[Anime] The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

One of the best shows I've ever seen, best character chemistry since Azumanga Daioh, and a sweet little plot. Add to that the animation quality and voice acting, and it adds up to a wonderful experience.

Spoiler:

I loved the ending, where Kyon didn't say something cheesy like "I like you", but instead made a relatively crass erotic reference. That way Haruhi was surprised, too.

Arguably the end was predictable, but it would have to be, otherwise Kyon wouldn't have figured it out and our world would've ended.

I love Yuki's "spellcasting". And Koizumi is a great character. I loved how in the final episode, he was like "I thought you figured it out already, dude. I mean, come on." when Kyon was asking "why am I here?"

Good music, too!

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I did watch it both ways, and I actually feel that the chronological order is disastrous, and the biggest mistake they made was putting Koizumi after Yuki (which is chronological). But that's just me, I can absolutely imagine the order being kind of a turn-off for some people, and the story is a bit weird, it just works really well for me.

I haven't really read the manga, but there's supposedly enough for a second season. I kind of like the ending as it is though.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I can't say I thought it was rushed, but then I think all anime are sluggish to some extend.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Nigblah

(yes, Haruhi is based off a series of novels, and the anime follows them virtually word-for-word for the most part).

Did you read them? Are they worth it?

Spoiler:

I did read a translation of the end of the dream in episode 14, and I must say I prefer the (translation of) the anime over the (translation of) the book. I just figured that was the manga transcript I was reading though, not the book.
Either way, I prefered the more strong erotic overtones in Kyon's remarks in the anime over the relatively tame "i like you in ponytails". On the other hand, I prefered the book's lack of conclusion over whether Haruhi "accepted" Kyon's kiss over the anime's, where she is clearly surprised but by no means revolted, which is what you sort of expect. The book leaves you guessing a little bit more.

Too many words, and about such a short passage... Sorry!

Originally Posted by Nigblah

Out of the entire last season, this was the only series that managed to hold my attention right to the very end.

Same here, although I almost finished Pani Poni, and might go back and do that later. That was a good show too, though certainly not on the scale of Haruhi.

And I must say, once again, the duration of this show seems perfect to me. I don't really need another season. Just like I didn't need another Azumanga Daioh season, even though it's my all-time favourite show, and the ending was open. The series has reached a certain closure, beyond which it seems uneccessary to continue.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Nigblah

One of #a.f.k's members also has his own translation going, so try that one if you prefer their translation style (it flows much better, I think).

Whoops, when quoting you get to see the spoiler! Good thing I deleted it quickly before I could spoil myself.
I've started reading this, and it's really interesting to see the various ways in which they polished up the storytelling and made it so much stronger with little details. For example, the prologue of the book gives away Kyon's opinion on Santa Claus way too early. Holding that card for just a bit longer, the way the anime does it, makes the punchline ("I never believed in him in the first place") that much stronger.

Anyway, thanks for that link, I agree that it's much better than the other one (as far as I read it anyway)!

I was speaking idiomatically.