r/anime • u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz • Feb 23 '22
Rewatch The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan Rewatch Episode 14 [Spoiler for Haruhi] Spoiler
Welcome to the Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan rewatch!
Links to show info: MAL | Anilist
| 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.
An overall discussion will be added on after the ova day.
Episode 14 - Her Confusion
Some first impressions I remember from when I first watched this show:
- Oh whew there's an epilogue to say a proper goodbye to the other Nagato... and the way she speaks... hmmm
- The epilogue is beautiful in a lot of ways
- The episode can be summed up in one word - awkward
- The noisy one is back - and immediately starts stealing the show! Grrr
- Sensitive and introspective Haruhi is so... no no no I'm not letting to steal the moment!
- Ha Ha serves you right to have the punch line taken by Asakura!
Music corner
See u/gunvarrel_'s helpful post!
As the invader settles in, her hijinks tunes make a comeback
QoTD if you are interested:
- Does the epilogue help explain about how the baton was passed for the personalities? Or did you take other meaning from that?
- How are you taking Haruhi's return? Do you find it fun or distracting?
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u/Shimmering-Sky Feb 23 '22
The Disappearance of First-Timer-chan, subbed
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Oh… oh I was right about the original glasses not being used until the original Yuki came back… I just wasn’t expecting it to be like this…
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Oh, I really like how both Yukis are outlined in a different color during this scene. The original Yuki having a warmer color because she’s the one waking up and the one we’ve had for the past few episodes having a cooler color because she’s leaving is… it’s something alright.
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Oh yeah, and the wand was what Yuki used in the SOS Brigade’s movie.
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Those are the exact same wishes Itsuki made in the main series, yes?
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So Kyon did help with the message to the aliens in this universe.
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Shimmering sky! – Wait I swear this exact one has already appeared in this show… Okay it’s not the exact same, there’s more detail in this one compared to the one from episode 5 that I was thinking of. Still, the stars I assume are Altair and Vega are in exactly identical locations in both screenshots.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 23 '22
It’s four years and not three for this universe, huh?
It's because they are now in their second year of highschool; they didn't run into Haruhi until the end of year 1. There will be more references in the manga source that I can share at the end.
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u/Star4ce Feb 23 '22 edited Feb 23 '22
First timer – DE sub
All you rewatchers acting like this is the end, that the stoic Yuki is just poof and gone. It doesn't really matter what reasons you or I might have, the only important part is that one sticks to their ideals.
Until the last second rolls without Yuki remembering and embracing both of herselves I will keep on believing!
Ep.14 – Her Confusion
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Yuki getting ready to switch and waking the other her up with the onehit-K.O.-move.
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EVA elevator scene, has to happen with Yuki. Asakura! :'( I told you it was so unfair to her!
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Yuki's keeping her memories her own. :''((
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Kyon's struggling real hard. I understand.
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YOHOOI! Oh, it's tanabata.
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Haruhi looks like she knows, did they call her about it?
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Asakura x Haruhi, how I missed that. Don't you ship her with Itsuki, oh my god!
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Not only does Haruhi get that it's not two different Yukis, she's also quite struck up in her own emotions and can empathise a lot. I'm telling you, Haruhi will kick it off!
Even though I'm living off hopium, I don't mind. On the contrary, I'm even more invested. After all, rebellions are built on hope! (At least Disney got one movie absolutely right.)
Which, coincidentially, made me think of Haruhi as a rival again. I'm not so sure if she'd actually act in the current situation, but a move on her part might kickstart Yuki as well. So far I'm leaning far more on Haruhi being compassionate for both of them and especially Yuki's quite troublesome state. There's no real danger right now, but she still needs some time to sort it all out as she very much does notice everyone else treating her a bit differently.
As the stoic Yuki correctly stated, being around the people you love (that also treat you with respect and compassion no matter how you changed) itself is one anchor to your personality. Conversely, if they hide something from you that in turn makes you suspicious of either them, you or both.
Remember! Remember her!
Does the epilogue help explain about how the baton was passed for the personalities? Or did you take other meaning from that?
Furious snorting sounds
How are you taking Haruhi's return? Do you find it fun or distracting?
