The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

[Eliseu Gouveia]

Has anyone ever watched this show?

it´s only 14 episodes long and it´s supposed to be damn good.

I have to confess I only watched 4-5 minutes of the first episode and to be honest...........
.
.
.
.
.
....It could have been better.
And let´s leave it at that, mom always said that if you have nothing nice to say...

But now I keep hearing so many good things about it, I´m starting to wonder.... did I miss something, maybe?

[Alex L]

It is very hard to judge a series on the first episode or two, never mind the first four minutes of the first episode.

That particular episode is intentionally bad, by the way. (The main characters created their own short film for a cultural festival or some such thing).

[Eliseu Gouveia]

Thanks, I have to confess I am really curious about this show and starting to regret not having given it a chance.

It´s just that the whole thing with the girl dressed in the playmate suit....
I´ll be honest: like any other guy, I like cheesecake.
No, scratch that, I love cheesecake.
Tasteful cheesecake.

That one was executed in such a blatant in-your-face manner that it kinda irked me.

[MKTerra]

Feel free to skip ep.1 and return to it later. IMO ep.2 is a better starting point and more entertaining.

[The Real Nemo]

Thanks, I have to confess I am really curious about this show and starting to regret not having given it a chance.

It´s just that the whole thing with the girl dressed in the playmate suit....
I´ll be honest: like any other guy, I like cheesecake.
No, scratch that, I love cheesecake.
Tasteful cheesecake.

That one was executed in such a blatant in-your-face manner that it kinda irked me.
That's kind of part of the point of the first episode though, it becomes easier to understand once you've seen the next few ones.

[Kevinroc]

You didn't like the narrator pointing out how bad the first episode was? It's just an odd episode, although now that I think about it, the entire series is rather odd. But it's good. REALLY good.

[Cayman]

It's pretty good from what I've seen so far. Yuki is adorable, but Mikuru is annoying.

[OverMaster]

Thanks, I have to confess I am really curious about this show and starting to regret not having given it a chance.

It´s just that the whole thing with the girl dressed in the playmate suit....
I´ll be honest: like any other guy, I like cheesecake.
No, scratch that, I love cheesecake.
Tasteful cheesecake.

That one was executed in such a blatant in-your-face manner that it kinda irked me.

That was the point. The girl making the movie (Haruhi) wanted to make the girl in the bunny suit (Mikuru) to look as shamelessly appealing to men (public) as she could.

The cheesecake tones down a lot after that. You'll still see a couple of bunny suit scenes, and an almost blink-and-you'll-miss-it swimsuit scene, but no nudity or anything like that.

However, even so, Haruhi is not for everyone's liking. It all depends on how much can you stomach the lead's enthusiast but overbearing attitude, and the story's rather weird pace.

[Citizen V]

Ive heard this series is extremly overated.

[Sparda]

Ive heard this series is extremly overated.
I completely agree on that.

This series episodes are very mixed up....for example, episode 1 is suppose to be episode 11 (I think it was 11..) while the intro's was suppose to be episode 2 ehhh you get the point. Don't ask why the episodes are in so much disorder, the guys behind it probably thought it was cool I guess. That's probably why you could'nt stomach the first episode.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Melancholy_of_Haruhi_Suzumiya_episodes

That should show the proper listing's of the list.

On a personal level I did'nt like it much. I found it a bit boring and expected it to be one of those really funny echi type anime's that makes one laugh but barely the comedy. The story was weird but I guess you have to check it out your self.

I have yet to understand why this series is so popular. Can anyone post a link with a good review with reasons why this show is so liked? Is it the Kawaii ness?

[Alex L]

Ive heard this series is extremly overated.

+2

Overrated doesn't equal bad -- I enjoyed the series, but it doesn't quite deserve the hype it gets.

The series, at its best, is somewhat existential -- is Haruhi really God, who can remake reality at a whim?

Do the side characters exist because on some subconscious level, Haruhi created them to entertain herself? Does Kyon? Is he here for her, or is she here for him?

[Darth Joker]

My cousin got the Volume One DVD of this (four episodes including the first comedy episode, IIRC). I enjoyed the first four episodes, and found it rather zany and amusing.

I was a bit surprised by Haruhi's characterization given how immensely popular she is in Japan (suffice it to say she's not the typical protagonist, even for anime...), but the show does a good job of mixing a zany feel in with serious intellectualism, and that makes it somewhat unique.

It's definitely worth watching (you really don't get much of a feel for what the rest of the episodes are like from that first pure comedy/parody episode), but it would have to be scary good to match the hype... and it's not *that* good.

[SAMAS]

+2

Overrated doesn't equal bad -- I enjoyed the series, but it doesn't quite deserve the hype it gets.

The series, at its best, is somewhat existential -- is Haruhi really God, who can remake reality at a whim?

Do the side characters exist because on some subconscious level, Haruhi created them to entertain herself? Does Kyon? Is he here for her, or is she here for him?

Actually, I'm thinking that the true Godlike being is Kyon.

[Len Ikari145]

Actually, I'm thinking that the true Godlike being is Kyon.

Trust me, you're not the only one. There are several hints within the novels and anime that Kyon is either the true Omnipotent or he exists to polarize the existence of Haruhi.


Either way, there's no way he's considered "normal".

[EdContradictory]

The 00 episode is one of the funniest animes I've ever seen.

[Citizen V]

I completely agree on that.

I have yet to understand why this series is so popular. Can anyone post a link with a good review with reasons why this show is so liked? Is it the Kawaii ness?

I heard recently that its popular..because its the "in" anime.The current fad...there is no doubt its good.But not what everyone claims it to be.


