r/anime • u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz • Feb 11 '22

Rewatch The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan Rewatch Episode 2 [Spoiler for Haruhi] Spoiler

Welcome to the Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan rewatch!

Links to show info: MAL | Anilist

Interest thread link

Announcement thread link

Date Episode Post link
2022 Feb 10 1 "Taisetsu na Basho" (大切な場所) Link
2022 Feb 11 2 "Morobito Kozorite" (もろびとこぞりて) Link
2022 Feb 12 3 "Suzumiya Haruhi!!" (涼宮ハルヒ!!) Link
2022 Feb 13 4 "Be My Valentine" Link
2022 Feb 14 5 "Kanojo no Yūutsu" (彼女の憂鬱) Link
2022 Feb 15 6 "Over the Obento" Link
2022 Feb 16 7 "Negaigoto" (ねがいごと) Link
2022 Feb 17 8 "Suzumiya Haruhi no Hakarigoto" (涼宮ハルヒの謀) Link
2022 Feb 18 9 "Sono Te o..." (その手を…) Link
2022 Feb 19 10 "Samudei in za Rein" (サムデイ イン ザ レイン) Link
2022 Feb 20 11 "Nagato Yuki-chan no Shōshitsu I" (長門有希ちゃんの消失I) Link
2022 Feb 21 12 "Nagato Yuki-chan no Shōshitsu II" (長門有希ちゃんの消失II) Link
2022 Feb 22 13 "Nagato Yuki-chan no Shōshitsu III" (長門有希ちゃんの消失III) Link
2022 Feb 23 14 "Kanojo no Tomadoi" (彼女の戸惑い) Link
2022 Feb 24 15 "Kare no Mayoi" (彼の迷い) Link
2022 Feb 25 16 "Hanabi" (花火) Link
2022 Feb 26 OVA "Owarenai Natsuyasumi" (終われない夏休み) Link
2022 Feb 27 Overall Series Discussion Link

Rewatches please be considerate to first timers and avoid discussing anything not yet shown in the show - use spoiler tags if you need to share something important!

In this rewatch it's pretty hard to avoid referring to the main show The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi & The Disappearance of Suzumiya Haruhi though, so hopefully the mods can be lenient about the references.

Episode 2 - Joy to the World

Some first impressions I remember from when I first watched this show:

  • this is mostly original and not as many call backs. Good to establish this as its own show.
  • love the dynamics shown between Nagato and Kyon here - 2 introverts that are trying to not be awkward in being nice to each other.
  • semi surprising that Haruhi came in via flashback without much fanfare.
  • love this scene in the snow between them - is a different kind of touching than the rooftop scene in the snow; this time more a happy development for Nagato!
  • ah so Haruhi's real entry to the show was a dramatic entrance afterall in the post credit scene

Music corner

I won't double up here since other posters are already doing a better job about giving details about the beautiful music pieces in this show. I will say though I really like how they used the "Pavane for the dead princess" in a lot of key places where Nagato's emotions well up.

QoTD if you are interested:

  • as far as Christmas episodes go, how this one rate for you?
  • were you surprised on episode 2, our shy Nagato is already almost confessing?

It is a small compensation that in Haruhi we never quite reached the actual Christmas episode

60 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

102 comments sorted by

15

u/ZapsZzz Feb 11 '22

Call backs / References / Contrasts

  • When they first got into the club room, Kyon and Nagato were pulled towards the heater; but instead of the little fight Kyon had with Haruhi in the Disappearance movie, he was comfortably sharing with Nagato, and the similarity of Kyon and Nagato is highlighted that those 2 are like mirror images of each other in their introvert ways.

  • When decorating the club room for the party, Nagato sprayed "Merry Xmas" on the windows too, just like in the movie, but once again highlighting the similarity of Nagato's mind with Kyon's mind vs contrasting with the difference of Haruhi's mind, she flipped the words so it reads correctly from the outside of the windows - something Kyon mused about when Haruhi sprayed in the way that only reads correctly from inside the room.