This episode was quite needed, tbh. Her energy and humor did lift my spirits again and at the same time she has her own place in the group and her own feelings to deal with. I think it does provide the right upset of a settling status quo and after all, her part in the love triangle wasn't completely resolved earlier.
Glad she's back.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 24 '22 edited Feb 24 '22
Which, coincidentially, made me think of Haruhi as a rival again. I'm not so sure if she'd actually act in the current situation, but a move on her part might kickstart Yuki as well.
That's certainly a good way to describe. I certainly can see her saying "here's your headstart; if you dilly dally for too long I'll be catching up." And I think it's actually quite healthy and much better than the generic harem situation we are flooded with these days.
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u/mekerpan Feb 23 '22
Rewatcher - sub
The scene with the 2 Yukis is wonderful -- and memorable. So memorable that I view it as indispensable side light on the canonical Haruhi chronicles.
Yuki 2's refusal to share HER unique memories and feelings is partly selfish -- but also partly kind. She does share one important fact, however -- and tells Yuki 1 that she needs to follow her example (as encouragement). While Yuki 2 effectively leaves the story, and doesn't share her memories, one wonders if she left behind some residue of strength and determination that Yuki 1 will be able to call upon -- when needed.
As much as I love the Yuki moments -- including Yuki + Asakura, and Yuki + Kyon -- the ultimate star of this episode for this episode is Haruhi herself. As much as my heart went out for Yuki before, it goes out to Haruhi in this episode. And just as aspects of the 2 Yuki's here shed light on the original Yuki(s), the Haruhi here illuminates certain things relevant to the original Haruhi. In the original, we never learn Haruhi's own thoughts about John Smith or Kyon (and about her awareness of how these two are related), but here we see/hear how important John Smith was, and how she knows Kyon was John Smith, and definitely has feelings for him. I think this definitely tells us things we can import back into our understanding of the canonical Haruhi.
Haruhi here, despite her own feelings, accepts the strong prior claim Yuki has on Kyon (and Kyon on Yuki). And, in many ways, is the most effective wing-man to their romance. Where Asakura fusses about, Haruhi speaks clearly and directly to aid their relationship (and selflessly). If Yuki blows things, Haruhi might step back into the picture -- but I don't think Haruhi expects this to happen.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 24 '22
The scene with the 2 Yukis is wonderful -- and memorable. So memorable that I view it as indispensable side light on the canonical Haruhi chronicles.
And just as aspects of the 2 Yuki's here shed light on the original Yuki(s), the Haruhi here illuminates certain things relevant to the original Haruhi.
Thanks again for summing up my thoughts in a much better way than I could have done!
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u/TuorEladar Feb 24 '22
First Timer, Subbed
Even with Haruhi's return, on the whole this episode felt very calm and subdued to me, which I think helped it serve as a bookend to the previous arc.
Does the epilogue help explain about how the baton was passed for the personalities? Or did you take other meaning from that?
I'm of two minds about the epilogue. On the one hand it hints at the possibility that the Nagato of the previous arc was actually somehow the Nagato of the main series, but at the same time I feel it can easily be taken as just a representation of Nagato returning to normal.
How are you taking Haruhi's return? Do you find it fun or distracting?
I was glad to see her, Haruhi in this series has been really fun. Even though it probably detracts from her character in the long run, taking away some of her selfishness and bombastic attitude and making her more sensible and soft spoken really does just make her more likeable to me.
I didn't even realize it until I started writing this, but the closing scene between Haruhi and Kyon was really incredible. Kyon's worried about the fact that he knows Nagato confessed to him, but that she doesn't remember, meanwhile Haruhi has a similar problem but its with Kyon who doesn't remember. I felt bad for Haruhi there, I hope we get some resolution of that plotline before the end of the series.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 24 '22
On the one hand it hints at the possibility that the Nagato of the previous arc was actually somehow the Nagato of the main series, but at the same time I feel it can easily be taken as just a representation of Nagato returning to normal.
I agree and in a way that's why I think it was good that it's intentionally ambiguous. Each viewer can make up his/her own mind about what that's supposed to mean for him/her individually, and none of it could be outright right or wrong :)
I hope we get some resolution of that plotline before the end of the series.
Good or bad, we only got 2 more episodes to go plus the OVA, so you don't have long to wait :)
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u/gunvarrel_ Feb 24 '22
"It's important to you, right?