The series, at its best, is somewhat existential -- is Haruhi really God, who can remake reality at a whim?

Most say the anime was great before they made Haruhi a godlike thing.

[Darth Joker]

I have yet to understand why this series is so popular. Can anyone post a link with a good review with reasons why this show is so liked? Is it the Kawaii ness?

I'm thinking that it's the character of Haruhi herself. Perhaps she's a wish-fullfilment-esque character for a lot of Japanese girls? She's certainly a very unique character, even by anime standards.

The show's premise is somewhat unique in that it involves extremely high power levels but is still largely school-based with little (if any) traditional hero/villain conflict.

Ghost once wrote to me that a lot of people who liked the X-Men movies were more into seeing the powerful protagonist mutants in the Mansion as students than in the conflict against Magneto.

Likewise, I think that the combination of Haruhi's wish-fulfillment-esque nature largely within a school setting makes her a character that a lot of female fans love to live vicariously through.

I, personally, tend to perfer real drama where the protagonist can lose, and a genuine protagonist/antagonist struggle of a somewhat heroic/villainous nature... but that's me, and I'm not in school any more. ;)

[The Real Nemo]

Most say the anime was great before they made Haruhi a godlike thing.
Eh? You mean before Kyon's conversation with Yuki? Who says that? The series wasn't much more than a somewhat quirky high school anime before that point, it was all the weird stuff that started happening that made it really interesting. At least to me...

I, personally, tend to perfer real drama where the protagonist can lose, and a genuine protagonist/antagonist struggle of a somewhat heroic/villainous nature... but that's me, and I'm not in school any more. ;)
Thing is, Kyon seems to be the actual main character of the series more so than Haruhi. Everything that happens is from his point of view, Haruhi just happens to be at the center of most of it.

[OverMaster]

I heard recently that its popular..because its the "in" anime.The current fad...there is no doubt its good.But not what everyone claims it to be.

I thought freakin' Naruto, King of the Overrated Series, was 'the current fad'. :p

[GoGo Yubari]

I thought freakin' Naruto, King of the Overrated Series, was 'the current fad'. :p

Then it's really been a rather long-lasting fad, hasn't it? Actually, it's slipped in popularity a little as of late (I think both Gintama and Reborn are more popular in Japan right now, actually).

[Darth Joker]

I thought freakin' Naruto, King of the Overrated Series, was 'the current fad'. :p

In North America it still is, but Japan has moved on to loving Haruhi a lot more, is the impression I get.

[Darth Joker]

Thing is, Kyon seems to be the actual main character of the series more so than Haruhi. Everything that happens is from his point of view, Haruhi just happens to be at the center of most of it.

That's true.

Oh well... maybe it's the Haruhi dance then. :D

[SAMAS]

Why do I like it so much? Simple.

It was the first comedic animes to make me laugh out loud without going over the top like, say, Excel Saga.

[OverMaster]

Why do I like it so much? Simple.

It was the first comedic animes to make me laugh out loud without going over the top like, say, Excel Saga.

Actually, I think Azumanga Daioh pulled that off before Haruhi came to be. :D

[The Xenos]

There's this crazy video from teh heart of Akihabara:
http://www.comics2film.com/b/index.php?blog=16&title=japanese_cops_bust_dancing_cosplay_flash&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

I've also seen random Haruhi dances break out at US cons now.

Also, it seems Lucky Star is the newest fad after Haruhi.

[Eliseu Gouveia]

I checked the 2nd chapter and I really liked what i saw.
Some hillarious situations thrown in, I had to go back and forth several times to "relive" some of those mements.

I´m definitely gonna have to order the DVD boxset from eBay/Amazon now. :p

[The Real Nemo]

I checked the 2nd chapter and I really liked what i saw.
Some hillarious situations thrown in, I had to go back and forth several times to "relive" some of those mements.

I´m definitely gonna have to order the DVD boxset from eBay/Amazon now. :p
Well only 2 out of 4 DVDs are out right now, so you'll have to wait a while for that...

[Young Avenger]

I just finished watching all 14 episodes (I had tons of time to kill) and I enjoyed it very much. Unfortunely, I saw the series in the correct order *shakes fit at anime tube*. I felt bad for Mikuru. She gets sexually assulted by Haruhi seemingly on a daily basis. I would just love to see her snap and tell Haruhi she's not going to wear the maid uniform anymore. That would be sweet.

[Young Avenger]

I just finished watching all 14 episodes (I had tons of time to kill) and I enjoyed it very much. Unfortunely, I saw the series in the correct order *shakes fit at anime tube*. I felt bad for Mikuru. She gets sexually assulted by Haruhi seemingly on a daily basis. I would just love to see her snap and tell Haruhi she's not going to wear the maid uniform anymore. That would be sweet.

[Young Avenger]

*edit triple post

[shanejayell]

I really like it, and am looking forward to watching in chronological order. *lol*

[Darth Joker]

Purely to see if I can get a post to come up...

[Kevinroc]

For the record, a second season of Haruhi was recently announced. No idea when it will air at this point.

[Young Avenger]

I heard that the second season might premier this fall. I'm not counting on it.

[Eliseu Gouveia]

Anyone knows if they used rotoscoping for the ending song Hare Hare Yukai (http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=DVY4ajb57os)?

The animation and choreography seems a bit more complex than what you usually get in regular anime (even for opening/ending themes).

[Cayman]

The second disc is a lot better than the first.

[Farealmer]

Having just watched the series yesterday i found it good. Not necessarily worth the OMG! insane hype it gets but i liked it. Although i found Haruhi herself to be the least interesting main character in the show. She's nice as a reason for them being there, and to move the episodes plot along but otherwise ehh. I was far more interested in the three bread and butter specials, the organizations they work for, and their interactions with each other and Kyon.

