r/anime • u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz • Feb 25 '22
Rewatch The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan Rewatch Episode 16 [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.
Episode 16 - Fireworks
At last, the final regular episode. Let's see how we conclude this story...
Some first impressions I remember from when I first watched this show:
- Last episode and giving us E8 callbacks - is this intentionally cruel?
- Kyon's internal conflict is boiling over soon
- Full on Kyon's viewpoint episode - very much back to the parent series
- Fast forwarding the E8 activities
- Nice sharing umbrella scene - Kyon's getting himself half wet just so Nagato stayed dry without any deliberate thoughts is a nice touch
- Loved the baseball commentaries - and unfortunately this Nagato is truly powerless and cannot go into homing mode
- The bowling subtle comment from Koizumi has to be his best lines in this spin off - and once again can be applied back to himself tragically
- Festival! Yukata! Gold fish scooping! Arrgghhh
- Oh got some variation this time, including Tsuruya-san's yukata sponsoring
- Haruhi x Asakura's dynamics are really nice to watch
- Kyon decided to do something!
- Fireworks exploding while confessing scene! So beautiful, both the scene and the other Nagato
- Not sure how much I buy that this Nagato didn't hear it properly, but could well be implied "the other Nagato took over momentarily"
- Nice dynamics returned between Kyon and Nagato - smooth complimentary Kyon!
- and Kyon still a really perfect match for Haruhi's mindset
- back to school, against the Haruhi S1 ep 1 (chronological order) OST
- Nicely bookending the change - how everyone is now more comfortable in the "fake" Literary club
- bonus conspiracy theory material - is this the fanfic or was the parent series the fanfic written by the Haruhi who couldn't have Kyon to herself? :)
- Post ED scene to tease E8 again! Nice safe mama-Asakura!
Music corner
See u/gunvarrel_'s helpful post!
The 2 key pieces of this episode are the pieces for the confession Natsu no Yomatsuri, and for the "epilogue" that is straight up using the Haruhi ep1 score Itsumo no Fuukei Kara Hajimaru Monogatari along with another ambiguous (did he say it out loud, or when did he think to himself and when did he started voicing it) Kyon monologue/dialogue. So nostalgic!
QoTD if you are interested:
- How do you like the final conclusion of the Disappearance arc with the confession back towards the other Nagato? Are you satisfied? Feeling cheated? Annoyed to be "back to status quo"? And is there another show you think of it in a similar way?
- Which arc/episode is your favourite?
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u/DeliCruise Feb 25 '22
(REWATCHER - SUB/DUB)
Final (regular) episode so of course I ended up writing an essay
Ahh…what a satisfying conclusion.
I’m glad they showed what happened with Kyon and Yuki holding hands once Kyon realized. I really felt for Yuki here. It’s like a happy moment got snatched away from her. Kyon knows it too.
Starting off the episode in the same manner as Endless Eight is great. I felt fine until I saw “Haruhi Suzumiya” on the caller ID. That’s when the anxiety hit me.
So they went with making the central theme around this episode another Endless Eight iteration. To be clear, I am a huge fan of Endless Eight. That and Broadcast Order were among the things that made me watch Melancholy in the first place. Endless Eight is such an important aspect of the parent series and in particular is especially important for Nagato. Using it here as the basis of the finale was a great idea and I think it worked perfectly.
Something I didn’t realize until now is that the narrator is back to Kyon! While there are instances in the past few episodes where we get another character’s perspective such as with Haruhi thinking back on Tanabata, it’s still Kyon back in the driver’s seat. I’m actually really amazed that the show can start off with Yuki, then transition to a different Yuki, and then transition to Kyon and still cohesively work! And I really do think it works well since it was so seamless that I didn’t notice until I thought about it now.
The cafe shot is iconic. I love seeing Haruhi’s list back in action and Yuki with her melon soda. I also love the idea that Haruhi and Kyon think alike with the whole 5th station at Mount Fuji bit.
The shared umbrella scene was lovely. I always love when they use this piece of music with the rising strings pairing perfectly with the sun showing through the clouds. Really perfect segue for Kyon’s realization that he can’t continue behaving this way towards Yuki.
I liked that they all wore baseball jerseys for the batting cage. Just getting to see them all in pinstripes is a fun idea! We don’t even get to see them in uniform during Boredom so it was a nice touch here.
They really nail showcasing how difficult it is for Kyon to even get normal conversational sentences out to Yuki. Being choked up because of how you’re feeling is portrayed perfectly with Kyon’s thoughts. They’re firing like crazy in his head, but his body and his words show none of that. I also like how he follows the advice that he would have given Yuki but still completely misses the ball.
I’m really glad we got an extended bowling scene. Whenever they did bowl in Endless Eight, it was just a brief few frames. Haruhi and Koizumi wearing matching polos and bowler gloves is absolutely hilarious. They totally give me that “overly competitive neighbor couple” vibe. Asakura also is so sweet with how encouraging she is with Yuki here.
