Nevertheless she is an interesting character talking in riddles and metaphors most of the time. Just don’t confuse her with familiar characters (that sure was the authors intention to designing her that way ^^)

The big problem about the details is: With all the things like butterfly effect and extreme attention to details in the mysterys in these reoccuring events in both game series combined with the fact that the first 4 Umineko game are once again only the “question arcs”, only the author might know what can be cut out.
Fans often complained that Higurashi was adapted really badly because many importants hints were cut so from the anime perspective the mystery could not be solved. But perhaps DEEN simply couldn’t know better, because the last game(s) simple were not released yet.
But some people claim this time the author has a much bigger advisory influence on the anime, so one can hope this time they get it right.

What I all comes down to is the old “book vs. film adaption” problem.

In my opinion they did a good job til episode 3. Much of the things they left out  to this point only made the game world a little “richer”. More introduction of the large cast so get a better idea about their personality and where they belong in the family-tree, casual information and anecdotes Battler knows about them, that Kyrie is not Battlers real mother and he don’t get along with this dad so good, the conservative family image, more about grandpas past, the kids actually talking about how the epitaph could be solved, some silly jokes etc. Some scenes scenes are simply longer in the game. Marias ruckus about the rose drew on much much longer in the game so her mothers reaction seems much more understandable but cutting I wasn’t the dumbest idea IMO… It was annoying enough in words instead of text :P
All in all nothing they couldn’t insert later on when its importent.
To give you an idea: the 20 mins of the first episode may take 2 to 2 1/2 h reading in the game.

I thought I mention the stuff about sins because I also got the feeling that may interest you after reading you blog-entries for a longer time.
If it plays out well… no idea. To many explanations are still missing where the game end right now ^^
But I think if you liked Higurashi for its intelligent nature you will like Umineko too.
The stories give you so much to ponder on besides the crimes, puzzles and PoV problems. There is a huge motif of chessplaying to the  aspects of the meta-story, some deeper thoughts about what truth really is and you could say some world building aspect to his descripting of the magic realms even if they might not even exist and much more. ^^

The author even provided some “letters” between some ingame characters complimenting the later game-stories by giving even more thought provoking depictions (game extras which some fans translated). In some of those he tries to tackle this major themes in more abstract or philosophical ways.
You really get the idea that this guy wants to deliver some interessing messages with this game series. I find this quite intriguing.

Digdri: Rashomon is the classic film by Akira Kurosawa where the story of a crime is told from four different perspectives–each contradicting the others. In the end, you’re not sure who’s telling the truth.

It seems like the success of the show is going to hinge on whether they are going to get the subtle details right. I’m about to watch the 2nd and 3rd eps right now, so I guess I’ll be finding out whether all these things might come to fruition.

And I’m totally all for stories about sin and atonement, if it’s done right.

One thing I forgot earlier: You mentioned the good character development in Higurashi. Umineko luckily goes the same route. The diffrent arcs also strongly rely on the backstory of diffrent family members and their relations … and with this big cast there are more then enough characters who are still quite mysterious after the 4th game. The obvious(?) structure of the plot also automatically put specific people in the spotlight each arc. (If you have already seen 2nd & 3rd episode you sure understand what I mean :)

There is not so much “descent into darkness” like in Higurashi, but the story has a recurring theme of sin / punishment / atonement to it, which I found presented quite interessing. Even the OP lyrics of the anime give first hints about it.

(oh cool you can edit your own comments within an allotted time! yeah i know i’m such a Luddite)

Platonically, I mean.

moritheil: I remember that review! I don’t think CANAAN will be similar though, at least not if Nasu really gets his way. THat kind of slam bang action isn’t his style in the end.

Digdri: thanks for all the info. Actually if that’s true, then it should be even more interesting than Higurashi, in that they are going to be playing up the unreliable narrator aspect of it much more. It’s like the Rashomon of anime. That would be supremely cool, and that makes me even more excited about watching it.

Jesus159159159: I hear a rumor that if you like the show too, they’ll love you as well.