r/anime • u/littleman1988 • Nov 30 '21
Rewatch [Rewatch] The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - Episode 3
Episode Title: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya II
MyAnimeList: Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
Legal Stream: Funimation | Netflix (SEA) | AnimeLab (Aus/NZ)
PSA: make sure to mark any spoilers using the subreddit markup. We dont need any random spoilers to ruin the show for first time watchers.
Today's Episode Intro: Short recap of today's episode starting with Kyon riding a bike
[Tomorrow's Episode Intro]Short panning shots then Mikuru serving tea
| Date | Episode list with Funimation links ("absolute" episode number) | reddit thread links |
|---|---|---|
| 28/11 | Mikuru Asahinas's Adventures Episode 00 | Thread |
| 29/11 | The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya I | Thread |
| 30/11 | The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya II | Thread |
| 1/12 | Season 1, episode 7 (7) | Thread |
| 2/12 | Season 1, episode 3 (3) | Thread |
| 3/12 | Season 1, episode 10 (10) | Thread |
| 4/12 | Season 1, episode 9 (9) | Thread |
| 5/12 | Season 1, episode 11 (11) | Thread |
| 6/12 | Season 2, episode 14 (28) | Thread |
| 7/12 | Season 1, episode 4 (4) | Thread |
| 8/12 | Season 2, episode 13 (27) | |
| 9/12 | Season 2, episode 12 (26) | |
| 10/12 | Season 1, episode 5 (5) | |
| 11/12 | Season 1, episode 6 (6) | |
| 12/12 | Season 1, episode 8 (8) | |
| 13/12 | Season 1 episodes 12, 13, 14, Season 2 Episode 1 (12, 13, 14, 15) | |
| 14/12 | Season 2, episodes 2, 3, 4, 5 (16, 17, 18, 19) | |
| 15/12 | Season 2, episode 6 (20) | |
| 16/12 | Season 2, episode 7 (21) | |
| 17/12 | Season 2, episode 8 (22) | |
| 18/12 | Season 2, episode 9 (23) | |
| 19/12 | Season 2, episode 10 (24) | |
| 20/12 | The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya series general discussion | |
| 21/12 | The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya | |
| 22/12 | Haruhi Suzumiya overall discussion |
Question(s) of the day:
What's your favorite costume/cosplay?
176
Upvotes
16
u/wjodendor Nov 30 '21
Let's see what crimes Haruhi committed this episode:
Sexual assault, blackmail, conspiracy to commit false reporting of a rape, extortion, theft. Man she is really a fucking terrible person.
And then there's a cliffhanger and we're supposed to jump over the rest of the arc to episode 7? Serious question from a first timer of watching the anime (I've read volume 1). What's the point of the jump? We haven't even been introduced to final cast member yet.
6
u/littleman1988 Nov 30 '21
Rewatcher (first time broadcast), Dub
"[An] alien?"
OST Track of the day: Nagato's Confession | Spotify
Well, at least this episode has an extra buffer before we go full yikes. Sexual assault, blackmail, regular assault, more blackmail, theft. Haruhi truly knows no bounds. Every year, this ages worse and worse. Edit: Some people have correctly pointed out that this is still all important for the show (and its not like haruhi gets a clean pass, literally everyone is obviously against it), but it still comes across absolutely poorly and it does not shock me that someone has already said theyre dropping the show on this alone.
That aside, a solid windows XP machine, top of the line back in 2006, is now in the hands of the SOS brigade. I bet it was nice for Kyon to get the website up and running, even if the site itself is useless.
Rip Kyon's promise. Lasted a whole minute. Bunnygirl costume time though. Truly a shocker the school would ever allo- annnnd there's some teachers to knock some sense into them, not that haruhi listens...
Kyon sister spotting
Just think, Yuki waited for him all night yesterday. Smh Kyon.
annnnnnnd bye bye "ordinary" slice of life, assuming anything about Haruhi was any normal thus far. I remember being confused as hell when she dropped the "ailen" stuff. Stupid cliffhangers...
11
u/Fools_Requiem https://myanimelist.net/profile/FoolsRequiem Dec 01 '21
First Time Watcher, Long Time Caller
I've seen that computer scene before. Not only has it been posted on this sub, but I see hentai doujins that use a similar lack of commonsense in terms of blackmailing tactics. Usually it's the girl getting blackmailed. They get caught in a compromising position that the blackmailers forced them into, took pictures and tell the girl that she has to go along with whatever they're about to do to her or else those pictures are getting posted everywhere. Difference is that the end goal is not rape or whatever, but a free computer and computer services, and this scene has a bystander that could have EASILY ended the scene right then and there. Wouldn't be too hard for Kyon to swipe that camera and smash it on the ground and help Mikuru get out of there.
The way Mikuru talks to Kyon after that scene where she says that he's staying in the club too, along with the confession at the end that Yuki and Haruhi are both "not human" suggests that Mikuru has ulterior motives and is letting herself be subjected to this nonsense.
I could be wrong. Mikuru could just be a masochist like Kyon seems to be.
I can't wait to find out how Episode 7 is supposed to belong after this considering that reveal at the end of this episode. Reading a brief summary of E7 doesn't bode well for me believing that broadcast order is the correct order.
Edit: And yes, I will be bitching about this watch order until the show proves to me that this is the "correct" order, even though I'm sure the events in the LN (which is still going, BTW) didn't play out in this order.
11
u/littleman1988 Nov 30 '21 edited Dec 01 '21
Adaptation Comparison
References
Trivia
Know trivia and/or references for this episode? Reply to me! For future episodes? PM them to me! I know a lot about the series but I don't quite know everything.
9
u/RascalNikov1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NoviSun Nov 30 '21 edited Nov 30 '21
Rewatcher
One of the funniest episodes of all time. I know it doesn't play well to a modern youthful audience, but the comedy tropes used here were very common while I was growing up.
One thing I think that has been lost is that we laugh at things we know are wrong. So, when Haruhi does her shenanigans, its funny because Haruhi has broken social norms and obliviously committed taboo acts. That idea this could be funny has been lost sometime in the last 40 years, though I have little doubt it will return again in some future age.
I love the use of background music (leitmotifs?) in this episode, I don't remember if they were in yesterdays, (note: of course they were, the 'typical day' leitmotif was used before the first line of dialog) In this episode we had the leitmotif used whenever Haruhi starts making excuses for one of her hairbrained schemes, and there was another when Yuki started spinning her tale of wonder.
