I think in terms of comparing the manga adaptations for each Umineko episode to the VN version:

EP 1: VN > Manga
EP 2: VN > Manga
EP 3: VN = Manga
EP 4: VN > Manga
EP 5: Manga > VN
EP 6: Manga > VN
EP 7: VN > Manga
EP 8: Manga > VN

EP 1: It cuts a LOT of content at the start, and art ain't great at the start either, but once the first twilight comes along, it kicks things off. I recently reread it, and it does put a bit more emotional weight to certain moments,

represents the feelings the characters go through in clever ways, and fixed the tea party, which is just a mess in the visual novel. I don't know what that was all about lmao.

It takes a while, but near the end there, Natsumi really comes into her own and manages to elevate the material in several ways. Still, as the manga is very flawed and cuts a lot, and the VN does some clever things with its narration, and is very good atmosphere-wise, VN wins.

EP 2: I actually like the artwork for this one. It seems to be unpopular? But it's a nice stylistic change, and I think it does well in drawing the more cutesy stuff and the scarier scenes. Designs ain't nearly as good as Natsumi's but there's a lot of dynamism to the art here.

Some particularly nice spreads, I think the artist did a great job with most confrontation scenes. I don't remember the manga cutting a lot of content, but it does rush through them a bit quickly at times to my liking. And for a couple of other reasons, VN is better.

EP 3: NATSUMI GREATNESS. Oh, how I love the EP 3 manga. The artwork is fucking gorgeous in this one. Character designs peak. Maybe even better than the ones in EP 8 at times? I'll get to that later though. I just think the EP 3 manga is perfectly paced and barely cuts anything

and it even adds stuff, like extra hints and emotional nuances. It does such an unbelievable job at making every scene visually interesting, even when they're just talking and they're so beautiful, it's a joy to look at lol. I think though, Natsumi's greatest strength

is her character art yes, but specifically her way of drawing character expressions. Just look at the top right page for example, just how many panels show off different expressions of Beato leading up to her decision. That entire chapter is so much better in the manga tbh.

EP 4: This is a mixed one. On the one end, I very much like the art for the most part. Sometimes a bit too much white space, but designs are nice, and sometimes the artwork gets REALLY CRAZY, especially from the talk at the balcony to Ange crying. Insane honestly.

I also think it did very nicely with the story structure. It was unnecessarily messy in the VN, so I'm glad that was changed in the manga. The rest of the storytelling takes a dip in the manga though. Ange's characterization is a bit odd. In the VN, it was very much about her

going out on her own and seeking her happiness, and understanding that she can unintentionally hurt people, like Maria. There's a lot of complex motivations and it's a bit more about doing this for her own sake, but in the manga

everything about her is very much centered around Battler and wanting to be with him. I think Souchirou even added a page with Ange saying her goal was to be with Battler forever? No no, that's not Ange.

Don't make her this typical anime sister who's obsessed with her onii-chan, that's not who she is. Especially as in the VN, Ange's relationship with Maria is actually more focused upon than her relationship with Battler. Unnecessary weird additions to Ange's school-life too.

The manga also brushes off a lot of great Battler/Beato stuff, it's just about Ange in the manga. It nailed the sin and build-up to the tea party tho, but not much more than that. Manga cuts some good character stuff for Rosa too.

Tea party lacks a lot of the nuance and isn't depicted nearly as ugly and brutal as it should be. But, once again, art is for the most part very good, but characterization isn't always.

EP 5: LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE LOVE IT. Yeah, the first 1/4th is a bit rough art-wise, but the rest is great and on par with the VN, and I think the final 1/3rd stretch of the episode is honestly much better in the manga.

Contrary to EP 4, the EP 5 manga uses a lot of black space instead, which is refreshing. I just think the manga is exceptional at creatively depicting the moments, playing around a lot with the perspective, and is very good at drawing the fight scenes.

I think it elevates the final third, the whole court section and ending, so much. I think it does a phenomenal job of drawing out the most emotional impact of those scenes. I ADORE how much care and love the mangaka depicts Battler and Beato's scenes with.

I think it's super creative visually too. Honestly, Beato begging Dlanor to kill her during the court, Battler trying so hard to find a solution with is blue truths, Battler then realizing the truth and the ensuing climax hit me WAY HARDER THAN IT EVER DID IN THE VN.

EP 6: Adore the character designs a lot. I think it often very creatively depicts some scenes and it's quite varied stylistically. It's just artistically excellent. I don't think it elevates the story too much, but pacing and structure is better, so probably prefer the manga.

EP 7: It's sadly a disappointment. It's EP 7, so it's amazing nonetheless, and doesn't cut stuff at all really, but art could've been better. It's a bit static. It looks very pretty, but imagery is quite uninspired and it's not very dynamic.

And I think that's very important, especially in EP 7's case, where so much is just the characters talking, and it relies on atmosphere a lot, and just seeing floating heads with speak bubbles everywhere ain't that visually exciting. And you need xaki's music for this.

EP 8: Well, the EP 8 manga is a complete superior rewrite, improves the storytelling so much by concluding left out character arcs in the VN, making the thematics much clearer and more nuanced, and adds entire new sections everywhere.

Artistically, it's also the best. Sometimes the characters are a bit too skinny, but most of the time the designs are the best of the best. Natsumi really shows just how creative she can be in delivering each moment, and makes it so emotional. Manga the obvious winner.

Honestly, if it wasn't for EP 7 being a bit artistically stale and reliant on the VN's atmosphere, I'd say the answer arcs are better in the manga. I still think you should read the VN regardless, cause the music and voice acting adds a lot,

but I'm talking more about in terms of quality of storytelling. And honestly, the manga is a bit under-appreciated here at times. It's why I try so hard to make people read it as well, together with the VN, the entire manga,

cause I really do think it can add a lot, and is more than just a recap of what you just read in the VN, but with pictures.

It's exceedingly rare, probably even unheard of, that a visual novel has a manga adaptation of this quality, so I honestly think it's a MUST read, if you're checking out the VN. We're very blessed.