Review of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
Well here we go. This is my first review so I figured I would start out with a review of my favorite part of the first anime I've seen and one that I still hold very dear to my heart. --Potential Minor Spoilers-- So what happens when you take all the eccentric fun of the Haruhi series- Haruhi's increasingly over the top schemes, Kyon's snarky commentary- and completely remove it from the show? The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya serves to answer that question by taking those very characteristics that the series has been known for away for a large part of the film's run time. When thelife Kyon has spent the greater part of two seasons complaining about is suddenly pulled from under his feet, he is left to confront a world without the SOS Brigade in a spectacular way that still leaves a huge impression on me to this day.
The basic premise of the film is fairly simple. Haruhi mysteriously disappears one day and the other Brigade members are far different from the characters Kyon and the audience have gotten used to. This simple premise is what carries the film and allows us to see the characters in a totally new perspective. One of the more common complaints of the film is that its first half is too slow and can at times feel like a drag. However, I believe the slowness of the film is vitally done as it emphasizes the true impact Haruhi's disappearance left on not only Kyon, but the series as a whole. With Haruhi and all of the supernatural she brought to the world gone, life has become stale and stagnant, like the black/white world that the audience was introduced to in the first chronological episode of the series. And that isn't to say that this part of the film is boring by any means. Kyon's dialogue throughout this section is interesting enough to entertain the audience as he works his way through a bleak world. Once the first half ends, however, is when the story really begins to pick up, with many dramatic moments that are able to build off of scenes from previous episodes of the series and serve to develop the characters in ways that the series was never able to do. Once things get going in the film, it never once slows down, holding your attention throughout the rest of its nearly 3 hours and providing some of the most iconic scenes of the entire series.
Additionally, for any people worried that the film may have strayed too far from the feel of the original series, there are still plenty of standard Haruhi vibes throughout the film. The sudden shift in tone is able to enhance the story without ever completely abandoning the things fans have come to love about the show.
My only grievance with the story is that the details of the ending can be a bit confusing, as some of the events from the final scenes are not explained in a completely clear way. However, the details of the ending never took away from the enjoyment I have had with the film.
As mentioned a bit when going over the story, the way the film treats its characters is where it really shines. With Haruhi out of the picture, Kyon has to come to terms with what the new reality he lives in means to him and if the SOS Brigade was something that he despised, like he would always say he did, or if he genuinely loved it. Additionally, Kyon no longer takes the backseat as a sarcastic observer in this film. With Haruhi gone, we get to see him take action on his own accord. Some of the later scenes with Kyon are nothing short of a spectacle, with each line delivered having emotional weight that personally resonated with me. The development of Kyon was handled perfectly, and is what propelled him from an already interesting and relatable protagonist, albeit a little too passive at times, into a truly memorable character due to how genuine his reaction to the events happening around him felt.
Another character that has dramatically improved in the film is Yuki Nagato. At first she may seem almost unrecognizable, but as the audience learns about the details of her odd behavior, it all comes together and greatly fleshes out her character while still making sense considering the experiences Nagato went through in the series. Maybe she was never as emotionless as we all once considered.
Although the other Brigade members don't get to see as much development as the two above mentioned, they all have their fair share of moments throughout the film and are as entertaining as ever.
The art is extremely well done with great attention to detail being used to really convey the tone of the story. The bright and colorful look of the series is swapped out for much darker and dull colors as summer has turned to winter and the energetic life Kyon has once had is now gone. There are plenty of shots that while simple, have always stood out to me, such as shots as minor as Kyon walking in front of the bright green awning of a convenience store on a cold winter night. A shot like that sounds simple enough, but it was handled in such away that conveys much of the mood Kyon is in at the time as well as the melancholy atmosphere of the film. Throughout the movie there are plenty of other scenes where artstyle is able to compliment the mood in quite impressive ways, while always being visually great to look at. Additionally, references to events of earlier episodes are on full display in the film, such as photos and the Tanabata tree still in the clubroom. Every scene has something interesting in it that oftentimes will include some detail that connects the film to the series.
Just like art, animation is done just as well. My favorite aspect of the animation is the highly expressive body language displayed. With many of the scenes allowing the simple movements of a character to tell a full story about what they are feeling at the moment. One specific scene towards the end of the film has Nagato reacting to the weather outside, the small movements her body makes throughout it showcasing the intricacies of her character in a way that is much more meaningful than through words.
As for sound, I personally watch this film with the English dub every time and can say it is one of the only series where I prefer the dub to the sub. Kyon's VA is as expressive as ever and really brings out the emotional turmoil his character goes through as the story unfolds. The series makes good use of its soundtrack and after first watching this film several years ago, I still have Erik Satie's Gymnopedie No.1 stuck in my head
With all that being said, as Kyon was left to look back at the life he had with the SOS Brigade, I related to some of the aspects of my life that I have similarly left behind as I got older, whether it be a simple falling out with a friend, or something more. I'm sure most people can relate to having some parts of their lives that they miss fondly. Maybe they weren't even the most positive parts of life at the time, but now can be appreciated more in retrospect. Either way, through Kyon's struggle, a part of me learned to take what life gives me and appreciate the full of it, so as to not have any regrets should it disappear someday.
With it's simple, yet well handled premise, and some of the best character development I have seen, the Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya stands out as a solid recommendation to any fans of the original series, and even for those who have seen the original and were left wanting more out of it. It takes what made the series special and subverts it while still staying true to what the series means at its core. The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is not only the pinnacle of the Haruhi franchise, but also one of the most memorable films in the medium in general, and is something that I will always look back on fondly.
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Once again, as this is my first review on this site so I apologize if some of it comes off as unrefined/sloppy. Nonetheless, thank you for reading!