I just watched the ending of the 2nd Season of the Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi [1]. While reading the Baka-tsuki fan translations of the novel, I had considered the movie making arc to be the middle child between the roaring opening of the original Melancholy (1st 6 episodes) and the Disappearance storyline.
After all, the actions were already completely defined and had already been shown in detail as episode zero. However, Kyoto Ani really kicked up the intensity in episode 13 during the argument at Tsuruya's house. Sugita nailed the scene and the animation was nothing less than inspired. Their reconciliation was also natural and well done. Haruhi trying to tie a ponytail recalls his complement in closed space. We can only hope that Mikuru doesn't go around in a ponytail or the world might end.
All in all, the first episode of the second season was good and the last three were excellent. The middle was interesting from an innovation standpoint, but was a bit overdone. Here's to a third season, soon.
[1] AFK fansub.
Showing posts with label Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi. Show all posts
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Haruhi Season 2: Really Endless Eight
The arc Endless Eight will probably end in episode 5, but not before confounding (what I imagine) are most fans' expectations of a convenient end to the endless loop. Instead, there have been at least three iterations of the loop shown. For a show that began with episode 0, leapt through its own timeline, and then ninja ambushed the fans with the second season, there looping of the endless eight, should not be a surprise, yet it still surprised me.
Though the repeats jerks my chain with each rewind, I'm glad that Kyoto Ani isn't resting on their laurels. Sieg Kyon!
Update: Just watched 5, refusing to bow to rules or popularity pressure, Kyoto Ani continues Endless Eights for another week. I wonder if a mix up like season one would have worked better, but they strive to defy expectation.
Update 2: Episode 6 continues to loop the Endless Eights. Keep 'em guessing and stressing! I suppose that there's a good reason why there isn't a preview at the end of each episode. Keep 'em coming Kyoto Ani!
Update 3: I just watched the breaking of the loop at Episode 9. I was late to the game, but it was still a relief to see it end.
Though the repeats jerks my chain with each rewind, I'm glad that Kyoto Ani isn't resting on their laurels. Sieg Kyon!
Update: Just watched 5, refusing to bow to rules or popularity pressure, Kyoto Ani continues Endless Eights for another week. I wonder if a mix up like season one would have worked better, but they strive to defy expectation.
Update 2: Episode 6 continues to loop the Endless Eights. Keep 'em guessing and stressing! I suppose that there's a good reason why there isn't a preview at the end of each episode. Keep 'em coming Kyoto Ani!
Update 3: I just watched the breaking of the loop at Episode 9. I was late to the game, but it was still a relief to see it end.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
7/7 & 13: The Crush from the Crushing Loneliness
The root of Haruh's pathology came from the diminishing moment during the game at the Hanshin Tiger's stadium.To be so insignificant and regular crushed her psyche. Carrying these feelings, Haruhi snuck out of her house and into the middle school to leave the simple message: "I am Here". She needed affirmation of her existence, then met John Smith, a high schooler who helped her (abet not quite willingly and with a lot of hollering) and gave her hope that
- he guessed that Aliens were real.
- he wouldn'd be surprised if Time Travelers also existed
- and that psychics were everywhere.
- Most importantly that there was someone at North High who believed.
Haruhi Season 2 Episode 1: Tectonic shift
The 2nd season of Haruhi kicked off with it's usual surprise, much like the first season opened with Episode Zero. According to limulux, season two began with a sneak attack on the fans. During another run of the series, the new episode was slipped in during the chronological order without any announcement. It had a cold start, so there was no warning from a new opening sequence.
These people still know how to take risks.
The animation quality was up to par with the old episodes and the directing clever. Most of it followed the novel, though the opening bit about studying was skipped.
I believe that there was a significant shift. It was small, but it was strong. While the episode showed a lot more Asahina than usual, the biggest scene belonged to Yuki. At the end of there three year status there is a look exchanged between Kyon & Yuki that says so much without words.
I'm hoping for more soon, though there was no episode preview.
These people still know how to take risks.
The animation quality was up to par with the old episodes and the directing clever. Most of it followed the novel, though the opening bit about studying was skipped.
I believe that there was a significant shift. It was small, but it was strong. While the episode showed a lot more Asahina than usual, the biggest scene belonged to Yuki. At the end of there three year status there is a look exchanged between Kyon & Yuki that says so much without words.