[MegamiMiko]

Three words. BAMBOO LEAF RHAPSODY.

It's here, just look and see.

[KandouErik]

It's awesome. I'd highly recommend it.

And right now you can get the whole box set for about $40 on Amazon.com. (Coming in late to a series sometimes has it's advantages)

There is reportedly a second Haruhi series in the works - but it might be a ways off.

[OverMaster]

There is reportedly a second Haruhi series in the works - but it might be a ways off.

They just aired the first episode of the second season at Japan.

[Darth Joker]

They just aired the first episode of the second season at Japan.

Here's some screen shots of it...

http://www.animevice.com/news/haruhi-really-aired-she-really-did-i-have-proof/1231/

A few observations...

1) The artwork is very pretty.

2) Judging from the screen shots, it doesn't look like a particularly eventful episode. Oh well.

3) The characters look de-aged to me. A good 2 or 3 years de-aged. The 1st season made me think 15-to-17 year olds. This artwork makes me think 12-to-14 year olds. Honestly, Haruhi could pass for a pre-teen the way she's drawn here. Everyone seems shorter, smaller, scrawnier. It doesn't help that Haruhi's smiles seem much more kiddy-like now. Good grief - even Mikuru's breasts seem to have shrunk. Is this plot-based? I mean - is the plot of this season that we're going back in time or something?

Well, my misgivings notwithstanding, it's still great to FINALLY see more Haruhi! As it been subbed yet per chance?

[MegamiMiko]

Here's some screen shots of it...

http://www.animevice.com/news/haruhi-really-aired-she-really-did-i-have-proof/1231/

A few observations...

1) The artwork is very pretty.

2) Judging from the screen shots, it doesn't look like a particularly eventful episode. Oh well.

3) The characters look de-aged to me. A good 2 or 3 years de-aged. The 1st season made me think 15-to-17 year olds. This artwork makes me think 12-to-14 year olds. Honestly, Haruhi could pass for a pre-teen the way she's drawn here. Everyone seems shorter, smaller, scrawnier. It doesn't help that Haruhi's smiles seem much more kiddy-like now. Good grief - even Mikuru's breasts seem to have shrunk. Is this plot-based? I mean - is the plot of this season that we're going back in time or something?
The short story it's based on ends up being very important later on. And yeah there is time travel, but the only one you get to see younger is Haruhi in the part where she's wearing casual clothes and has longer hair.

[MKTerra]

Wikipedia indicates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Haruhi_Suzumiya_episodes) that Japan is currently airing both seasons together in chronological order. However, some "Season 2" episodes take place in the midst of "Season 1" chronologically, so you might as well watch the "old" eps too.

[Sound Silence]

Apparently some fans were so dedicated they booked hotel rooms in the region that would be broadcasting it first.

[Yun Lao]

I did like the show (although I have no idea why the last four episodes were earlier repeats,) however, I my favorite of the Haruhi franchise is the Haruhi-chan mini-episodes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI7PzjBh2Vo).

[OverMaster]

3) The characters look de-aged to me. A good 2 or 3 years de-aged. The 1st season made me think 15-to-17 year olds. This artwork makes me think 12-to-14 year olds. Honestly, Haruhi could pass for a pre-teen the way she's drawn here. Everyone seems shorter, smaller, scrawnier. It doesn't help that Haruhi's smiles seem much more kiddy-like now. Good grief - even Mikuru's breasts seem to have shrunk. Is this plot-based? I mean - is the plot of this season that we're going back in time or something?

Most likely, the younger-looking characters are results of Kyoto Animation having problems to distance themselves from that sort of look after working on Lucky Star, the Haruhi-chan shorts and K-ON!

[Darth Joker]

Most likely, the younger-looking characters are results of Kyoto Animation having problems to distance themselves from that sort of look after working on Lucky Star, the Haruhi-chan shorts and K-ON!

Good point. That's probably what it is, yeah. Well... maybe I'll get used to the younger-looking characters after awhile. It's going to really clash with Wendee Lee's voice acting (which some say sounded too old for Haruhi to begin with) if/when this gets English dubbed, though.

Oh, and here's the new opening for Season 2 of Haruhi: More Haruhi! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zfqJTzDguc&feature=channel_page)

Warning about the above: Prepare your eyes... ;)

[Sound Silence]

Oh, and here's the new opening for Season 2 of Haruhi: More Haruhi! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zfqJTzDguc&feature=channel_page)

Warning about the above: Prepare your eyes... ;)

Actually, it's the ending. They didn't have an opening on the first episode.

[Darth Joker]

Actually, it's the ending. They didn't have an opening on the first episode.

Thanks for the correction. It did seem a bit short for an opening to me. lol

[Darth Joker]

I just watched the first episode of Season 2.

I'm more use to the English Dub for this particular anime, so it was a bit strange seeing it in English sub format. Nonetheless, a nice episode to start up where the last season left off. It played around with the concept of time travel a bit, and how it operates.

Younger Haruhi made me think a lot of Shana from Shakugan no Shana - very straightforward, short in her words, quick to threaten, and bossy. Even looks like Shana. Also more of a pure tsundere than "present" Haruhi, imo. "Present" Haruhi came across as downright cheerful, nice, and even a touch sweet in this episode. It was odd to see her so quickly run out of ideas of what to do after she had every SOS Brigade member make a wish, though.

[MegamiMiko]

Endless Eight parts one and two are out now. It looks like the story's being extended for the anime version so it'll be interesting to see what happens.

[MKTerra]

Four time-loop eps and counting, as the endless summer continues...

