So i just finished watching The Melancoly of Haruhi Suzumiya ***SPOILERS***

[Dylonius Funk]

I would like to know what exactly this show was actually about. First off, Disarm, I know you love this show so if you could please give your insight as it would be most appreciated.

Anyway, as i said i just finished watching it in broadcast order, and while i found it to be a very funny show full of moe and fan service, still at the end i felt a little empty because there were some things left unanswered. For simplicity sake i will not be tagging spoilers so do not read this if you haven't seen the show.
1. What exactly is the deal with Haruhi? Kiozumi thinks she may be a god, or at least that’s what he tells Kyon. Yuki believes she could be the next stage of evolution. She may have created a whole new world at the end of the broadcast order run. Yet we're never really told what exactly her deal is.

2. Also what is Mikuru's mission exactly? Yuki claims that the Data Integration entity discovered Haruhi 3 years before, yet if i recall correctly we don't really find out when Mikuru's people noticed her or what exactly her mission is or what she thinks of her. It seemed like every time Kyon would ask ehr questions about her mission, she told him it was classified.

3. Finally I guess I just don’t see why this show has such a large appeal. I mean it’s quite funny and ahs some cute girls in it. And the different viewing order seems like an interesting gimmick. I guess I just don’t understand why it’s such a phenomenon.

[ QUOTE ]
Dylonius Funk said:
1. What exactly is the deal with Haruhi? Kiozumi thinks she may be a god, or at least that’s what he tells Kyon. Yuki believes she could be the next stage of evolution. She may have created a whole new world at the end of the broadcast order run. Yet we're never really told what exactly her deal is.


[/ QUOTE ]

I'm surprised Koizumi never just came out and said "This is a fictional story and she's the main character." It was almost that metafictional, and almost that straightforward with it.

She's a girl with the power to call things into existence by wanting them to exist. To Koizumi, that's a God. To Yuki, that's someone who has similar powers to her, but who is much more powerful.

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Dylonius Funk said:
3. Finally I guess I just don’t see why this show has such a large appeal. I mean it’s quite funny and ahs some cute girls in it. And the different viewing order seems like an interesting gimmick. I guess I just don’t understand why it’s such a phenomenon.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's exactly what it is. Funny, cute girls, a gimmick that wins hard, it's destined to be a pretty good show that also attracts the fanboys like crazy.

[something]

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Dylonius Funk said:
I guess I just don’t understand why it’s such a phenomenon.

[/ QUOTE ]
I can probably answer everything with two points. Even if I can't, that's all you get because it's 430am and I got three hours of sleep and even opening my eyes to look at the monitor feels like I'm being shot in the face with pain in optical form. Feel free to seek further clarification that I can give when I'm not wishing I were a corpse.

First... you're asking questions I never felt to be truly crucial to the show. What is Haruhi? Well, as Monika said, she's a god, she's a rupture in space-time, she's a existence manifested through data that even the Integration Data Entity (or whatever the hell) doesn't fully understand. It depends who you ask, and nobody quite knows. As for Mikuru, we are in fact told what Haruhi was to them -- she was a being that was at the center of a rupture in space-time so massive that time travel before that point is impossible. Thus she's being observed.

I think you need to take what is said by the characters a bit more literally than you did. When they say they don't know, it's because they don't. When Haruhi explains her feelings about the world in 13K, she's being brutally honest about how she sees her place in the world and how it upsets her. And keep in mind that she has no idea what's going on either, and if she doesn't, if people from the future don't, if espers don't, if the Data Thought Entity (again, whatever) doesn't... why should we?

I also think you're seeking a beginning and an end where we were dropped squarely in the middle, and taken out while still in the middle. It's a technique common in anime, and one that doesn't always pay off, but here (and in other cases too, of course), it really did.

Does all this mean I don't wish to see more things explained? No, I'd love to see a second season. But do I think you're asking questions integral to the meaning or significance of the show? Honestly... no. Also keep in mind that we did not in fact get the story of Tanabata three years ago. I'm not sure if that's covered in the novels. If so, maybe it'll be animated one day. I also don't know if the novels are ongoing.

Second... you want to know why it's such a phenomenon? That's much harder to answer. For me, it's because every single piece of the show was of such high quality that I've honestly never seen anything like it. Music? Some of my absolute favorite in any language. The animation? Unimaginably beautiful, or more specifically, so, so clean. The characters? Haruhi is my favorite ever, and Kyon may be number two. The writing/dialog? Best I've experienced, hands down (Kyon's monologues = best ever). The overall production values and attention to detail? Second to none, a Kyoto Animation production in every sense of the word. The voice acting? Kyon and Haruhi just became the two best performances I've ever seen. Rewatchability? I've rewatched this more than any other show I've ever seen, if not twice as many times, and it only ended a few months ago.

All these elements combined in a package that dared to do something quite different from anything else I've seen.