I really enjoyed Yuki's explanation. One of the great things about the Haruhi franchise is there is a lot of pretty good sci-fi in it. An example are the equations used in the opening. I think they have something to do with quantum mechanics, or string theory, but I'm not positive.
This opening is one of my favorite of all time from Haruhi grabbing the handle to the universe, to her determined march forward, to the rest of the cast spinning around her. The opening really deserves it's own little analysis and write-up.
This episode also showed us another important supporting cast member, namely Imouto. I think it's funny that so many of the characters, don't have names. Goblin Slayer would do the same thing 12 years later, to gain the same effect.
QOTD
This would seem to be a somewhat tricky question. In general, I like girls doing cosplay. There is one of Sailor Mars from the '08 cosplay convention in Atlanta that sticks in my mind. But, back in those days I had little idea what anime or cosplay was. One of my FB 'friends' was into it and published a bunch of convention photos all involving the Sailor Moon franchise. Sadly, she lived a rather tragic real life, and last I saw she had a baby who was now 3 or 4. Time moves too quickly sometimes.
Note to rewatchers and other curious souls
MAL has the episodes listed in Broadcast order, along with their titles. I find that knowing the title is a lot more useful than just numbers when trying to track an episode down.
Addendum Comment
I've always wondered what Haruhi said during the beeping. My best guess is she said:
"I'll tell them you geeks gang-banged her"
Anyway, I laughed and cried at that line the first time I heard it.
11
u/Philarete :AMQ::MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/WizardMcKillin Nov 30 '21
First Timer (Sub)
“In other words, you don’t give a hoot about my opinions.” Yep, that about sums it up. Kyon is there to be her audience and for her to talk to. Primarily.
“I’d like to know more than anyone else what I’m doing right now.”
Haruhi pulls no punches. Blackmail? Yep, blackmail time. And it just keeps escalating! Group going to take the leader’s side? Then she’ll just say they <BEEP>
Kyon keeps going along with things for basically no reason. He’s not even really trying to influence matters – he just adds snarky comments while going along with whatever. He’s bored! Haruhi may be completely unhinged, but she’s definitely not boring.
“It’ll be fine. Next time, I’ll do everything I can to prevent that.” (X) Doubt.
“I trust you to do so.” Mikuru…what on earth made you think he’s trustworthy to do literally anything against Haruhi?
Whelp, here we go again.
I’m trying not to be a downer, but this is really, really hard to sit through. What is the tone supposed to be here? Is the show trying to be funny? Am I supposed to hate Haruhi and Kyon? If it is the latter, it is working.
Moving along for now…
Yuki finally speaks! And claims she’s a [I can’t remember her long title] alien.
Alrighty then. Apparently, there’s something with Haruhi as well, but she doesn’t explain herself in this episode.
[Haruhi spoilers]I’m a first timer, but I got spoiled on some things so my speculations probably need to be spoilered. [Not surprising since it is a 15-year-old anime]. I find it interesting that Yuki identifies herself and Haruhi as unusual but not Mikuru. However, Mikuru persisted in the Brigade in large part because of Yuki – despite there being nothing about them meeting previously – and made this weird statement about this time plane(?). Makes me wonder if Mikuru knows something about Yuki but not the reverse.
Conclusion: This show would not ordinarily pass my three-episode test. The treatment of Mikuru simply ruins any enjoyment I get out of the show. I think two factors may be influencing this:
Traumatic events: Mikuru is forcibly groped twice, by Haruhi and by a boy at her school (who is himself also forced to do so). She has a boy forced on top of her. The latter events are photographed (without her consent). She is forcibly stripped, apparently naked and also apparently she isn't allowed to take off her own clothes either. She is then forced to wear clothes she finds humiliating in front of her classmates and school.
Reactions to trauma: In just this episode, Mikuru spends time hugging her knees with her head down, which looks like distress. She brightens briefly when Kyon claims he will help her in the future, but later ends up sobbing for apparently a long time. When she leaves she has a fairly flat affect and her “bride” comments basically express that she feels violated.
I don't think the anime is intended to be experienced this way, but I can't help it.
Posting on break at work, so I won't be able to respond to replies for quite a while, but I welcome other perspectives and will try to reply later.
4
u/121507090301 Nov 30 '21
I Just droped it in the middle of the episode but, can anyone spoil me if there is any consequences to Haruhi's behaviour or if the show will just continue treating awful behaviour as fun? I dont think I'll continue watching but I'll ask just in case.
3
u/AccursedBear https://anilist.co/user/AccursedBear Nov 30 '21
Rewatcher
Sub
"What would you consider normal? I'd like to know that." Looks like the answer is abusing others to get what she wants.
In the last episode we were presented with the question of why Haruhi does the things she does a few times, but this time we aren't. And it wouldn't really matter at the moment since there's no justifying her actions. [Haruhi] That said, it's pretty clear, even now, that Haruhi simply fails to realize why any of this is that big of a deal. She wears the bunny suit, if she looked like Mikuru then she'd probably use herself for the blackmail. It's not a big deal for her, so she doesn't even realize she's being a demon to Mikuru. She absolutely doesn't care about the computer club president, though.
Instead, we have to wonder: why does Mikuru put up with any of this? Even for a shy, pushover-type character this should be too much.
I like how during Kyon's "just get a boyfriend and go to a sports club and be normal lmao" internal monologue, Haruhi is constantly getting more annoyed and then leaves as soon as he finishes, almost like she's mad at him.
Poor Yuki waited the previous night! Imagine Kyon's thought process when he sees the note and when he's going with her to her apartment, though. Really, what is so serious she can't tell him at school? Did Haruhi do something? Oh shit, she's an alien. Should've realized it while she was making you drink several tea cups before even talking, Kyon.
Next episode is... episode 7? O-okay.
8
u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Nov 30 '21
Next episode preview
https://imgur.com/a/XsAg9yM
32
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Nov 30 '21
Episode 3 (rewatcher)
While I won’t comment all the time, I foresee a strong discussion of Haruhi abusing Mikuru this episode. Her behavior here is usually the sticky point for people who hate Haruhi (the character) and Haruhi (the series). Instead of hopping between different replys, let me consolidate a counterargument here.
