Thsi is a gerat review if i had to rate it myself I would put up a much more higher score, this show turned out to be one of my top 3 best anime. Its kinda hard to get into since the anime episodes are out of order but its makes so much sense. The anime is great in how it is formatted becaus you can watch the show 2 different ways, which gives it more fun that watching it once in a different order.
The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi tv Review
Haruhi Suzumiya is a beautiful first year high school student who is smart, athletic, and won't turn down any guy who asks her out. The problem is that she isn't interested in anyone or anything who isn't an alien, time traveler, slider, or ESPer - as such no guy has lasted for more than a week with her.
When she realizes that none of the clubs at school cater to her highly eccentric tastes, she drafts her classmate, Kyon (the narrator and voice of reason) and forms the "Suzumiya Haruhi's Save our World by Overloading it with Fun" Brigade (the S.O.S. Brigade for short). Nobody quite knows what the club does other than to satisfy the whims of Haruhi, but it is becoming evident that there is more to Haruhi than it seems, and that there may be more truth to her delusional beliefs than reason would leave most to believe.
Story & Characters
Now let's talk about another event anime of the year, The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi. This anime first serialized in novels by Nagaru Tanigawa then very popular anime in middle of 2006 took the world of anime fandom by storm. Why and how it become so instantly appealing to viewers is matter of academic conjecture but it can summarize that few popular anime memes that used by it is very effective. First high proportion of female characters with stereotypes which is instantly recognizable to anime fans. Haruhi is a tsundere stock character, Yuki is silent, Rei Ayanami (Evangelion) type of mold and Mikuru the busty doormat girl. Second, typical sailor school uniform with high cut skirt then followed by various costumes from bunny girl suit to maid. Third, the anime even caters to fangirls and yaoi in shape of Itsuki the ever smiling male student. Four, the implied romantic between all principle players in the story, even Itsuki-Kyon angle. With all these popular stock characters in play, it is a good start for successful anime hook for audience. Then the story throws in most often used genre in this setting, from time traveler to alien-human interaction having a discourse with things like for example a space battle scenario ( a nod to Legend of Galactic Heroes), murder mystery (another tribute to Detective Conan or Case Closed) and sports anime. On top of that, a brilliant (or retarded, depending on your view) scrambled order of episodes to catch viewer's attention to find out more and more about the anime. It is a clever gimmick and admittedly it adds a strange charm to the otherwise already well planned anime. But what gives the anime strongest charm is inclusion of the very normal and down-to-earth Kyon who is doing fourth wall narration and voice of reason while reacting to various antics of the characters around him especially Haruhi.
This anime is about a normal student which only known as Kyon to audiences ( so audiences can insert their own name I suspected) encounter with 4 really strange people in his school. 3 very beautiful girls with different personalities and 1 handsome pleasant boy entered his life with a force of tidal wave and take Kyon to unwitting places. Haruhi is center of his roller coaster ride, an impetuous and bored female classmate. She is claimed by other 3 people that she is holding key to human singularity as she has ability to create reality as she pleased. When you have impetuous plus bored plus godlike ability, something funky will definitely happen. Which it did. For 14 episodes, viewers are subjected to Kyon's often exasperation of her antics and his discussion what is reality or not with out-of-the-world factors weighing on his mind in the process. Story wise the anime is fairly mundane but what makes it noticeable is scrambled ordering of episodes and no holes barred narration from Kyon which gives this anime an unique flavour.
Rating:
Art
Now I only will comment on one scene of the anime which clinched my attention very well. The concert. Yes, the scene where Haruhi has to stand in for absent members of band in school festival is a highlight for me. If viewers look carefully, Haruhi hair become progressively wet from sweat of singing and her mouth movement is accurate to the lyrics of the song. Not to mention the guitar play is largely in sync with the song. This is a very impressive set piece scene by itself and deserve many viewing for sheer details of the art mastery. Bravo Kyoto Animation.
Other than that, the anime art is sufficient to convey what it needs to convey.
Rating:
Sound
Haruhi insert songs used in concert scene are very catchy with "God Knows" and "Lost My Music" by Hiyano Aya the voice actress of Haruhi. The OP is standard whereas the ED "Hare Hare Yukai" is enhanced by infectious dance choreography by characters of the anime. The BGM of the anime is sufficient to accompany the mood of the show, not overwhelming it or underwhelm by it. The highlight of anime sound department is the insert songs by Hiyano Aya which quite talented and unique.
