Watching Haruhi for the first time

[cress2000]

Is there a general consensus as to how to watch this the first time? Since as far as I understand it, the 2006 series was broadcast out of chronological order. But then the video release had them in chronological for some reason. Then the 2009 version spliced in new episodes played in chronological order.

Basically, I want to know if there's any reason at this point to first watch the 2006 episodes in original broadcast order before watching the whole thing in 2009 order.

[Betenoire]

Give here (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=92177&highlight=Haruhi) a look for some opinions on the subject.

[Fencedude]

Is there a general consensus as to how to watch this the first time? Since as far as I understand it, the 2006 series was broadcast out of chronological order. But then the video release had them in chronological for some reason. Then the 2009 version spliced in new episodes played in chronological order.

Basically, I want to know if there's any reason at this point to first watch the 2006 episodes in original broadcast order before watching the whole thing in 2009 order.

Just watch them in chronological order. There's no real reason at this point to do otherwise.

[HitokiriShadow]

Just watch them in chronological order. There's no real reason at this point to do otherwise.

Especially if you don't have the LE discs or... other easy ways to watch it that way. But if you have to swapt discs every other episode.... its not worth it. A big part of it wasn't just seeing it in that order, it was doing it at the same time as a bunch of other people seeing it the same way, at the same time, with no idea what was coming. There's simply no way to get that now, so its not worth the effort of disc-swapping and looking at an episode list to try to replicate the experience alone.

If anything, people watching it for the first time now should be trying to watch it in the 2k9 order, with the 2k9 episodes in their proper place, which wouldn't exactly be a huge challenge. Though I don't think there's any particular harm in watching them separately either.

[Betenoire]

Just watch them in chronological order. There's no real reason at this point to do otherwise.

Wow, did you think of the time before posting this? A disturbance in the force that size is going to knock something out of bed and then he won't be happy.

Not that I don't agree but something needs his rest.

:catgirl:

[Fencedude]

Just watch them in chronological order. There's no real reason at this point to do otherwise.

Wow, did you think of the time before posting this? A disturbance in the force that size is going to knock something out of bed and then he won't be happy.

Not that I don't agree but something needs his rest.

:catgirl:

What? something agrees on this point.

[Betenoire]

Just watch them in chronological order. There's no real reason at this point to do otherwise.

Wow, did you think of the time before posting this? A disturbance in the force that size is going to knock something out of bed and then he won't be happy.

Not that I don't agree but something needs his rest.

:catgirl:

What? something agrees on this point.
I thought he was still with the broadcast order...:sd:

My bad.

[strangefour]

Just watch them in chronological order. There's no real reason at this point to do otherwise.

Wow, did you think of the time before posting this? A disturbance in the force that size is going to knock something out of bed and then he won't be happy.

Not that I don't agree but something needs his rest.

:catgirl:

What? something agrees on this point.
I thought he was still with the broadcast order...:sd:

My bad.

That's just something for nothing.

Start watching from Endless Eight. If you can make it past them you can handle anything. Yes this is a horrible idea. But so were those episodes.

Uh, really I'd watch the very first looney home movie episode first. Then just do whatever. Although the silly movie with awesome Kyon commentary ruined me for the rest of the show because I wanted more talking cat. Which (like many things) the show never delivered on.

[einhorn303]

Start watching from Endless Eight. If you can make it past them you can handle anything. Yes this is a horrible idea. But so were those episodes.



I think Endless Eight is a bit more bearable if you already know and love the characters, so yeah, that does seem dangerous to me.

Personally, I think Endless Eight is kind of brilliant in how it actually makes you feel the emotions of the characters, not just watch them. In this case, the feeling of frustration.

[Draneor]

I think Endless Eight is a bit more bearable if you already know and love the characters, so yeah, that does seem dangerous to me.

To get the true and authentic frustrating experience of Endless Eight that many of us experienced, you'd need to stop watching right before E8 and wait three years. Also, the movie would need to not exist.

[something]

What? something agrees on this point.I thought he was still with the broadcast order...:sd:
My bad.
It's been my position ever since the 2k9 episodes that:

1) If you're watching just the 2k6 episodes and will not or can not watch the 2k9 episodes any time soon, watch 2k6 in broadcast order, or
2) If you're watching it all, watch in chronological order.

And by this point, I imagine any first time viewer can very easily watch all 28 episodes and will fall into category two. It's even licensed and released on R1 DVD so this applies to R1-only types too. Hell, even dub-only R1-only types so we've really got all the bases covered. Certainly, I have not changed my opinion one iota that the best way to watch this show, or indeed almost any show (but especially this show, super-especially 2k6), is to watch along with the original airing, week by week, discussing it with other people who are also experiencing it for the first time and engaging in that awesome shared/community experience that just cannot be replicated years after the fact.

But it's 2011. That ship sailed a long time ago. So just watch all 28 episodes in chronological order. And if you're wondering cress, the movie does come after all the TV episodes and assumes knowledge of them, and particularly of one very important episode. So no rush if you're waiting foe the R1 as it'll probably be another three years before they get around to animating the next season.