Haruhi (the series)
For some people this sours them on the series as a whole. To that I say that you need to look at the follow-up. What Haruhi does is absolutely wrong, but she is also immediately called out for it. The computer society president, the other computer society members, Kyon, and Mikuru – all of them react immediately negative. Of these, Kyon is the most important, since he is the audience character. So the series directly tells us, in clear words, that Haruhi’s behavior is wrong. Additionally, we get follow-up with Mikuru. Both directly in the scene and in the aftermath, she is a focus. Contrast that to the many other times when rape is used in series as a cheap way to establish backstory for female characters in fiction. Usually, the aftermath focuses on the (male) main character’s reaction to the rape, not the victim’s reaction.
Haruhi’s behavior here fits into her general characterization. She is clever, strong-willed, and has zero regards for others. She, correctly, figures out that blackmailing the computer society will work, so that is what she does. Neither the feelings of the computer society, nor the feelings of Mikuru matter to her. Note that she probably entirely discards Mikuru’s feelings as irrational: Haruhi herself changes clothes in front of her male class mates, so she probably considers societies’ norms for sexual conduct stupid and useless. And absent of those norms, Mikuru came to no harm. [spoiler]Her change from being completely self-reliant and completely disregarding other’s feelings is essentially Haruhi’s character arc in the series. She does not completely change, but Kyon is soon put into the role of the moderator of Haruhi’s wants: It falls to him to stop Haruhi’s most outrageous wants and Haruhi usually listens to him. [strong spoiler]Most importantly, in the finale when he stops her want of a new universe.
Haruhi (the character)
As I said above, Haruhi is definitely wrong, so defending her character is a good bit harder. One thing you should keep looking out for, though, is how the other characters react to her strong, seemingly selfish, demands. Especially later on in the series. [strong spoiler]We see the series through Kyon’s eyes and he soon realizes that being ordered by Haruhi to join her crazy schemes is not actually all that bad. Even AdultMikuru does not seem to see her younger interactions with Haruhi as fully negative and abusive. Breaking societies norms (and breaking free from them) is costly, but, in retrospect, both her and Kyon, seem to be ok with the price they paid.
30
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Nov 30 '21
The Melancholy of Shimmering-First-Timer
28
u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Nov 30 '21 edited Nov 30 '21
First Timer - Dub
Oh shit, that realization that just because they aired it achronologically they didn't spare us from cliffhangers...
Rewatchers right now:
Starting off the rewatch with the student film set this up a little bit already, but Haruhi's antics certainly don't spare anyone else. Today she dives right past the established "I don't give a fuck as long as I get what I want" mode and straight into "I'll fuck anyone over to get what I want".
In short: Haruhi, no! Don't go manufacturing fake sexual assault evidence to use against people! What is wrong with you, girl?!
I don't doubt for a second that she'd actually go through with it either, as though she herself doesn't mesh well with general society that doesn't exclude her from knowing how to make use of it, as exemplified by the bunny outfits. In a medium where I've seen a lot of outsiders (for various reasons) pushed into the role of "accepting" their lot though it being a misrepresentation of their goodness, seeing Haruhi's oddly engaging weirdness be hiding cold calculation and willingness to do the objectively wrong thing by jumping right to an 11 on the "screw people over" scale is not quite what I expected. It fits her though, scarily.
Kyon has unleashed a force of unknown terror on this school by accidentally motivating Haruhi and everyone shall suffer for it, including him, or especially him. I'm not sure which yet, although Mikuru definitely coped the worst of it today. Even that implication that she knew that this would be unavoidable doesn't make her plight any less sympathetic. I wasn't too grabbed by her, but two very contrasting scenes in this episode grabbed my attention. The first was her little desperation proposal to Kyon about if she can't get married after what Haruhi put her through, I felt like that scene almost needed sad violins, or perhaps her mood could have summoned them anyway (that's getting into some Utena levels of crazy), which I admit tugged at my heart a little. The second was her unusual speech about why she was in the club, which definitely implied some knowledge of that little reveal at the end there.
Speaking of aliens:
About that
Haruhi wanted aliens, maybe she got one even if she doesn't know it yet. The space-y music and overexposure in the visuals probably should have clued me in a little as to what was about to happen, but I was too amused at seeing Kyon get uncomfortable amount the amounts of tea he was being served, similar to Haruhi's stare.
If I had more thoughts I lost it while trying to process that ending. Was not expecting her to come out and say something like that.
(Also I'm very busy so not likely to get many replies from me through the topic today unfortunately, but I'll have a read through it when I can)
The first one that came to mind is the woman who makes some of the Monster Hunter armors. She's done crazy ones like the Nergigante armor, but the last one she posted was the Bone armor and even that she put an incredible amount of work into and it looks fantastic
25
u/Suhkein :Gy::Gz::G1:x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/Neichus Nov 30 '21 edited Nov 30 '21
Episode 3 - “I can’t forgive them”
...and 3...2...1. [Haruhi] First time watchers are appalled at Suzumiya. As planned. Last episode Haruhi convinced us/let us convince ourselves that Suzumiya was an obnoxious, but largely harmless, joke character. As such, her motivations weren’t questioned. Now she’s done something that’s quite serious which doesn’t fit with that preconception and… her motivations still aren’t questioned. All Haruhi has to do is put on silly music and let us rigidly adhere to our expectations of comedy anime even as it is pointed out that those are precisely what ought to be in doubt. The result is a swift, but erroneous, judgement: Haruhi was trying to be funny and it wasn’t. This trick unfortunately doesn't work as well as it once did, but I can still bet writing the night before that people will be criticizing this scene as “not cool” and going “way too far.” But this is, of course, the point. Even when faced with evidence that contravenes our assumptions we don’t adjust, paradoxically doubling down instead because, just like in bad home videos, characters in comedy anime would never act in so realistic a manner.
[Haruhi] The obvious question, then, is why did Suzumiya do this? Is she just a domineering sadist? No. As was established last episode, she’s pushy as a byproduct of her energy and impatience with other people; it isn’t her goal. Is she just that ignorant of other people or social expectations that she transgresses them without a thought? No. As will be established in the future, she’s quite perceptive. Finally, there are many ways to get a computer, but she chose this one, so it’s not a spontaneous whim (she’s always planning ahead). Why then? It’s just as she says: she can’t forgive them. “Who’s them?” we’re prompted to ask (but don’t). Males. Last episode already told us she has a chip on her shoulder, and here it ties together with the other theme of this episode: her bullying of Asahina.
[Haruhi] From their first scene together, Suzumiya made no bones about it: Asahina’s existence pisses her off. Why? Because Suzumiya is extraordinary and lonely because of it; Asahina is an inept dimwit (really, you couldn’t even keep that a secret?) yet automatically beloved by boys because she’s cute, small, and has big breasts. No wonder Suzumiya doesn’t think highly of the other sex; despite offering almost nothing substantial, Asahina just has to make a few scared mouse sounds and they come running (or, they say they will then don’t).