The Japanese voice acting of the series are excellent, each characters represented by voice actors and actresses who
suitable for the role. Especially Aya Hirano who has a commanding presence in this aspect, her characterization of
Haruhi is spot on and voice of Kyon also complimented her audacious aspect in the anime.
Rating:
Presentation
This anime ability to be different from other animes of the season due to unsual setting and technical mastery of the Kyoto Animation. The anime also make sure of its success by using all popular character stock to catch anime fans attention and popular memes like bunny girl costume to make anime fans happy. However, the anime decided to be episodic madness and did not really try to address the impasse between Haruhi and Kyon can frustating to some viewers. Someone complained that anime resolution is a pathetic ponytail hair which really did not push the story anywhere at all. As I mentioned in my comment, the anime appeal is Haruhi's impasse and inability to solve her issues then she decided to make her environment responsible for her dissatisfaction of her life. Perhaps some people who complained in this manner miss the point of the anime. Haruhi never meant to have any conclusion and her constant rampage with her issues is crux of the anime.
Perhaps not.
This anime deserve a viewing for standalone comedies and subtle brain teaser but any expectation of it have any conclusion should be cautioned as it did not really go in that direction. As for me, this anime has a fascinating discussion on human ascendancy and singularity; a rather humorous debate on order versus chaos, nature of man's nothingness and alienation, the absurdity of humanity and why are we here type of dilemma posed by Haruhi herself. It is decidedly non-serious in look but actually the topic discussed here is very pertinent and personal indeed.
Why Haruhi is so popular?
Haruhi main strength is her impasse and many fans love to see her on this constant state of impasse. Once she resolved or move forward in her life, it will not be "Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi". Her total obliviousness to human emotions also adds to the appeal too for most people.
That is why some people disliked the anime despite the appeal, it did not really progressed in terms of character development. You can say most of anime fans are self indulgent and Haruhi hits on that spot so it becomes the hottest anime around. The self indulgence flag is proudly hoisted by Haruhi and SOS Brigade like the Marines in Iwojima Mount Suribachi.
The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi is unusual anime but a ride worth to enjoy at least once.
Rating:
Final Verdict
7.1667 (above average)
Reviewed by stormy001, Aug 19, 2006
Comments
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carl123abc Aug 21, 2006
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AWOL Aug 25, 2006
You've done great detailing and made some very valid observations.
But I think you were a little too easy on the scoreboard. -
JKLeganes Aug 26, 2006
I agree almost everything you say, just wonder if this series could have been a little longer...
I like your review very much, good work (I would have rated it a little higher :P) good work :) -
DanTheGreat Banned Member Aug 29, 2006
i would rate it with at least a 9
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SebastianvonKane Aug 30, 2006
Should I rate it with 50/100?
I haven't seen another anime since this one.
However, even when you watch the porpused order, you still not feeling to be the real storyline order at all.
Not to be a little longer, but to be more focused on the point (whichever could be) of the plot. Some episodes came out to be quite annoying.
However, it's kinda crazy. Anyway, didn't liked it at all. Even tough I like disturbing stuff like this (or Evangelion, which remembered me). -
fayt2001 Aug 31, 2006
hmmhmm......
i like it..... -
Te2 Aug 31, 2006
I Like this anime very much, it has an interisting story and differ from other anime. I will give 8.5
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appleseed86 Sep 04, 2006
i'll give a 9. i liked this anime. it is unique in everyway. never seen anything like it before.
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solidvanz Sep 07, 2006
yup, suzumiya haruhi should deserved better rating like 8-9. For me, 10/10!
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LastExil3 Oct 12, 2006
This Review is okay, the Rating is okay as well, if you REALLY want to compare it with other Shows in points of Quality/Story ect...but Suzumiya Haruhi No Yuutsu has it's very own feeling and 'enchants' the viewers xD
Well, to me it appealed perfectly and I'd give it a personal 10 of course, but compared to other Shows, your Rating is fair overall (IF you get what I mean~~)
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shadowfoxza Apr 19, 2007
I don't really get where in the sound portion of the review you use the words catchy and excellent ... with no bad remarks, yet you only give it a score of 7?
Anyways, a pretty detailed review overall, even if I would've rated it a bit higher ... ;)
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Takeru623 Dec 14, 2008
I would give it a 9, but if the second season is done well I'll say 10.
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SchRita Jan 15, 2010
Thanks for the review!
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Sanisa Feb 24, 2010
Thanks for the review! Nice ^__^
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back07 Jun 23, 2012
Nice review, ilove the details
:D
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