I'm hoping for more soon, though there was no episode preview.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
She's Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
Haruhi is officially back: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-21/new-haruhi-suzumiya-anime-episode-airs
The series starts out with the Bamboo Rhapsody. My fanboy fires have been reignited. I was feeling on point today. At first, I thought that it was from the ginseng or the nap during the safety training, but it was the return of the Goddesses of the Otaku. Welcome back, your Graces.
The series starts out with the Bamboo Rhapsody. My fanboy fires have been reignited. I was feeling on point today. At first, I thought that it was from the ginseng or the nap during the safety training, but it was the return of the Goddesses of the Otaku. Welcome back, your Graces.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Haruhi Prediction Volume 9-10
As of today, the baka-tsuki site has translated Volume 9 prologue, 5% chapter 1, 50% chapter 2, and 17% chapter 3. So far, Kyon has met his middle school friend Sasaki, Kyoko the psuedo-esper, Fujiwara the time traveler, and Kuyoh the Canopy Domain alien. The opposition brigade only lacks a mundane like Kyon.
At the halfway point of chapter, Kyoko drops the bomb. She declares Sasaki as the real God, not Haruhi. Both causeiambetta and I discussed this and we both believe that Haruhi has set up not only the opposition, but Sasaki's abilities as well. During first volume, Kyon listed every faction that has shown up:
We believe that Haruhi created a rival to herself in every way, including in the paranormal. She may be seeking a rival as a ready reason for why Kyon hasn't fallen for her. I do not believe that Haruhi created Sasaki, rather Haruhi's subconscious dredged Sasaki out of Kyon's past and augmented her.
Where causeiambetta and I diverge is the extent to which Haruhi understands what's going on. I believe that she does not have an inkling of her power and this is powered by adolescent thoughts and understandings about relationships.
causeiambetta's chain of logic is more complex:
1. Haruhi has an idea of her own ability
2. Her subconscious wants a tiebreaker to see if Kyon sticks with her because of her abilities or for her
3. Hence the power-up of Sasaki.
Update via Windows Messenger at 9:45 PM Friday:
As the chapters unfold, we shall see who is right and wrong.
At the halfway point of chapter, Kyoko drops the bomb. She declares Sasaki as the real God, not Haruhi. Both causeiambetta and I discussed this and we both believe that Haruhi has set up not only the opposition, but Sasaki's abilities as well. During first volume, Kyon listed every faction that has shown up:
- Aliens
- Time Travelers
- Psychics
- A secret organization and it's enemy
We believe that Haruhi created a rival to herself in every way, including in the paranormal. She may be seeking a rival as a ready reason for why Kyon hasn't fallen for her. I do not believe that Haruhi created Sasaki, rather Haruhi's subconscious dredged Sasaki out of Kyon's past and augmented her.
Where causeiambetta and I diverge is the extent to which Haruhi understands what's going on. I believe that she does not have an inkling of her power and this is powered by adolescent thoughts and understandings about relationships.
causeiambetta's chain of logic is more complex:
1. Haruhi has an idea of her own ability
2. Her subconscious wants a tiebreaker to see if Kyon sticks with her because of her abilities or for her
3. Hence the power-up of Sasaki.
Update via Windows Messenger at 9:45 PM Friday:
causeiambetta:
for my reasons, can you add that haruhi is testing kyon if he would stay with her for her abilities or for her being able to destroy the world?... reality is that only haruhi can, sasuki is a fake but the test is that she's as real of a threat...
the opposition was never meant to have a 'mundane', its kyon who in the entire series, that we both theorize, as the only 'mundane.' This ofcourse makes him more special than everyone else...
can you explain your side more?
Margaret Man:
A rival is an easy answer for an immature girl: "he doesn't like me, because he likes someone else."
for my reasons, can you add that haruhi is testing kyon if he would stay with her for her abilities or for her being able to destroy the world?... reality is that only haruhi can, sasuki is a fake but the test is that she's as real of a threat...
the opposition was never meant to have a 'mundane', its kyon who in the entire series, that we both theorize, as the only 'mundane.' This ofcourse makes him more special than everyone else...
can you explain your side more?
Margaret Man:
A rival is an easy answer for an immature girl: "he doesn't like me, because he likes someone else."
As the chapters unfold, we shall see who is right and wrong.
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