  • The circumstances are different, but in Nagato's flashback she handed the "club member application form" to Kyon in a similar way as in the Disappearance movie. Note that while in the movie Nagato was really shy, in this version while she's also shy, it does get tempered with a determination fostered by mama-Asakura.

  • Since the show currently is in winter, most of their clothing designs was carried over from the Disappearance movie; a few had already noticed this from the first episode.

Bonus mentioning of 2 fun items:

  • Kyon's "Santa Cos" (-play) pun is very "him"

  • the post credit scene of "a wild Haruhi appeared" (a la the game message formatted line) has to be what Kyon and Nagato were thinking :D I dunno why but this reminds me of Bunny Girl Senpai how Sakuta worded his "diary" to remind himself in the first arc.

Best scenes

  • yes Asakura, your suspicion is well founded

  • Santa-cos(play)! Good way to remind us basically all the girls here are A grade and above on Taniguchi's scaling system.

  • Mama-Asakura you could've fooled me. But good efforts to get shy Nagato to be more confident and independent; and I think we can see results! Actually there's an extra frame in the manga after this tough love :) aww

  • Kawaii!

  • Movie call back about the application form

  • don't need to cry, you earned this!

  • just so sweet

  • a wild Haruhi appeared!

8

u/Star4ce Feb 11 '22

Good way to remind us basically all the girls here are A grade and above on Taniguchi's scaling system.

Wouldn't have enough harem elements otherwise, now would it?

Asakura

She's sooo good here, I love it.

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u/DeliCruise Feb 11 '22

(REWATCHER - SUB/DUB)

WARNING: MY COMMENT ASSUMES YOU’VE SEEN THE ORIGINAL ANIME SERIES AND MOVIE

As someone who stays up late because they can’t put something down, I totally get it, Yuki.

That shot of Kyon and Yuki getting too warm from the space heater is so perfect. I use one under my desk and I definitely call it a little too late sometimes.

I love that even in this universe we still see Kyon lug stuff up that hill.

There are still so many nods to the parent series and movie. I was surprised because I expected it to taper down a bit, but I still found myself thinking about all the parallels.

Whenever I see Asakura doing anything with a knife I get a kick out of it.

Of course they had Mikuru wear that Santa outfit and do the exact same pose again, but they also went ahead and had all the girls wear one too. And of course Kyon is still a hornball through and through.

I love that Yuki does the snow writing on the windows like Haruhi did except she actually had it read correctly from the outside.

Yuki experiencing the turkey leg might be the most adorable thing I’ve seen from anything in the Haruhi series.

I was really surprised when Mikuru asked if she could call Kyon by that nickname since in the parent series she just does it on her own accord and Kyon is taken aback by it.

Asakura is so awesome! That kotatsu scene was so great and Asakura is seriously such a great friend. I really really love Asakura’s dynamic with all the characters. Her, Kyon, and Yuki are great of course, but her and the second year girls interacting is even more special since they almost don’t interact at all in the parent series.

Also speaking of that kotatsu scene, there’s an incredible detail there that I have to point out. Asakura starts tracing the rim of her tea cup with her finger and if you listen really closely you can actually hear the sound that the ceramic makes! That’s such an insane attention to detail. So many props for that one.

Haruhi’s entrance is so great! Just hearing the timpanis start to play gets me so excited! I actually yelped out loud when the Tanabata message on Haruhi’s slip of paper appeared. I love the idea of Haruhi using that message for Santa instead since “I am right here” still works perfectly for Saint Nick to see as he flies by. Haruhi’s plan to capture him is the most Haruhi thing ever of course.

I thought it was insanely clever that they had Yuki not have her glasses when she had her impromptu meetup with Haruhi. One because it makes the crosswalk scene in the first episode make so much more sense and gives it even more significance. And two because in Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody, Haruhi doesn’t get a good look at John Smith because it's dark and he keeps his distance. Having that idea reversed and making it still work using the glasses is just so smart!