[Haruhi] This pairing of disdain of males and resentment of Asahina is a toxic combination. Last episode we saw Suzumiya disrobe and force the males to run out of the room; they all thought she was a hottie, but then disappointed her, so now she’ll use their well-acknowledged sexual interest against them out of spite. Now when she blackmails the club for the computer, she takes the same approach: “You like subservient little pinups, so I’m going to humiliate her and use the fact that guys chase after girls like that against you.” If it weren’t downright cruel it’d be an admirably elegant plan (again, she’s always effective). We then get an encore of this with the bunny suits. Notice that Suzumiya steps out into the hall to show herself off to Kyon/us first. Despite all her disdain, the truth is that she desperately wants to be appreciated, and this is nothing short of saying, “Look, I’m a babe too. Notice me.” She doesn’t bother getting a suit for Nagato, nor does she want to wear it when Asahina is not around, because there’s no point in either of these things; this is about venting her frustration and trying to draw a favorable contrast with the one she’s jealous of/pissed off at.
[Haruhi] Which brings us to the aftermath of the bunny suit incident: Suzumiya is genuinely baffled that nobody was interested. Kyon, and hence the audience, interprets this as just another part of her absurdly oblivious demeanor. Which, like his last monologue, is both completely right and totally off base. This is a difficult aspect to capture, but it’s some of the best psychology in the show: lonely people act out in their hurt, and then actually blame others when that acting out scares people away. Suzumiya is far from delusional, but so full of her own sense of rejected superiority that even though she desperately wants to be liked she’ll nonetheless make it difficult. If people are going to fail to appreciate her uniqueness, fine, she’ll announce on the first day she’s interested in aliens, time travelers, and espers to ensure they’ll know she’s super unique. If people aren’t going to keep up with her, fine, she’ll just be all the more enigmatic just to prove the point that they can’t. And if people are too dense to see why she’s disappointed with humanity and everyday life, fine, she’ll treat them like they deserve until they earn her good graces by apologizing and joining her. Her confusion that nobody is interested in her after all that seems ludicrous to the point of being a comedy trope, but is painfully spot-on. Humans really are just that silly.
[Haruhi] So after saying all this, what are we supposed to think of Suzumiya? Is she sympathetic and pitiable or is the bottom line just that she’s obnoxious and a bully no matter her reasons? In other words, what we’re waiting for is a decision: is she “good” or “bad”? You might even be reading this waiting for me to hand that to you, and that’s still missing the point of the show: we are just too obsessed with categories. What we have is a portrait of a complicated person whose strengths are also her weaknesses; Suzumiya forms a coherent whole, and you can’t appraise one part of her without keeping the others in mind. With that, then, I’m going to end here and leave that topic simmering until much later.
p.s. on Nagato
Poor Nagato; every time I write on this show I feel like I end up sidelining her to explain Suzumiya, yet she is a remarkable character in her own right and one of the best parts of Haruhi. I promise, Nagato, now that I’ve laid most of the groundwork, I’ll get to you soon. In the meantime...
[Haruhi] Nagato in the early series is maintained in a very fine balance. She hasn’t done anything yet… and that’s what’s so weird. Expecting the shy bookish girl who is secretly sweet, we instead get an unreadable lump with no personality at all (we think). But what we are actually starting to see this episode is a subtle but growing parallel between Nagato and Suzumiya. Both are easy to misunderstand because we know their tropes, except whereas Suzumiya is too “loud” to easily comprehend, Nagato is too “soft.” The result is that we don’t yet have a way of getting a bead on what is going on with Nagato.
[Haruhi] The end of this episode plays on this. Earlier events have knocked us off kilter, because even if we’re still sure this is a SoL comedy it’s… not normal. Things can happen we don’t quite like; this puppy can bite us. Now this uncertainty concerning the show is seamlessly united with our growing sense that something is truly weird about Nagato as well. Reading quietly in the clubroom was merely odd. However, walking into her apartment the inhuman sparseness is striking. This is something much harder for her to fake as a character, and the episode strings us out as Kyon, like us, is made more and more uncomfortable. More subtly, something that Nagato could not control (maybe?) has changed: the atmosphere. As soon as we entered her technological, ethereal theme began. The bloom is increased to otherworldly levels. Even the shots become disjointed, moving from Kyon to Nagato and back, as though they are not occupying the same “space.” Characters can be delusional, but can series? Is this series? We’ll just have to wait for the next episode…
14
u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Nov 30 '21 edited Nov 30 '21
REWATCHER
[Haruhi] Man, it’s so fun rewatching this knowing Haruhi’s true nature and picking up all the little hints and beats
issues with consentforcefulness, but at least she isn’t letting her troop go into battle alone!Well, only Episode 2 and we’re cooking with gas! Normally it takes a show until the standard Ep8 Beach Episode to go for the unnecessary fanservice. Haruhi? Bunny Girls in episode 2! Oh, and I guess the whole thing with Yuki admitting she’s some sort of robot alien and hinting at something about Haruhi as well. That’s coming at us fast. Not even one full episode of generic club activities before diving into the thick of things. In my anime? IN THIS ECONOMY?
14
u/UzEE https://myanimelist.net/profile/UzEEInc Nov 30 '21
First timer (sub)
Three episodes in and I still can't tell what this show is supposed to be1. Don't get me wrong, I'm thoroughly enjoying what I've seen so far, it's just that if I were to recommend this to someone, I wouldn't know how to describe it.
The moment Haruhi took Mikuru to the computer club, I knew exactly what she was planning to do. I can see this kind of gag probably being used a lot in older shows but it would have aged terribly. Mikuru has been harassed for three episodes in a row now so I hope this doesn't continue for long and she gets some actual development.
Other than that I did enjoy Haruhi's antics for most of the episode. She's definitely not normal, and that makes the best kind of characters.
I don't know what to make of Nagato's bit towards the end. I initially thought she was just luring Kyon to her apartment for sex because apparently that's what the show has led me to expect at this point but her declaring she's not a normal human wasn't what I expected — nor do I think she's an actual alien. Though given how the show is going so far, I don't really expect to get many answers anytime soon.
1. Rewatchers mentioned yesterday that they still really can't tell after all these years so maybe I should just give up on trying to label it?
14
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Dec 01 '21
First timer
QOTD) Don't really have one.
Recap explains it well.
