Review of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

This review is for the entire show, taking into account both seasons and the movie. If you were around and watching anime in the late 2000s, this show constituted an all-consuming obsession which was impossible to miss. For a time, it was the biggest show that didn't break containment into the wider culture. If you went to a con, you saw people trying that dance every half hour at least, and even fewer getting it right. Furious debate wreathed all discussion of this show, and if you didn't watch it yourself, you definitely saw your friends or relatives who did, worndown by the endless eight. In short, this anime is a monumental cultural touchstone, both for the otaku that lived through it, and those who are only just now discovering it. Even for those who have no idea what I'm talking about, it's still hard to escape, with references and tie-ins scattered across all sorts of anime. Having watched it, having survived the endless eight, and having experienced the movie, I can comfortably say that it wasn't a generation-defining obsession for nothing. The story, which I experienced in chronological order, is wild, ambitious, confusing, and this show's strongest aspect. Starting with what exactly I mean by 'chronological order' can give a hint as to the general vibe of this anime. When the show aired in 2006, it aired in a scattered, non-linear broadcast order. Given that it's confusing enough when everything's lined up correctly, I'd recommend chronological order. The story itself is quite ambitious, and has this habit of lulling you into a false sense of security. On the surface, it seems like a really bog-standard slice of life anime, with the various character archetypes typical of the genre, like the bossy tsundere, reserved kuudere, moeblob, and mysterious exchange student, all anchored by an exhausted everyman who has to deal with their various shenanigans. Furthermore, it checks the typical SoL boxes, with a high school setting, cultural festival, summer arc, and even heavy-handed fanservice. However, the mask often slips, revealing a world completely unbounded by reason and logic, playing at themes of reality manipulation, time travel, and lovecraftian beings far beyond the understanding of man. The story meanders along at times, with your typical school drama unfolding, various memories being made, but at other times loops back in on itself, warping what you think is true, and at still other times offering small reminders that everything is not as it seems. Then, interspersed throughout, are some of the most iconic moments in anime history, like the cultural festival movie, concert, and the infamous endless eight. I won't go into more detail here, but if you know then you surely agree that those moments made history. In general, while Season 1 felt fresh and interesting, laying solid groundwork for what to expect, I preferred Season 2, which had more determined pacing- after the endless eight, of course. However, the story still isn't perfect. There are fleeting moments which feel rather contrived, as though the show is insisting upon its own importance or cleverness, and other moments which don't seem to have any substance at all. I must say that the entire anime, both seasons, are simply a lead-up to the movie, where it all comes together, and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya realizes its true potential for everything it could have been all along. However, having the movie retroactively justify every lacking moment from earlier in the show is simultaneously pretty smart and generally poor planning, in my opinion. All in all, despite everything, I was able to keep up with the plot no problem, but I could definitely see how it would be impenetrable to some people.

Next, the art is quite good, with subtle, loving detail afforded the animation and backgrounds, coupled with a style and color palate which makes everything feel dynamic and alive, with emotions pouring from the smallest moments, highlighting the idle fidgeting of fingers, blush on a cheek, and even random litter. The expressiveness of the characters is perhaps the most impressive thing to me, synthesizing a semi-soft SoL style with detailed expressions of shame, embarrassment, joy, anxiety, dread, relief, and hope. The only thing holding back the art, in my opinion, is eye placement, which every now and then makes it so they appear a little further down characters' faces than they should be. Though, that issue is not nearly as exaggerated as it is in certain other anime of the same time period.

The sound is great, with an unforgettable soundtrack and sounds of life which wreath the whole experience with weight and realism. The voice acting, too, stands out, delivering a shocking level of emotional depth. I recommend subs here, not because the dub is bad, but because the performances here are so dynamic. Though, the subs really do fly by at a mile a minute at times, so be forewarned.

The characters are one of the most complicated facets of this anime to review. On the one had, they're vibrant, funny, engaging, visually unique, and emotionally compelling. On the other hand, certain characters are difficult to praise or pan. For example, the titular Haruhi Suzumiya. This anime does an excellent job of humanizing the arrogant, obnoxious, bossy girl with moments of vulnerability and genuine warmth for her friends. However, the anime also makes it hard to empathize with her when she ruins lives and reputations, all the while trampling on the feelings her friends have for her and each other throughout. Where exactly does she cross the line from being endearingly stubborn to a criminal menace? It's hard to say, but as a result it makes it hard to root or feel bad for her, even in those masterfully-composed moments of humanity. Nonetheless, the character writing is good enough that I find myself feeling that way anyway, in spite of myself. I find the surrounding cast much more enjoyable, especially our tireless kuudere Yuki, and the longsuffering Kyon. Yuki is a fantastic character in that, aside from being the lynchpin of the SOS Brigade's operational success, she is broadly very stoic and deadpan, but in such a way which doesn't necessarily feel cold, and when she does exhibit moments of softness or enthusiasm they are made that much more precious by contrast. All of these attributes really shine in the movie, which is where Yuki really gets a lot of the screentime she deserves. It is all too often that the kuudere gets shafted in the characterization department, and that is not the case here. Kyon, meanwhile, is likable as an MC because he is generally quite realistic. He just wants to keep his head down and get through high school, but is forced by circumstance to become noble, and realize just how much there is to life beyond just getting through it. Overall, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is one hell of a ride, and an essential part of one's education in otaku culture.