[spiderman_rj]

they gotta be kidding stretching this up for 2 more epsodes !!!
garrr

[Len Ikari145]

Four time-loop eps and counting, as the endless summer continues...

Dear God, it's become Higurashi!:eek:

Next thing you know, Yuki will start smiling (*SMILING?!*) while saying "Ni-pah!"; Kyon will be sporting a metal baseball Bat when he starts seeing Haruhi or Mikuru stalking him and generally scaring the shit out of him with their crazy, slitted pupils and Itsuki will be trying to dress the girls up in order to promote MOE!

...Okay, that last part wouldn't be significantly different.

[Darth Joker]

Endless Eight parts one and two are out now. It looks like the story's being extended for the anime version so it'll be interesting to see what happens.

Where did you find those episodes, if you don't mind me asking? I figure that they're probably up on YouTube, but I'd prefer a higher quality source, if possible...

[Alex L]

Dear God, it's become Higurashi!:eek:

Next thing you know, Yuki will start smiling (*SMILING?!*) while saying "Ni-pah!"; Kyon will be sporting a metal baseball Bat when he starts seeing Haruhi or Mikuru stalking him and generally scaring the shit out of him with their crazy, slitted pupils and Itsuki will be trying to dress the girls up in order to promote MOE!

...Okay, that last part wouldn't be significantly different.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3315/haruhigu1qb8.jpg

[MegamiMiko]

they gotta be kidding stretching this up for 2 more epsodes !!!
garrr
It does seem like they're going too far with this, a lot of fans are getting pissed.

Where did you find those episodes, if you don't mind me asking? I figure that they're probably up on YouTube, but I'd prefer a higher quality source, if possible...
Sorry, that's the only place I've watched them.

[Darth Joker]

It does seem like they're going too far with this, a lot of fans are getting pissed.

I can only assume that this is a cost-cutting measure. A lot fewer lines have to be said, since three episodes in a row now (up to the fifth new episode that I just watched) have virtually verbatim dialogue from one to the next. I imagine that they're saving money on voice actor salaries here.

But, yeah, from a fan's perspective, this is getting very tiresome.

Groundhog Day meets The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya isn't necessarily a bad idea, but the execution here is, frankly, awful. They could at the very least show some of the variations that Yuki is refering to, instead of the same part-time job scene with the frog get-ups over and over again.

Also, if I'm ever caught in a time loop, I really, really hope that it's not up to the SOS Brigade to get me out. My word... and I hate to say it... but Kyon, Koizumi, and Mikuru are clueless, while Haruhi is oblivious and Yuki's in Watcher (Marvel) mode.

I almost yelled at the screen "Kyon... you idiot... try something! Suggest something when Haruhi asks 'any other ideas for Summer vacation?'" Or, better yet, use Yuki as a sounding board from one occurrence of the time loop to the next - IOW, set Yuki up to retell you what you tried in the last time loop so you can try something new this time. Geordi LaForge can think of this stuff, but not one of Kyon, Koizumi, or Mikuru can?

Of all the characters that I've seen locked in Groundhog Day-esque scenarios - from Bill Murray's character in the original movie, to the crew of Picard's Enterprise, to freakin' Xena Warrior Princess - all were a lot more creative, imaginative and frankly intelligent than this in trying to find ways out of the time loop.




Sorry, that's the only place I've watched them.

No problem, I found them somewhere else afterwards.


Edit: I also want to add that I hate what they've done to Haruhi. She's lost her distinctive look entirely. She now looks more like Yui from K-On than her own self from the 2006 anime.

I fear that Haruhi Suzumiya is slipping into pure slice of life comedy anime status, losing many of the elements (such as, you know, actual sci-fi action scenes) that made it unique.

[MegamiMiko]

I can only assume that this is a cost-cutting measure. A lot fewer lines have to be said, since three episodes in a row now (up to the fifth new episode that I just watched) have virtually verbatim dialogue from one to the next. I imagine that they're saving money on voice actor salaries here.

But, yeah, from a fan's perspective, this is getting very tiresome.

Groundhog Day meets The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya isn't necessarily a bad idea, but the execution here is, frankly, awful. They could at the very least show some of the variations that Yuki is refering to, instead of the same part-time job scene with the frog get-ups over and over again.

Also, if I'm ever caught in a time loop, I really, really hope that it's not up to the SOS Brigade to get me out. My word... and I hate to say it... but Kyon, Koizumi, and Mikuru are clueless, while Haruhi is oblivious and Yuki's in Watcher (Marvel) mode.

I almost yelled at the screen "Kyon... you idiot... try something! Suggest something when Haruhi asks 'any other ideas for Summer vacation?'" Or, better yet, use Yuki as a sounding board from one occurrence of the time loop to the next - IOW, set Yuki up to retell you what you tried in the last time loop so you can try something new this time. Geordi LaForge can think of this stuff, but not one of Kyon, Koizumi, or Mikuru can?

Of all the characters that I've seen locked in Groundhog Day-esque scenarios - from Bill Murray's character in the original movie, to the crew of Picard's Enterprise, to freakin' Xena Warrior Princess - all were a lot more creative, imaginative and frankly intelligent than this in trying to find ways out of the time loop.
In the original short story we only see the final run through, so we don't know how they handled all of the times before that they discovered the loop and failed to get out. It's possible some of their earlier attempts were more creative than what we've seen in the anime.

Edit: I also want to add that I hate what they've done to Haruhi. She's lost her distinctive look entirely. She now looks more like Yui from K-On than her own self from the 2006 anime.