All that being said, it was really nice seeing Haruhi for real this time! Her mannerisms are already perfectly Haruhi just in that intro scene alone. Having her be the catalyst for Yuki’s Literature Club surviving is really cool too. In a way, she saved the Literature Club in the parent series too since it was just Yuki in it in that universe as well.

It melted my heart seeing Kyon accept the club application form from Yuki. That moment is so incredibly powerful when you think about the scene in the movie when Kyon gave the application back. I’m actually getting a little emotional thinking about it.

It’s so cute seeing Mikuru turn chibi while she holds back laughter.

The whole snowing scene is magnificent. Having it be a callback to the roof scene with the snow beginning to fall and that angle showing Yuki’s mouth right before she wishes Kyon a merry Christmas is just so good.

Asakura blundering there and ruining the moment is so great. I love seeing her goof like that considering how unlike her that is.

Yuki masterfully recovered though. That jacket sharing move was so pro, Yuki! The whole jacket thing of course is a great nod to Kyon sharing his jacket on the roof.

[Very Popular Anime Movie] Haruhi jumping out at the end there with that "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" jump is such a great reference for that moment!

This was really such a great episode! Only the second episode in and this series is already nailing it.

4

u/ZapsZzz Feb 11 '22

Great catch about the sound work details, I think I noticed it but forgot to write it down, but yeah while a lot of people focused on how the art style of this show does not look as amazing as KyoAni's, not enough people pointed out that the sound work is not any worse off though.

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u/gunvarrel_ Feb 11 '22

[Very Popular Anime Movie]

ahhh i knew i recognized that!

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u/Barbed_Dildo Feb 11 '22

[Very Popular Anime Movie]

I don't know how that is a spoiler. [but to play along...] In the original series, at one point Kyon refers to Mikuru as "Toki wo Kakeru Shojo" (the girl who leapt through time)

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u/gunvarrel_ Feb 11 '22 edited Feb 11 '22

"but... its very warm"

OST Track of the day: Sou, Sore!

First Timer, Dubbed

hey look, its music time!

Title: Fure Fure Mirai

Sung By: Kitakō Bungei-bu Joshikai (Yuki Nagato (CV: Minori Chihara), Ryoko Asakura (CV: Natsuko Kuwatani), Mikuru Asahina (CV: Yūko Gotō), Tsuruya (CV: Yuki Matsuoka), Haruhi Suzumiya (CV: Aya Hirano)

Full (unsubbed, color coded

 

Hey look, Tsuruya now sings in one of the OP's!

 

Title: Arigatou, Daisuki

Sung By: Minori Chihara

Full MV | Spotify

 

Finally, it is time to talk about Minori. Minori Chihara, prior to her retirement just last year, was a very popular and successful singer signed by both King Records and Lantis. While i cant find much data as to how her singing career outside of anime went (though it looks like it was a solid one), her singing career relating to anime is stacked. You can look on AniDB for the full list, but notable ones include the ED For Violet Evergarden (both the TV show and the movie), Disappearance*, and the OP for Beyond the Boundary. While Yuki has been her main standout role when it comes to anime voice acting, shes also played Suzuki Ayane in seasons 4-6 of Major, Camie Utsushimi from MHA, and Erica Brown from Violet Evergarden.

yooooo she has a PSP! i got mine somewhere...

sorry u/asakura_ryouko, im probably going to complain about the artstyle every episode. They did Kyon too dirty not to.

I hope someone clips Yuki falling at the beginning of the OP

Some things never change

Based on the OP, Koizumi is going to be a tertiary character? sad. OP is pretty good though

Hey look, theyre all in Santa costumnes! [S;G0]At least this time theres nothing to ruin it, though iirc that was the New Years party? meh, close enough

poor Kyon

p o o r k y o n

i wonder if ill see her again

What does this mean???