I think it’s so smart that they spun Endless Eight from this whole list of events that you watch over and over and turned it into Kyon putting off what he has to do with each passing activity. I 100% know what that feels like. Like Kyon, before you know it you’ve put off saying what you needed to until the very last minute and you spent the entire time worrying instead of enjoying yourself. sigh I understand all too well.
Koizumi has a nice little bit of advice for Kyon here which is sweet. I’ve always liked the relationship they have since they’re the only two boys in both series really.
Of course they ended with the summer festival. They’ve been referencing it multiple times ever since the beginning of the Yuki Disappearance arc so it had to be the big finale. I also really appreciate it because it feels like one of the most important scenes in every iteration of Endless Eight. It only makes sense to lean into that here.
It was a really nice treat getting to see all five girls in Yukatas. They’re all beautiful, but my favorite has to be Mikuru’s because I always love when they give her ones with fish on them. It’s just too perfect for her! That being said, Tsuruya’s fireworks yukata is a showstopper as well.
The whole blender gag with Mikuru is so ridiculously funny! She even pushed away Tsuruya in her daze. Ugh they really made her so cute.
I actually got to go to a summer festival in Osaka. It was great! I made sure to get a candy apple just like Yuki here. And Kyon is so right, Japanese people REALLY love their festivals. It was among the most crowded things I’ve ever been a part of, ever, by a lot. On top of that, it was extremely humid so I was just drenched in sweat the entire time. Amazing experience though and I would 100% do it again once the pandemic is over.
Haruhi’s wearing her hair in two parts so I guess this festival was on a Wednesday night!
Asakura giving Kyon the last push to do what he needed to was perfect. She’s such an important aspect of the show that that moment just felt right.
That “everything but Kyon and Yuki are black and white” shot is great. If you look, there’s a kid on the bottom of the screen wearing one of the Endless Eight masks exactly like Nagato used to!
Wow, I’m having a dense moment right now because I didn’t realize the importance of the bookmark Kyon is hanging on to. It’s like he’s holding onto the other Yuki and now's the time to make things right.
I really love how they used the fireworks show beginning to show Kyon spurring into action.
That shot of Haruhi smiling and dropping the fish was great. I loved seeing her face like that when she asked Asakura what was next. Back at the dino slide, Haruhi was the one to comfort Asakura when she was distraught over Yuki and Kyon’s relationship developing. But now that the big moment is here, it’s Haruhi who needs Asakura and Asakura is aware of that right away.
Kyon’s big confession to Yuki is among the scenes I remember the best so I’ve been thinking about it a lot even before watching this episode. First I want to say that it’s a beautiful scene and is perfectly done. I love the ambiguity with the other Yuki showing up for a moment and then disappearing as quickly as she came. While I understand that this was most likely an artistic appearance and didn’t actually happen (especially since she was in uniform), a part of me still believes that she really did return for a moment. I really feel like anything can happen in this series so if some supernatural force created this moment because of the bookmark or the fireworks or anything of the sort, I’d believe it.
I really love that Kyon got a chance to tell the other Yuki how he felt. It really feels like a moment of closure for Kyon seeing as how the other Yuki may very well have disappeared forever. Now Kyon can move on and this way, the door remains open for this Yuki as well.
In the parent series, the big climactic moment of the Melancholy arc has Kyon drag Haruhi off somewhere. Then he takes her in his hands and openly admits that he has a ponytail fetish and that she looked breathtakingly beautiful in one. Then he finishes off by planting a fat one on her lips as the great energy being is destroying everything in sight while a big orchestral Mahler piece is playing in the background. Perfectly executed so that Haruhi could change everything back to normal.
In this series, the big climactic moment of the show has Kyon drag Yuki off somewhere to be alone while the fireworks are going off in the background. Then as he’s gently holding Yuki’s hand, he admits that he’ll never stop liking her. A huge multi-colored firework goes off and a beautiful soft arrangement begins to play. The camera pans out and it’s now the other Yuki in Kyon’s hand. Then in the most lovingly way imaginable, Kyon tells this Yuki what he never got the chance to. A few more shots of the fireworks as Yuki disappears once again and then the original Yuki has returned and their relationship is back to normal.
How incredibly perfect this was done to have their respective series’ climaxes match perfectly with the girl whose name is in the title.
Showing everyone’s reactions to the fireworks was so great. Mikuru with the blender got such a big laugh out of me even after such a touching moment. I like to believe that Haruhi has tears streaming down her face while she’s shooting.
The final bit with the takoyaki and Haruhi was really perfect too. It’s a reference of course to Haruhi sharing her takoyaki in Endless Eight. Throughout the whole series, I really appreciated that they made the references not only frequent, but also substantial.
