Finished reading Umineko. That one anon who told me not to think too hard about it was right, it really was mindless fun. Started dragging on during the latter arguments though since it felt like endless asspulling and nitpicking over words, but I think the fault lies with me since I was completely uninterested in who the culprit was.
In retrospect, the golden truth really feels like an asspull the author felt the need to whip out after writing himself into a corner.
I liked how the story dealt with perception of reality, and the concept of something needing belief to be true. Reminded me of the SCP anti-memetics division stories I read years back.
From the start to the finish I was firmly anti-magic. Beatrice, in spite of all the screentime she got, just completely failed to make me like her, and I was glad to have the focus shift on Ange at the end. I picked the trick ending, and was pleasantly surprised to see Erika pop into Ange's head. It signaled to me that it was the right choice. I have no intention of finding out what the magic ending is.
My favourite characters by the end have to be the amazing and lovely Furudo Erika, followed by Rosa and Bernkastel, because I love how horrible and wretched they all are, alongside Dlanor who isn't evil but is so incredibly cute and Virgilia because she's hot. I want to plow Zepar.
Battler should have married Erika, shame he fumbled her. Erika is incredible in that she is the embodiment of a sweaty powergamer. The sort that optimises the fun out of a game.
Willard and Lion stood out surprisingly well for how late they were introduced. Top lads.