these first four episodes are an almost fascinating exploration of hinamizawa and the mysteries surrounding it. it's a great atmospheric horror experience, especially in chapters like onikakushi and tatarigoroshi. tatarigoroshi had me getting out of my seat at points lol
the breakdown of the characters in each of these arcs are pretty well done, mostly. even in wataganashi, one of the weaker arcs, there's atleast some good growth of mion and the responsiblies she holds as part of one of the three families.
but, i'll be honest, the writing isnt entirely perfect in this. wataganashi had me yelling at keiichi and mion for being such downer bitches and tatarigoroshi has abysmal SoL scenes that drag on. but honestly, it's a good read if you're looking for a nice mystery novel figuring our what is done by humans and what is supernatural.