Rena Ryugu Higurashi When They Cry - Nendoroid
Higurashi: When They Cry is a multimedia franchise that first captured attention as a mystery and psychological horror visual novel. Since the release of the first chapter in 2002, the series has expanded to include anime, manga, and live-action adaptations. One of the central characters, Rena Ryugu, became the unofficial face of the series. Her recognizable design eventually became a sort of mascot character for the original developer, 07th Expansion. Of the many Rena Ryugu figures in the Good Smile Company line, the "Nendoroid Rena Ryugu" best captures both her cuteness and quiet madness.
Nendoroid Rena Ryugu
The bubbly, yet volatile Rena Ryugu joins the Nendoroid line with this adorable figure. She wears her default summer school uniform with a blue sailor-style collar and bright yellow tie. The figure comes with four face plates to capture Rena's many emotions from the series. Aside from a default smile, a dreamy cute smile and her iconic "That's a lie!" face allow fans to recreate key moments from her story. The half-crazed expression, combined with blood splatter stickers, can recreate Rena's more violent moments. Other accessories include Rena's school bag and a large hatchet.
Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
Sculptor: Shichibee
Specifications: Painted ABS & PVC non-scale articulated figure with stand included
Height (Approx.): 100mm | 3.9"
About Rena Ryugu
Rena Ryugu is a main character in the Higurashi When They Cry video game series. Rena became a signature character for the series through her appearances in the anime and promotional material.
About Rena Ryugu: Background
Rena is in the same grade as most of the other series protagonists. Although she was born in Hinamizawa, her family moved to Ibaraki for her mother's growing fashion career. Soon after, her mother revealed her affair to husband and daughter and expressed her wish to start a new family. Rena and her father returned to Hinamizawa, with Rena harboring a deep resentment toward her mother. While in Ibaraki, Rena began exhibiting symptoms of Hinamizawa Syndrome which worsened upon her return home.
On the surface, Rena is a friendly, sweet girl. However, as revealed through her worsening Hinamizawa Syndrome, she is capable of extreme cruelty. She becomes incredibly hostile toward people who don't believe in Oyashiro-sama, a deity Rena believes caused her suffering. Rena also possesses strong observational skills, as she can almost always immediately tell when someone is lying.
About Rena Ryugu: Abilities
Rena possesses a signature comic relief quirk called "Kaa~ii Mode," or Cute Mode. This mode switch usually occurs after Rena finds something very cute or becomes embarrassed. When in Cute Mode, Rena develops heightened senses and inhuman agility. Her classmates have difficulty reining her in when she enters this mode. Keiichi and Mion Sonozaki in particular find themselves victims of her vicious flurry of punches.
Her Cute Mode can progress into a more intense stage, the Take Home Mode. In Take Home Mode, Rena still possesses her superhuman senses and agility. Instead of excited violence, she lets out her energy by kidnapping her classmates. Her most frequent victims are Satoko Hojo and Rika Furude. Once at her home, she dresses them in cute club punishment outfits for her own amusement. However, Rika and Satoko have learned how to manipulate Rena's Cute Mode to their advantage and redirect her violent outbursts.
Other Important Higurashi: When They Cry Characters
Throughout the arcs of Higurashi When They Cry, different characters become central protagonists or antagonists depending on the story. Rena plays an antagonistic role in most arcs, though a few characters remain central to her development in her protagonist arc.
Keiichi Maebara
Keiichi Maebara is the only male protagonist in all four of the main question arcs in Higurashi When They Cry. He is a charismatic, passionate young boy, making him popular amongst the people in Hinamizawa. His strong determination and belief that humans can overcome fate plays a large role in many story arcs. However, he can become withdrawn when facing troubles with his friends, making him susceptible to Hinamizawa Syndrome. He is very close friends with Rena and they possibly harbor deeper feelings for each other.
Mion Sonozaki
Mion Sonozaki is a main character in the Higurashi When They Cry series. She is the leader of the Hinamizawa School Club and Class Representative. As the oldest child in the Sonozaki family, she is the heir of the family house. Mion is an energetic, tomboyish, and confident girl, in contrast to her girly, yet manipulative, twin sister, Shion. Mion has an undefined, yet flirtatious relationship with Keiichi, which serves as a main focus of the story. Given Rena's implied feelings for Keiichi, this makes the two rivals.
Links
Nendoroid Higurashi: When They Cry - Gou Rena Ryugu
Higurashi: When They Cry Label
Nendoroid Label
Good Smile Company Label