So I know I’m supposed to be orgasming here about the new Haruhi season, considering the title of this blog. Well unfortunately, the unbridled enthusiasm I had for this show has significantly waned in the 3 years since it last aired. Much of that has to do with the dipshit way in which Kadokawa has done the marketing for this show (remember kids, KyoAni is just the animation studio, they don’t do marketing), so I’m going to rant a bit before I get to the actual episode (which I nonetheless enjoyed), you have been warned.
Now I really loved the first season of the show, I even own all of the DVDs (buying anime? shocking I know!). That being said, the show aired from April to July of 2006. Now three years isn’t that long between seasons, but it’s more than ideal. The real problem has been the atrocious way in which Kadokawa has handled the show in the interim.
It’s important first to note that that the second season was announced right after the first season finished airing. Several months later they announced that the show was “canceled” and that there was a new show that was exactly the same as the old one or something! We heard that they were completely doing away with the idea of a sequel and starting a new series since a sequel would be too hard. And a few months ago, they put a tantalizing and purposefully ambiguous piece in a magazine that hinted of a new Haruhi season, only to later deny that fact and claim it was all a rerun.
I only hit the highlights, but I hope you get the general picture of douchebaggery that has been put upon us in regards to the show. Also throw in that a lot of us have already read all of the translated novels, only to find out that the author has stopped at volume 9 (published in April of 2007), right in the middle of a storyline, and rumors have surfaced indicating that he has lost interest. So, you’ll forgive me if I am a bit soured on the whole experienced and do not blow a load all over my keyboard while watching the episode.
The first thing I noticed was that the art was not the same quality as the first season (and it’s not just the lackluster raw), as the colors were noticeably duller and not as crisp. This is pretty surprising for KyoAni, considering the prominence of the show and the fact that they even made fightan animu colorful (see Munto TV version). The art style seems to have changed a bit as well, Kyon looks…different.
For future reference in case I actually blog pieces of this show, be aware that I love Nagato, a lot. Nerdy girls turn me on, what can I say. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Tsuruya’s genki antics, but she’s not #1. No matter how much I get miffed at bad marketing, I can never hate one of my top waifus. It’s those eyes too, those eyes…
Uh, I guess it’s good to see that he’s as…flamboyant as ever
The massively dramatic violin playing (I’m clueless as to proper musical terminology for the beginning of a piece of music) from this scene made me laugh ridiculously hard, it sounded more like part of a Shakespeare adaptation than anime. I couldn’t completely decide whether they meant to give the scene some drama or it was a bit of tongue-in-cheek, but I’ll lean towards the latter.
On the other hand, the music here was more like some slow, lovemaking music. Ohhhhhh yeah.
Warning, tsundere loli spotted. Bring proper protective equipment.
Much better without glasses, mmmmm Yuki.
Yes, I had dirty thoughts right there.
Well, despite my rant up front, I did enjoy the experience of watching the episode. However, it will not be viewed as the Second Coming or anything of the sort. I fully expect the show will deserve a pretty good rating when it’s all over, but it could have been much more~ Anyways, it’s rather impossible to predict when the next episode is going to be, as it appears that they are going to weave it back in to the original series to keep it chronological. That also makes it kind of hard to regularly blog, which is hard enough when you already know what is going to happen. However, I may drop in and fawn over Yuki on occasion, we’ll see.
29 Comments
Come on! How can enthusiasm wane due to stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with the actual series. Whatever Kadokawa does between seasons… who cares. I’m as excited for the new season now as I was the minute I finished season 1. Heck, the time between seasons has made me even more hyped. I really don’t get all this flack against a series that has nothing to do with the actual content of said anime.
I completely agree Calawain. This “new” episode has come off as nothing but filler. There’s only so much marketing bullshit one can wade through until newer and better anime arise.
Usually the first episode of a new series or season is filled with flash, high quality animation, and numerous plot devices to draw the viewer in. Instead it seems they were happily willing to just rest on the Hurahi name to attract viewers.
