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Rena Ryūgū

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Rena Ryūgū
Higurashi When They Cry character
Rena in her casual clothes wielding her iconic cleaver, as seen in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sui
First appearanceHigurashi no Naku Koro ni Onikakushi-hen (2002)
Designed byRyukishi07
Voiced byJA: Mai Nakahara
EN: Mela Lee (2006 anime), Emi Lo (2020 anime)[1]
Portrayed byMinami Kato (drama)[2]
Airi Matsuyama [ja] (film)[3]
In-universe information
Full nameRena Ryūgū
AliasReina Ryūgū
NicknameCleaver Girl (鉈女, nata onna)
WeaponHatchet, cleaver
NationalityJapanese
BirthdayJuly 28, 1967

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. 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]

Development and design

Ryukishi07 portrayed the duality of Rena,[6] and created her a sense of mystery.[4] She is described as a bubbly, caring, and respectful individual toward her friends and will do whatever it takes to protect them.[7] She has a hobby to take things home because they're cute, which TheGamer described as her most infamous quirk.[5] Her garden is full of strange things cause this hobby.[8] Despite looking innocent, she is extreme and mentally illness. 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.[7] She has the highest direct kill count of the entire main cast.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11] Ryukishi07 said he made Rena weird and close to a pervert on purpose.[8] 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 chained door.[12]

One of Rena's icons is a cleaver (nata more accurately, a Japanese gardening tool).[13] 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]".[14]

Rena is voiced by Mai Nakahara in Japanese and Mela Lee and Emi Lo in English.[15][1][16] Mai Nakahara describes Rena as a diverse character.[17]

Appearances

Rena was introduced in 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 pregnant, she begins to detest her position with her mother and insists on being called "Rena".[18]: 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.[18]: 6  She believed that "Oyashiro-sama" was punishing her for leaving the village by destroying her family and making maggots live in her blood.[10] After moving back to Hinamizawa, she became meddlesome, who couldn't resist cute things and tries to take everything home.[8] 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.[18]: 6 [19] Rena serves as the primary character in Tsumihoroboshi-hen,[20] which is considered one of the most intense in the series.[10]

One of the main characters in "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei" which is set in 2019, Kihiro, is mentioned as Rena's son.[21]

Rena has also appeared in Super Heroine Chronicle,[22] Last Period,[23] SINoALICE,[24] Ao Oni Online,[25] Elemental Story [ja],[26] and PUBG Mobile[27] as part of a collaboration event. Besides, she also appeared in the official illustrations of Grisaia: Phantom Trigger the Animation Stargazer[28] and A Couple of Cuckoos.[29]

Reception and legacy

The scene of "Uso Da!" jumpscare is received generally positive reception and identified as a fan favorite[30]

Rena was selected in the best 4 in the 2007 Anime Saimoe Tournament.[31] In a 2013 poll by BIGLOBE, Rena was ranked as the 5th most popular yandere character.[32] 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.[33][34] In a Netorabo poll, Rena was the most popular Higurashi When They Cry character in 2020, polling 19.6%.[35] In its 2021 poll, Rena was the second-most frightening Higurashi When They Cry character, polling 22.5%,[36] and the second-most character on the classmate list.[37] 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.[7] Numerous figures of Rena have been created.[38][39][40]

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".[41] 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".[42] 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.[43] 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.[44] Sarah Fimm from The Mary Sue said Rena is "especially scary", and called her the "demonic little sister".[45] 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.[46] Theron Martin of Anime News Network praised Rena's English voice actor Mela Lee for performing sufficiently close to the original.[47] 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,[48] and the THEM Anime Reviews thought this episode shows that Rena is "perhaps the least feminist of the girls".[49] 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.[50]

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.[51] Episode 3 of Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou reproduced this scene.[52] The derivatives of the buzz word included the nendoroid figure of Rena Ryūgū with interchangeable "Uso Da" face,[53] a mug,[54] a theme hoodie,[55] and LINE stickers.[56]

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.[57] 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.[58]

Footnotes

Notes

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

References

  1. ^ a b "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. ^ "NGT48「ひぐらし」配役決定、レナは加藤美南". Natalie (in Japanese). February 28, 2016.
  3. ^ "『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. ^ "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.
  7. ^ a b c Jose Arroyo (January 11, 2021). "Higurashi: 10 Fan Favorite Characters, According To MyAnimeList". Comic Book Resources.
  8. ^ a b c "『ひぐらしのなかせ方』第一回language=ja". Toratsu. November 2004.
  9. ^ Adriano Valente (February 18, 2020). "When They Cry: 10 Hidden Details About The Main Characters". Comic Book Resources.
  10. ^ a b c Rebecca Silverman (December 3, 2011). "Higurashi: When They Cry GN 15 - Review". Anime News Network.
  11. ^ "『ひぐらしのなかせ方』第三回". Toratsu (in Japanese). September 2005.
  12. ^ Chase Wilkinson (October 20, 2021). "Higurashi: The Horror Anime's 5 Spookiest Moments So Far". Comic Book Resources.
  13. ^ Kara Dennison (July 2, 2021). "Higurashi Fans Can Now Hug a Cushion Version of Rena's Cleaver". Crunchyroll.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Travis Bruno (February 25, 2011). "Interview with Mela Lee – Voice Actress". Capsule Computers.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ Jamie S. Rich (June 5, 2007). "When They Cry, Vol. 1 Review". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013.
  20. ^ Rebecca Silverman (December 24, 2011). "Higurashi: When They Cry GN 16 - Review". Anime News Network.
  21. ^ "「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.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ "「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.
  24. ^ "『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.
  25. ^ "『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.
  26. ^ "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.
  27. ^ "「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.
  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ "「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.
  30. ^ Michael Betar IV (February 15, 2024). "Can Ryukishi07's "Sound Novels" be considered Games?". Gamasutra.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ Rush, Amanda (June 18, 2013). "Japanese Poll Ranks Best Yandere Girls". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  33. ^ "「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.
  34. ^ "『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.
  35. ^ "【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.
  36. ^ "【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.
  37. ^ "「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.
  38. ^ "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.
  39. ^ "『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.
  40. ^ "『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.
  41. ^ "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.
  42. ^ Marcus Estrada (July 3, 2018). "Review: Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.6 Tsumihoroboshi". Hardcore Gamer.
  43. ^ 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).
  44. ^ Jenni Lada (July 22, 2023). "Higurashi When They Cry: Gou Manga Doesn't Hold Back". Siliconera.
  45. ^ Sarah Fimm (October 29, 2022). "The Best Demon Girl Anime, Ranked". The Mary Sue.
  46. ^ Luke Halliday (July 9, 2011). "When They Cry Part 2 Review". Capsule Computers.
  47. ^ Theron Martin (June 23, 2007). "When They Cry DVD 1 - Review". Anime News Network.
  48. ^ Rebecca Silverman (August 7, 2016). "When They Cry: Rei Blu-Ray - Review". Anime News Network.
  49. ^ "When They Cry - Higurashi 3 (Rei)". THEM Anime Reviews.
  50. ^ Lilith Miao (March 6, 2020). "I Am One Yet Many: Plurality representation in the When They Cry Series". Anime Feminist.
  51. ^ "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.
  52. ^ "【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.
  53. ^ "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.
  54. ^ "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.
  55. ^ "『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.
  56. ^ "「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.
  57. ^ "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.
  58. ^ Lynzee Loveridge (August 3, 2017). "'Higurashi' Written on Windows of Vandalized Middle School in Tochigi". Anime News Network.
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