I fear that Haruhi Suzumiya is slipping into pure slice of life comedy anime status, losing many of the elements (such as, you know, actual sci-fi action scenes) that made it unique.
If we ever get out of Endless Eight there should be more of that, assuming there's time left in the series. I've heard rumors though that the real reason they're stretching out Endless Eight so much is that they're not really ready to animate The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya storyline everyone's been looking forward to at all and just want to cash in now. If that's true I wouldn't be surprised if the whole fandom implodes.

[Darth Joker]

In the original short story we only see the final run through, so we don't know how they handled all of the times before that they discovered the loop and failed to get out. It's possible some of their earlier attempts were more creative than what we've seen in the anime.

I haven't read the Haurhi Suzumiya novels. Does it all end up with Kyon having to hug Haruhi from behind and say "I love you" to her (as per Koizumi's repeated suggestions)? If so...

1) Koizumi doesn't look so bad any more, at least.

2) That's a pretty sad catalyst for a romance, lol :biggrin:

Still, I see your point.





If we ever get out of Endless Eight there should be more of that, assuming there's time left in the series. I've heard rumors though that the real reason they're stretching out Endless Eight so much is that they're not really ready to animate The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya storyline everyone's been looking forward to at all and just want to cash in now. If that's true I wouldn't be surprised if the whole fandom implodes.

Given the major change to the art style here, I can easily believe this rumor. Honestly, I can't see this K-On style artwork functioning well at all in sci-fi action scenes.

[MKTerra]

As I recall, the K-ONization has only been really pronounced in eps 1 and 5. Eps 2-4 looked fine.

And yes, I hate the style just as much as you do, if not more so. Goddamn buckteeth and stubby limbs and spastic talking animation and retardation... Urge to kill... rising... *ahem*. It was tolerable in its own show, but having it leak into Haruhi is infuriating.

[Darth Joker]

As I recall, the K-ONization has only been really pronounced in eps 1 and 5. Eps 2-4 looked fine.

I largely agree with this. I still haven't seen Haruhi look like...

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/2488/520957-haruhi_suzumiya_large.jpg

or...

http://www.haruhisuzumiya.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/young-haruhi.jpg

and not even close to...

http://badger11.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/haruhi1.jpg


But in fairness, that could simply be due to how she's out of her student uniform for episodes 2 through 4, and is acting sweeter than usual. Overall, Season 2 Haruhi is at least CLOSE to on-model for Episodes 2 through 4.

Episodes 1 and 5 are definitely the worse for K-ONization, yeah.



And yes, I hate the style just as much as you do, if not more so. Goddamn buckteeth and stubby limbs and spastic talking animation and retardation... Urge to kill... rising... *ahem*. It was tolerable in its own show, but having it leak into Haruhi is infuriating.

I feel much the same. Haruhi's show simply has too much of a serious philosophical/sci-fi mystery feel for this level of moe-ness (in the title character no less) to feel right.

I don't mind the moe style in K-ON because it's a much more light-hearted anime, but for Haruhi? Out of place.

[MegamiMiko]

I haven't read the Haurhi Suzumiya novels. Does it all end up with Kyon having to hug Haruhi from behind and say "I love you" to her (as per Koizumi's repeated suggestions)?
Nope, I don't want to spoil how it does end and take what little enjoyment is left out of this storyline though.

[Darth Joker]

Nope, I don't want to spoil how it does end and take what little enjoyment is left out of this storyline though.

LOL

Thanks for that. However, it's distinctly possible we'll get an anime original conclusion here... since I do know that in the Haruhi novels themselves only one iteration of the time loop was shown. The anime has already diverged substantially from the novels here.

I think - and this is just a theory I have, though I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else (not even on Anime Suki, as of a few hours ago today)...

I basically think that KyoAni's art team(s) (as in, the art staff alone - aside from the plot/adaptation writers in general) have taken over the entire production. I think that they want to do kawaii and moe slice of life stuff, and not the more sci-fi spectacular stuff. This summer vacation flows right into that, and having thousands of different time loops gives them an excuse to do several different episodes of it, and put off the stuff that they don't want to do.

I fear that we're not going to see much of the Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya during this season - maybe a cliffhanger leading into it in the last episode, but that's about it, I think.

I hope that I'm wrong, but that's the sense that I'm getting. I think that KyoAni wants Haruhi Season 2 to be K-ON Version 2.0, instead of a true continuation of the mood and style of Haruhi's 1st Season.

One positive I'll give the show, is that the 2nd Season Opening is very fun and solid.

[FeminineMystique]

The 00 episode is one of the funniest animes I've ever seen.

I am an alien from beyond the stars who uses the art of magic.

God I LOVE Yuki Nagato :biggrin:

[Darth Joker]

I just finished making a YouTube Poop of sorts making fun of Endless Eight. :biggrin:

Endless Eight Haruhi Poop! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67mrroFnCF4&feature=channel_page)

Note: The fun doesn't really start until 1:22. You'll need to wait for it! Spoilers are in this video, of course.

[spiderman_rj]

darth joker, the recurring end of the episodes should give you a hint.quite honestly doing 3 eps would be fine,would be like the episode 00, them being bold and make us bored like nagato would feel, but 6 ? they are calling us stupid if we cant see the ending being stuffed on our faces.

and they didnt save money the dialogues were voiced over again, and there is not a single frame repeated, in fact i say they wasted a good money on those eps that they aint getting back. would you buy the dvds with only 2 eps, of the same story 3 times ? i wont, i'll get the first, and last.

and screw disapearence, i want snow mountain i need my tsuruya fix ! DAMN IT !
also, i'm reading the novels and i though the new arc is bleh....really killed the mood and vibe of theseries, so i hope they only animate trhough disapearence and make a original ending.