If I had to distill it into one sentence: In every single episode, scene, pose, blink, line delivery, moment, I was awestruck at how right it was, as it simply blew away everything I've ever known about anime, entertainment, fiction...

Anyone who sees even a tenth the value I did in the show is bound to love it, and apparently a lot of people have, and really, what else makes a phenomenon? If it were JUST the cute girls or JUST the catchy ED, this show would be big, but not quite as big as it is. So it's both of those, a lot more besides, and then above all just a little something that made it all feel... special.

But it's entirely legitimate if you didn't see that, or if it just wasn't there for you to begin with. You'd hardly be the first or the last to think it was "fun but nothing special" and that's perfectly ok. Because, despite my ranting here... <font color="brown">I don't think it's something you can feel by having someone else tell you, but rather something you had to feel on your own, without any outside influence.</font> It had to happen as a dialog between you and the show, because I can sit here and haruhigasm about SHnY all day (and really, I will if you give me any opportunity) but the brilliance of the show isn't something that can be 'learned' or 'taught', because if you weren't feeling it, then it probably wasn't there to be felt. So just enjoy it for what it was (cute girls, comedy, pretty art) and file it away in that "decent" column in your list of shows. I think you'll enjoy it more that way, than you would even if I could explain why it's become such an important part of my life.

Alright so this wasn't quite so short, and I probably got a lot more than two points in there (well, it WAS two, but then I... elaborated), but nothing wakes me up like thinking about this show. And I could go on much longer besides (hey, I went a whole post without gushing about how I love the episode order, aren't you all proud?), especially since when I'm talking to someone who has seen it, I don't need to worry that they'll read what I say and then come back and complain about "overhype", which reallllllly annoys me, not because it's Haruhi and "zomg they don't like it as much as I do" (because honestly, does anyone?), but because people need to think for themselves &gt;_&gt;

[Fencedude]

For the record, the events of Tanabata 3 years ago are most definitely covered in the novels. Its the one story from volume 3 that was left out. Probably because it would severely overcomplicate the situation.

Its almost definite that it would be included in a second season however.

[something]

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Fencedude said:
For the record, the events of Tanabata 3 years ago are most definitely covered in the novels. Its the one story from volume 3 that was left out. Probably because it would severely overcomplicate the situation.
Its almost definite that it would be included in a second season however.

[/ QUOTE ]
Awesome, thanks. I've avoided the novels at all costs to avoid spoilers in case there's a season two (which I feel there will be), but it's good to hear it does get discussed. I assumed as much, but wasn't sure.

[Fencedude]

Here is something to consider, in episode 2K/1H, Haruhi asks Kyon a question.

The answer to that question could be very, very interesting...

[something]

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Here is something to consider, in episode 2K/1H, Haruhi asks Kyon a question. The answer to that question could be very, very interesting...

[/ QUOTE ]
Damn straight =P There was no way in hell that was just a random addition to the show with no meaning. Must... get... backstory...

I'll kill anyone KyoAni desires for a second season....

[iserlohn]

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disarm said:
I'll kill anyone KyoAni desires for a second season....

[/ QUOTE ]

And I will laugh my arse off if they require the recent radio drama to follow what's going on.

/didn't think Haruhi was bad
//still doesn't get the hype

[something]

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iserlohn said:
And I will laugh my arse off if they require the recent radio drama to follow what's going on.

[/ QUOTE ]
Not terribly likely.

[Ty]

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disarm said:
I'll kill anyone KyoAni desires for a second season....

[/ QUOTE ]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but according to information that's now floating around the net KyoAni's next project after Kanon is going to be based off a manga called LuckyStar. So, if we are getting another season it definitely isn't coming soon. /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

[Gatts]

Lucky Star (http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~LS-DB/) has a lot of moe characters so I'm sure many people here will like it. Volume 1 samples from Kadokawa (http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/comic/tachiyomi/200410000062/index.html)

[bobma]

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Gatts said:
Lucky Star (http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~LS-DB/) has a lot of moe characters so I'm sure many people here will like it. Volume 1 samples from Kadokawa (http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/comic/tachiyomi/200410000062/index.html)

[/ QUOTE ]

Seeing those character designs, I hope there'll be a lot of adapting going on before they get animated.

Oh well, there goes my hope for a remake of Berserk as their next project. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[something]

[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but according to information that's now floating around the net KyoAni's next project after Kanon is going to be based off a manga called LuckyStar. So, if we are getting another season it definitely isn't coming soon. /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
That sucks muchly. I still can't imagine they'd completely pass up doing more though, especially since there IS story left to tell. Including, you know, the events that started it all /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

Well, I just hope they do a second season eventually. If it's not now, then not much we can do but wait and hope.

[Suwako Moriya]

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
Well, I just hope they do a second season eventually. If it's not now, then not much we can do but wait and hope.

[/ QUOTE ]

Honestly my gut feeling tells me it's best to assume it will be at least a few other projects (series) being done before a second season of the series comes up. The reason I say this is simple. First it takes time to create a season. Second it's quite possible they may have a few projects planned ahead of time. Along with whatever contracts are involved in the making of these said projects.

