The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya review: A perfect mix of humor and parody

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: The charm of the new Haruhi world and its full scope

Introduction

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was released as an OVA in 2009 and is based on a manga by Nagaru Tanigawa, Noizi Ito, Puyo, and Eretto. This work is different from the traditional The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya series, depicting a new Haruhi world centered on four-panel comics and short stories. Here, we will take a deeper look at its appeal and details.

Overview

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was released on DVD between May 29th and July 31st, 2009. It was streamed online on the Kadokawa Anime Channel between February 14th and May 13th, 2009, and was also available on YouTube. It consists of 25 episodes, each about 37 minutes long, and was released by Kadokawa Shoten and distributed by Movic (cell version), Kyoto Animation (cell version), and Clockworks (rental version).

Production Team

The director is Yasuhiro Takemoto, the character designer is Taishi Nishiya, and the animation is by Kyoto Animation. The production is supported by Animation Do, and produced by the SSO Group (Kadokawa Shoten, Kadokawa Pictures, Kyoto Animation, Clockworks, Lantis). The copyright belongs to Nagaru Tanigawa, Noizy Ito, Puyo, Eretto, and the SSO Group.

Story and Characters

"The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" is a comedy that unfolds through the members of the SOS Brigade through four-panel comics and short stories. The characters include Haruhi, the leader of the runaway troupe, Nagato who has become a bit of an otaku, Mikuru who is even cuter and more moe, Koizumi who stands out even more in coolness, and Kyon who is in charge of the tsukkomi. In the new Haruhi world, the SOS Brigade and other members will provide laughs in various situations.

cast

The main cast includes:

• Haruhi Suzumiya: Hirano Aya
• Kyon: Tomokazu Sugita
• Mikuru Asahina: Yuko Goto
• Ikki Koizumi: Daisuke Ono
• Yuki Nagato: Minori Chihara
• Kyon's sister: Sayaka Aoki
• Tsuruya-san: Yuki Matsuoka
• Ryoko Asakura, Asakura: Natsuko Kuwatani
• Taniguchi: Minoru Shiraishi
• Kunikida: Megumi Matsumoto
• Mr. Shinkawa: Akio Otsuka
• Mori-san: Akane Ohmae
• Infinite Lion: Yuki Matsuoka
• Kimidori-san: Minoru Shiraishi
• Game voice: Sayaka Aoki
• Computer Research Department Director: Nobuyuki Kobushi
• Computer Research Club Member B: Yasuhiro
• Computer Research Club Member D: Yuki Ono

Main Staff

The main staff are as follows:

• Original author: Nagaru Tanigawa, Noizi Ito
• Manga: Puyo (serialized in Monthly Shonen Ace The Sneaker)
• Composition: Haruhi Suzumiya and her fun friends
• Director: Yasuhiro Takemoto
• Character design: Nishiya Taishi
• Chief Producer: Takeshi Yasuda
• Friendship Producers: Atsushi Ito, Hideaki Hatta
• Art director: Mutsuo Shinohara
• Color design: Naomi Ishida
• Director of photography: Ryuta Nakagami
• Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka
• Music: Satoru Kamisaki
• Animation Production: Kyoto Animation
• Production cooperation: Animation Do
• Produced by: ESOS Group (Kadokawa Shoten, Kadokawa Pictures, Kyoto Animation, Clockworks, Lantis)