In all honesty, it would have been an average Hurahi episode three years ago. Compared to the current “A shows”, its even below average…
In after THIS EPISODE SUCKS
ALso, Kadokawa is trolling. Hard.
I sincerely hope it was very bad PR ploy for the next light novel to be delayed and not that the author lost interest… Where’d you hear that from?
I agree – this ep was not as brilliant as I thought it would be – nevertheless, it was enjoyable, and even somewhat nostalgic
it’s good to hear Yuki’s stoic mumbo jumbo speech again
” This ‘new’ episode has come off as nothing but filler. ”
My first reaction: HUH???
Duh, sorry for having read the light novels (I didn’t imagine all that happening in one episode) and being trolled by a probable bootlicker.
People (especially the elitist ones) often get turned off by hype, and I know it only too well.
the pacing felt a little rushed… and the animation quality really has dropped 2 notches… but when Kyon tried to tell Haruhi when his birthday was and was interrupted with ‘that’s not important’ all that warm affection for the tsundere goddess was back in full effect… I missed this show.
Haruhi’s name alone is marketing on itself which seems clear by the fact that everybody and their dogs know that the second season is out. I’m also pretty sure that everybody secretly hyped up for this show but kept that within reason for fear of disappointment.
By the way, the 720p version is noticeably clearer.
I never really pay much attention to the detail much anyways, but the quality of this episode still felt a bit dim. Still, glad to have the series back. Just hate that it’s mixed into the old episodes too >_>
decent episode – I actually had a little bittersweet nostalgic feeling when Haruhi’s annoying face and nonstop gesticulating popped up on screen again.
I find it boring that Kyon still continues to passively obey orders from the others for Haruhi’s sake. I actually want him to disappoint her on purpose just for the sole purpose of seeing her (mental breakdown) reaction…
I didn’t like the 1st season and never did understand why people are going gay with this.
This new episode didn’t make me change my perception.
I thought this episode was quite good, and was actually similar to what I imagined after reading the light novels. I think that KyoAni is making a good decision in putting it back in track with the novel chronology, since during the first-season-airing, all I saw in the comments were “THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE X EPISODE” or something similar, that just made it unbelievably confusing at the time.
I’m guessing for people new to Suzumiya Haruhi, it’d make everything seem more fitting and reasonable. Oh well, just my two cents : P
@Michael
How can it? Because you begin to associate the name of the series with the garbage that has been going on. As a commentator/opinionator/blogger those kinds of things are important. As the series goes on perhaps the negativity will subside, we’ll see.
@Tenser
I didn’t say it came off as filler, in fact it came straight out of the novel and is very important for future plot developments. This is part of the actual storyline and not a side fun adventure.
@Thegreekie
I don’t recall, it was awhile ago. Just rumors, but it’s not hard to see there’s a problem when there’s a 3 year hiatus, no?
@Likewise
It indeed did have many of the trappings and unique character traits of the first series. It felt very much like we were back where we started, absent a few quirks.
@Olivia
He’s just your typical passive Japanese guy, hohoho~
What!? How can the negativity subside, unless it was all bullshit to begin with? And why is there any negativity to begin with? If Kadokawa puts out a smidgeon of information and the fanbase freaks assuming it means season 2 is coming right this minute, who’s fault is that? I will never understand how “fans” get so up in arms about stuff like this. A promo piece could simply be saying, “Hi, we’re starting work on season 2 now.” Do fans not understand how long an anime takes to produce? It isn’t done on a week to week basis!
“As a commentator/opinionator/blogger those kinds of things are important.”
What are you saying here? Are these things important to you because they hit you emotionally? Or are they important to you as you feel it is your job as a “commentator/opinionator/blogger”? Are you more into the blogging or the anime?
Sorry about this. I don’t mean to come off as getting all religious on you. It just doesn’t make any sense to me, that’s all.
@Michael
Entertainment is not watched in a vacuum, outside factors affect the enjoyment of a show, whether it’s the fact that it’s raining outside or that the company engages in a horrible marketing campaign. They constantly deceived, pulled back, and generally screwed with their entire fanbase. They did it obviously on purpose as a poor attempt at viral marketing. They aren’t the first company to do so badly, viral marketing is new for a lot of companies.