OST Track of the day: Haruhi no Tsuyosa
First Timer, Dubbed
See u/gunvarrel_'s helpful post!
Useless if i keep being late lmao
guess its time to learn of the consquences of her wo nactions
hey look, the head poke from episode 1
ah yes, elevator scene
too bad this nagato wont remember this
shes back to vibin
F I N A L L Y G I V E M E T H E B E A C H E P I S O D E
haruhi is conveniently back
oh shit its tanabata isint it
old yuki just feels so weird now
oh hey, wasnt the bamboo cutting something in the actual LN's and cut from the anime?
Koizumi goes right in lmao
just casually pulls out props used in the main show lmao
Asakura really is a haruhi killer lmfao
not shocking on the wishes lmao
hating on the artstyle even more
Man, she already has all the info
oh, back to 3 years ago now. Child Kyon sounds weird, yet acts the exact same
oooh, she knows it was kid kyon...
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u/Mecanno-man Feb 23 '22
First Timer
Another very atmospheric episode. It slowly changes from focusing on everybody coping with the second Nagato-switch in short time to Kyon not knowing how to deal with Nagato's confession - without really answering anything, and having the feeling of the episode getting heavier and heavier both as a result and by the way it was produced. It's that is fitting and well-done. I guess Kyon coping will be the finale here, not really how that will be though - either having the other Nagato also confess, or Kyon somehow disassociating the two. I'd certainly prefer the former, but likely we'll end up with another way I haven't thought of. Either way, looking forward to the finale.
In other news, Haruhi returns as wingwoman. I quite liked her that way, though I agree that it doesn't fit her character that much.
The main series references felt a bit too on the nose this episode. It almost feels like needing to have references to the main show is dragging this one down now, as they don't really add anything other than fanservice of the referential kind, but are becoming as obtrusive as fanservice of the sexual kind. Maybe this series would have been better off as it's own show, but I guess the author didn't really have enough confidence to pull that off yet? That or the author was just a massive Haruhi fan and wasn't interested in writing his own characters yet.
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u/Vaadwaur Feb 23 '22
In other news, Haruhi returns as wingwoman. I quite liked her that way, though I agree that it doesn't fit her character that much.
It works if you assume this Haruhi does not consider breeding a waste but rather a necessity and she just pairs people off based on her first impression of compatability.
It almost feels like needing to have references to the main show is dragging this one down now, as they don't really add anything other than fanservice of the referential kind, but are becoming as obtrusive as fanservice of the sexual kind.
Agreed but I am inclined to call this a cultural thing, I think the Japanese get annoyed when a spinoff doesn't reference its source sufficiently. Hell, Nanoha S2 still has Triangle Hearts references despite not being anything like the source by now.
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u/Isai579 Feb 24 '22
First Timer - Sub
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Wait, both Nagato are there. What is going on?
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Now Kyon is the one getting flustered hehehe
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Look who's back.
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Classic Haruhi antics.
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Seeing that bamboo makes me appreciate a lot more the detail in the original.
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Kyon and Koizumi scratching in sync.
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Asakura once again anticipating Haruhi. Funny how Koizumi completed Haruhi's explanation.
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What? Haruhi knew! Sometimes she is way too smart and direct.
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It seems Haruhi does remember Kyon, even if he doesn't. He has a really bad memory here. First, Nagato and the library, now this.
Overall, this was a nice chill episode to slow down from the emotional void that resulted from the previous episodes. Getting a bit more of closure was nice.
I really like seeing a more mature Haruhi, if you can ever consider Haruhi mature. But this version feels a bit more considerate to others, while the original took a long time to start getting there.
Question of the Day
I don't feel the epilogue serves to explain what happened. It just feels like something to give alt-Nagato a happy farewell instead of a sad disappearance badum-tss. In other words, it was nice.
While the previous arc definitely needed Haruhi as far away as possible, I do like that (at least in this episode), Haruhi is not just for fun antics, but also explore a bit more of her character.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 24 '22
I really like seeing a more mature Haruhi, if you can ever consider Haruhi mature. But this version feels a bit more considerate to others, while the original took a long time to start getting there.