subtitle

The subtitles and online release dates for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: The body of a crane but the heart of a hawk (2009/02/14)
• Episode 2: Hmm? Nagato only? (2009/02/17)
• Episode 3: What is that dog's name? (2009/02/20)
• Episode 4: Kyon, Nagato, Nagato... (2009/02/23)
• Episode 5: Let's play dodgeball! (2009/02/27)
• Episode 6: I don't approve of naughty things! (2009/02/27)
• Episode 7: Heart-pounding, a sports day with a slightly larger number of girls (2009/03/06)
• Episode 8: Shall I eat some beans? (2009/03/06)
• Episode 9: All the characters are maids! (2009/03/13)
• Episode 10: Umbrellas are awesome (2009/03/13)
• Episode 11: Well then, Mikuru-chan, please take off your clothes right away! (2009/03/20)
• Episode 12: Men should also make an effort, not just receive! (2009/03/20)
• Episode 13: Let's have Halloween! (2009/03/27)
• Episode 14: The main character has a face he shouldn't make (2009/03/27)
• Episode 15: Balloons, Amazing (2009/04/03)
• Episode 16: Turn Around! (2009/04/03)
• Episode 17: That's what you're saying, Dad! (2009/04/10)
• Episode 18: Kyon-kun, Kyon-kun. I found something like this (2009/04/10)
• Episode 19: Everyone, we're having a Christmas party today! (2009/04/17)
• Episode 20: Kimidori-san! (2009/04/17)
• Episode 21: Bearded Mask! (2009/04/23)
• Episode 22: If you wear this, you'll understand (2009/04/23)
• Episode 23: I claim my laughter is contagious (2009/05/01)
• Episode 24: I was so passionate about my mission back then (2009/05/01)
• Episode 25: PC Game? "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" (2009/05/08)

Related Titles

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is related to:

• The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Season 1
• The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Season 2
• The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
• Nyoron☆Churuyasan

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and insert songs are as follows:

• OP1: Summary so far
  • Lyricist: Aki Hata
  • Composer: Akira Kamisaki
  • Arrangement: Akira Kamisaki
  • Sung by: ESOS Group (Haruhi Suzumiya (Hirano Aya), Kyon (Sugita Tomokazu), Asahina Mikuru (Goto Yuko), Koizumi Ikki (Ono Daisuke), Nagato Yuki (Chihara Minori))
• ED1: Something like an afterword
  • Lyricist: Aki Hata
  • Composer: Akira Kamisaki
  • Arrangement: Akira Kamisaki
  • Sung by: ESOS Group (Haruhi Suzumiya (Hirano Aya), Kyon (Sugita Tomokazu), Asahina Mikuru (Goto Yuko), Koizumi Ikki (Ono Daisuke), Nagato Yuki (Chihara Minori))
• IN1: Paradise Lost
  • Lyricist: Aki Hata
  • Composer: Daisuke Kikuta
  • Arrangement: Daisuke Kikuta
  • Sung by: Yuki Nagato (Miri Chihara)

Appeal and evaluation of the work

"The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" entertained fans with a different approach from the traditional "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" series. The structure, centered around four-panel comics and short stories, provides viewers with fresh surprises and laughter. In particular, the comedy scenes in which the members of the SOS Brigade make use of their individual personalities are not to be missed.

Haruhi's reckless behavior, Nagato's otaku transformation, Mikuru and Koizumi's new charms, and Kyon's tsukkomi will bring new discoveries and joy to fans of the series. The subtitles of each episode are also full of humor, and the content will not disappoint viewers.

The animation was produced by Kyoto Animation, and the quality is also high, with the character design, color design, and cinematography all outstanding. In particular, the direction of Yasuhiro Takemoto is powerful and delicate, drawing the viewer in.

In terms of music, the music composed by Akira Kanzaki and the lyrics by Akira Hata enhance the atmosphere of the work, and the theme song and insert songs help to leave a lasting impression on viewers. In particular, "Paradise Lost" sung by Minori Chihara, who plays Yuki Nagato, is a beautiful song that symbolizes her character.

Recommendation to viewers

"The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" is recommended not only for fans of the traditional "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" series, but also for those who like comedy anime and four-panel comics. The humorous story unfolding by the members of the SOS Brigade brings smiles and healing to viewers. In addition, the shortness of each episode makes it easy to enjoy, and it has the appeal of being able to be watched casually even during busy daily lives.

Furthermore, this work is related to other works in the "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" series, making it an important piece for enjoying the entire series. By watching it together with "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" seasons 1 and 2, "The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya", and "Nyoron☆Churuya-san", you can get a deeper understanding of the whole Haruhi world.

In conclusion, "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" not only provides new surprises and laughs to viewers, but is also an irreplaceable work for fans of the series. Please be sure to experience this new Haruhi world.