[Darth Joker]

darth joker, the recurring end of the episodes should give you a hint.quite honestly doing 3 eps would be fine,would be like the episode 00, them being bold and make us bored like nagato would feel, but 6 ? they are calling us stupid if we cant see the ending being stuffed on our faces.

and they didnt save money the dialogues were voiced over again, and there is not a single frame repeated, in fact i say they wasted a good money on those eps that they aint getting back. would you buy the dvds with only 2 eps, of the same story 3 times ? i wont, i'll get the first, and last.

and screw disapearence, i want snow mountain i need my tsuruya fix ! DAMN IT !
also, i'm reading the novels and i though the new arc is bleh....really killed the mood and vibe of theseries, so i hope they only animate trhough disapearence and make a original ending.


I agree. I hate this Endless Eight stuff now. Hate it.

Like you, I think that 3 would have been perfect. 6 or more is too much.

And actually, now that you mention it, I'm missing Tsuruya myself. She's probably my favorite character outside of the main 5 (might be my 2nd favorite right behind Haruhi herself, actually). It's a real shame that all the characters after the main 5 are nowhere to be seen at all yet this season. Makes me wonder why they even bothered to put them in the intro...

[spiderman_rj]

Becouse tsuruya is important for the mikuru plot that follows, if we ever get there.....

[yeoman]

I agree. I hate this Endless Eight stuff now. Hate it.

Like you, I think that 3 would have been perfect. 6 or more is too much.

And actually, now that you mention it, I'm missing Tsuruya myself. She's probably my favorite character outside of the main 5 (might be my 2nd favorite right behind Haruhi herself, actually). It's a real shame that all the characters after the main 5 are nowhere to be seen at all yet this season. Makes me wonder why they even bothered to put them in the intro...


Three would be good for "Initial loop, loop where you realize it's a loop, loop that finishes it." Four if you want to screw with the fans.

At this point? Yeah, it's gone too far without putting a lot more variation into it. If we were getting *vastly* different perspectives on those two weeks? Maybe. By which I mean, some of the variant events that Yuki mentions that we never see.

[Praxis]

The loop has certainly gone on far to long, only a crazy fanboy would continue watching at this point.

Which I am, so I've watched every one. Its kinda interesting watching the slight variations in the formula. Taking all five episodes so far together, I think the 5th one was the best, everything came together just right, it was almost enough to make me enjoy the episode.

Oh course I can't see myself ever watching these eps again, or buying them on dvd. If I was watching with a friend, I would show them episode 5 and whatever episode finishes it and thats it. Watching each episode as they come out is boring enough, doing a marathon would be intolerable.

I've heard the episode 6 doesn't finish it either, at this point I would guess they're going for an even 8. They've pretty much wasted the entire season on this stupid arc that got resolved in one iteration in the book. The only explanation is some kind of social experiment, I can see the paper now "Just how whipped are our fanboys, the answer may surprise you" I can't believe the money behind the show approved this, only the most extreme fans will buy dvds of this, especially the japanese dvds, the ones with two eps at $40+ bucks a pop.

[spiderman_rj]

episode 6 ? we are on seven and waiting,lol. its problably marketing, from kadokawa, the series lost fans to lcuky star and kon, so if more people enraged talk about haruhi more people will hear about haruhi, and you know people, they will want to check out what the fuss is all about, but it will backlash into them.
i would hope they'd include 8 in seperate box cheaper, or more eps in one dvd, but they want to continue the 2 eps per dvd, who will own 4 boxes of a single epsode ? i wont.

i will wait online, and rip the eps and make my own dvd, with ep 01,02,05 and the last maybe 3, i thik i like mikuru bikini :P

[Darth Joker]

Three would be good for "Initial loop, loop where you realize it's a loop, loop that finishes it." Four if you want to screw with the fans.

At this point? Yeah, it's gone too far without putting a lot more variation into it. If we were getting *vastly* different perspectives on those two weeks? Maybe. By which I mean, some of the variant events that Yuki mentions that we never see.

Agreed. That's the big problem here. Even if Groundhog Day is your kind of thing, this is Groundhog Day done poorly.

[Darth Joker]

I made another Endless Eight spoof video. This one's a fair bit more detailed than the last one. To prepare you for it, here's a little joke.

M. Bison (in the role of Kadokawa for this video): For you, the day that Bison graced your favorite anime by deigning to destroy it was the most momentous day of your life. But for me... it was Tuesday. :wink:

With that out of the way, here's The Parody of Haruhi Suzumiya: Endless Poop! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3467_vvNKY&feature=channel_page)

[Guy1]

So, why does no one slap the taste out of her mouth when she's pulling that crap on Mikuru?

[MKTerra]

So, why does no one slap the taste out of her mouth when she's pulling that crap on Mikuru?It just might end the world.

[Darth Joker]

It just might end the world.

Well, beyond that, I think that Kyon is simply too much of a gentleman to be comfortable with hitting a girl or using force against her.

Meanwhile, Koizumi is probably amused by it, and as Endless Eight clearly shows, Yuki is almost Watcher-level with her dedication to "only observing".

[yeoman]

Well, beyond that, I think that Kyon is simply too much of a gentleman to be comfortable with hitting a girl or using force against her.

Meanwhile, Koizumi is probably amused by it, and as Endless Eight clearly shows, Yuki is almost Watcher-level with her dedication to "only observing".

Well, regular Watcher. Not Uatu, Mr. "IGNORE ME!"

[MegamiMiko]

So, why does no one slap the taste out of her mouth when she's pulling that crap on Mikuru?

I think that Kyon is simply too much of a gentleman to be comfortable with hitting a girl or using force against her.
Normally that's true, but it does get to the point where he comes close and has to be restrained by Koizumi once in book 2 during the making of the student film. This is one scene I hope never makes it to the anime since it's really Haruhi at her worst.