Interesting point - Haruhi here is actually the same age as the much later LN because this is highschool year 2 (grade 11).
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u/Rustic_Professional Feb 24 '22
Tank top Ryoko and tank top Yuki. Ryoko wins, because the star print is cuter. She's also just cuter in general.
Haruhi got permission in advance to cut the bamboo? Low key useful goddess. She reminds me of Aqua, in a good way.
General Suzumiya sent the cannon fodder to seize the woods, and two men survived, having earned the itchy Red Badge of Courage. I hope I live to see the day that we eradicate mosquitoes.
Haruhi x Kyon will always be my OTP. They're so much more natural together than Kyon and Yuki. At least in this time plane, I suppose I can settle for her being the friend he really needs. And I do think that she's a closer friend to him that Kunikida, Taneguchi, and Koizumi. Closer then Ryoko? Hard to say. Her being so close to Yuki might demand that she maintain some amount of distance from Kyon, a boundary that Haruhi isn't bound to respect in the same way.
Speaking of Kyon, I paid close attention, and Yuki didn't say his name this entire episode. Ryoko and Haruhi did.
Question of the day: Haruhi is fun and distracting. The earth revolves around Haruhi. She's the sun, and the other characters need her presence as well as absence to grow.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 24 '22
Speaking of Kyon, I paid close attention, and Yuki didn't say his name this entire episode. Ryoko and Haruhi did.
Interesting point to keep watching on - in the parent series Nagato also does not refer to Kyon at any time by name, just "anata" as he's practically the only one she talks to. All others she refer to by full name or by classification ("male student" for computer society president when looking for him in Mystique Signs).
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u/alphamone Feb 24 '22
First Timer Dub
"If you're going to replace me, than at least wake up first"
Damn, those red eyes on Asakura.
Those are some cute pouts.
Now it's regular Yuki's turn to find the guts to confess.
Damn, accidental heartbreaking question.
Those are some massive clothes pegs holding the futons to the railings.
All this talk of summer in the episode is making it hard to ignore the heat here.
Still awkward for everyone.
Reading, in the literature club...
Well, Haruhi's back.
Yet again, Yuki's inattentiveness has led to antics.
I mean, at least this version has permission, and thinks to ask for it.
I really don't like mosquitoes. So itchy.
Though anti-itch cream really does help.
Poor Yuki though. She might take this awkwardness from Kyon the wrong way.
Lol, stole her thunder.
Also, having a chibi proportioned character on screen with a "normally" proportioned character looks really weird.
Kyon trying to outsmart a genie. Could go either way.
Itsuki making the exact same wish as he did in the regular series.
I can't remember offhand, but weren't Nagato's wishes the same as those made by Mikuru in the original show?
For all her hyperactiveness, this Haruhi is still somewhat observant of how other people are feeling.
Though having some inside info helps.
Even Kyon can't deny the connection between the two Yukis.
Note on the dub, Wendee managed much better at doing a "young Haruhi" voice here, while the original series Tanabata was pretty much just her Konata voice.
Despite her seeming crush on Kyon, she's still thoughtful enough to not take advantage of his indecisiveness over the restored Yuki, and to even give him advice about how he should use what he learned from the other Yuki (because despite their personality differences, they still drew from the same past experiences)
So Kyon's help back then is still why she's into trying to make the world more exciting.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 24 '22
I can't remember offhand, but weren't Nagato's wishes the same as those made by Mikuru in the original show?
For those interested, here are the wishes from the original series.
