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.

*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.

Imagine how dull all the other ones were.

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?

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.

“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…

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.