And I thought anime was dead

Fat Cat Lim · Post by **Fat Cat Lim** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 16:29

Gunsmith wrote:
Fat Cat Lim wrote:I know about that but still, 3+ minutes of practically nothing going on was a bit of an overkill. It didn't help that Yuki didn't even have a single line at all in what was supposed to be the final episode of the season.
I never got past eps 5

so can we have a final verdict from you? Is Haruhi worth watching? could you give it a super mini review?

SPOILER

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I think what most throws people off is the anachronic order of the episode airing which can make some people confused about the true nature of the show. Essentially, the "filler" episodes (such as the baseball comp and the disappearance of the Computer Club President) serves as a foreshadowing of what will be the most climatic and interesting part of the novel: the demonstration of the SOS Dan members' powers and the revelation of the extent of Haruhi's omnipotency. The early revelations of Yuki's, Mikuru's, and Itsuki's "powers" in the 4th episode serves as more foreshadowing of Haruki's true identity and innate ability, which will most likely be revealed in the final episode. It's sorta like watching the movie Memento, where you know what has already happened, only you don't know how it came to be; it is this theme of finding out the truth (i.e. Haruhi's true nature) by piecing together the few clues that are revealed that makes The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya genuinely interesting to watch.

TMOHS is worth watching simply because of Haruhi's enigmatic and charasmatic personality. I think out of the anime series that I've watched so far, Haruhi is perhaps one of the most enjoyable female characters that I've encountered: she's sassy, eccentric, (slightly) masochistic, strong-headed, confident, optimistic, and selfish. It's a kind of chutzpah never really displayed so boldly by a female protagonist. At the same time, the few tender moments in which she displays her emotional vulnerability and kindness make her more than just a 2 dimensional stick-figure. Ironically, it is this complexity of Haruhi's character that makes her appear more as a real-life persona, even though we recognise that such a personality would hardly exist in the real world.

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END SPOILER

Kyosuke Kagami · Post by **Kyosuke Kagami** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 00:02

TMOHS is worth watching simply because of Haruhi's enigmatic and charasmatic personality.

WHAT? When did that happen?

Any other char from Suzumiya Haruhi > Haruhi herself.

Sheba · Post by **Sheba** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 00:20

Kyosuke Kagami wrote:
TMOHS is worth watching simply because of Haruhi's enigmatic and charasmatic personality.
WHAT? When did that happen?

Any other char from Suzumiya Haruhi > Haruhi herself.

That's because she have every single aspects of a All-Mighty Bruce and a Tsundere character (Naru Narusegawa, Shana, Rin Tohsaka) rolled into one and exagerated by a lot. You have to read a fair bit of the novel to become aware that Haruhi is far from being one-dimensionnal than most of nowadays' anime characters. She is dysfunctionnal, either she lives with it, ignores it or is totally clueless about it. The novel, then the anime shall show you the reasons why she is that way. A pretty understandable reason, I could relate to, because I think almost everyone went through what she had gone through (the feeling we are only ordinary, that everything we live have nothing special about it)
Moreover, Aya Hirano did a pretty good job into conveying the Haruhi's multi-faceted personality. Just like Tomokazu Sugita brought his wit and sarcasm into the Kyon's character.

Oh, you are just bitter because Mikuru is always the abuse's target of Haruhi.

By the way:

For the past six months these costumes have all graced the warm skin of Asahina. Let me explain further, there is absolutely no reason for Asahina to wear these costumes, apart from satisfying Haruhi's own ego. Maybe she suffered some sort of trauma in the past? Like not getting the dress-up doll she wanted when she was young, so now she sees Asahina as a large doll to play around with. Thanks to this, Asahina's emotional scars increased as the days go by, while my visual senses got stimulated as a result, creating a sense of happiness for me. Sigh, overall, I don't think a lot of people benefitted from this, so I'd best not say anything about it.

LOL KYON!

Sauce: First chapter, second novel

Kyosuke Kagami · Post by **Kyosuke Kagami** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 02:36

Oh, you are just bitter because Mikuru is always the abuse's target of Haruhi.

Not exactly, I simply can't stand her personality. And well, Haruhi being a mentally weird person was a very clear fact since I saw her strange way to be in the second chapter.

Oh, but I can't deny I also hate her (10% of my overall Haruhi hate) because she always tries to abuse Mikuru ;___;

Though the real reason that makes me watch all chapters and LOL @ them everytime is: Kyon's incredibly amazing narrative.