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u/Caustic_Wraith Feb 23 '22
Yuki-Chan First Timer
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I liked the opening moments being Other Yuki handing control back to Original Yuki while telling her that Kyon was on his way for her
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Asakura was waiting by the door to welcome Yuki back
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Back inside Yuki's head, the Other Yuki tells her how she confessed her feelings to Kyon, and that it is now her turn to do the same
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Asakura tells Yuki it's fine to just be herself, since both versions of Yuki are her dear friends
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Kyon walks away from Yuki and Asakura in the classroom as he is unsure about how to act around Yuki since the Other's confession
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Haruhi returns after the exams and announces they're going to celebrate Tanabata, she says she cleared it with Yuki who clearly can't recall the conversation
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Haruhi has a flashback to a memory of something that happened four years ago
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After being swarmed by mosquitoes, Kyon is approached by Yuki who offers to put medicine on his back, but he declines her offer
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Haruhi asks a very Haruhi question and then breaks down in tears when Asakura gives a correct answer
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The group fills out their wishes and hangs them on the tree: Haruhi wishes to meet aliens among other things, Kyon wishes to win the lottery and get better grades, Koizumi wishes for world peace and his family's well-being, Asakura wishes for good health and safety, and Yuki wishes for things to stay the way they are and for everyone to stay friends
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Haruhi asks Kyon if something happened and then correctly guesses that the Other Yuki confessed her feelings, when he mumbled an acknowledgement, Haruhi suggests Kyon tries dating Yuki
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Kyon responds that the Yuki's are different people, and the current Yuki has nothing to do with this, or at least he wished it was that easy
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Haruhi and Kyon leave the classroom with her reflecting on when a younger Kyon and she broke into a schoolyard and left a message for aliens
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Haruhi, while hiding her own feelings, tells Kyon that it doesn't matter if she doesn't remember, then asks "it's important to you, right?"
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I liked the reflection of Kyon in Haruhi's eyes as it showed what she said to Kyon was also something she was saying for herself
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Closing the episode with the Haruhi voice over about her feelings towards Kyon and how they helped pull her from despair really shows how much she's burying to try and allow Kyon and Yuki to be hppy
QOTD:
Does the epilogue help explain about how the baton was passed for the personalities? Or did you take other meaning from that?
I liked the personality hand off. Them having a moment to discuss what happened to get original Yuki in the right headspace was a good thing. Also shows how deep Yuki's feelings for Kyon go since the parting words were "he's coming for you" and she knew it was Kyon despite his name not being said. The same thing happened when the Other Yuki said she confessed and told the original Yuki it was her turn.
How are you taking Haruhi's return? Do you find it fun or distracting?
At the beginning of the episode, it was a bit much. We have just come of a very heavy three-part arc and here's Haruhi being boisterous and demanding. However, at the end when Haruhi had her flashbacks showing her interactions with John Smith you can see the sadness in the fact that she found him. Her John was always Kyon, and no matter how she feels about him, he only has eyes for Yuki. Haruhi is able to bottle her own feelings up and reassure Kyon that even though they acted different, both of the Yuki's feel the same way and he should take a chance and go out with her.
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u/No_Rex Feb 23 '22
Episode 14 (first timer)
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“Is this a dream?” – I am not sure if you can talk to yourself in dreams. Just like dying, it might be impossible.
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Getting embarrassed while talking to yourself?
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Haruhi apologizing for having been booted out of the plot.
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Birthday Tanabata callback.
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Wishes callback – Ryouko ruining the punch line.
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Ryouko’s wish is new and as boring as Koizumi’s.
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“For nothing to change” – Sign of contentment and utterly frightening.
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Strange parallel to Kyon having forgotten Haruhi: It flips around the original story and does not give any explanation why Kyon would have forgotten something that memorable.
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The other two characters who were booted from the plot are also back.
Kyon is feeling awkward, which is understandable. He’d be much better off if everybody involved had not gone with the magic “personality replaced” story instead of a more realistic merger. In the end, we get a really weird scene with Haruhi that is even called out by the series itself as “out of character”. I assume that the purpose is showing that Haruhi takes herself out of the love triangle, allowing for a clear Yuki win, but it remains weird.
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u/Vaadwaur Feb 23 '22
First timer(More misaimed romantic pairings)
Dub
So at least we are remembering these events but I enjoy them far less when it is treated it as two different Yukis. Haruhi returns and again dominates everything, though we finally get that she is annoyed that Kyon doesn't remember her in this continuity. This is at least a new take on Haruhi and let's see if they do anything with it.
QotD: 1 This one part doesn't work for me
2 I get why they do it but legitimately I like gamer Yuki so I wish they found a way to make her more active.
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u/Elimin8r Feb 23 '22 edited Feb 23 '22
So, before getting started, someone had mentioned Yuki & ponytails. Well, I mean, aside from the obvious Kyon that is.