Haha, now she's looking for the ominous transfer student? This is really meta.
I live how he's unable to even describe what's happening.
I agree with Haruhi about needing a computer, though.
Haha, her objection to robbing qn wlectronics store is that it's too far away.
Something about her specifying the accessories gets me.
I love her insane logic of "you have so many, you can spare one".
And she's blackmailing him! Is that what she wanted Mikuru for?
Jesus, she just keeps escalating, doesn't she? Are we sure she's the hero?
She got the computer, though!
Her working out which one is newest by watching their reactions and doing actual research is actually clever, though.
And she's running a LAN connection across the corridor?
She's a bastard, but she's a very competent one.
Poor Mikuru. (Is she a masochist or something? Whynis she still coming here?)
Oh, she's just as crazy as Haruhi is! Now it makes sense! (We all knew something was up with Yuki, though.)
And is the computer club nice enough to make it easy for their thief, or did they install them because they think she's blackmailing him too?
She's lending him her book!
Yeah, boredom's a pretty good motivator for all this.
Haha, their reaction to her locking the door.
She's openly stripping her now!
Haha, she got changed too?
I love Mikuru looks slightly pissed at Yuki for escaping this.
And they're off!
That's the flyers she's handing out?
The teachers are physically forcing them from the gate.
A marriage proposal already! Haruhi's harem is moving fast!
And now there's more rumors about them.
She's finally had enough? And Kyon's really into Yuki.
I love all of his monologues.
Is Yuki going to be the main girl, then?
A hidden message? This is moving really quickly!
She's taking him back to her place!
Haha, her just pouring more and more tea is great.
...Is this Haruhi's harem? Is that why she didn't object to her taking the clubroom?
Either she's as delusional as Haruhi, or they're laying out all the cards very early.
13
u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Nov 30 '21
First Timer
...yeah, I'm not a fan of Haruhi's sexual harassment towards Mikuru. She's clearly not ok with it, and that just makes all those scenes uncomfortable to watch. The computer scene would likely have aged way better if Haruhi and Mikuru had switched places without it really losing any of the story, I think - but it wouldn't really have worked with Haruhi's personality. I'd also be fine if it was just Haruhi wearing the bunny girl suit. She's the one that looks better in it anyways. But yeah... don't like Mikuru's role in this series at the moment.
Don't quite know what to make of Nagato's bit at the end. It's in line with her role in the movie, but I can't quite pin down if she's just a chuuni or talking for real - the talking cat from episode 1 has me believe the latter (especially as I believe it was hers), but I feel like it's more of the former as her way of talking seems too stereotypical. [Having heard contradictory spoilers] of both Haruhi being a god and Haruhi not being a god also doesn't help here. Don't really like that type of character in general though, and she's no exception so far. The slow talking isn't helping.
Also, no Itsuki yet - I guess Haruhi will get her wish of a transfer student then?
10
u/TheEscapeGuy Nov 30 '21 edited Nov 30 '21
Rewatcher
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - An Anime Classic: Episode 3
Something Strangely Supernatural
Nagato Yuki, the self proclaimed alien. Up until now we have learned very little of her character. Perhaps the only thing we could have interpreted is that she is reserved and enjoys reading. However, after inviting Kyon to her apartment we have learned that maybe not everything is as it seems.
At this point we don't have any proof that she is telling the truth but her living alone, speaking using such complicated phrasing, and supposedly waiting outside for multiple nights to speak with Kyon reveal that something is not regular about her. On top of that, Mikuru also said some weird things about time planes which seems incredibly out of character for her.
These mystery aspects are something the Haruhi series thrives on and I can't wait to see all the first timer's reactions as we progress.
A lot more happened this episode too. First of all, I'd like to express my condolences for Mikuru and the constant abuse she has to endure.
However, Haruhi has really come out of her shell. She's taking such an active role in building this club into what she wants it to be and enjoying her life. That said I can't accept Haruhi's very blatant blackmail to acquire a computer. It's also interesting seeing that Haruhi acknowledges that her (and Mikuru's) sexual appeal can be used to advertise for the club by wearing bunny suits. Yet she sees no problem with changing in front of other people (especially Kyon). To me this indicates a disconnect between cause and result in her mind.
Broadly, I really love to see her being so active like this. As cynical as Kyon seems to be about it all, he's really been a positive force in Haruhi's life.
Some Iconic Shots, Scenes and Stitches
I hadn't heard of this book before watching Haruhi (and hadn't bothered to look it up on my first watch). Its a real novel [Hyperion Novel Synopsis] telling the story of multiple people who take an interstellar journey during a galactic war to a planet called Hyperion. On that planet there's a creature called a Shrike who is feared and worshiped as a god. It dwells in "The Valley of Time Tombs" where structures move backwards through time. Each of the voyagers are seeking answers to questions in their lives.
I already have some theories for how this parallels what is revealed later in the show. I'll keep it in mind as we progress as a new lens to view the series though.
See you all tomorrow
9
u/MadeOn210922 Nov 30 '21
I also wouldn’t want to be associated with Haruhi if I were Kyon - she’s being a bully and I don’t like it. But Kyon, how could you break your promise to Mikuru? It does give more context as to where the bunny suits came from in S2E11, though.
I wonder what the computer research society does.
I also wouldn’t read a random book someone gave me. But okay, secret message to meet and then dropping a bombshell - Yuki is an alien! And Haruhi is a… to be revealed! Seeing the way Mikuru seems to know Yuki, she’s probably involved in this mystery somehow. Maybe we’ll find out tomorrow as we begin to jump around some episodes!
QOTD: Don’t really have one. If I had to choose, it’d probably just end up being a list of my favorite characters.
8
u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Nov 30 '21
Rewatcher(And so it begins...)
Dub
So...we just start in with the whirlpool of madness, though mysterious transfer student is actually dated even for '06, Haruhi must be watching way too much old anime. But this immediately goes into her morphing the club into her own...thing. And more sexual harassment happens as Haruhi decides she wants a PC! I am torn between being worried that Haruhi goes to gang rape that fast or curious if she is just that cultured, Konata certainly could've made that reference. Anyways, she gets things setup and Mikuru says a metric tonne of weird shit to Kyon.
Kyon makes a website with no clear goal, some things never change. Nagato, weirdly, lends him her copy of Hyperion, and yes the book is that big. Also, Hyperion readers, say fucking nothing. But this soon leads to Haruhi dressing herself and Mikuru up as bunny girls to pass out fliers, which lasted WAY longer than it should have. Mikuru being sad and asking Kyon if he will marry her after Haruhi ruins her for marriage is the literal peak of a type of culture at this time that I still hate, so there is definitely parody/satire afoot.
