It's hard to say which one is more popular. The visual novel has a strong following among those who like interactive storytelling. It offers a deep dive into the story with its multiple routes. However, the manga has a wide appeal too, especially for those who prefer a more straightforward visual experience. It has reached a lot of people who might not be into visual novels.
One key difference is the pacing. In the visual novel, you can progress at your own pace, taking time to read and understand every detail. But in the manga, the artist has to condense the story to fit within the pages. Also, the visual novel might have more background information and side stories that are not always included in the manga. The manga may focus more on the main plot and key events to keep the story flowing smoothly.
Sure, Higurashi falls under the category of a kinetic novel. It's known for delivering a continuous and predetermined story experience to the audience.
The main feature is the complex and mysterious plot. For example, in many of the chapters, there are a lot of hidden secrets within the village setting that gradually unfold as you progress through the story.
Sure! A lot of manga publishers translate and release manga in English to reach a wider audience. You can find them in bookstores, online platforms, and libraries.