Jive. ISBN 4-86176-339-8.
  26. ^ Brittanie Maldonado (September 14, 2021). "Higurashi: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Hinamizawa Syndrome". Comic Book Resources.
  27. ^ Jamie S. Rich (June 5, 2007). "When They Cry, Vol. 1 Review". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013.
  28. ^ Rebecca Silverman (December 24, 2011). "Higurashi: When They Cry GN 16 - Review". Anime News Network.
  29. ^ "DS『ひぐらしのなく頃に絆 第三巻・螺』、「解々し編」のシナリオを紹介". news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). May 15, 2009.
  30. ^ "DS『ひぐらしのなく頃に絆 第四巻・絆』、新シナリオの概要と限定版特典". news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). December 4, 2009.
  31. ^ "NDS《寒蝉鸣泣之时 绊：第三卷螺》评测". Gamersky (in Chinese (China)). June 1, 2009.
  32. ^ Adriano Valente (February 10, 2021). "Higurashi Flashes Forward To Reveal Rika's Surprisingly Bright Future". Comic Book Resources.
  33. ^ Adriano Valente (February 26, 2021). "Higurashi: Satoko's Prank Gone Wrong Sets up a FATAL Misunderstanding". Comic Book Resources.
  34. ^ Lynzee Loveridge (February 23, 2021). "[Review] Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU ‒ Episode 20". Anime News Network.
  35. ^ "「令和の雛見沢村で新たな惨劇が…「ひぐらしのなく頃に令 鬼熾し編」「星渡し編」1巻". Natalie (in Japanese). June 10, 2022.
  36. ^ Shanna Rie (May 1, 2021). "10 Ways Higurashi Is Different In The Manga". Comic Book Resources.
  37. ^ "「トリックスター」，「ひぐらし」コラボ第4弾はボイスペット「竜宮レナ」". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). December 13, 2011.
  38. ^ "竜宮レナやでじこなどスーパーヒロイン大集結の『超ヒロイン戦記』から戦闘カットを紹介！". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). May 31, 2013.
  39. ^ "「ラストピリオド」第3話に「ひぐらしのなく頃に」キャラ登場 ゲーム版に続いてコラボ実現". eiga.com (in Japanese). April 23, 2018.
  40. ^ "『シノアリス』×『ひぐらし』ログインだけで圭一や魔晶石1,777個が手に入る". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). August 26, 2020.
  41. ^ "『青鬼』×『ひぐらし』コラボはいつから？ 本日20時から特番も！". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). February 25, 2021.
  42. ^ "共闘対戦 爽快パズル消しゲー『エレメンタルストーリー』が、『ひぐらしのなく頃に』とのコラボイベントを開催！クリスタル300個&★5竜宮レナもらえる！". PR Times (in Japanese). April 16, 2021.
  43. ^ "「PUBG MOBILE」×「ひぐらしのなく頃に 卒」コラボが開催". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). September 30, 2021.
  44. ^ "グリザイアPT×ひぐらしのなく頃に、渡辺明夫の描き下ろしでトーカとレナが衣装交換". Natalie (in Japanese). November 27, 2020.
  45. ^ "「カッコウの許嫁」と「ひぐらしのなく頃に」がコラボ、エリカとレナが衣装を"取り違え"". Natalie (in Japanese). November 24, 2021.
  46. ^ Michael Betar IV (February 15, 2024). "Can Ryukishi07's "Sound Novels" be considered Games?". Gamasutra.
  47. ^ "アニメ最萌トーナメント2007、本日から準決勝開始". GIGAZINE (in Japanese). October 31, 2007.
  48. ^ Rush, Amanda (June 18, 2013). "Japanese Poll Ranks Best Yandere Girls". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  49. ^ "「ひぐらしのなく頃に粋」人気投票の結果と，優勝者のPS Vita用テーマが公開". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). March 31, 2015.
  50. ^ "『ひぐらしのなく頃に粋』 ひぐらし総選挙優勝者"竜宮レナ"のテーマが無料配信開始！". Famitsu (in Japanese). April 17, 2015.
  51. ^ "【投票結果】「ひぐらしのなく頃に」登場キャラクターで最も人気なのは……？ 竜宮レナが第1位をお持ち帰り！". Netorabo (in Japanese). November 24, 2020.
  52. ^ "【ひぐらしのなく頃に】シリーズで一番怖いキャラクターランキングTOP34！ 第1位は「園崎詩音」に決定！【2021年投票結果】". Netorabo (in Japanese). September 27, 2021.
  53. ^ "「ひぐらしのなく頃に」クラスメイトになりたいキャラクターランキングTOP18！ 第1位は「園崎魅音」！【2021年投票結果】". Netorabo (in Japanese). August 12, 2021.