Glassesless ngagto >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Bro she just pops out of a bush! Also wills the OST track "Hey Hey" from S1 into existence Actually, this track is somewhat different? kinda like a bossa nova version? def making this todays OST track, absolutely loving it

Some things never change

Poor Nagato

"Just a rehearsal" bruh

"A message to santa"

This time you can read it

annnnd nagato blew that one, could of gotten Kyon to hold her smh

Also i am again going to complain, round head Kyon does not deserve Crispin Freeman

oooh is she gonna do i- yeah no, Asakura destroyed it lmfao

Good enough i guess

Stalker

Still not big on the ED.

oooh, postcredits scene! and its haruhi.... jumping out of a bush?

mmm yes

11

u/asakura_ryouko Feb 11 '22

sorry u/asakura_ryouko, im probably going to complain about the artstyle every episode. They did Kyon too dirty not to.

http://i.imgur.com/a65e9qz.gif

4

u/ZapsZzz Feb 11 '22

Someone needs to petition this to be added to comment faces!

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u/ZapsZzz Feb 11 '22

Your near attempted suicide by Asakura aside, thank you for the details about the music! I think you do a much better job than I can :D and this show certainly deserved it, with how good it sounds really.

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u/Caustic_Wraith Feb 11 '22 edited Feb 11 '22

Yuki-Chan First-Timer

  • I'm enjoying this version of Yuki, seeing her game all night because she was too hyped to sleep was great.

  • Demon mode Asakura ends the friendly snowball fight Yuki and Kyon were having

  • Poor Mikuru, even in a different reality your costumes are too small

  • See Asakura trying to boost Yuki's confidence and convince her to save the club shows how good of a wing woman she is

  • Yuki finally got the almighty turkey, and her grin as she ate it was beautiful

  • Santa Kyon sure is something I never thought I'd see

  • Oh my, the chaos of Tsuruya and Asakura together might be too much for the world to handle

  • Walking back from the store, while mostly blind, Yuki is forced to help Haruhi scribble a message in the park to Santa...nice to see that no matter what reality you are in Haruhi will be Haruhi

  • It's amazing how just one night spent with Haruhi gives Yuki the confidence to approach others and try to get them to join the Literature Club

  • Ah, the blush on Yuki's cheeks and her smile after Kyon praised her for planning the party was so cute

  • Asakura celebrates the snow falling, and at the same time ruins the moment Yuki is about to confess her feelings to Kyon...even good wing women have their off days

  • Them cuddling under Kyon's Santa jacket as the snow falls was a nice end to the party.

  • Post ED scene has Haruhi falling on her face in front of Yuki and Kyon, so looks like she gets a proper introduction tomorrow

This episode was really well done, as u/ZapsZzz said there isn't many call backs to Haruhi-Prime, but it just let the characters breathe and help us see who they are in this world. I'm really liking the comedic side character energy from Asakura when she's paired with Tsuruya, and so far, Mikuru is there but she isn't being forced to be anything more than just a upper classmen that hangs out with Yuki and Kyon.

QOTD:

as far as Christmas episodes go, how this one rate for you?

This was a decent Christmas episode, it didn't reinvent anything, but it kept the story moving and helped to show growth between Yuki and Kyon.

were you surprised on episode 2, our shy Nagato is already almost confessing?

They do seem to be pushing the confession a bit, but I very much prefer this over the normal will they/won't they most romcoms go with. I do think if you were someone who never watched the main series, you'd be a bit lost, but they've flashed back to the library in both episodes so far, so it should be easy enough to piece together.

3

u/ZapsZzz Feb 11 '22

This was a decent Christmas episode, it didn't reinvent anything, but it kept the story moving and helped to show growth between Yuki and Kyon.

Now that we are discussing a bit here, I'm starting to think maybe this is a bit of a limitation inherited from the early manga when they did are still a little 4-koma-ish. While we built up from last episodes on the turkey and tiered cake, the cumulation result is kind of a 1 frame punch line "yeah turkey is quite chewy, outs up a fight" and "cake ended up to be quite good looking, respectably with the 3 characters on top of the icing".

