Noah Sinclair
Higurashi: When They Cry has been named one of the greatest horror anime ever made for its spine-tingling cult-horror elements and its bloody, terrifying, and sadistic approach to betrayal, gore, and torture. In one scene, Shion, one of the main characters, is forced to undergo nail removal torture by her older sister, Mion, in front of their family. Mion informs Shion that each nail she removes will represent her responsibility for each wrongdoing. This scene has been dubbed the Shion nail torture scene and is considered too gruesome for some viewers to watch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the device | Nail ripper |
| Type of device | Torture tool |
| Usage | To tear out fingernails |
| Users | Mion, Shion |
| Users' relationship | Sisters |
| Reason for use | Shion's wrongdoing |
| Number of nails removed | 3 |
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What You'll Learn
Shion's nail torture scene
Shion is one of the main characters of the Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni series, well known for her spectacular mental breakdown and the bloodbath that ensues during those arcs. In the Meakashi-hen arc, Shion must repent for her wrongdoings in a harrowing way.
Shion enters a dimly lit room with her older sister, Mion, and finds a contraption on the table. Mion informs her that it is a tool for tearing out fingernails, and that each nail removed will represent her responsibility for each wrongdoing. Shion is ordered to tear off three nails with her own hands. She wonders if the three nails represent Kasai, Yoshirō, and Satoshi, and asks Mion if she will really forgive the others with this action. Mion does not answer.
Shion places her fifth finger in the nail remover first. She screams and brings her fist down on the mechanism. With that nail removed, she begs Mion to forgive her, saying, "This really hurts. It hurts a lot." Mion looks to the yakuza standing nearby and asks Shion if she can do more. Shion insists that she can. She places her fourth finger in the nail remover, but misses the plunger, damaging only the nail. Oryō, Shion's grandmother, sighs in disapproval. Shion starts to cry and panic, screaming "no!" Mion briefly comforts her, encouraging her to hang in there.
Mion's stern demeanor returns as she nods to the yakuza, who put a bag over Shion's head and hold her hand secure in the nail remover. Shion screams as her nail is torn out. She later lays in her bed with her hand bandaged, vomiting in the toilet. She narrates that Kasai and Yoshirō "were safe." She was forgiven, and Oryō's last message was to forget about Satoshi.
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Mion's show of solidarity
In the horror anime series Higurashi: When They Cry, Mion and Shion are sisters and two of the main characters. Shion is forced to undergo nail torture as punishment for her wrongdoings. Mion is also forced by her family to oversee this process. Mion hates what Shion has gone through and feels guilty about her role in the torture. To show solidarity with her sister, Mion removes three of her own nails.
The nail torture scene is considered one of the spookiest moments in the series. Shion is brought to a dimly lit room with Mion, where they find a contraption for tearing out fingernails on the table. Mion explains that each nail removed will represent Shion's responsibility for each wrongdoing. Shion is terrified and cries in Mion's arms. Despite Mion's initial stern demeanor, she briefly comforts Shion before allowing the torture to continue.
The sound of nails being torn out is described as sickening and nightmarish. The United Nations Istanbul Protocol describes nail removal and the insertion of sharp objects under the nails as forms of torture. Historically, various iron devices were used to tear out nails, some of which were heated to cause further trauma. Modern torturers may use surgical scalpels for precise extractions.
Mion's decision to remove her own nails can be seen as a show of solidarity with Shion, as well as a form of atonement for her role in the torture. It is also suggested that Mion's actions may be influenced by family traditions, as their mother underwent a similar experience of nail removal by their grandmother.
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The nail ripper
The use of the nail ripper on Shion is considered a show of power by the Sonozaki family, and it is implied that this form of torture is a common practice for them. Mion, who is the next head of the family, is forced to carry out this torture by her family, and she feels guilty about it. To show solidarity with Shion, Mion removes three of her own nails after the torture.
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Denailing as a form of torture
Denailing is the act of extracting nails from fingers and/or toes. It can be done accidentally, as a medical procedure to treat severe nail infections, or as a method of torture. The practice has been used throughout history as a form of torture to extract confessions or punish wrongdoing. In the anime *Higurashi: When They Cry*, the character Shion undergoes denailing as a form of repentance for her wrongdoings. Each nail she removes symbolises her responsibility for each transgression. The sound of Shion's nails being torn out is described as "sickening", and the torture has a profound impact on her character development.
Historically, denailing has been used as a form of torture in various cultures. During the Inquisition in medieval times, denailing was a popular method to extract confessions from suspected witches. The instruments used for this torture could be easily found, and the technique was highly effective in skilled hands. The torturer could control the speed of nail extraction to increase the pain and duration of the procedure. Additionally, sharp objects were sometimes inserted under the victim's nails before removal, further enhancing the suffering.
In modern times, denailing has been documented as a form of torture in certain countries. For example, in Venezuela, activist Ángela Expósito was subjected to denailing while in detention starting in 2018. Similarly, under the Daniel Ortega administration in Nicaragua, political prisoners have endured torture, including denailing. In 2022, four female students protesting against the vice president of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela were attacked and denailed by pro-government colectivos.
The United Nations Istanbul Protocol recognises nail removal and the insertion of sharp objects under the nail as forms of torture. While denailing can be accomplished with various instruments, modern torturers often favour a precise extraction using a surgical scalpel. This method ensures the victim's nail matrix is damaged, leading to potential nail deformities during regrowth. Overall, denailing as a form of torture inflicts immense pain and can leave psychological scars on its victims.
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Shion's character shift
Shion Sonozaki is a main character in the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni series and the twin sister of Mion Sonozaki. Shion is the older sister, but due to a mix-up involving the twins switching places, Mion was branded as the firstborn heiress to the Sonozaki family. Shion is known for her elegance and refinement, but she also has a violent and aggressive side. She is prone to jealousy, which contributes to her progression of Hinamizawa Syndrome, a condition that other characters in the series also exhibit.
Initially, Shion dislikes Satoko, the younger sister of her love interest, Satoshi. She blames Satoko for Satoshi's stress and departure, and this dislike leads her to beat up Satoko at school. However, Shion's character shifts when she remembers her promise to Satoshi to look after his sister. She becomes a surrogate older sister to Satoko, deeply caring for her and helping her overcome her phobias. Shion even goes as far as planning to kill Satoko's abusive uncle to save her from him, demonstrating a significant change in her attitude towards Satoko.
Shion's jealousy also extends to her sister, Mion. She is envious of Mion's status as the heiress to the Sonozaki family and becomes extremely jealous when she learns that Mion has a crush on Keiichi Maebara. This jealousy triggers her "inner demon," leading to a mental breakdown and a violent bloodbath. Shion's manipulative nature is also evident as she puts her sister down by flirting with Keiichi. Despite her cold and calculating personality, Shion is supportive and friendly, frequently helping Satoshi when he is in trouble.
Shion's character is complex and dynamic, shifting from aggression and jealousy to support and care. Her relationships with Satoko, Satoshi, and Mion are pivotal in her character development throughout the series.
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Frequently asked questions
The device is used to rip out the fingernails of Shion, one of the main characters, as a punishment for her wrongdoing.
Shion was considered to have committed wrongdoings and was made to rip out her own nails as a form of repentance.
The device is called a nail ripper.