As a commentator/opinionator/blogger I feel a duty to do more than blandly recite what happened in the show by ratcheting off a few paragraphs of summary. I try to take it on multiple angles and comment on the context surrounding the show in addition to my take on the material itself. Plus I love to give my opinion.
“They constantly deceived, pulled back, and generally screwed with their entire fanbase.”
I think that’s a bit unfair. They merely kept Haruhi in the news. There was nothing of “deception” or “screwing with” in their motivation. I never felt deceived or screwed with. The only thing that annoyed me a bit was the last NewType exclusive, but in a twist of irony that announcement turned out to be season 2 after all.
Oh, and I’m all about skipping the summary and getting right into opinion. And I’m not begrudging you commenting on outside events leading up to the release. I just don’t get all the vitriol aimed at the anime Haruhi, versus the outside factors themselves. I don’t hate on Kadokawa, though I can understand why others might. But to hate on the anime itself…?
Well, there may be a second season starting for Haruhi Suzumiya, but I won’t be watching it. The series started if off great, but I became quickly annoyed at how obnoxious and self centered haruhi turned out to be, and how she always got her way (with her being God and all). Yuki was the best character out of that whole show, and she was also the best looking one, so it’s obvious Kyon was not only a dope, but he was blind as well.
@Michael
It’s a difference of opinion, and my previous statements still stand. I’m not going to argue back and forth repeating myself.
@Ria
Well, you may want to start checking it out, as the remaining novels should have Yuki as the title character instead of Haruhi. The story begins to focus on Yuki and Kyon much more than Haruhi.
>.> When I watched S1 Haruhi, the first episode was definitely high definition level. I will never forget it, because it was the only time I thought Haruhi was very moe. Well, she still is kinda, but without the HD gundam 00-esque color palette, it loses it’s charm. Add to the fast forward of 3 years, and HD is a standard, not a friggin luxury.
The best example of Viral marketing was for the movie Cloverfield period.
It turned out to be a great movie too.
Unfortunately Three years is Waaaaay too long for a second season, I mean if code geas had done the same crap as this company did, it would have failed just as hard as this show is.
I saw this episode because I was surprised and realized that I was bored halfway through it. I would have cared three years ago, but not like someone said earlier, there are a lot better shows out there that I will be watching and buying instead of this.
I’ve watched the entire 1st season after reading the positive comments left by several bloggers here and although I can understand the subtle charms generated by its eccentric cast and arguably ingenious storytelling, I am still confused why this anime has garnered so many die-hard fans.
Neither of the two positive factors I named propel it to stardom, but I suspect there is a comparative effect given its ‘different’. I haven’t read the novels etc. so that might be a difference too.
Ignore the anti-hype. Haruhi is a fun, smart show with flashes of brilliance (and some blah episodes, like the island mystery). The new 2nd season (or episode
was an enjoyable episode that fit right into the series.
“The color wasn’t as bright.” Uh, yeah. Whatever. If I want bright colors, there’s plenty of anime I can watch. I prefer good character design, fun humor, and good characterization and writing, which this episode had. Haruhi explaining Tanabata through the lens of special theory of relativity: comedy gold.
I pity the people who are so into anime fandumb that they either feel they must hate a show that is good because it is “overhyped” or that they have so bought into following every twitch of 2chan and newtype news and whatever that exhaust themselves before a show comes out…
I can understand the issue with the marketing. I actually wet on a rampage after that youtube video that was based off this episode and read all the light novels and am now re-reading them.
And as a slave to the goddess of moe, Mikuru, i have to say that i fully enjoyed this episode. Even though it lacked alot of kyon’s inner dialogue.
As far as why there are such devoted fans for a show that appears to have no point…I cant answer that, no one really can. You either go konata for haruhi or you dont, there is no middle ground. Personally i like the show because i relate heavily to kyon, but thats just me. Everyone has a diffrent reason for why the show clicks, if it doesnt click for you just admit that and watch somthing else.