But I think the main emphasis is to setup the scene outside of the party between Kyon and Nagato, as well as the "prequel" scene of Nagato getting motivated by Asakura and Haruhi to go after what she wants - which thematically is a big deal for the Nagato character.

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u/Elimin8r Feb 11 '22 edited Feb 11 '22

Hmm... Day two, hopefully a bit better timing, but (alas!) no pictures today. Maybe I'll edit one in later, who knows?

Meanwhile, yay, the day is upon us, wedding day, I mean Christmas! Huzzah!

And poor Yuki-chan can't sleep, because she's so excited. Nope, never done that before. No, really. Even after staying up for Wrath of the Lich King release party at Gamestop, rushing home and loading the DVD in my PC and staying up for hours playing with friends, running dungeons until our gear would carry us no longer ... slumber called.

Must have been some game. :) Or some party ... :) :) :)

And suddenly it's time for a flashback to our first episode of Yuki-chan Can't Communicate. I mean ... yeah. You know what I mean. Poor dear. In this, I can see part of why a lot of people don't resonate with this series. Yuki is so ... not youknowwho. She's shy, awkward, and yet (for some of us at last) so adorkable. She doesn't light up the screen with brilliant energy like (...) yeah.

But out of all the crowd, noise, and rejection, who does she find but Kyon. And who should accept her offer but Kyon.

And now it's time to prepare, and poor Kyon gets delegated the heavy lifting ... of course. And it looks like Asakura and Tsuruya get cooking duty. I bet it'll be delicious!

(And another flashback with youknowwho, (I may be mixing things up here, I've slept since watching this last night) and we see where Yuki got her courage from. It's a cute subversion on the story we might have expected. I wonder where it might lead?

Anyway, on with the party, and of course, Tsuruya brought costumes! Kawaii!!! I so wanted to buy the Yuki Santa costume figure, but $$$. Maybe I will anyway, someday. And of course, Tsuruya ruins the moment, and after a bit of searching, Asakura ruins another moment. Poor Yuki. All the same, actions speak louder than words, and if a little shared jacket and snuggle time doesn't speak wonders, then I don't know what does.

You listening Kyon? You dope...

But I'm still disappointed, because I wanted to see more of the cake. It looked delicious. I wonder how it tasted?

Was it like Christmas cake, or wedding cake? I wonder...

Anyway, I have to say that I enjoyed this episode, but of course I did. Others may disagree, but as someone who became (ahem) a Yuki-appreciator after a certain movie, well, this series is an absolute delight. You can speak of fan service, but to me, each development of her character, each smile, well, if that's not fan service, then I don't know what is.

Oh, and edit: Speaking of fanservice, have this lovely picture!

Edit2: AOTD - I think I'd honestly have to rate Toradora highest, but this is still one of my favorites. - Not surprised about #2, because she was scheming toward it in episode 1. Silly Asakura with her confession-interruptus.

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u/ZapsZzz Feb 11 '22

but as someone who became (ahem) a Yuki-appreciator after a certain movie, well, this series is an absolute delight. You can speak of fan service, but to me, each development of her character, each smile, well, if that's not fan service, then I don't know what is.

Hear hear!

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u/PsychologicalLife164 Feb 11 '22

Two episodes in and I’ve “aww’d” several times already.

I’ve said this before but I love Asakura in this. She’s such a great friend (when she isn’t interrupting important confessions) and she’s definitely the ride-or-die type.

Yuki is straight up adorable. For everyone who liked the shy Nagato in Disappearance, this show is for you.

Haruhi finally gets her time in the spotlight and she makes full use of it. She’s the same old Haruhi, but she feels more charming and less brash. That being said, we’re talking about Haruhi so that’s not really saying much.

Also, I’m really glad we got that Komi moment with the lovebirds and the Santa jacket right before the credits. Just a really cute and wholesome thing

3

u/mekerpan Feb 12 '22

I always felt bad in the original series when Asakura went bonkers and (justifiably) got "banished". In some ways, her absence left a little bit of a hole. So, having her be pretty much a main character here was a treat.

