It's time for the game to begin once more. The witch has returned, and has changed her opening move entirely. Are you ready to contend with her both in the game, and in the tale itself?

If you wish to win in a game, you should probably learn the rules and pieces first. This week, we take a moment to look at the lives of a few of those pieces - the young lovers and the pain their differences in status cause them. #backlogdialogues #whentheycry #umineko

What makes history? Is it what is written? What is passed between people? The layers of story from one generation to the next? This week, our minilog is Pentiment. A strikingly unusual looking game that asks what's under the surface, and how did it shape that surface? #backlogdialogues #pentiment

So, these Humans wish to review the game after losing so badly? Very well, this Witch will be happy to guide you. But, A "God"Cast? What GOD influenced this? Remember, as you recount the telling of the tales, you're in the domain of Magic, not Divinity. #backlogdialogues #umineko #whentheycry

To you who have found this tale, I ask of you only this. Believe in the Witch. Believe in her power. You've read all that she has done. Believe. Please believe, or it will never end. #backlogdialogues #umineko #whentheycry

Two in an embrace One in a dark place One body in flames Three carrying blames Five the Twilights spare But still the Curse Ensnare As the clouds leave the sky And the gulls resume their cry Were any left alive? #backlogdialogues #whentheycry #umineko

Despite ample warnings from the merciful Witch, disaster strikes the family conference. In the wake of the first move, the remaining vic- ahem, family members flail about for answers. Perhaps young Maria knows something? She seems quite pleased with herself. #whentheycry #umineko #backlogdialogues

When one sits down to dinner at a family conference, there is rules of decorum to follow. The line of succession will be reflected in seating. The servants will be impeccable. The letter from the witch will be held until dessert. Wait, what was that last one? #BacklogDialogues #WhenTheyCry #Umineko

This week, we start another When They Cry. Another Mystery, and a mystery needs its players to introduce. But holy CRAP does Ryukishi07 not hold back on the number of Dramatis Personae in this one. Let us set sail for a mysterious island - be careful not to fall.

As we enter this season of magic and chills, Backlog Dialogues is back! After a well deserved rest, we have returned with the next work in the oeuvre of Ryukishi07. Join us as we travel to the shrouded island of Rokkenjima and get ourselves HYPED to discuss the story of the Golden Witch...

We're still on break while we work on Umineko, but just in time for Watanagashi, here's a bonus episode about an adaptation of Higurashi that you might not know about - the 2016 Live Action! Regional Idols and Character Actors put together a surprisingly good albeit incomplete version of the story.

When you're alone in the dark, don't listen to the voices that draw you to harm, but instead relish the connections you can make. This season's final #Minilog is Undertale, the kind game that also puts you through hell. We discuss the influence it had on us, and what it has to say. #backlogdialogues

It's time for one last look at Higurashi. We've reached the end of one tale, and it's time to take one last moment to discuss what this final tale tells us about one's character, about choice and will, and how it will inform what comes next. #higurashi #backlogdialogues #whentheycry

A human doesn't get to choose A god doesn't get to live If I had to decide which to be I might be trapped in the what if. I'm glad to be here with you. The god inside me must go. But we will be together, my friends. #whentheycry #backlogdialogues #higurashi

Rika is still trapped. As she disconnects from her human identity and falls more into the persona of a witch, she suddenly finds herself at a choice she didn't want. What is more real, the world she finds herself in, or the world she came from? #higurashi #backlogdialogues #whentheycry

What's this? The story is still going? Well, thats strange. This week we enter one last tale from the town of Hinamizawa. But with all the problems ended, what could happen now? It's not like Rika is going to suddenly do something stupid- LOOK OUT! #higurashi #backlogdialogues #whentheycry

What does it mean to grow up? Changing your interests? Finding out what you're good at? Changing who you are entirely? Everyone wants to grow, they just need a path. Today, we discuss Mob Psycho 100, and learn how much one quiet boy's story can mean. #backlogdialogues #mobpsycho100

I always thought that I was not needed in the world I believed that my role was to step into the background But you told me otherwise You told me that the world was less without me. You told me that I had the right to stay #higurashi #backlogdialogues #whentheycry

That I met my friends in Hinamizawa is the true miracle of this story.