First off, Happy I don’t have to assassinate anyone at Kadakawa. Murder is so hard to get away with these days. Second, glad Haruhi is back, really didn’t know what I would be watching this season.
About the first episode of the 2nd season, If you notice this is the 8th episode chronologically. I think this also answers Kadakawa saying they could not make a second season because it was too “hard”. They are not making a second season, they are adding on to the first season!!! I do not have access to them but I would like to watch the 7 episodes aired recently from the first season to look for any difference in the original episodes from the first airing in 2003. I beat they put in a few Easter eggs.
I should have copied the list, but I read a play list of all the titles for this showing of Haruhi. It looks like we will have a few episodes from the first season for then next few weeks and then another new episode. Then there is a 4 part “the disappearance of Haruhi” which IMO should be really good.
I doubt this, but maybe they will put in these extra episodes and then give us a true 2nd season!?!?!?!?! Again I doubt it, but maybe they needed to add a little more story to the first season to make a second season work.
yes the episode was filler, but what would you expect from episode 8 of any series?
Funny you mention the duller colors and art style, and while I agree the raw was quite bad, the raw in the screenshots are actually the most vivid (read: overfiltered as hell) ones that were out there.
Imagine how dull all the other ones were.
I don’t think that was fail marketing at all. Having never seen the series, I’ve been alert on Haruhi news and fan reactions because that’s more interesting to watch than the actual show (for me anyways). Kyoto animation is very good. They’re dangling the show like a special treat to a bunch of Haruhi-hungry audience. They know exactly how much to give the fans before quickly pulling back, leaving their audience impatient for more. It’s been years since the show ended but people are still crazy about one new episode. There may be complaints but all the fans will end up watching it anyways and they will always run back for more. People are addicted because every bits of Haruhi makes them happy but they only get a limited amount of it. The show becomes almost like cocaine; the more you get the more you need. A studio that can get that kind of craving from fans is a very skilled studio.
So this was just a filler episode? Well in all the animes I’ve seen…
*nods in understanding* That was some good filler.
Also you said something about the art not being as good as the 1st season. I didn’t really see much of a difference. Makes me glad I don’t have those nit picky habits like a lot of people that commented here have.
@lowlife
If remember the second season rumors, they were going to focus it on the Disappearance storyline. Since that storyline will be presented in this “extended” Haruhi 1.5, I doubt there will be another season soon after since this will address what they were hoping to accomplish with a second season.
Anyways, in terms of the episode, I thought it was alright. Due to the chronology ordering, we’re going to have to be satisfied with these shorter stories since they jumped around last season putting stories from many of the latter novels in. Plus, didn’t people complain last season about the end being “lackluster” since they felt like filler episodes?! Now Kyoto goes and makes it so that the filler will start it off to integrate the “timeline” nicely and end with a giant bang with the Disappearance storyline and people still complain… -.-;;
My only complaint so far (other than the marketing, which was fail; I had to Facebook tell all my friends that Haruhi S2 is kinda showing up since everyone assummed the Haruhi-chan was the end of the series) is the art. Even watching the 720p version, the art is noticably not as sharp and grabbing as first season. I’m really hoping that this is because they spent most of their budget on the Disappearnce storyline that will appear at the end and did this episode when their budget was near out, but only time will tell…. (-.-);;
In terms of storyline though, this episode was on par with all the other Haruhi episodes thus far and did a really nice job wrapping up some questions that came up from last season. Kyon still is the best protagonist out there ^______^ Cracked up at the birthday convo and was rofl when the “John Smith” scene came up.
when I came back from a 30 days trip to check on animeseason, I was like “say what? Haruhi new season!!!! Hold on it has passed April’s fool time for a long time.” Anyway, it was surely a great surprise for me, giving me something to look forward everyday. the first episode was pretty awesome. It really did live up to my expectation. Now, I have added checking new episode into my everyday-must-do list.
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