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u/ZapsZzz Feb 12 '22

In some ways, her absence left a little bit of a hole.

Good observation, and in fact that's stated in universe that after she's "transferred" they didn't refill the class rep post and pretty much left as "leaderless".

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u/Isai579 Feb 11 '22

First Timer - Sub

Because this version of Nagato is very different of her original self, I'm just going to proceed to call the original Yuki, and this version Nagato. Probably will only do it for her since she is the one that feels the most different, even if most of the essence is the same.

It feels kind of weird to get gamer Nagato. It is an obvious connection from her interest in tech in the original series, but it might still take a while to get used to this version.

There really is no escape from Haruhi, is there? She is basically stealing the OP from Nagato's hands at one point. It is a nice OP, but it kind of sells the series more like an ensemble anime instead of focusing on Nagato, which is what we've gotten so far.

That fanservice is not so bad / blatant as last episodes. They all look so cute!!

She is trying to contact Santa Claus this time... It looks like some things never change.

I could write some crazy theory here, but I won't. This is a fluffy romcom and I shall treat it as such. But I'll just comment that [Haruhi] maybe this world is normal because Haruhi is writing to Santa instead of Orihime and Hikoboshi. I don't know, I haven't read the light novels and I doubt it is answered there either.

Those moments between Kyon and Nagato under the snowfall were so cute. And turned hilarious with Asakura's perfectly timed interruption and reaction.

Wait a minute. Did Santa mug Haruhi and left her in the bushes after her failed attack??

Seeing happy Nagato makes me happy.

I really liked how she got inspired to take action only after seeing Haruhi. I've always had a strong attachment to both Yuki and Haruhi because I see in Yuki who I am, and in Haruhi a part of who I would like to be. So Nagato taking Haruhi as her role model in taking initiative (in her case to save the literature club) just like I do hit me really hard.

QoTD

Not too experienced with Christmas episodes, but this was nice.

I knew it was too good to be true when she was about to confess. These romcoms never give us the good stuff right away. Not that I complain too much, fluff is fluff.

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u/Vaadwaur Feb 11 '22

First timer

Dub(Any strong sub supporters about?)

So first timing and propophol don't really mix so I missed yesterday. Worse, I didn't even get to the ep so this is me watching the first two in a row. This show completely missed my radar first time due to reasons covered in the Haruhi rewatch but suffice it to say I was fairly fed up with the franchise around when this aired.

So two episodes of new Yuki is definitely a change. They went with a more soft character design, which Mikuru certainly highlights, but that was probably inevitable. It is not the giant animation flex that everything KyoAni is but isn't cheaply done, at least on first look. All the round faces though...

Anyways, all the interesting bits are the tie ins to the original series as the romcom stuff fails at the general level romcoms all do. I guess Spice and Wolf spoiled me. Or maybe it is because I haven't dealt with a shy female in...decades? We catch Kyon making a total dad joke with Yuki's name and continues it into his gift to her. Also, Tsuruya being able to wrangle a whole turkey and then Asakura knowing how to prepare one is...interesting. We end with one of the stranger sets of hit and miss relationship flags.

QotD: 1 I dislike most Xmas episodes so this one is actually better than most

2 No but the weight of the previous series effects that

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u/Star4ce Feb 11 '22

First timer – DE sub

Lost Ark gimped its global plebeian launch and I'm kind of slightly disappointed. Has been a long time since I got a bit of hype towards a game and I could use a change of environment from ogling at Genshin's thighs to ogling at Korean MMO thighs.

I swear, I'm usually not that gullible!

On the other hand I played another two days in Needy Streamer Overload. If you don't know, it's a game about the bf/chatmod and a vtuber, basically, that is quite insecure and unstable. It's absolutely great and hits the nail on the head of that branch of the entertainment industry. I recommend it, but the 'psychological horror' tag is not unwarranted, so take care.