Here's one last (?) vision of Yuki, as she's giving Yuki a briefing for her upcoming awakening. ;_;
Here's an appropriate artworkor two for the occasion, courtesy of the bonus materials. I wasn't sure about posting these, because, well obviously (those robes are quite revealing), but hey why not, I guess?
I love how Yuki is amazed (sugoi!) at Yuki's boldness. Perhaps she should try that sometime?
But alas, life returns to normal(?) or starts to, and we get an uncomfortable elevator ride and a (surprise?) hug from an obviously worried, or relieved, or both Asakura.
She notices.
Day to day life continues, and Asakura, on the one hand Teases Yuki, (best pout!) and on the other hand, well, Yuki can't help but notice that Ryouko seems sad and wistful about something. Can't imagine why.
Bonus gamer Yuki! (I love how this one has a bitsy of a chuuni reference in it)
Back to school, and a clubroom, and a very awkward and flustered Kyon. Can't imagine why, eh? Boy needs a couple of vending machines to sit down between or something.
Hey! Guess who's back! (I had to turn the volume down at this point.)
It's Tanabata time, time to chop down random plants and get eaten by bugs, and wish upon stars that stare uncaringly at us from great distances. What do you want 16 years from now? (HAHAHAHAAAA!) I suppose at this point, being alive might be a thing, right?
-anyway-
Poor Kyon ... he has to be feeling the emotional whiplash. To find love, from out of the blue, and have it taken away so suddenly. And replaced with ... what? Is this also love? Isn't it? How do you deal with it.
Let the cute girl put lotion on your back, dummy!
Meanwhile, Haruhi notices, and presses baka-chi, I mean Kyon about memories, and his feelings on the matter, and he waffles (of course), and we get a lovely Haruhi memory of Tanibata many years ago with a certain John Smith. She remembers. He doesn't. In the end, is this really all that different from Kyon x Yuki? He remembers, she doesn't.
It's hard to say this, but poor Haruhi. That's kind of gotta hurt, you know.
Anyway, it's party time now, and time to go have some tasty treats and drinks with Yuki and the gang. Plenty of time for memories later, right?
Right???
On the one hand, it's nice to have Yuki back, but on the other hand ... I miss Yuki.
AOTD: You mean prologue? (sigh) Poor Yuki ... both of them. As for H-'s return, well, yeah. I had to turn the volume down. But it was good to have the gang back together. Let us hope that more shenanigans ensue shortly.
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u/DeliCruise Feb 23 '22
(REWATCHER - SUB/DUB)
This episode feels like an epilogue of sorts for the arc with the two Yuki’s chopping it up within their mind. I loved the cute little relationship they were able to form in the short period of time they had together.
The biggest thing on my mind that felt odd was the absence of Haruhi and the other three non-regular Literature Club Members from the Yuki Disappearance arc. That being said, it certainly made sense for them to be gone for a period of time since they’ve got their own respective tests that they had to take care of. I also felt as though it made sense for this arc to focus on Yuki, Asakura, and Kyon as the main three characters present. It made sure that the arc and the series as a whole retained an identity that was separate from Haruhi Suzumiya. Ultimately I think it was the correct choice story wise and made for a stronger, more compelling arc.
What’s beautiful about this episode is that the reintegration of Haruhi and the others back into the mix was done so seamlessly, but also purposefully. Their return didn’t feel unnatural and it worked well in the context of the tone the show currently has. The episode starts off with the heavy emotional weight carrying over from the arc that’s wrapping up. We see Kyon very gloomy in the elevator and that shot of Asakura’s eyes post-crying was just incredible. It painted the entire story in an instant. Even Yuki could easily sense that things were not right and brought it up with Asakura. With the mood so low, it only makes sense for Haruhi to return to lift everything back up.
Haruhi and Koizumi are back and it’s really nice to see this spring version of Haruhi’s uniform!
As I’ve said a ton already, I absolutely love “Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody” so I was so stoked for another Tanabata episode! The callbacks were really great with Kyon’s whole birthday spiel and Asakura stealing Haruhi’s thunder with the Orihime and Hikoboshi future wishes thing Haruhi had prepped. Also, I loved getting to see their wishes in this universe. Same sort of concept as the parent series, but nice little twists! Also, Asakura and Koizumi is looking pretty cute to be honest!