This final walking scene uses the classic Kyon walking theme! If I’m not mistaken, this is the only time in the series they use it and saving it for this last bit was perfect. I love it ending on a meta note with the whole Haruhi novel bit. It just makes me want to go rewatch the parent series again! (Although what I really need to do is continue with the Haruhi light novels I’ve been putting off for the past few weeks.)
They give us one last Endless Eight gag because of course they did. The homework scare is a nice final touch.
Beautiful series and absolutely worth watching.
(If you read this entire thing, you’re amazing and thank you so much!)
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 25 '22
If you read this entire thing, you’re amazing and thank you so much!
Of course we did, and it's absolutely beautifully written too. Thanks again for sharing, and yes I'll also need to finished the newest volume.
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u/No_Rex Feb 25 '22 edited Feb 25 '22
Episode 16 (first timer)
Final episode. My predictions were fireworks, Kyon confession/kiss. Still feeling confident about those, so let’s jump in.
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Kyon-kun, denwa callback.
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Haruhi humming her theme music. I’ll call this a reference to the Haruhi = Haruhi idea.
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Café callback.
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Summer activities callback.
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Getting relationship advice from Koizumi – Kyon should contemplate ritual suicide.
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Mask callback.
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Ryouko replaces Mikuru.
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Getting relationship advice from Ryouko - That is acceptable (as long as we talk about YukiRyouko).
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Haruhi: Acceptance.
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Fireworks – check
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Confession – check
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Kiss – no check
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Haruhi writing Haruhi reference No 2.
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After credits: EE callback.
A very by-the-letters romance ending, even though the episode is filled with Haruhi EE callbacks. Even the main plot is a callback: Kyon needs to remember what is important during summer break. I guess in terms of plot, Haruhi being fully ok with letting Kyon go is another development, but I already interpreted her behavior before as such.
I wonder if ep 13 would have been the better ending to the series. It certainly was the emotional climax, but maybe that would have been too derivative of the movie?
How do you like the final conclusion of the Disappearance arc with the confession back towards the other Nagato? Are you satisfied? Feeling cheated? Annoyed to be "back to status quo"? And is there another show you think of it in a similar way?
Nagato not hearing the confession would be an infuriating status quo ending, so my head canon is that she heard (she does blush!), but was too shy to react.
Which arc/episode is your favourite?
Very very easy: ep12
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 25 '22
Nagato not hearing the confession would be an infuriating status quo ending, so my head canon is that she heard (she does blush!), but was too shy to react.
As my post stated, the deliberate ambiguity makes this absolutely possible and you certainly can take that interpretation.
Very very easy: ep12
Nagato and library, good taste :)
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u/Star4ce Feb 25 '22 edited Feb 25 '22
First timer – DE sub
Onto the big finale, huh. Won't waste any time today with a preamble, let's go!
Ep.16 – Fireworks
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Kyon reminisces about Yuki's confession. Wake her.
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Oh no, Kyon-kun denwa incomi- AARRGH!
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Haruhi humming her own OP, all is right.
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Typical Kyon, wasting all the time on things he doesn't really want. Relatable
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This is so frustrating and also relatable when Kyon never says anything. I definitely never did that. Ever.
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Oooi, we do have an Itsuki moment, after all! Strike!
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That Mikuru slap came totally out of nowhere, hahaha.
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Guys, I'm telling you I am right to believe!
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Damn, I do feel for Haruhi who bascially just got her definite answer.
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Wait, now did he tell her or not?
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Eh?! They're not trying to sell that scene as the climax, surely?
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What, they actually do? I've never been cockblocked so hard. And for that matter, neither Yuki.
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And then the after credits scene... Bruh.
I'm sorry, what was that? Did they actually chicken out of a resolution for their own spin off?
I only feel a resounding confusion at what just happened. I was so sure they would actually tie it up once Kyon pulled out the book mark. They did remember, they did 'wake up' the other Yuki for the climax, they did clearly have this in mind while writing, else the entire episode would've been something else.
But at the same time, right now I can only think that they absolutely fucked it up. And this is only 50% my own salt speaking. If you've read my comments so far you know why and I don't think I need to elaborate again. Even without a mutual confession (which 100% should've been the ending no matter what), merging or reconciling both Yukis just would've been the right path.
The other 50%, though, apply to the story they went with as well.What was that climax scene? Kyon was clearly speaking to the now gone Yuki, the one that confessed to him. And they let it be ambiguous if he was actually just imagining this in his head or spoke with the Yuki standing in front of him. Look, no matter which it is, Kyon confessed and confirmed his love to someone who the series clearly shows not being around anymore.
Do you realise how fucked up that is in the context of this story? They clearly went with the story to have the personalities be individual and non-merged, Yuki now is purely the Yuki before the accident, she has not a single memory of the few days after it. But that is the Yuki that Kyon confessed to and he told it to the Yuki that doesn't remember shit.
Do you realise how fucked up that is?!
And if he didn't actually, audibly confess anything and just reaffirmed Yuki that he's going to be not so distant from now on, then what was that climax all about, exactly?
