You should read Higurashi too, the VN is pretty different!

I’m going to second this as the VN is very much a different experience and it comes right from the author himself.

If you end up reading the the Umineko VN (the manga is also a solid alternative), then look up the 07th Mod: It adds voices and (optionally) sprites from the PS3 version to Umineko and Higurashi, and the voices in particularly *significantly* elevate the experience

play umineko then watch the NEWEST higurashi anime that is what @nerdskull.bsky.social told me

I can't speak of the Higurashi anime but definitely seconding playing Umineko. The anime never finished the story I'm pretty sure and I think they mess up setting up a twist or something? I've heard the manga adaption is ok though but still you may as well consume the original VN.

the Higu anime is far, far better than the Umi anime. it is not even remotely close.

It's a really interesting mix of "oh hey we're going for something really weird and high concept aren't we?" with a menacing Colonel Sanders statue and amusingly sloppy animation. Does have me curious about the source material which I assume is a little better put together and even weirder.

If it helps to deter you: The Umi anime isn’t remotely finished