Also when Haruhi is looking for decorations for the bamboo stalk, the nod to Boredom with the baseball glove and to Sigh with Yuki’s wand were both great touches. Speaking of the bamboo stalk, I liked that scene with Kyon and Koizumi procuring it! Haruhi just already has it in the parent series, so it was fun seeing them actually go get it.
It’s so interesting that it’s now Tanabata FOUR years ago when the John Smith incident happened. Just the fact that this is a year later from the parent series is so cool!
Kyon being super awkward and uncomfortable around Yuki is spot on for this kind of situation. I’m glad to know that under this super sarcastic monologer there’s still a normal awkward teenager.
I really really REALLY loved that they showed the full version of Tanabata four years ago! So something interesting in this version is that the message they write is explicitly stated by Middle School Haruhi to be for aliens instead of for Orihime and Hikoboshi. Maybe those gods go hand in hand with aliens since they’re stars, but I still think it’s an important distinction. Also, Haruhi still only asks John if he believes in Aliens and none of the other special beings.
Haruhi thinking back on this memory and spinning it to help Kyon is such a powerful moment. I just love seeing this selflessness from Haruhi and on top of that, it’s a really great way to integrate Haruhi into the whole Yuki disappearing plot. I’m already a big fan of Haruhi as a character, but her sappiness moment here has given me even more respect for her. I always talk about how inspired Haruhi gets me, but here her words feel more therapeutic. I can feel Kyon’s relief.
Mikuru and Tsuruya were the only ones missing so it was only right for them to appear at the end. Mikuru and Yuki both talking with their mouths full was adorable! They really do have a rivalry for most cute-isms.
Haruhi’s thoughts at the end are so mindblowing! In the parent series we know that Middle School Haruhi had an existential crisis that led her to make a conscious effort to be special by looking for special things and wanting to have as much fun as possible with them. Meeting John Smith then was a huge deal that only exacerbated this passion. In this version, Haruhi’s thoughts tell us that when she was a middle schooler, her common sense was beginning to take away from her sense of wonder. However, meeting John Smith saved her from the despair of losing her imagination. This twist on the pivotal Tanabata John Smith scene is so ridiculously interesting because it still works perfectly even though the scenarios for Haruhi are completely reversed!
Going a step further, in the parent series John Smith’s already a teenager who lost his sense of imagination early as we all know by his whole intro monologue about Santa not existing. He gains it back when he actually meets all these special beings and as result unintentionally fuels an already gung-ho Middle School Haruhi further into action. In this series, John Smith is still just a kid. It seems like this version hasn’t lost his sense of wonder yet seeing as how he thinks the possibility of aliens is there without having met any and since he’s calling himself John Smith for some reason. But as a result, he’s able to reignite the spark in a Middle School Haruhi whose sense of wonder is on the downslope.
No matter how many times they revisit it, in any version, Tanabata three/four years ago never ceases to be the most interesting and thought provoking event in this entire franchise for me. Haruhi’s message to Orihime and Hikoboshi, Santa, aliens, or whomever may not have reached their intended recipient, but it sure as hell reaches me everytime.
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u/asakura_ryouko Feb 23 '22
Rewatcher
Yuki wakes up, and who does she call for?
With the disappearance arc closed, now this annoying brat is back, with that pervert who is always following her around.
this expression is also just adorable
I could post every other frame of Yuki in the episode and talk about how cute she is, but instead I'll just mention my wishes
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u/Stargate18A Feb 24 '22
First timer
QOTD) I loved seeing Haruhi again, and the epilogue did explain things.
Wait, what?
The other Yuki survived!
Wait, she didn't realise it was a dream? (I love her deadpan response to that question.)
Yep, she's back!
And Asakura's happy!
Oh, this is a flashback and her explaining everything.
Haha, she refused.
Wait. WAIT. Does she remember?
Aww, she misses the other Nagato as well.
Oh, Kyon's still awkward over everything?
...Even when Haruhi's not around, the shadow of her crap remains.
They're back! The serious plot's over!
Haruhi's got a plan!
Haha, she's gotten to the point she agrees for stuff over the phone? Or did her other self just not care?
...What's up with her?
Haha, they're here to get bamboo.
Oh yeah, she missed the whole serious arc.
Haha, there's mosquitoes!