  54. ^ "印象的なおもちかえり顔や半狂乱の発症顔などが付属！『ひぐらしのなく頃に 業』竜宮レナがねんどろいどシリーズからフィギュア化！". Dengeki Hobby Web (in Japanese). October 22, 2020.
  55. ^ "『ひぐらしのなく頃に 業』竜宮レナのフィギュアを1名様にプレゼント！鉈を手に笑顔で振り返る姿を再現!!（Twitterプレゼント企画）". Dengeki Hobby Web (in Japanese). November 19, 2020.
  56. ^ "『ひぐらしのなく頃に卒』BD＆DVD限定版は猫耳レナのフィギュア付き！". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). June 22, 2021.
  57. ^ "「ひぐらしのなく頃に業」から竜宮レナと古手梨花をイメージした腕時計やバッグなどのアイテムが登場". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). July 6, 2021.
  58. ^ "『ひぐらしのなく頃に 卒』印象的なセリフと表情が楽しめる、竜宮レナ・古手梨花それぞれの「セリフアクリルスタンド」が二次元コスパから登場！【株式会社コスパ】". PR Times (in Japanese). July 1, 2024.
  59. ^ "『ひぐらしのなく頃に』竜宮レナの"鉈"がクッションになって登場。抱き枕にぴったりのサイズ感【かぁいい】". Famitsu (in Japanese). July 4, 2024.
  60. ^ "竜騎士07のノベルゲーム『ひぐらしのなく頃に』が20年愛される理由。漫画家・旭が語る作品の魅力". Real Sound (in Japanese). December 22, 2022.
  61. ^ Marcus Estrada (July 3, 2018). "Review: Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.6 Tsumihoroboshi". Hardcore Gamer.
  62. ^ Hinamizawa Shūichi (March 1, 2007). "惨劇は進化する――舞台をPS2に変えた"正解率1％の謎"の魅力". Netorabo (in Japanese).
  63. ^ Jenni Lada (July 22, 2023). "Higurashi When They Cry: Gou Manga Doesn't Hold Back". Siliconera.
  64. ^ Sarah Fimm (October 29, 2022). "The Best Demon Girl Anime, Ranked". The Mary Sue.
  65. ^ Luke Halliday (July 9, 2011). "When They Cry Part 2 Review". Capsule Computers.
  66. ^ Theron Martin (June 23, 2007). "When They Cry DVD 1 - Review". Anime News Network.
  67. ^ Rebecca Silverman (August 7, 2016). "When They Cry: Rei Blu-Ray - Review". Anime News Network.
  68. ^ "When They Cry - Higurashi 3 (Rei)". THEM Anime Reviews.
  69. ^ Lilith Miao (March 6, 2020). "I Am One Yet Many: Plurality representation in the When They Cry Series". Anime Feminist.
  70. ^ "嘘だッ！『ひぐらしのなく頃に』竜宮レナに恐怖を感じた"トラウマ台詞"といえば…". Excite Japan (in Japanese). May 3, 2021.
  71. ^ "【保志総一朗・中原麻衣・竜騎士07出演】「ひぐらしのなく頃に」第1話～第3話振り返り特番「ひぐらしのなく頃に業」はオープニングとエンディングに大きなヒントが隠されている！？". PR Times (in Japanese). October 22, 2022.
  72. ^ "アニメ『ひぐらしのなく頃に 業』より、ヒロイン「竜宮レナ」がねんどろいど化！「嘘だっ！！顔」をはじめとした、さまざまな表情パーツとオプションで多彩なシーン表現が可能！【今なら18％OFF！】". Animate Times (in Japanese). December 11, 2020.
  73. ^ "お湯を注ぐと様子が豹変。「ひぐらしのなく頃に 業」より竜宮レナの「嘘だッ！！」を再現したマグカップが登場". Game Watch (in Japanese). March 15, 2021.
  74. ^ "『ひぐらしのなく頃に 卒』レナの「嘘だッ！！！ ジップパーカー」、梨花ちゃまの「にぱー☆ ジップパーカー」が登場！『07th 大宴会』先行販売！【株式会社コスパ】". PR Times (in Japanese). October 4, 2022.
  75. ^ "「嘘だッ!!!」もある『ひぐらしのなく頃に業』LINEスタンプが登場". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). November 30, 2020.
  76. ^ "自作ゲームの公開や『ひぐらしのなく頃に』竜宮レナの言葉の引用ツイートも 大阪市長選立候補の二野宮茂雄さん". getnews.jp (in Japanese). March 10, 2014.
  77. ^ Lynzee Loveridge (August 3, 2017). "'Higurashi' Written on Windows of Vandalized Middle School in Tochigi". Anime News Network.
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