First she gets Mikuru drunk by spiking her juice because she'd heard somewhere that this would lead to a more realistic performance. Then she tries make Koizumi do a kissing scene with Mikuru that even he ends up having to (politely) refuse because of the state she's in. Then she notices that Mikuru's still wearing her "Mikuru Beam" contact lens and tries to remove it by smacking her hard on the back of the head, using the logic that this always causes contact lenses to pop out in anime. When this fails she tells Mikuru she's doing it wrong and keeps smacking her. When Kyon finally steps in to put a stop to this saying that Mikuru isn't her toy, Haruhi counters that she's decided Mikuru is her toy. That's when he loses it.

To be fair, this does take place before a lot of her character development.

[Darth Joker]

Normally that's true, but it does get to the point where he comes close and has to be restrained by Koizumi once in book 2 during the making of the student film. This is one scene I hope never makes it to the anime since it's really Haruhi at her worst.

First she gets Mikuru drunk by spiking her juice because she'd heard somewhere that this would lead to a more realistic performance. Then she tries make Koizumi do a kissing scene with Mikuru that even he ends up having to (politely) refuse because of the state she's in. Then she notices that Mikuru's still wearing her "Mikuru Beam" contact lens and tries to remove it by smacking her hard on the back of the head, using the logic that this always causes contact lenses to pop out in anime. When this fails she tells Mikuru she's doing it wrong and keeps smacking her. When Kyon finally steps in to put a stop to this saying that Mikuru isn't her toy, Haruhi counters that she's decided Mikuru is her toy. That's when he loses it.

To be fair, this does take place before a lot of her character development.

Yes, that would be Haruhi at her worst, but then, I don't think Haruhi was ever meant to be an entirely endearing and likable character. She has a definite megalomaniacal villainous side to her, and that's one of the elements that makes her character unique compared to most anime protagonists.

That being said, I'll be fine if the anime never does this scene - especially since we've already seen the completion of the student film.

Good to know that Kyon does have a spine, after all.

[MegamiMiko]

Yes, that would be Haruhi at her worst, but then, I don't think Haruhi was ever meant to be an entirely endearing and likable character. She has a definite megalomaniacal villainous side to her, and that's one of the elements that makes her character unique compared to most anime protagonists.
True. But I would like to think she starts to develop into something of a better person, while still keeping what makes her Haruhi.

[MegamiMiko]

Update: Endless Eight has reportedly just ended at (guess what) part 8.

[Darth Joker]

Update: Endless Eight has reportedly just ended at (guess what) part 8.

I'm relieved to see it. As the lack of activity on this thread shows, Endless Eight has put quite the hurt on the franchise. Let's hope it can bounce back.

[spiderman_rj]

lol joker you are using her face from last ep, i see you have converted to haruhism now ?

[Darth Joker]

lol joker you are using her face from last ep, i see you have converted to haruhism now ?

Yeah, it's funny... as much as I hate Endless Eight, it got me heavily involved into the Haruhi fan community, so now I'm a haruhiist you could say.

I love this particular shot of Haruhi since...

1) It finally shows Haruhi as something other than sugar and spice and everything nice (which is what she had been all season until the scene with that shot in it).

2) Haruhi is one of my favorite characters.

3) Looking at this pic of Haruhi reminds me of another one of my favorite characters.

So, it's all good. :cool:

[spiderman_rj]

she is blushy cos all she really wanted during all this 15 thousand odd weeks was to expend some time with kyon,lol.

also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiSg02Ll20s

[yeoman]

Yeah, it's funny... as much as I hate Endless Eight, it got me heavily involved into the Haruhi fan community, so now I'm a haruhiist you could say.

I love this particular shot of Haruhi since...

1) It finally shows Haruhi as something other than sugar and spice and everything nice (which is what she had been all season until the scene with that shot in it).


...

Really, only when compared to Haruhi on a normal day. She was still demanding and pushy through the entire thing.

[FeminineMystique]

So, why does no one slap the taste out of her mouth when she's pulling that crap on Mikuru?

Because you would have to be insane to STOP a gorgeous hyper active brunnette fondling a gorgeous well endowed redhead in a bunny suit? :biggrin: :wink:

[OverMaster]

The first episode of the Sighs arc has just aired.

[spiderman_rj]

Where did you take that from ? havent found it online or confirmed at my otaku sites

[OverMaster]

Where did you take that from ? havent found it online or confirmed at my otaku sites

The AnimeSuki forums. They even have screens there.

You also could hit the Random Curiosity blog.

[MegamiMiko]

The first episode of the Sighs arc has just aired.
So they're doing the student film after all, I guess this means no Disappearance.

[Darth Joker]

Where did you take that from ? havent found it online or confirmed at my otaku sites

Anime Suki is insanely on top of this stuff. However, they're on top of the raw, not even waiting for subs. The sub may not be out yet, which is why you're not finding it yet.

[spiderman_rj]

The AnimeSuki forums. They even have screens there.

You also could hit the Random Curiosity blog.

Thanks for the tips


Anime Suki is insanely on top of this stuff. However, they're on top of the raw, not even waiting for subs. The sub may not be out yet, which is why you're not finding it yet.

Ah, i see.

[Darth Joker]

Special Note: Episode 11 of this is now available in English subs, and it's good. Very good. Probably the best episode of the season, and the 2nd episode of a new arc. It also has probably the best artwork of the season thus far.

Basically, if you were somebody who (quite understandably) quit due to Endless Eight... it's safe to come back now. :wink:

[spiderman_rj]

haruhi got k-oned, lolicon pervs must be pleased.