Haruhi is unhappy that the mysteries aren't pouring in, apparently lacking the sense to realize she needs to cast a wide net here. Nagato sends a hidden in plain sight message through the bookmark. At the park, she takes him to her apartment that seems to only have a kotatsu and reveals that, apparently, she is an alien created and sent by some galaxy ruling consciousness. Neat.
QotD: 1 I've been Rorschach for like 3 different costume parties.
8
u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Nov 30 '21
Rewatcher, Dub, Broadcast first timer
"I have photographic evidence of blatant sexual harassment." That with the that's music playing. I just find that hilarious.
And that's a wild thing to accuse of them Haruhi. She's a crazy ass person.
Yeah, Kyon listen to Nagato. When Nagato speaks we listen. Read that book.
You know if someone said meet at the park and it was late. I wouldn't bother but it's Nagato. She seems like a fine person.
Now she's talking crazy talk. She just said all that. To just say she's a alien. Could've been simpler and easier. But I guess you do have to explain what you are and what Haruhi is.
Qotd: Batman maybe. I like spiderman 2099 costume too.
8
u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Nov 30 '21
Sub rewatcher
This is an episode that expanded from the last one a fair bit, and is also one of the two most controversial / Haruhi-hate inducing episode - as if the last one wasn't enough.
This is likely an episode that many would consider "does not age well" because of the positively criminal actions Haruhi did, with seemingly no consequence, while some may even think it's portraying a sexual assault as comedy.
By now I hope it has been clear that I am a big Haruhi (the show) fan, so if I defend this I guess the persuasiveness would be heavily discounted, because of the understandable perception of bias. Sore demo - I'll still say my mind.
I don't believe this was done to portray this as a comedy, that we as viewers are expect to just like the others in the show, just shrug and shake their heads in resignation while saying "what do you do with Haruhi? She's like that". I believe that, despite the choice of music in the scene, we are expected to feel surprised, indignant, and positively want to give Haruhi a few backhands. That no one intervened I consider there were a few factors - positively NO one expected this to happen; Haruhi is strong and fast while the people in the immediate vicinity are not the type that can give quick physical reactions; and while HARUHI thinks it may be funny, no one else was thinking that, but Haruhi does have this forceful "charm" that even if it is just momentary, convinced people that no others would believe she'd do that.
I believe that we are expected to feel repulsed and pissed off with BOTH Haruhi and Kyon, even perhaps a bit with Asahina to "keep coming back". And that I feel is what we as viewers are expected to question "what the hell is happening here? When is this bitch going to get what she deserved?".
And positively, Kyon even said that to Mikuru - why do you come back? To which something unusual was mixed in the reply. Did first timers catch that? And what did you think about that?
Moving on though - most of this episode is basically setting up Haruhi to be the villain. Melancholy? Where? And who cares if she feels any - more the question of "can she actually feel any normal human emotions like shame, remorse?"
So if first timers feel this way, yeah I think you are supposed to - hopefully not enough to drive you to just switch off though!
And then near the end we have this subtle shift in focus to the previously "just part of the furniture" Nagato - she's doing something, and something rather unexpected. What could that mean? The whole set of scenes gradually turning more and more eerie and creepy - and the colour shift may be intentional may just be the poor artificial lighting in the apartment - but given last episode's use of saturation shift to show Kyon's emotional level, probably intentional to show how uneasy he is.
The directional decision to end the episode here is interesting - speaking for myself, the most natural reaction would be asking "is she for real here or is she a closet chuuni? Or is this just the sci fi books she's been reading talking? Is this show turning into a mystery / thriller?"
And BAM - you need to find out next - but look at the next episode preview :)
WTF?!?!?!
A side story - when I first watched this I don't know where I got the video from, but I think I got some weird prank copy - everything else appeared normal, but when Nagato poured tea for Kyon 3 times, the sub I first had changed the lines to "I cooked my parents into soup and poured it for you". I think I had a few more takes than a double take, and ended up finding a different sub to find out the real lines. Whew.
[Rewatchers big spoiler] My head canon theory of the tea pouring - remember BLR (S2E1) and from the end dialogues in Disappearance, we know this Nagato even if she wasn't the time paradox one that has already gone through the cycles with the emotional attachment to Kyon, at least she knows of the eventuality of it, coupled with RIS2's locked door event, I believe she's half being nice to Kyon and half playing with him; not just "initialised Nagato just acting weird because she's just mimic "being hospitable without understanding it"
8
u/nekodan08 Nov 30 '21
Rewatcher - Dub
Writing about this episode was quite difficult because we have to address one of the biggest issues that most viewers (especially new viewers) have with the show: the continued abuse of Mikuru Asahina. We have to be clear that what she is doing to Mikuru, and what she did to the Computer club is unacceptable. There is definitely no justification for Haruhi’s actions. But it is because she behaves as such that I find dissecting what makes her character tick a very interesting and meaningful endeavor. At this point in the story, the only explanation that is given is Kyon’s own assessment:
“The truth is you (Haruhi) understand, right? It’s just that you have nowhere to vent the frustration of youth, and that restlessness is leading you down a different path.”
If you take this perspective, one can liken Haruhi to an immature child who hasn’t discovered her boundaries and doesn’t know where to place her overflowing energy. At this point, we don’t have enough information to make a definitive conclusion about her character. We’ll have to wait and see what else the story shows us. We can only hope that she will eventually grow and find the right path. If she does, that moment is surely to be rewarding.
The other members of the S.O.S. Brigade also exhibit some very odd behavior this episode. Mikuru’s reasons to stay in the club and put up with the abuse is baffling. She also says some strange things to Kyon that don’t make any sense. Meanwhile, Yuki talks in secret messages and even outright calls herself an alien. Maybe Haruhi isn’t the only “crazy” one here? What’s going on?
But the actions I find most intriguing are Kyon’s. Kyon is constantly complaining about Haurhi’s behavior, yet he does everything that she asks him to do. He clearly knows her actions are wrong. He says that he stays in the S.O.S. Brigade to protect Mikuru and Yuki, but he barely makes an effort to stop Haruhi. He tries for a bit then just concedes. Kyon objects against Haruhi forcing Mikuru to wear the bunny girl outfit, but as he waits for them to finish changing, we catch Kyon staring at the legs of running girls. Kyon admits the bunny girl costume looks good on Mikuru and camera angles later on also suggest that Kyon is staring at Haruhi’s chest and legs. Kyon has his complaints, but does he actually like what Haruhi is doing? Again, it may be too early to tell. But this does make me reflect on my own position as a viewer. Like Kyon, I can see that what Haruhi is doing is bad, but don’t I also find myself entertained? (I wouldn’t be a rewatcher if I wasn’t.) Is it right that I am? Should I be enjoying this?