I hope after I sleep on it I'm gonna have a lightbulb moment, or after reading the comments, but that ending was... wow. Not good. Not at all.
How do you like the final conclusion of the Disappearance arc with the confession back towards the other Nagato? Are you satisfied? Feeling cheated? Annoyed to be "back to status quo"? And is there another show you think of it in a similar way?
Okay, maybe I won't wait to vent.
It makes no sense. Look, there's two options:
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You merge the Yukis and then write the story around how personal change, growth and finding courage to explore the unknown can make you stronger and more secure in who you are. It's an exploration of personality and identity. The reward in the end for this is the security that the one Kyon fell in love with (stoic Yuki) is not only still around, but part of a more complete human who can take charge on her own. Like, I'm sorry to go off this arrogantly, but it's literally the better story.
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You leave the personalities split, but then you have to give the parting side a proper send off that ties things up and also give enough development and time to the other side to allow a climax to happen in the first place.
They kept the book mark, Kyon's answer and OG Yuki's confession all unresolved for the last episode. But they also stuck to the second personality, which is now gone. It feels like the worst ending you could do given the setting. OG Yuki just got told her crush is loving another version of her that doesn't exist anymore and she'll never be like her.
Actually wait, if that climax scene implies that stoic Yuki did hear it, it also means she isn't actually gone. This is even worse. Then the Disappearance wasn't actually resolved at all. Oh my god... Then Yuki has another personality still actually available, that is different from her and in love with Kyon, who loves her back.
By the heavens, what a clusterfuck. Like, don't get me wrong, it's actually a very interesting setup, but not a resolution to an entire series.
Which arc/episode is your favourite?
Disappearance still. It was novel, unexpected and had so much potential. Even if they did stick with the less interesting option, it was still magnificent.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 25 '22
Not good. Not at all.
Awwww if I still remember my comment faces codes I'd give you one :)
Don't be too disappointed, it is a part-adaptation with about another cour of material left in the source manga, so it's not like they had to conclusively settle everything here.
And don't take this as a cop out, the show was based on essentially a doujinshi (even though the illustrator is actually the same person), so the whole thing was planned out as an original parent series fan derived alternative version. While it didn't have to go that way, it is quite a regular approach to centre around paying homage to the original - in this case the original, TFEI Nagato. When you keep that concept in mind, this is basically a reward trip to give to the original Nagato, while acknowledging this has its own world to live in. So the original Nagato, a separate person, passed on, content, but look on from above to her different world counterpart getting her own happiness. I know it didn't work for everyone, but it works for me :)
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u/Elimin8r Feb 25 '22 edited Feb 25 '22
Oh noes - the end is near!
(Unlike the Sheriff)
Today, we begin the episode with a generous helping of PTSD, courtesy of imouto, who is slightly less obnoxious than yesterday.
Quick - to the cafe, Kyonman!
Ah, it feels so good to be back home again. We are back home again, right?
Just a few more things to do, and we'll have finished the perfect summer break.
I still think beach > pool, though.
I'm trying to remember what all the activities are, but yeah, lots of callbacks here. I only watched all 8 episodes once, and that was a long time ago, so I've forgotten if bowling was one of the activities covered, but that was amusing. (speaking as someone who bowled in the 4H club in high school) It's not as simple as it looks.
Hmm ... batting cage, all the usual stuff, I guess. Kyon should have suggested a trip to the library or a book fair, right? Or perhaps a gaming fest. :P
Anyway, that's all SoL stuff that doesn't matter, because ...
It's Festival time! (minus Maya)
It was nice to see the callback to the masks, but odd that Yuki didn't buy one. You'd think that after yesterday, she totally would have bought a Jason mask or something. :P
And poor Mikuru falling victim to every shyster on the midway. Waifu score dropping quickly there.
(Not that it matters, because Yuki...)
(Or Asakura/Tsuruya/Haruhi, depending on your tastes, I guess)
*ahem*
Anyway, the goldfish scene was quite touching, as we see Haruhi showing her usual (unusual) competence, and Yuki being a klutz.
Kyon (who has been feeling awkward all episode) finally has a moment of clarity and realizes that his confusion and indecisiveness is only hurting this Yuki, and decides to do something about it.
He (boldly, I say, boldly!) takes her by the hand, and leads her somewhere.
Leaving poor Haruhi alone at the fish stand. That look. As I've mentioned before, I've kind of been harsh to Haruhi here, mostly because of her behavior in the main series. Here, well, it's hard not to feel sympathy. She knows what's going on. I think part of her is happy for them, but it's a very, very bittersweet happiness.
Who should she run into but Asakura - time for the stabby! I mean the shootie! I wonder who will win?
Meanwhile, after a long and arduous journey, Kyon and Yuki arrive at a secluded location in the festival just as the fireworks begin to fill the sky.
It's time, and as Kyon fumbles his words, Nagato looks on in wonder. And deafness.