[Darth Joker]

haruhi got k-oned, lolicon pervs must be pleased.

I dislike the art change for the most part... but it does look good on Mikuru, I have to admit. It doesn't look good on Haruhi, though.

Still, the latest episode of Haruhi is the closest to 2006 art style/quality that I've seen yet this year.

[Rod G]

So,what do you think about a live action "dorama" version of the Haruhi Suzumiya series?

[Darth Joker]

Sad to see this thread so dead... I guess it's the natural result of the E8 crap that was pulled though. :frown:

Oh well, new year's over now. I guess as a Haruhi fan I can only hope that we get a new season within a year or two...

A new blog entry (http://assessingtheanime.blogspot.com/2009/09/secret-to-popularity.html) I put up evaluating a few different things, but with a particular focus on the future of Haruhi Suzumiya, and the future of anime as a whole. It also focuses on a lot of other fandoms I've been a part of, and my take on what makes characters popular.

It's pretty long, but hopefully folks here might get a good read out of it. :smile:

[OverMaster]

Sad to see this thread so dead... I guess it's the natural result of the E8 crap that was pulled though. :frown:


Don't read too much from this thread's results... as I've said before, pretty much any series not named Negima, Naruto, Bleach or Fairy Tail just doesn't do well at their own threads in this forum.

[spiderman_rj]

There is no god ,noooo gooooooooooooooood !

i read they are boycotting the dvds.

[MKTerra]

haruhi got k-oned, lolicon pervs must be pleased.From what I've seen, even the lolicon pervs are calling it "K-ON cancer".

[MegamiMiko]

According to a new announcement Haruhi novel 4 The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya which everyone was hoping to see animated in the last batch of episodes is apparently going to be made into a movie. It's supposed to come out in Japan in the spring of 2010.

[yeoman]

According to a new announcement Haruhi novel 4 The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya which everyone was hoping to see animated in the last batch of episodes is apparently going to be made into a movie. It's supposed to come out in Japan in the spring of 2009.

Typo, or the world altering power of Haruhi at work? You decide!

[MegamiMiko]

Typo, or the world altering power of Haruhi at work? You decide!
Ah sorry, make that 2010. :redface:

[yeoman]

Ah sorry, make that 2010. :redface:

I figured, but given the characters involved, it was too good a joke to pass up. Hope I didn't offend.

[MegamiMiko]

I figured, but given the characters involved, it was too good a joke to pass up. Hope I didn't offend.
Not at all, thanks for pointing that out. :smile:

[Eliseu Gouveia]

WHOA!

Been hearing so many bad things about this season 2 I had to give it a time out.
And I was so eager to start watching it this weekend....

What happened?:frown:

[Hazard]

WHOA!

Been hearing so many bad things about this season 2 I had to give it a time out.
And I was so eager to start watching it this weekend....

What happened?:frown:

Endless eight happened in which they took a rather short story about a groundhog scenario and used it as an excuse to show the same episode eight freaking times.

[Eliseu Gouveia]

Oh, my god.

That was brutal!
I watched the whole thing.
Anyone watching this season, please skip those episodes, you´ll be doing yourself a favour!
It´s pure torture!

I am up to episode 11 now, after surviing that ordeal and it does get much better, we finally get to see them shooting the movie from waaay back (the pilot episode of season #1).

But those few hours I spent watching endless eight... that is time I´ll never get back. :mad:

[spiderman_rj]

Good news if there is still any fanbase left, the disapearence of haruhi movie will have 150 minutes of duration, you head that right 2 hours and 30 minutes !!

[Darth Joker]

Good news if there is still any fanbase left, the disapearence of haruhi movie will have 150 minutes of duration, you head that right 2 hours and 30 minutes !!

I think that's too long, actually.

But, I'll take too long over too short.

Novel 4 doesn't require more than 6 episodes worth of content, though... and that's what 150 minutes translates into.

[KnockBlock]

Without getting too much into it, I'll just say that season 2 is a total letdown from season 1. There'd better be another season to make up for this.

[Eliseu Gouveia]

:biggrin: Endless Eight gets to Hitler (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiSg02Ll20s) :biggrin:

[Dark Soul # 7]

I've now read the first two english translated volumes and I have to say that they kicked ass.

Imaginative, trope-subverting ass-kickery all around with some great characterisation thrown in. Good stuff.

Since I only knew about what all the SOS Brigade members had told Kyon I was pleasantly surprised when shit started hitting the fan and there were suddenly alien assasins trying to kill the poor guy, a future version of his crush hitting on him and monster battles in an alternate dimension thrown into the mix.

I can't wait for the next volume to be translated.

[Farealmer]

I found the endless eight episodes not as bad as many have said. The last four were a bit eh, but at least they didn't recycle footage for every episode.

[shanejayell]

Got the DVD set for season 2. Endless Eight is much more bearable using the fast forward button. *lol*

Apparently Haruhi-chan will be out soon, as is the manga.

[Shadow Skill]

Anyone feel Haruhi and Kyon are a Japanese Lois and Clark?

[Hazard]

:biggrin: Endless Eight gets to Hitler (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiSg02Ll20s) :biggrin:

That is awesome. I can't believe I didn't see it before.

[Hullababy]

I just recently started watching this series. Finished the first season and absolutely loved it. :biggrin:

What should I expect in season 2 ?

[OverMaster]

I just recently started watching this series. Finished the first season and absolutely loved it. :biggrin:

What should I expect in season 2 ?

A nice standalone episode (Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody), a so-so arc (Sighs), and a good idea for a single episode or two-parter stretched into eight abominable episodes (Endless Eight).

However, from what I have heard, the recent movie (Disappearance) is truly amazing.