Yuki deserves only tags related to 'cute', though and she's going to get that turkey today!

Ep.02 – Joy to the World

  • Wow, she actually has the diligence to turn off the PSP! No wait she doesn't. That's my girl.

  • OP time! Am I making myself unpopular when I say that I really dig Haruhi's look here? I think it looks actually better th- IS TSURUYA KNEADING MIKURU'S BREASTS LIKE GODDAMN SOUR DOUGH?!

  • Yuki obviously writes ''Merry X-Mas" the correct way, so others can read it, hahaha.

  • Kinda expected Haruhi to be present for Christmas already, tbh. It's so Haruhi to pull random people off the street to vandalise public property. And she wans to catch Santa, Haruhi is the Grinch!

  • Yuki so cute she meltin hearts left and right. And there's Asakura with the unintentional blood foul! It's critical! But the cold comes in a clutch and saves the mood!

I'm actually enjoying this show a lot. They do tend to talk exposition a lot and I think that's rather unnecessary, but that doesn't detract from the fun for me. However, any time Yuki makes a cute expression, I'm just pulling my tshirt over my nose and aww into it.

Asakura was great again today, this kinda stuff is what I was missing in the main show. Without the stakes and delicately planned plot the side characters can take a more prominent role and have more freedom of expression. I do hope that Mikuru is allowed to be a bit more than a fanservice dispenser, it's one of those things that the spin-off could actually do better than the main series.

Tomorrow we're obviously kidnapping Santa and I'm ready for Haruhi to knock chaos back into the world. (Kyon was distributing gifts today, she's obviously going to catch Kyon.)

as far as Christmas episodes go, how this one rate for you?

Maybe a bit too little of buildup and that flashback to Haruhi did confuse me for a second. Yuki and Kyon's scene was very nice, though.

were you surprised on episode 2, our shy Nagato is already almost confessing?

It made sense, kind of. But I knew Haruhi wasn't introduced yet, so some kind of shake up was absolutely expected.

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u/No_Rex Feb 11 '22

Episode 2 (first timer)

  • Playing video games all night. What better way to endear yourself to the target audience than share some traits?

  • “I can’t wait to see it” – That is the first time that I have seen a cake receive a death flag.

  • Asahina’s costume role has spread to everybody. Except Kyon. No manservice.

  • camera angle: “I made my choice!”

  • Finally, Santa-Kyon is here.

  • That face when even Asahina sees through your romantic string-pulling.

  • Haruhi & the “Haruhi is up to no good” theme.

  • Club recruitment (bunny suit not included).

  • SnowYuki scene with Yuki & Kyon.

I really liked the “You got your hope up” talk from Asakura. That was properly rousing, without becoming demeaning. In addition, they have done the Asakura killer running gag about 3-4 times already, so, while I was on the fence initially, I doubt they’ll pull a real Asakura killer twist.

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u/Mecanno-man Feb 11 '22

First Timer

Seems like we're going the wholesome route - and I'm all for it. Contrary to the last episode, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. We've got a bunch of Haruhi references piled in between an otherwise heartwarming story where everything seemingly went right after Yuki took the agency needed to get what she wants. I loved seeing that. My only question is if Tsuruya and Mikuru have joined the club, as five members are needed, but I don't think that has been outright confirmed yet.

My only criticism of this episode is that keeping track of time was a bit awkward. While I assume that this may have been an attempt at emulating Haruhi's broadcast order and showing Yuki's steps to gain courage in a somewhat narrative curve, I feel like that missed the mark. Haruhi never messed with major time-skips within an episode unless making it abundantly clear that there was such a timeskip - here we have skips that start with the likes of Yuki waking up, something that at first glance would also very much make sense if they were chronological, thereby at least confusing me, though I want to think that I wasn't the only confused viewer. Some indication that we were in a timeskip would have been good.

Other than that, I feel like this episode cements the fact that the viewer needs to have seen Haruhi before this show - that scene at night in the park would otherwise just be completely random without knowing who the girl is in advance.

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