[Categories: Anime Reviews]
Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: Final Impressions
Well, I’ve done it. Never thought I’d manage it in such a short time but I’ve watched the entire series in chronological order! It actually gave me quite a different take on the series - some of my opinions on the show have changed while some haven’t. I’ll skip on the screenshots because I’m sure you’ve seen enough of those already…
In hindsight I can see why the episodes were ’shuffled’ but for me personally the approach didn’t work as well as it ought to have done. The series was clever in so many ways that it really didn’t need such gimmicks to make the viewer realise how special it is. What surprised me is that you notice so many details that you didn’t before when the events unfold as they should, such as the odd reference to a previous adventure that is now actually in context. With that in mind I started to appreciate the effort that went into the show, both in terms of plot and art. How the fanbase took to it so quickly I don’t know, because it’s taken a repeat viewing for me to take realise the things that make it worth shouting about.
The infamous opening episode for instance is actually funnier when you are familiar with those involved, and tiny nuances in other episodes take on more meaning. Notice how Haruhi puts Asahina’s hair in a ponytail, looks at Kyon, frowns and undoes it: I missed it completely but not after seeing episode #5. Damn, this series can actually be subtle when it wants to be! In addition ep #9, the episode that was the end of the story (as opposed to be the end of the series, i.e. ep #14) is an equally fitting ending to the series and in some ways is even more enjoyable as a conclusion.
While some of my earlier criticisms have been resolved by watching the series in the correct order others still stand. Most importantly there wasn’t as much character development as I would have liked - regardless of the episode order Haruhi’s temporary transformations from obnoxious to likeable still felt forced, sudden and out-of-place. I know it’s fundamentally a comedy so the laughs are important but empathy for the characters is always a good thing.
The overused Asahina-molesting wasn’t funny (to me at least) at any point and I still feel that the supporting cast were a little cliched. What I also found frustrating was that, as innovative and refreshing as Haruhi Suzumiya was in some respects, it was very formulaic in others. Sure, it parodies a lot but isn’t the ‘anime parody’ idea itself not original any more?
There was also the constant feeling of the show making a conscious effort to appeal to its fans, as if the writers were ticking boxes on notepads to make sure there wasn’t any popular theme or device that they’d missed. To its credit though, at least Haruhi Suzumiya does this in a different way - if I had to sum up the series in one word, it would be that of ‘refreshing’. Like the culture festival episode (my personal favourite actually), Haruhi Suzumiya may well be playing a cliched and popular tune, but she hits the right notes in the process.
Summary
Now would be the time to wrap up all these idle musings to give a coherant overall impression of the series. I refused to be swept along by either the enthusiastic fans or the equally enthusiastic critics but sat somewhat bewildered in the middle, mindful that whatever opinion I stated would bring about a backlash for one of the two sides (fortunately it hasn’t happened…yet). At the end of it all I enjoyed it and appreciated it more when I sat down and watched the events in the story happen in order, rather than the baffling broadcast order. Honestly, it made a real difference. In the same way as Kyon must have felt, I experienced frustration, confusion and a myriad of other negative emotions but at the end grudgingly admitted to myself that it had been a lot of fun after all.
In case you’re interested, here’s the order I watched the series in the second time around (it’s taken from ANN so if it’s wrong, complain to them, not me).
1. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya I (episode #2)
2. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya II (episode #3)
3. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya III(episode #5)
4. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya IV(episode #10)
5. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya V(episode #13)
6. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya VI (episode #14)
7. The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya (episode #4)
8. Mysterique Sign (episode #7)
9. Remote Island Syndrome (part 1) (episode #6)
10. Remote Island Syndrome (part 2) (episode #8)
11. Mikuru Asahina’s Adventure (episode #1)
12. Live A Live (episode #12)
13. The Day of Sagittarius (episode #11)
14. Someday in the Rain (episode #9)
Here endeth my coverage for this series and what could well be my longest blog post yet. Phew.
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