[Thomas Alan]

If you're gonna watch it twice, you might as well start with the broadcast order. If you're just gonna watch it all the way through, might as well start with chronological order except perhaps the movie ep.

[something]

might as well start with chronological order except perhaps the movie ep.
Curious to what you mean here. While the movie does have a connection to Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody, I don't think that episode needs to be viewed separately, if that's what you mean.

[Fencedude]

might as well start with chronological order except perhaps the movie ep.
Curious to what you mean here. While the movie does center around the events of Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody, I don't think that episode needs to be viewed separately, if that's what you mean.

I think he means The Adventures of Asahina Mikuru.

[something]

might as well start with chronological order except perhaps the movie ep.
Curious to what you mean here. While the movie does center around the events of Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody, I don't think that episode needs to be viewed separately, if that's what you mean.I think he means The Adventures of Asahina Mikuru.
Oh that movie... yeah that can be watched whenever I guess. Watching it as the first episode might not be bad for shits and giggles.

[Thomas Alan]

might as well start with chronological order except perhaps the movie ep.
Curious to what you mean here. While the movie does have a connection to Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody, I don't think that episode needs to be viewed separately, if that's what you mean.

Actually I meant "The Adventures of Mikuru Asahina Episode 00", but was too lazy to google the exact title. It still works as a first episode whether you're watching in chronological order or not.

[Ashyukun]

might as well start with chronological order except perhaps the movie ep.
Curious to what you mean here. While the movie does have a connection to Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody, I don't think that episode needs to be viewed separately, if that's what you mean.
I think he means movie they make (The Adventures of Asahima Mikuru) that was aired first (episode 0), not Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody...

[LKK]

My only viewing of Haruhi S1 was in chronological order. There's one thing to consider when watching the series that way that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet. It means that the emotional climax (as far as I was concerned) comes midway through the season. Once the Melancholy story proper was finished (somewhere around episode 6, if I remember right), I thought the rest of the episodes were something of a let down. My husband felt the same way as did another poster at another board who only saw the chronological order as well. The broadcast order mixes up the events so that the climax of Melancholy comes at the end of the season rather than midway. I wish now I had watched the series in broadcast order at least for the first time because of the let-down feeling in the second half.

[Goggen]

My only viewing of Haruhi S1 was in chronological order. There's one thing to consider when watching the series that way that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet. It means that the emotional climax (as far as I was concerned) comes midway through the season.

I had the opposite experience, in that I first watched Haruhi last year and decided to watch the 2006 series in original order since that seemed to be what a lot of long-time fans of the series recommended.

Then I watched all 28 episodes in chronological order later on. Now, there really is no other sensible way of watching it if you're gonna include the 2009 episodes in your viewing (which you absolutely should, IMO). That does come with some losses, but there really isn't any good way around it.

LKK has a good point regarding the emotional climax, when watched chronologically it does come way early and there's really no other climax to be had. On the other hand I felt when watching the broadcast order (all in one day) that the whole thing felt kind of disjointed. I understand why they spread "Melancholy" out over the course of the series, but it has the unfortunate side effect of major events being spoiled by placing other episodes that reference them before them. It could also be argued that an "emotional climax" now does come at the end, that is; if one includes "Disappearance" in the viewing.

So yeah, chronological is the way to go, although I suppose if you feel like watching the 2006 episodes twice you can always go through them once in broadcast order before moving on to a complete viewing. Do note, however, that IF you want to watch the original broadcast order then you really should get a hold of the actual 2006 broadcast versions of those episodes.

[Thomas Alan]

Do note, however, that IF you want to watch the original broadcast order then you really should get a hold of the actual 2006 broadcast versions of those episodes.

Aside from the "Next Episode" teasers, I wasn't aware that there was any significant differences between the two.

[Goggen]

Do note, however, that IF you want to watch the original broadcast order then you really should get a hold of the actual 2006 broadcast versions of those episodes.

Aside from the "Next Episode" teasers, I wasn't aware that there was any significant differences between the two.

Well, the "Next Episode" teasers are what I was thinking of. Part of the fun of the non-linear order is hearing Kyon and Haruhi arguing about it throughout the series. Also, without Haruhi's announcing the chronological number of each episode it might be more difficult to keep the overall story straight.

Aside from that, there are some brief scenes (and scene extensions) that were added later that weren't in the broadcast. I don't know if you'd call those significant, though.

[something]

On the other hand I felt when watching the broadcast order (all in one day) that the whole thing felt kind of disjointed. I understand why they spread "Melancholy" out over the course of the series, but it has the unfortunate side effect of major events being spoiled by placing other episodes that reference them before them.
Not really spoilers in the common sense of the term. If you were watching this week on week as it first aired, there was a enormous amount of lively speculation and discussion of every hint it dropped and what it meant or didn't mean in the grand scheme of things. It didn't feel like it was "spoiling" events. Basically, the references were not "guess what, thisandthat happened so now you don't even need to watch it because now you know!" They were playful and interesting hints and story elements arranged in such a way as to make you think about how things happened, and why. Sometimes big plot points, sometimes small background bits. But always the subject of much debate followed by a collective cry of "So that's what happened!" when it was revealed.