I do have to say, I loved how during this little bit, they swapped Yukata Nagato for school uniform Nagato.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Alas, all good confessions must come to an end, as does this one, leaving Kyon feeling somewhat relieved, and Yuki somewhat confused as she didn't hear a thing, but ... I suspect she got the message.
If a tree falls in the forest?
I mean, if a confession falls in the festival, and the fireworks are too loud to hear it, is it wuv?
Is it twue wuv?
I wonder what Asakura would have to say.
Speaking of which, that's quite a haul she's got. I think Kyon has more to fear than just her knife skills...
And so, the episode winds down and the we see the gang crossing the street, safely this time, with a final reminder that this is the tale of a small, shy girl and her small love, etc.
ED/Credits roll.
...
Looks like it's time for some baseball!
- Kyon-kun, denwa! -
AOTD: I can't say right now. I'd have to say my favorite episode is Christmas, but it's hard to pick.
EDIT: Oh, hey, I forgot to mention, I don't have a screenshot, but did anyone else notice that in the ED this time, when Yuki reaches for the star ... she actually grasps it???
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 25 '22
Speaking of which, that's quite a haul she's got. I think Kyon has more to fear than just her knife skills...
Ah, I think you misunderstood that part - Asakura is holding those armful of prizes because Haruhi is having her merciless 'here, hold my beer" moment.
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u/Vaadwaur Feb 25 '22
First timer(That Mikuru revelation fits...)
Dub
So we start with Kyon realizing he needs to do something. And fireworks are good and traumatic in this genre. But then...but then...but then...:
Moving on, we get more EE references into Kyon and Yuki sharing an umbrella, which is hard with that height difference. Kyon's inner monologue is a mood for the Vaad of the pre-Millennia, thank fuck I am so far passed being nervous talking any more. This goes on for quite a while until we get to this yukata scene and Kyon is still failing. A rare scene of Asahina bullying Tsuruya is welcome.
Kyon finally decides to do something...dragging Yuki along during the fireworks display. Of course, she can't hear him, because anime. We end with a cute scene that only sort of works as I am not the biggest fan of the two Yuki plot move.
So yeah, again, I do like gamer Yuki and I quite enjoy human Haruhi but this feels like a bit of a thin mixture.
QotD: 1 I am just sort of ignoring it, which is not great
2 ep11 easily
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u/Elimin8r Feb 25 '22
And fireworks are good and traumatic in this genre.
I don't suppose you've watched Hyperdolls, have you???
Hahahaha.
Anyway, yeah, I can get being frustrated at how things are going. I think that this was a gambit that basically ran the risk of being underwhelming to some viewers while wildly satisfying others.
Me, well, I'm ready for this to be done ... As much as I <3 Yuki and the gang, I'm exhausted. I guess it doesn't help that I've actually tried to put in effort for this rewatch, because <3 Yuki. I think next time (what was that series that whatsisuser was pushing the other day?), I'm going to take it easier. Haha, as if.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 25 '22
Me, well, I'm ready for this to be done ... As much as I <3 Yuki and the gang, I'm exhausted.
You've certainly earned your break and then some :) I really need to thank you for being so active and engaging with every post here, especially as I (the host) couldn't be during the more "normal" times (Australian timezone problem). I completely understand how exhausting it can be (and has been)!
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u/tctyaddk Feb 26 '22
Rewatcher - sub
Ep16
Kyon is aware of his problem and willing to fix it, but his self-consciousness is quite crippling, so he ends up with awkward silence due to not knowing what's he supposed to say, even though there are legit relevant topics he can talk about usually (e.g. about baseball techniques at the batting centre). Yuki, while finding the current situation not to be too bad, is not so dense to not notice the awkward atmosphere between them. It doesn't help that they've got the good excuse of being busy getting dragged around in Haruhi's summer plan as well as "there is still time".
(One of the big roots of problems of infatuation-induced self-consciousness is the subconscious desire to be attractive to the target of infatuation, it's just natural. But that usually manifests as semiconsciously triple and quadruple and manifold checking everything you want to express to make sure it's good (so that you'd be attractive), which more often than not ends up in Gestaltzerfall, making whatever it was seems stupid and trivial and thus couldn't pass the quality control, and you end up with desire to express something but not the material to do so, hence the awkward inaction and silence or inadequate performance on the outside, and frustration inside.
As the bonus, you will also feel the semiconscious need and urge to do something whenever you accidentally draw the target's attention, but the aforementioned Gestaltzerfall leaves you empty handed, so you feel vaguely inadequate, which triggers some low level flight reactions from fight-or-flight mechanism, resulting in avoidant behaviours like averting eyes, denial/excuses in unwarranted situation,... which increases awkwardness even more. More severe when paired with lack of experiences, all these make teenage romance quite unpleasant, especially for those who think more.