LOL KYON

:0

funny fact: some of my friends call me "Kyon" :s

Gojira · Post by **Gojira** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 04:09

Multi-faceted my ass. She has one expression she wears 99% of the time, and it looks like this:

>:D

Sheba · Post by **Sheba** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 08:24

I talk about personality duuuuuuuurrrrr

Fat Cat Lim · Post by **Fat Cat Lim** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 17:05

I think it's fair to say that Kyon, the narrator of TMOHS plays a crucial role in bringing out not only Haruhi's personality but the other characters' personalities too. His sarcasm and dry observations gives meaning to the personalities of the cast of TMOHS. Otherwise, the actions and idiosyncracies of certain characters (such as Yuki and Mikuru) will not be fully understood.

Sheba · Post by **Sheba** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 17:51

Itsuki looks so gay, as in homosexual, especially around Kyon. And it is creeping me out.

For the episode 9, I think Yuki is the one who lent Kyon her cardigan. It is not unlikely, since Kyon is the first person to treat her like a normal, yet a tad odd, person.

One of the novels kinda hints it.

-Defuser- · Post by **-Defuser-** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 16:26

Even though we saw the 'Final Episode',we all know that will lead to a second season

,if i remember that was the 1st book which is the first season and there are more 3 more books which each will revolve around that particular charcter.

Btw,TMOHS wouldn't be that popular if it wasn't for Kyon narrations and sarcasm.

Kyosuke Kagami · Post by **Kyosuke Kagami** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 06:45

People, have you already forgotten Utawarerumono and Fate/Stay Night? :0

Just watched F/SN #22.

I'm crying again, and that hasn't happened since Archer died... yeah, now Lancer joined him

BP · Post by BP » Sun Jun 04, 2006 14:48

I've been following Ouran Host Club recently...and yeah, it's hilarious as hell. Most of the scenes where Tamaki are in = comedy gold.

Post by **Gunsmith** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 16:53

Sheba wrote:
One of the novels kinda hints it.

/troll

what do you want us to do exactly? Watch the anime or read the book? Or both? I like FCL's review but if Haruhi was the best thing about the series, I felt the opposite: Haruhi came across as a spoilt brat, and I simply lost interest, regardless of how she turns out, or what reasons she has.

I guess I'll remain part of the minority that doesn't like TMOHS. Perhaps we're shortsighted. Or perhaps we just don't have the time to care.

*watches more Noein*

Fat Cat Lim · Post by **Fat Cat Lim** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 18:15

I'd suggest reading the novel though watching the anime alone should be sufficient.

There're a number of subtleties within the show that gradually shows Haruhi's concern for the SOS Dan members (Lone Island Syndrome is one). These are few and far in between but they're show a different side to her personality when she isn't busy molesting Miruku into another cosplay costume or when bossing Kyon around.

The one thing I never really liked about tsundere couples is that usually the female character has a tough-as-nails personality which eventually breaks down into mush upon meeting the male protagonist. This isn't a bad thing but most of the time, it's really, really obvious. At least with TMOHS, the signs are more subtle (except for Episode 9 at the end) and Haruhi continues to display her usual brash attitude with Kyon instead of suddenly breaking into furious blushes or speaking in low voices when talking with each other. So when Haruhi reacts out of her usual haughty character, these moments are more unexpected and are cherished by close viewers of the series.

Well, you're not the only one who thinks otherwise about the series. I'm not gonna force you to watch the series if you don't like it. Kyon's sarcastic narration continues to entertain me greatly.

Kyosuke Kagami · Post by **Kyosuke Kagami** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 02:51

I guess I'll remain part of the minority that doesn't like TMOHS.

What minority? Suzumiya Haruhi may be known in the anime fans community, but it isn't as popular as other shows.

Sheba · Post by **Sheba** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 07:51

Kyosuke Kagami wrote:
I guess I'll remain part of the minority that doesn't like TMOHS.
What minority? Suzumiya Haruhi may be known in the anime fans community, but it isn't as popular as other shows.

How many of you knew about Haruhi Suzumiya before the 1st of march? Please raise your hand! Not much uh?
A lot more were expected from XXXHolic, Nana and this season's Tsubasa Chronicles.
Higurashi and Haruhi are more like those hits you didn't expected. Note: Haruhi is one of the most discussed show over Korea.