This remains one of my favorite anime movies of all time, and you perfectly explained why! I already enjoyed the concept of the show, but the movie just elevated everything in a way I didn’t expect. Nagato’s arc especially caught me off guard, and I couldn’t be happier with the level of depth they gave to a character I originally thought was just ok. And the art direction & animation are beautiful the whole way through, would’ve loved to see this in theaters! Kyoto Animation did a similar thing with Tamako Market & the following Tamako Love Story movie, where the movie added so much charm and depth to the show’s foundation
Nice review. I think it's good to notice that Kyon was always in love with his lot. It was something already explored a little at the end of the Melancholy arc when he's in the closed space with Haruhi, but you can see he was the one who wished for the things Haruhi made happen, possibly even more than Haruhi. But he dismisses that and lies to the audience and other characters about it so much that it's easy to miss.
I was going to leave a comment in reply to your previous video, but decided to wait until you'd watched 'Disappearance,' as you needed to experience the full arc to truly appreciate the subtlety of Tanigawa's story telling. It is indeed a remarkable journey for all the characters, Kyon and Nagato especially, plus it helps to assert just how important 'Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody' is to the overall tale, for this is where everything really begins. There are numerous clues within that and other episodes that are hidden in plain sight, which only become apparent on a second viewing - even the number of Nagato's apartment (708) is relevant! It's also worth paying attention to the various books Nagato reads through the 'Melancholy' series, especially when the viewer's attention is drawn to their titles, or when their ISBNs are clearly visible, as each foreshadows what's to come or hints at something that will become important later. Kyon's 'journey' through 'Melancholy' and 'Disappearance' echoes the classic 'Journey of the Hero' as detailed by the late, great Joseph Campbell (teacher, philosopher, lecturer and mythologist) in his book 'The Hero With A Thousand Faces.' It's worth reading, or if you prefer, his lectures appear on You Tube - well worth watching. Tanigawa is well versed in both western and eastern mythologies, as well as Greek philosophy. He even references Plato's 'Allegory of The Cave' in the two-part anime story 'Remote Island Syndrome.' I could go on, but I don't wish to overwhelm you with examples. My point being that once you are familiar with the hero's journey, you gain a deeper understanding of who the three 'not-normals' in the SOS Brigade might represent, in respect to Kyon, and even a deeper relevance of Haruhi herself and why her disappearance had to happen in the middle of winter...when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky. Anyway, thank you for your excellent review. I'm pleased that people are still interested in Haruhi Suzumiya all these years later, and, if you're interested, I recommend taking a look at the YT channel 'Light Novel Dramatic Reading,' for some audiobooks of Haruhi. The guy who runs the channel has just completed 'Snowy Mountain Syndrome' and I think he's done a great job. Thanks again from a long term and dedicated Haruhi fan.
Man haven’t seen the series/movie since the pandemic Sorta forgot what happens but remembered the film being the best part Completely different genre but any plan to check out higurashi Mainly Higurashi naku no koro ni And Higurashi naku no koro ni Kai The 2020 version sorta does a disservice to the characters
This movie and series has such an interesting history with me. I'm that age where I remember this show coming out, especially the 2009 version. This show was one have the big shows that spread around the states other than the big three, before social media where everyone is doing all these different dances, the Haruhi dance was the big thing, it really was an interesting point in time for the little amount of anime enjoyers there were back then. This show is what really got me into similar genres that I enjoy watching to this day and so I remember when I found out there was a movie I was ecstatic. I half-agree with most of your points except a couple, I've always enjoyed Kyon and his personality even before I watched the movie, and I've always seen Kyon not enjoying being with Haruhi in the start but he felt obligated to stay to help keep her under control. The other part is Haruhi having a postive effect on everyone, if you compare their enjoyment to their troubles I would agree to what you said that they did end up having fun but it definitely was a bumpy road where it again felt that she forced them into situations which they didn't want to be in. But that's basically the premise of the whole show lol. Also yes Yuki is top tier. Thanks for doing this review, this show will always bring out those nostalgic and in a way melancholic (heh) feelings of how it was when I first watched this show and movie.
Great video and glad to see you enjoyed the series and this film overall! I still believe to this day that this is Kyoto Animiation's best work. It's always interesting to see how people interpret and react to Haruhi in the current anime landscape. The show seems long forgotten at this point given the popularity boom the anime industry had the last 4 or 5 years. Though I still think its presence is felt all these years later in the amount of anime failing to capture the same energy this series had. Really liked your thoughts overall, earned a sub from me!
Any other anime movie where the main character who has probably 90% of the lines, and talks to himself most of the time (though sometimes his mouth is covered so we don’t know if he’s talking to himself or out loud), and who constantly narrates with silly literary aligories would have been lame and cringey. But the writing, voice acting, and cinematography in this movie is incredible. Not many other anime’s has such dynamic, emotionless, and representative cinematography.
What if it’s not Haruhi that has this power to change reality? And it’s actually Kyon? And the others try to in convince him he’s a normal guy, and that Haruhi is really to blame? And by comparison to Haruhi kyon will feel more and more normal, and thus ground his thoughts more and more? God I love this show. It’s so silly, but so profoundly open to interpretation.
This feels like a show I really need to check out! The review for the show itself didn’t really catch my attention, but I think this one just convinced me to see what it’s all about.
This remains one of my favorite anime movies of all time, and you perfectly explained why! I already enjoyed the concept of the show, but the movie just elevated everything in a way I didn’t expect. Nagato’s arc especially caught me off guard, and I couldn’t be happier with the level of depth they gave to a character I originally thought was just ok. And the art direction & animation are beautiful the whole way through, would’ve loved to see this in theaters!