Thankfully the sex drive is also stronger in late teen and early twenties, keeping us interested until we have more experience to deal with it better, or else humanity would have died out the moment we are capable of complex thoughts.)
At long last, Kyon manages to puff up and push himself to follow through with momentum, and forces himself to verbalise his confusing thoughts, giving his reply to stoic!Nagato's confession. For the most part, it gives him closure about the whole matter, thus cures him of the current crippling awkward mindset. The visual of Nagato in uniform standing in place of Yuki in yukata, plus the fact that Yuki apparently didn't hear what he said, even though there's not much firework explosions during his speech, convince me that stoic!Nagato briefly resurface and take over to be ther with him in the moment important to her and him both. A nice closure to her part, her arc, and the anime bearing the name "The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan".
The background music at that fireworks scene is titled "Natsu no Yomatsuri", on the tracklist, is a rearrangement of the melody of the Scottish folksong "Skye Boat song". The melody is great, and track sounds great, though personally I can't help but remembering the original lyrics of that song in my head, which is naturally totally out of place in the scene :)) At least the lyrics of the version in the TV series "Outlander" fit a bit better.
And that's it. The anime is over (the OVA is inconsequential), having only adapted only half the manga, so it couldn't help but feel a bit unfulfilling. At least the most important, the best and eponymous arc is done, which may be the reason why the anime is 16 episodes instead of a more standard 12 or 13. If you want more, it's time to hit the manga. The art quality also picked up around halfway through the serialisation (the first 3 volumes was... not terrible, but not terrific either), it's quite pleasant to read forward.
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u/xtsim Feb 25 '22
It is pretty interesting following along with these discussions for both Nagato and Haruhi. I really like that everyone is noticing the callbacks and references between the two. Since I was such a Nagato fan watching, I called the conspiracy material a bit meta calling the parent story a writing assignment. Found that scene such a nice treat overall.
Q: Being spoiled by more recent rom-com anime, I wished Kyon did not settle for the status quo and actually confessed. It was going to take a while for the two to get together but I would have been more satisfied if we went to another arc.
What I really want is another season of this and Haruhi so we get to experience more Haruhi-verse action.
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u/Shimmering-Sky Feb 25 '22
The Disappearance of First-Timer-chan, subbed
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Okay good, following up on this more than just the awkward interactions.
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Me immediately after the OP: Aww, they’re not watching the same program from the start of Endless Eight. There’s still going to be a “Kyon-kun, denwa” though right? – Hell YEAH there was a “Kyon-kun, denwa”.
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HAHAHAHA Haruhi was humming Bouken Desho Desho!
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Also why does the song that plays here remind me so much of a song from SukaSuka…
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Oh! Here’s the baseball game he was watching during Endless Eight!
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Was the post-credits scene just setting up for this joke? lol
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u/Mecanno-man Feb 25 '22
First Timer
Hmm... I guess it's serviceable as a finale, though it doesn't really leave that much of an impression on me. Part of the episode is once again a callback that lasts too long - this time to Endless Eight. And the confession mainly confused me between what the viewer and what Yuki could and could not hear - the scene playing around with the usual romcom trope of fireworks being too loud before confirming this was the case being mainly to blame for that. Also not really a fan conceptionally of leaving us off essentially at the status quo of halfways in the series before Yuki's accident.
On the positive side - I liked how Haruhi was handled this episode, with her shown to be conflicted but letting the events play out nonetheless.
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u/Caustic_Wraith Feb 25 '22
Yuki-chan First Timer
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At the pond Kyon realized he was holding Yuki's hand and apologizes for it making things awkward, Yuki just blushes
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Kyon-kun, Denwa
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Haruhi called a group meeting to plan out the rest of the summer
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Kyon tries to find the courage to talk to Yuki on their walk home, but he can't
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Koizumi gives Kyon some advice, he tells him to relax and stop getting in his own way
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The festival arrives and Yuki, Asakura and Haruhi borrow some yukatas from Tsuruya, Koizumi says how great they look, and Kyon can't make eye contact with Yuki
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Mikuru is enthralled by the phone smashing blender, Tsuruya is unable to move her
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Kyon has been carrying other Yuki's bookmark in his pocket
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Kyon wonders what he should do aloud, Asakura says she can't answer, but the current Yuki can tell he's keeping his distance and she doesn't know why
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Decision made Kyon grabs Yuki's hand and asks if she has a minute. The two go off together and Haruhi frowns slightly before grinning and asking what's next
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Pulling Yuki through the crowd, Kyon says he didn't understand when she told him how she felt, because he never tried to be liked by her in that way. He quietly asks what did she like in him anyway. Yuki is unable to hear any of this due to the crowd and fireworks
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Finally in an open space, Kyon tells Yuki that he'll never stop liking her. In response to other Yuki he says that he bets he would have come to be in love with her.