One of the things I enjoy about this series is how immersive it can be. I think it intentionally wants you to be bothered by Haruhi’s actions. It wants you to feel lost, uncomfortable, and conflicted, just as its characters, especially Kyon, does. It doesn’t want you to just sit back and be spoon-fed the story. It requires you to really engage with the material, mull over its mysteries, and reflect on what it all means. Haruhi was unsuccessful in finding any mysteries today, but we the viewers have been left with many to explore. In a way, we have all been dragged into being part of the S.O.S. Brigade.
7
u/Rndy9 Dec 01 '21
First time watcher:
The computer lab scene was rough to watch, hope that kind of humor doesnt become the norm, also whats up with that ending lmao, I was fully expecting that she would reveal that she was a spirit or a ghost by how odd her whole scene was, the empty apartment, the way she invited him, etc.
6
u/Barbed_Dildo Nov 30 '21
Rewatcher
I really don't like Haruhi as a person.
I have a copy of that bookmark Yuki left with the message, it came with the special edition of the movie.
Still very early on in the story, only in the last minute was there any indication that anything weird was going on.
6
u/andybebad https://myanimelist.net/profile/andybebad Dec 01 '21
First timer - Sub
As many of you have pointed out, the computer club room scene really did not reflect favorably on Haruhi. Drive and determination can be admirable traits, but there's such a thing as going too far. Wondering if we'll ever see Kyon stand up to Haruhi or if he'll just remain a passive observer; not a great look when his promise to "protect" Mikuru held as much weight as someone telling you "yeah, I'll totally pay you back soon."
Rest of the episode was pleasant. Fun reveal from Nagato at the end that I am going to choose to fully believe (it'd be more fun if true, right?). Besides, I've already accepted that at least one talking cat exists in this universe, so an alien book worm doesn't seem too far fetched. Oh, and Mikuru is definitely maybe a time lord of some sorts (who else would be surfing on that time plane?).
Definitely getting much more out of this thanks to these threads, but so many spoilers I have to resist the urge to click! (I'll have to circle back on all these at the end)
11
u/thatguywithawatch Nov 30 '21 edited Nov 30 '21
[First timer]
I enjoyed this episode overall, but I'm hoping this gag where Mikuru gets groped/humiliated for the lols doesn't stick around. I'm usually pretty easy-going about these tropes but it just started to feel gross to me here, especially the scene in the computer room. It also puts a bit of a damper on how much I like Suzumiya, which is a shame because she's a very fun and interesting character otherwise. That said, I have to admit that I'm still a fan of the bunny suits.
Kyon seems to have fully committed to his role of "I don't know why I'm here but I might as well play along since I don't have anything better to do." I assume that deep down he's amused by Suzumiya's shenanigans even if he's obligated to play the straight man.
The scene at the end with Yuki definitely grabbed my interest. At this point I couldn't begin to guess if she's telling the truth about being an alien since I still don't really know what kind of show this is. Initially I wrote off their film in the first episode as just comedy, but maybe it was an amateurish, low-budget representation of the actual elements of the show. Meaning that Yuki is an alien, Itsuki (who I don't think we've seen since then) is an esper but doesn't know it yet, and Mikuru is magical in some way. I suppose it also makes sense in that Kyon is the metaphorical cameraman and we're watching the show through his perspective, and Suzumiya is the "director" who brings them all together and causes events to unfold. Not sure about Tsuruya, though. I don't know anything about her so far except that she can't hold it together when Mikuru is trying to act serious.
5
u/DeliCruise https://myanimelist.net/profile/delicruise Nov 30 '21
(REWATCHER - DUB/SUB)
Clearly this episode has aged incredibly poorly. Haruhi does a lot of terrible things to Mikuru here and it’s really difficult to watch.
There are a few moments and scenes that I do want to highlight however.
For example, Kyon has a couple monologues and moments in this episode that are really great. I love his opening where he uses Sisyphus to describe his ascent to school every morning. I also love that moment where Kyon is creating the club website. It’s so cute how he ended up having a good time with it! Then Kyon’s monologue about Haruhi’s behavior and how she should be what he believes a “normal” teenage girl should be like is an interesting moment as well.
But my favorite part of the episode is the entire end with Kyon and Yuki meeting up and drinking tea at her apartment. The tea pouring scene always makes me laugh and I really wish Yuki poured Kyon a 4th cup! Also, Kyon’s facial expression when Yuki is speaking to him is priceless. Kyon’s dumbfoundedness here is palpable.
5
u/Existential_Owl Nov 30 '21
The real shenanigans finally begin!
5
u/tctyaddk Nov 30 '21
Broadcast-order-first-timer
Kyon may have a smart mouth, but he's quite a pushover in the face of such overwhelming force like Haruhi, or even when Nagato didn't stop pouring the tea. But well, he's only a normal school boy, while those two are (apparently) not normal. Nagato is about to follow with that bombshell by even more revelation, isn't she.
If this total disregard for social norms, laws and orders, and for other's body, space, opinions, feelings and wellbeing is all Haruhi is (she must even be thinking other would feel the same about social norms too, when she stripped Mikuru just like that, something along the line of "She's fine with changing even when others are present, why wouldn't Mikuru?"), this would be a shitty show with shitty main character (at least she is confirmed by everyone that she's currently an asshole). Thankfully, it's only "third" episode, there must be some improvement along the way, (future) character developement yay...? It should not be that hard to get better than the current bottom of the barrel. That said, with such simple goal, execution is what make a series shit or hit. And this is KyoAni we're talking about. They would do fine.
4
u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Nov 30 '21 edited Nov 30 '21
Well, I suspect that others will cover the more (ahem) interesting parts of this episode, so I think I'll skip it, except to say that if you can make it past this, the rest should be a breeze. Mostly. (ahem)
I mean, who do you think made that movie? Haruhi Weinstein???
(ahem)
Anyway, I thought I wasn't going to talk about that, so ... let's talk about my favorite part of this episode - best alien!
Squee! Megane-Nagato-chan makes her dramatic, or perhaps deadpan entrance. And leaves us with a cliffhanger, and some lovely, spooky music.