All that said, yes, it's exclusive to the 2k6 episodes. Once you introduce the 2k9 episodes there's no great way to incorporate them into a 2k6 broadcast order watching. That's why Kadokawa reaired the 2k6 episodes along with the 2k9 episodes in 2009. The 2k9 episodes were not aired in isolation but included directly in their chronological place in the full run of episodes. I think it's safe to assume that any third season (presumably post-Shoushitsu in the storyline) will also be chronological.

It could also be argued that an "emotional climax" now does come at the end, that is; if one includes "Disappearance" in the viewing.
He was talking about the emotional climax of the 2k6 episodes though, not emotional climax of the franchise. I mean, we could say that we'll get the emotional climax when the novels are finally done, but that's a bit out of scope of 2k6. Everyone seems to agree already that if watching everything together, you might as well watch chronological. 2k6 broadcast order (watched in 2006...) was a phenomenal experience I'll never forget, but it's pretty hard to recreate the experience in 2011, watching it by yourself. It's just too far removed from that moment in time.

[something]

Aside from that, there are some brief scenes (and scene extensions) that were added later that weren't in the broadcast. I don't know if you'd call those significant, though.
Getting the broadcast previews would be a good goal, yes, but getting the prettied up animation and extra scenes of the home video release probably takes priority. None of them take away from the broadcast order experience from what I can remember, they're basically just value adds to any ordering.

[Goggen]

Not really spoilers in the common sense of the term. If you were watching this week on week as it first aired, there was a enormous amount of lively speculation and discussion of every hint it dropped and what it meant or didn't mean in the grand scheme of things. It didn't feel like it was "spoiling" events.
No doubt. Though having watched it for the first time in 2010, I missed out on all that so the experience was quite different for me.

It could also be argued that an "emotional climax" now does come at the end, that is; if one includes "Disappearance" in the viewing.
He was talking about the emotional climax of the 2k6 episodes though, not emotional climax of the franchise.
I realize that. Hence why I said it could be argued that "an "emotional climax" now does come at the end" meaning at the point where the franchise is at right now. :)

Disregarding Haruhi 2009 and Disappearance, however, I absolutely agree that the Haruhi 2006 has only one emotional climax; that being the end of Melancholy.

[cress2000]

Whew, bigger response than I expected here. :sweat: But good info! Very helpful to set expectations. Thanks.

I'm not sure if I was completely clear in my original post, but my idea was to watch the 14 episodes of 2006 in broadcast order, then the entire thing...that is, all 28 episodes as it was broadcast in 2009.

The concept of a show being intentionally presented in an unconventional manner intrigued me a bit. But with the weekly discussion aspect apparently being a major part of the 2006 broadcast, it's sounding more like I shouldn't bother trying to watch it that way first. Even if it were possible to get a decent little group together, I wouldn't make a great host for such a thing. :sweat:

[something]

The concept of a show being intentionally presented in an unconventional manner intrigued me a bit. But with the weekly discussion aspect apparently being a major part of the 2006 broadcast, it's sounding more like I shouldn't bother trying to watch it that way first.
If you've got the time, it's not like it would hurt. Certainly if you're ever going to watch 2k6 broadcast, you'd want to do it first. I have no time to watch much of anything anymore it seems, so my instinct is to do what takes less time, but if you can spare an extra 14 eps... well, no harm, give it a go. You could even do that and then hold off on the full watch until Shoushitsu is out, but I have not been following R1 so I don't know when Bandai has it scheduled for.

[Goggen]

You could even do that and then hold off on the full watch until Shoushitsu is out, but I have not been following R1 so I don't know when Bandai has it scheduled for.

I don't think anyone does... *sigh*

[Isuzu Inugami]

I'm not sure if I was completely clear in my original post, but my idea was to watch the 14 episodes of 2006 in broadcast order, then the entire thing...that is, all 28 episodes as it was broadcast in 2009.

Well, if you're willing to turn around and rewatch the 2k6 episodes, by all means go for the broadcast order. It fun to piece everything together and see how the broadcast order plays with the viewer.

And as I think about it, there's really no particular reason you would have to watch the 2k9 episodes within the chronological context of 2k6 either, if you decide you're not up to rewatching the 2k6 episodes. So, uh, it's all good, I guess.

[cress2000]

I'm not sure if I was completely clear in my original post, but my idea was to watch the 14 episodes of 2006 in broadcast order, then the entire thing...that is, all 28 episodes as it was broadcast in 2009.

Well, if you're willing to turn around and rewatch the 2k6 episodes, by all means go for the broadcast order. It fun to piece everything together and see how the broadcast order plays with the viewer.

And as I think about it, there's really no particular reason you would have to watch the 2k9 episodes within the chronological context of 2k6 either, if you decide you're not up to rewatching the 2k6 episodes. So, uh, it's all good, I guess.

As something suggested, I think I'll watch the 2006 episodes in their broadcast order first, and probably wait a while (in time for the movie release perhaps) to see everything as done in 2009 (provided I even like the series in the first place). Either way, I don't think I'll really mind watching the 2006 eps again during that run.