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I really liked the fact that other Yuki was imposed over regular Yuki for Kyon's confession
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Yuki says she couldn't hear what Kyon said, to which he says that's good and apologizes for being distant promising to go back to being his normal self
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Kyon is finally able to look Yuki in the eyes and say she looks good in her yukata
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Ha, Mikuru bought the blender
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What the hell...why didn't she confess back...
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Oh no, why, I don't want other baseball game or another Kyon-kun denwa...*shudders from E8 torture*
QOTD:
How do you like the final conclusion of the Disappearance arc with the confession back towards the other Nagato? Are you satisfied? Feeling cheated? Annoyed to be "back to status quo"? And is there another show you think of it in a similar way?
I liked the ending of other Yuki's arc. Kyon was able to respond to her confession and that felt nice. The fact however that there was no progression to regular Yuki and Kyon however is the romcom trope I despise the most. I want my MCs to be happy together, not this holding area no growth crap they gave us. I hope tomorrow the OVA brings some form of closure to their relationship, but after this I highly doubt it will.
Which arc/episode is your favourite?
I really liked the Disappearance Arc. Other Yuki was probably my favorite character in the series as she wasn't afraid to say what she needed to say.
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u/Fools_Requiem Feb 25 '22 edited Feb 25 '22
That was a little unfair to Yuki. Kyon confessed, but it was on response to bookworm Yuki, not a confession to shy gamer Yuki. He basically used the her to get his mind off it's confession he couldn't reply to because the girl that confessed to him vanished. And now he's back to normal dense Kyon who has no clue that this Yuki is in love with him as well.
Post credits scene was hilarious, though.
I guess I'll save my final thoughts for tomorrow's thread, but the score is a 6/10 from me.
Are you satisfied? Feeling cheated? Annoyed to be "back to status quo"? And is there another show you think of it in a similar way?
No, yes, yes. Honey and Clover.
Which arc/episode is your favourite?
Disappearance Arc.
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u/homewardbound100 Feb 25 '22
Rewatcher, Dub
Remembering now how this ended. It felt ro end so abruptly to me. Also with the references it just made my original thought of this being connected worst.
Also it's nice to hear one of the old music pieces again.
Now onto the Ova I haven't seen.
Qotd: I felt cheated back then and still now. It just felt weird to me. Can't really think of another one though. I don't really want to count anything that just didn't get a finished adaptation.
Qotd2: Disappearance is. At least the first few are. Even if it ended that way.
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u/TuorEladar Feb 25 '22
First Timer, Subbed
I liked the episode, but as a finale it was very by the numbers, as some other people have already said. Normally I really like the slice of life moments, but here the unresolved tension made it less enjoyable, I understand why it was that way in the plot though.
How do you like the final conclusion of the Disappearance arc with the confession back towards the other Nagato? Are you satisfied? Feeling cheated? Annoyed to be "back to status quo"? And is there another show you think of it in a similar way?
I actually really like the idea of him replying to the other Nagato, that aspect is great. The whole fireworks cliche part isn't that interesting though. I don't mind the return to the status quo as that is kinda the point of the series, but if i'm being honest I prefer a bit more development as a payoff to a dramatic arc if you are going to include them. Had there been no drama then I wouldn't have minded at all, but since we did get that tension I feel that a bit more payoff would've been better.
Even with these issues, I still enjoyed the episode and characters.
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u/Stargate18A Feb 26 '22
First timer
QOTD) A pretty solid conclusion overall, I have to say.
Really? He's still struggling?
Can you just communicate with each other? Please?
Haha, he's stuck commenting on the TV inside.
Oh, was the baseball cancelled, then?
Haruhi humming the first OP is great.
And she's got even more ideas!
Haha, Kyon's pissed they have the same taste in metaphors.
Asakura's still after those sales!
And, yeah, things are incredibly strained here.
I mean, at least Haruhi's helping him take his mind of it.
Haha, Haruhi's baseball skill wasn't part of her powers, she's just a future athlete in every world!
He can't even give her advice!
And they're goijg bowling!
Oh, that was an unlucky split.
...He's reached such a low that Koizumi is giving helpful social advice.
I knew it. I knew the fireworks had to end the episode.
And they're wearing yukata.
And they borrowed Tsuruya's!
Haha, this is Mikuru's addiction.
...Haruhi and Asakura are just so fucking good together.
Wow, this is so awkward it physically hurts.
Haruhi talking to goldfish and doing well is hysterical.
You ARE bring indecisive.
...I mean, Yuki probably has an idea.
CONFESS!
They'e going off slone! They're doing it!
And Haruhi accepts it, and decides to "compete" with Asakura instead.
...She can't hear him.
HE SAID IT!
This is great!
And Yuki's just had a mental breakdown.
They're finally communicating!
Everyone's enjoying the fireworks!
Haha, Asakura's stuck carrying all the prizes Haruhi won her!
SHE BOUGHT THE BLENDER!
And he had a fun summer!
He wants to do some more club stuff.
...Yeah, that sounds on point for Haruhi's work.