Time is short. This week, we take one last chance to look around before it all comes together. But what are the feelings of those tied up in it? An old fighter considers his path. One in shadow fears her ending. The festival will soon begin. #higurashi #backlogdialogues #whentheycry

This week, the club gets acquainted with their rather sudden new club member, but even a miracle has its costs. The race to thwart tragedy begins with gathering allies and information… #higurashi #backlogdialogues #whentheycry

Every time, a step short. Every path, ended too soon. Every hope, taken away. Every will, no match for hers. #higurashi #whentheycry #backlogdialogues

The fragments stretch out before us as the long road to our final goal continues. As we travel, we take burdens upon ourselves, weighing us down. Whether we ask others to help us carry the weight, or we take everything on ourselves, we search for a miracle. #higurashi #backlogdialogues #whentheycry

Miracles require work. A path must be illuminated. The way is long, but don't fear. Join us as we begin the process of building the perfect world, by uncovering the truths of the worlds that came before and the people within them, in Connecting Fragments. #higurashi #backlogdialogues #whentheycry

The maze nears its end, but we have not solved everything yet. What drives a person to awful actions? If there's any hope of finding our way out, we must understand our foe and the forces that drive them. Who defies God?

In this Minilog, we talk about one of the most prescient anime of the last decade and change. Gatchaman CROWDS is here to teach us about social media's ability to shape reality, the dangers of group think and populism, and how we all need a best girl Hajime to give us advice. #backlogdialogues

This perfect world has come to its end with all truths revealed. But, we still missed the miracle, and we need to prepare for one final world. In this godcast, we discuss what we have learned, and prepare to reach the end. Let's take that plunge with all of our friends. #backlogdialogues #higurashi

What do you hear? The sounds of life now ending. What do you see? The path of goals unbending. What do you fear? The strength to feed on sorrow. What do you wish? A futile hope for tomorrow. #backlogdialogues #higurashi (Spoilers for End of Minagoroshi in Next Post)

When the obstacle is the past, Keiichi and his friends face it head on. They will not allow it to be what decides fate. This week, we discuss how the story shows how to break through the dictations of time and see what can be. It's a tough road, but to save a friend? #higurashi #backlogdialogues

This week. we're up against the wall. The kids are trying to save Satoko, but they must overcome bureaucracy. What do you do when you've done everything you've been told you can but nothing changes? Should the club be patient, trust that they've done what they could? #higurashi #backlogdialogues

This new world seems like a miracle. We can watch and hope that Rika can be right. That if everyone learns from the lessons of the past, maybe a new path forward can be found. As long as there's no new conflicts- Hey, what's Shion doing with that chair? #higurashi #backlogdialogues #whentheycry

The game is set, and all the pieces are in place. It's only fair that now we truly see who's been playing, and who's been helping her keep trying. We got a lot to look at as the new arc starts. But first, let's see if anyone's learned anything. Keiichi?

For our Minilog this week, we talk about Re:Zero. Isekai sometimes gets a bad rep, but this series works. All you need is a story where the characters actually learn and grow. Instead of an overpowered cheat, just have a hero who can keep a good head on their shoulders. #backlogdialogues

The play is over. We've been witnesses to a miracle, and we need to discuss it. The Godcast is here for that reason. The demons' play continues even after the curtain falls, so let's hunt for the final truth together. #backlogdialogues #whentheycry #higurashi

I'm fighting alone. *I'm fighting with you.* There's no-one I can trust. *You can trust that I'm with you.* I am your enemy now. *You cannot be anything but my friend.* This will be the end. *Neither of us want this to end. So let's not let it.* #backlogdialogues #whentheycry #higurashi

This week, the Rena train continues. She is becoming more worried about everything she sees. People are looking for her, and strange things are happening. If she can still trust her friends, maybe she can find something to work with. Let's check with Rika... #backlogdialogues #whentheycry #higurashi

Well, we had our heartwarming ending, and Rena is ready to face a new day. However, it seems the story is still going? Strange. Maybe talking to the nurse will explain what's going on. Rena asks Takano what's going on, and gets all kinds of answers. Oh dear. #backlogdialogues #higurashi #whentheycry

Rena's tale continues in this week's episode. It's a tough story, with a girl fighting alone for her happiness. But after all the pain, the tough choices, she's reached her goal, and now she can finally smile again. Right, Rena? ....Rena? #whentheycry #higurashi #backlogdialogues

We're Backlog Dialogues, the media discussion podcast that digs you out of your backlog before it buries you! Join John, Jared, and Matt each week for discussions on characters, themes, and other story elements for long running narratives and short one shots. Check out our archives here!