Kyoto Animation did a similar thing with Tamako Market & the following Tamako Love Story movie, where the movie added so much charm and depth to the show’s foundation
I’m gonna check out that series too now, glad you enjoyed the review :)
Nice review. I think it's good to notice that Kyon was always in love with his lot. It was something already explored a little at the end of the Melancholy arc when he's in the closed space with Haruhi, but you can see he was the one who wished for the things Haruhi made happen, possibly even more than Haruhi. But he dismisses that and lies to the audience and other characters about it so much that it's easy to miss.
I was going to leave a comment in reply to your previous video, but decided to wait until you'd watched 'Disappearance,' as you needed to experience the full arc to truly appreciate the subtlety of Tanigawa's story telling. It is indeed a remarkable journey for all the characters, Kyon and Nagato especially, plus it helps to assert just how important 'Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody' is to the overall tale, for this is where everything really begins. There are numerous clues within that and other episodes that are hidden in plain sight, which only become apparent on a second viewing - even the number of Nagato's apartment (708) is relevant! It's also worth paying attention to the various books Nagato reads through the 'Melancholy' series, especially when the viewer's attention is drawn to their titles, or when their ISBNs are clearly visible, as each foreshadows what's to come or hints at something that will become important later.
Kyon's 'journey' through 'Melancholy' and 'Disappearance' echoes the classic 'Journey of the Hero' as detailed by the late, great Joseph Campbell (teacher, philosopher, lecturer and mythologist) in his book 'The Hero With A Thousand Faces.' It's worth reading, or if you prefer, his lectures appear on You Tube - well worth watching. Tanigawa is well versed in both western and eastern mythologies, as well as Greek philosophy. He even references Plato's 'Allegory of The Cave' in the two-part anime story 'Remote Island Syndrome.' I could go on, but I don't wish to overwhelm you with examples. My point being that once you are familiar with the hero's journey, you gain a deeper understanding of who the three 'not-normals' in the SOS Brigade might represent, in respect to Kyon, and even a deeper relevance of Haruhi herself and why her disappearance had to happen in the middle of winter...when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky.
Anyway, thank you for your excellent review. I'm pleased that people are still interested in Haruhi Suzumiya all these years later, and, if you're interested, I recommend taking a look at the YT channel 'Light Novel Dramatic Reading,' for some audiobooks of Haruhi. The guy who runs the channel has just completed 'Snowy Mountain Syndrome' and I think he's done a great job.
Thanks again from a long term and dedicated Haruhi fan.
Wholeheartedly CONCUR!!
kyon
i love how he said ( i am john smith) i am crying for real
i really cry when nagato cry i know nagato love kyon but it feel so sad
This deserves at least 10x more views than it has. This is a great video and this is by far in my opinion the best anime movie ever.
Man haven’t seen the series/movie since the pandemic
Sorta forgot what happens but remembered the film being the best part
Completely different genre but any plan to check out higurashi
Mainly
Higurashi naku no koro ni
And
Higurashi naku no koro ni Kai
The 2020 version sorta does a disservice to the characters
Will check it out!
This movie and series has such an interesting history with me. I'm that age where I remember this show coming out, especially the 2009 version. This show was one have the big shows that spread around the states other than the big three, before social media where everyone is doing all these different dances, the Haruhi dance was the big thing, it really was an interesting point in time for the little amount of anime enjoyers there were back then. This show is what really got me into similar genres that I enjoy watching to this day and so I remember when I found out there was a movie I was ecstatic. I half-agree with most of your points except a couple, I've always enjoyed Kyon and his personality even before I watched the movie, and I've always seen Kyon not enjoying being with Haruhi in the start but he felt obligated to stay to help keep her under control. The other part is Haruhi having a postive effect on everyone, if you compare their enjoyment to their troubles I would agree to what you said that they did end up having fun but it definitely was a bumpy road where it again felt that she forced them into situations which they didn't want to be in. But that's basically the premise of the whole show lol. Also yes Yuki is top tier. Thanks for doing this review, this show will always bring out those nostalgic and in a way melancholic (heh) feelings of how it was when I first watched this show and movie.
I had no clue about the show and still I watched the movie and boy I loved it.
Great video and glad to see you enjoyed the series and this film overall! I still believe to this day that this is Kyoto Animiation's best work. It's always interesting to see how people interpret and react to Haruhi in the current anime landscape. The show seems long forgotten at this point given the popularity boom the anime industry had the last 4 or 5 years. Though I still think its presence is felt all these years later in the amount of anime failing to capture the same energy this series had.
Really liked your thoughts overall, earned a sub from me!
This made a void in my heart and filled it perfectly
Any other anime movie where the main character who has probably 90% of the lines, and talks to himself most of the time (though sometimes his mouth is covered so we don’t know if he’s talking to himself or out loud), and who constantly narrates with silly literary aligories would have been lame and cringey. But the writing, voice acting, and cinematography in this movie is incredible. Not many other anime’s has such dynamic, emotionless, and representative cinematography.
Great review. It made me wanna watch the movie again!
It’s still to me the greatest anime movie of all time
its so fire 😭😭😭
One of the best and may unforgetable movie ever.
What if it’s not Haruhi that has this power to change reality? And it’s actually Kyon? And the others try to in convince him he’s a normal guy, and that Haruhi is really to blame? And by comparison to Haruhi kyon will feel more and more normal, and thus ground his thoughts more and more?
God I love this show. It’s so silly, but so profoundly open to interpretation.
I always took the intro, the hand reaching out to Haruhi and presumably giving her powers, was Kyon (or John Smith) from the future
This movie was a hell of a payoff
This feels like a show I really need to check out! The review for the show itself didn’t really catch my attention, but I think this one just convinced me to see what it’s all about.