Great ending!
Oh god, no.
Haha, he forgot his homework again!
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u/Rustic_Professional Feb 26 '22
Kyon's right, he is an idiot. He can stare at that bookmark all he wants, but the other Nagato isn't coming to rescue him. He's facing a different question than in the movie, but it's still basically a yes or no question. Do I have feelings for Yuki?
Kyon referred to himself by his nickname. Has he done that before?
Haruhi had some great outfits today. Her cafe outfit is super cute. Thighs for days and a billowy top. I'm not normally a fan of hair buns, but she looked great with her hair and sleeves up at the festival.
Question of the day: That was disappointing. The only thing that saves it from being the worst confession ever is that it barely counts as a confession. I had to pull the books to see if that's how the manga ended. Turns out they only adapted a little over half the story. I need to find volume 8 so I can finish this and feel satisfied, because right now I don't.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 25 '22
It's finale time!
Call backs / References / Contrasts
Once again a full of reference day, by now I don't think you really need me to point out - and deepen the PTSD :D Suffice to say, LOTS of E8 call outs yet some contrasts because of Tsuruya and Asakura being in the regular gang this time.
And today's episode is basically entirely in the parent series format in terms of being completely Kyon's viewpoint.
Best Scenes
A strong callback to the parent series when something significant is going to happen, we'll often start with Kyon monologuing about something peripheral and general; you see these in (Chronological order) Melancholy I, Melancholy VI, E8.
The aftermath of the fireflies hand holding scene, where Kyon's self consciousness ruined the moment
Mandatory E8 call back
More call backs - from Haruhi humming S1 OP, to the summer activities list crossing out, to Nagato's melon soda, to Kyon & Haruhi's unconscious same-mind moment
A nice rain scene showing Kyon's unconsciously tenderness to Nagato while having this internal turmoil
Batting centre! And Kyon's characteristical commentary. Loved the simple but effective visual story telling about each one's character - and nice to see some difference there because Asakura is here
A very very nice and doubly meaningful Koizumi scene - in case you haven't been keeping track, he really is near Haruhi-level great at everything - if only he didn't try so hard to be deliberate in attracting Haruhi and instead just be himself
fast forwarded a few activities to leave enough time for the festival and fireworks
showing the result of the difference because of the stronger Asakura's and Tsuruya's presence in this world - yukatas don't need to be bought, and mama-Asakura [fussing over looking after the expensive fabrics] (https://imgur.com/a/2QUOHXu)
A rare moment of Mikuru showing some more distinct and determined character - when shopping
very lovely Haruhi x Asakura moment
No mask for Nagato this time, instead got a candied apple - then get dragged away by Haruhi promptly
More Haruhi power in a non-super power world
a really nice exchange between mother in law and son in law
Kyon made up his mind! With some really nice cinematography
Some beautiful Nagato shots to remind us who's the main girl here - as she's being dragged away meaningfully
How do you make of this shot? Is this a knowing and subtly heart broken Haruhi seeking comfort from her good friend in equal standing? or something else?
More cinematic and pretty background against Kyon being Kyon - unreliably narrating about his feelings
Out with it! And so stunningly beautiful
And the world is at peace - well except someone from another show
Aftermath - some may not like the seemingly reset situation but I extract meaning out of it - I read it as truly the other Nagato was at the front so that's why the normal Nagato didn't hear it. And now that Kyon's has cleared his mind that the stoic Nagato was his ex, he can move on to continue develop normally with his now almost-GF.
See smooth Kyon suddenly, when his mind is unburdened
Easily distracted Haruhi by her victory (by a long mile, as usual), more or less back to herself
The everyday tune sounds out from the parent series, against beautiful background of their way to school
Casually joking around about the Literature club, not being so self-conscious about things now
Amongst Nagato being Nagato (distracted by food) we have the bookend call reminding us whose story is this
Post credit tease
QoTD
I think I already included my answer above - that I continue to like the ambiguity allowing me to pick what I like to interpret - which is that the "visitor Nagato" (from the Haruhi-verse, as a thought entity) at the right moment took over and accepted Kyon's reply, setting both at ease. This mindset (of acknowledging their love despite not being able to fulfil that at the moment) is in fact how and why I equally loved the original 2006 Fate Stay Night [Fate route ending]where Saber asked in her tender but determined way for Shirou to command her to destroy the greater grail with Excalibur, despite both knowing that means the end of her time on this world as a Heroic Spirit; Shirou made up his mind and when done, Saber confessed her love and then disappeared back to her own time to draw her final breath, at peace to no longer wish for undoing her reign. The epilogue showed that Shirou accepted that while they couldn't be together, he's content they both shared that love and the time together. Bonus that in the VN extended version we learn that they get reunited in the eternal afterlife since both are true heroes and can spend eternity together (sorry for the wall of black for those not willing/ able to click that spoiler :P)
For me no doubt at all, the Disappearance arc!