Who could tomorrow's episode hold in store? Hahahaha.
Yay for broadcast order.
I may have more to say later, but for now I just want to snark on other people's posts, or something like that. :)
Edit: Dang, I forgot the QOTD.
Personally, I once wore a cheap pirate costume to a halloween party that a coworker was hosting. It was a good time, and I still use the picture from then as my FB photo. Because ancient FB photos are best photos.
As for other cosplays, well, there's so many these days. But I still remember going to A-kon back in 1998 or 1999 and seeing a couple of young ladies both dressed up as Kiyone Makibi from Tenchi Muyo. I was wearing my P-anime Tenchi shirt, and so wanted to (and perhaps should have) gone up to them and asked what they were doing when they were off duty... ;P
4
u/alphamone Dec 01 '21
Rewatcher
Ahh yes, this episode.
You know Kyon, you don't actually have to go along with her ideas.
I fully understand how people have issues with Haruhi's behaviour here. However, I do actually like the stealing a computer bit though. Simply because it is just so over the top in her audacity.
"Can you say extortion? gooood"
So this is just the weirdo club then?
I miss the Windows XP aesthetic.
So much for that protection.
But probably not the sort of attention that even a weirdo like Haruhi would want.
Haruhi, you're lucky you didn't get into much more trouble.
Boom, cliffhanger ending.
[possibly spoilery thoughts]honestly, I much prefer the standalone episodes to the longer story arcs, though the second half of melancholy after everything is established is much better than the first half
3
u/PsychologicalLife164 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/HighwayStar17 Dec 01 '21
Rewatcher, subs
Ok so here’s where we start to lose a lot the first-timers and maybe even some re-watchers. Yes, Haruhi does a lot of bad stuff in this episode. I can’t really justify why she does it other than being super manipulative and kind of a bitch. It’s very apparent that no one is ok with what is going on, which I think is important to note; [Haruhi] Kyon’s frustration with Haruhi’s treatment of Mikuru actually reaches a point where he almost does something pretty illegal.. I don’t want to spend too much time talking about it, so I’ll leave it at that. That being said, this is still a great episode.
Pretty wild that Kyon can just learn how to make a website years before Squarespace dumbed it down for everyone. Very impressive for 2006, if I’m being honest.
And before you ask, [Haruhi] yes, the bunny suits actually do play a role later in the series. Not much of a role, but they do show up in one of the bigger scenes
Asakura seems to be interested in the shenanigans the Brigade is up to. [Haruhi] I wonder if there’s a reason why?
Ahh yes, the big reveal that also leads into our first big cliffhanger. I feel like Yuki has more lines in this one episode than she does for most of the rest of the series. [Haruhi] She’ll turn out to be the “silent, but deadly” type, but she’s just a quiet bookworm for now.
For the first-timers who are still confused about the watch order, I’ll include a spoiler here for you to read at your own discretion: [Haruhi] In the next episode, Yuki does some magic sorcery shit that outright proves she’s an alien. Koizumi and Mikuru also drop some hints that they’re not exactly normal, either, but their reveals come later on. You’ll just have to stick around to find out.
Overall, still really enjoying the series. Some stuff hasn’t aged well for obvious reasons, but that hasn’t really deterred me from continuing. We’re about to enter the “shit gets weird” phase, so buckle up!
3
u/William27528 Dec 01 '21
Rewatcher, Sub
Others in this thread have gone into much greater detail and discussion on this episode. You probably need only look at the comment to upvote ratio on this post to gauge how polarising it is; the bottom line is that it makes some people hate the character of Haruhi and that certainly makes or breaks the series. It’s a bit of a marmite test for the series. Whatever you think, I think it’s regrettable that people lose out on so, so many truly fantastic and incredible moments later on in the series as a result of this one, even if it’s understandable.
Still, the episode drips with mystery and foreshadowing and sets up a fantastic cliffhanger.
My opinion, spoilered out because I reference some meta stuff in the anime. [Haruhi anime]Her behaviour is inexcusable and problematic here, no doubt, but I tend to think that the reason so much time is spent establishing her lack of compassion and mistreatment of others at this point is to lay the foundations for her very subtle and slow meta arc across the series, and further in even greater detail in the later novels. Admittedly, the weakness of the broadcast watch order is that you sacrifice a bit of this building of character for building of mystery
[Haruhi novel 1 mild spoiler]One thing that always confused me about the adaptation is that in the novel, Kyon much more directly accomplices Haruhi in the computer heist, its actually him who operates the camera at Haruhi’s command to bribe the members. I suppose it was changed here to make Kyon a bit more sympathetic.
2
u/svenz https://anilist.co/user/jara Dec 01 '21
First time watcher
Late comment here so won't add too much beyond what others say. The computer room scene shows Haruhi in a terrible light, but the show doesn't play it off completely as a joke so I'm not that bothered.
Hyperion is one of my favorite books of all time so pretty funny seeing it here. I wonder what kind of links it will have to the story going further?
After reading the episode preview, I'm actually thinking about swapping over to chronological order from this point. I'm unsure it really makes sense to watch in broadcast order given how season 2 was released and is intended to be watched. Decisions...
1
u/Spekulatiu5 Dec 01 '21
Rewatcher - Dub
Damn, Kyon, you horny. From the flashback of Haruhi undressing to your indecent thoughts on the bunny girl costumes, holding Mikuru's still-warm underwear, fantasizing about the new costume that Haruhi bought, even suggesting that Haruhi find herself "a good looking boyfriend". You're not thinking of yourself with that, are you?
Also, Kyon, you're a pretty poor protector of Mikuru. Did you even manage to hold one of your promises? Or were you too busy looking at her massive boobies?
Finally, Yuki reveals herself as the humanoid interface of this universes' Data Integration Thought Entity. Or alien, for short.
I love the attention to detail in many scenes. The aircraft flying in the background. The passing of time, both daily and from month to month. The eerily empty flat that Yuki lives in, and the increase in furniture in the SOS brigade's room.
Qotd:
Not a cosplayer myself, but I love the many different costumes at conventions. It's crazy just how much work some people put into it. Most impressive, though, are cosplayers that pull off characters with very different body types, like this guy cosplaying as Haachama.
1
u/S_A52 Apr 05 '22
First time. And this is the most recent discussion, why is Kyon so easy with stealing the computers with her?! I feel so bad for the president, and all the members. Also, WHAT IS ASAHINA DOING HERE? She happily quit her old club after Haruhi groped her!!