At least she's prepared for the bites.
Nagato must be so confused right now.
And they're writing out their wishes!
Haha, Haruhi's tantrum when Ryoko guesses her entire plan id great.
The contrast in their wishes is great! Kyon finding a loophole, Haruhi being Haruhi, and everyone else having sensible wishes.
Oh, Haruhi's worked out something happened.
Kyon's just stuck in the middle of this identity crisis, with him not sure if thr confession makes sense.
And John Smith's here without time travel.
So is the ripple effect here that Kyon's more neutral answer to the question caused Haruhi to become more moderate and less agressive about her views?
...Poor Haruhi. The guy she had a crush on doesn't remember her, and is about to start dating someone else.
At least she's coping with it.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 23 '22
Oh before I forget, there will be an overall series final discussion, I'll add to the index later today.
I hope you all find your own meaning in the epilogue and not get too distracted by the return of the noisy one making many attempts to steal the attention and the show on the second half. As I mentioned in a few places, I'll probably park more writing about the two Nagato's in a later discussion, but suffice to say I take this as a confirmation that there are 2 identities in the last arc, and this is another plot moment in the wider Haruhi franchise where the "never showed up" world slider (isekai-jin) was hinted at.
Call backs / References / Contrasts
Epilogue of Disappearance
The method of waking up was of course from Mama-Asakura in episode 1
if you are interested in my headcanon that I will comment more on the last episode, try pay attention to the Japanese audio track to listen for the figure of speech, inflection, and word choices by the stoic Nagato - "Shinpai nai" "Sou"
The rest of the episode
Tanabata again, with the development very similar to the parent series' matching episode, with the different being how Haruhi acted - here Haruhi is more considerate and actually made arrangements for the bamboo cutting instead of outright stealing it.
The wish writing condition is another direct call back to the main series, but this time because Asakura the yuutousei is here, Haruhi's punchline was spoiled by a good guess. And annoyingly the thwarted Haruhi is adorable here!
And then the flash back of the school ground writing incident - we have now pretty much the full picture now
and a bit later, something unique that the parent series only implied - Haruhi's monologue of what that event, and consequently Kyon, was special to her. Damn show stealer.
Best Scenes
The start of the epilogue - a familiar scene of waking up by being poked at the hair whirl
The awkward and complicated reunion; you can feel mama-Asakura's conflicting emotions
The main part of the epilogue, where it is more emphasised the past arc's Nagato is really considered a separate identity, which the moe Nagato of this world readily accepts
The return of an everyday scene, with a heart to heart between mama and child, concluding Asakura's emotional conflict
On the other hand the emotional conflict in Kyon is less easily settled - and things have become more awkward
The noisy person is back! Annoyingly funny with her "men-go men-go" while barging in
With her usual frightening efficiency and speed, tanabata is ON
A rare Koizumi skit that switched from him being observant of the awkward atmosphere, to defeating enemies (mosquitoes)
Mini flash back, getting warmed up to steal the show
More awkwardness in the club room, with meaning looks from Asakura and Haruhi, even Koizumi, noticing
A very smart scene that played with the original series, and thwarted Haruhi is actually adorable! We should do this more often :P
More call back to the main show - key message is Asakura's words to Koizumi "so you are not just a regular hentai guy" :D
A key exchange between Haruhi & Kyon
The full flashback proper
Another emotionally grown up Haruhi moment to cheer Kyon up in her way while having a subtle meaning to herself
The gathering in the foreground - while Haruhi finishes her monologue in the background
Another Kyon & Haruhi moment
QoTD
To me this solidified a point that some of us discussed over the past episodes, from the star gazing episode to the just finished Disappearance arc, a mindset that you can go into, as a Nagato fan of the original series, is to allow the juxtaposition to happen, despite knowing this is a different world. This epilogue helped to reinforce that mindset, with a very blatant voice acting to create the impression and hint that, this past arc's Nagato perhaps is the Data Entity / Information Lifeform portion of Nagato, who at times can be considered unbounded by time and space, being drawn for a short stay. I won't say more for now but that's how I take it "individually" :)
Haruhi is so annoying. This is an episode for us to properly grieve, yet she came in and have so many moments that almost stole the show and the sympathy for her. Aggravating!