In short it's possible that it may take awhile for an opening to appear in Kyoto-Animation's plans. Of course even when an opening does appear they may not decide to fill it with more Haruhi. Heck for all we know they may not be allowed to make more. Yeah you could say "They would be stupid to not allow them to make more", but well stupid things do happen.

Either way it would be nice if they made a second season sometime in the future. Still I wonder how many seasons of the 12-14 episode variety it would take to cover the novels that are currently out. I have a feeling even if they make a second season the only result is people would end up asking for a third season.

[Ty]

[ QUOTE ]
Gatts said:
Lucky Star (http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~LS-DB/) has a lot of moe characters so I'm sure many people here will like it. Volume 1 samples from Kadokawa (http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/comic/tachiyomi/200410000062/index.html)

[/ QUOTE ]

That does indeed look mighty cute. I love how KyoAni picks up stuff like this that would usually end up being a low budget anime with shoddy animation. It's such a nice change of pace to see very well animated moe. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[something]

[ QUOTE ]
Yuzu Hieda said:
Still I wonder how many seasons of the 12-14 episode variety it would take to cover the novels that are currently out. I have a feeling even if they make a second season the only result is people would end up asking for a third season.

[/ QUOTE ]
I dunno. Is there THAT much more? I know there's more, definitely, but from what little (intentionally little) I know about the novels, another 12-14 episodes should cover it.

Or am I totally off base here? I mean, I'd certainly love to see more and more, but unless there's a lot of material, there'd be nothing to go on... not that I doubt KyoAni's ability to make original material, but ::shrugs::

[pianocello]

I've started watching a few episodes and quite frankly I'm not seeing what the hype is all about. I must admit that the "poorly-made movie" in the 1st episode was an interesting idea but after that, I'm finding that I cannot stand Haruhi's character. She reminds me of a mixture of Ran Kotobuki and Excel - two characters I really hate. I'm not finding the humor that funny - I find it lacks direction compared to say, Magipoka, where the humor builds up to a punchline. And people have been saying about the ED is awesome but quite frankly Joshikousei had a better dancing ED.

I'll post more thoughts when I've finished this.

[something]

And people have been saying about the ED is awesome but quite frankly Joshikousei had a better dancing ED.
Don't feel like addressing anything else (no point until you finish, and even then I know you're one of the toughest critics on this forum), but man I hated Joshikousei's ed. It was so... awkward and uncomfortable to watch them squirm around like that. Didn't matter much though since I only could stomach one episode of that show :sd:

[Ty]

And people have been saying about the ED is awesome but quite frankly Joshikousei had a better dancing ED.
Don't feel like addressing anything else (no point until you finish, and even then I know you're one of the toughest critics on this forum), but man I hated Joshikousei's ed. It was so... awkward and uncomfortable to watch them squirm around like that. Didn't matter much though since I only could stomach one episode of that show :sd:
No kidding. I thought Joshikousei's ED had a creepy vibe to it. That whole show just felt wrong. Proof that it's entirely possible to take those kinds of shows too far into the realm of being not only stupid but disgusting too. I lasted no longer than you did.

I suppose if one doesn't get caught up in the whole energy of Haruhi Suzimiya the ED isn't quite as entertaining, but who can resist Yuki dancing along with them with her bored look on her cute little face? :)

[something]

I suppose if one doesn't get caught up in the whole energy of Haruhi Suzimiya the ED isn't quite as entertaining, but who can resist Yuki dancing along with them with her bored look on her cute little face? :)
I think it's just a matter of overhype too. I love the Haruhi ED but it's not the best I've ever seen... in fact I prefer the OP (song and animation) more.

The ED is just upbeat and fun, makes for great animated .gifs, and spawned a whole subculture of parodies, spinoffs and recreations :sd: It was fun watching those spawn exponentially on YouTube like a virus XD

[mandisaw]

I would like to know what exactly this show was actually about.
1. What exactly is the deal with Haruhi?
2. Also what is Mikuru's mission exactly?
3. Finally I guess I just don’t see why this show has such a large appeal.
As someone who unwillingly watched all of Suzumiya, and like you, didn't really "dig" it, maybe I can offer a different POV.

First, the show is essentially a standard high school romance, with one character who is clueless about their feelings (Kyon, for most of the series) and another character who is spastic about expressing their feelings (Haruhi). All of the metaphysical threat/instability to the world(s) can be taken as an extension of Haruhi's swirling emotions (boredom, jealousy, romanticism, whimsy).
In my more sarcastic moments, I just kept thinking that the trekkie-trio's jobs would be so much easier if they just forced Suzumiya and Kyon into the classic "blanket scenario", but then the show would end. :evil:

As for Mikuru's mission, disarm pretty much summed it up. Mikuru is an observer, but I think even within the show it goes a bit deeper. Why pick a busty ditz who attracts attention, when someone blander would have been a better, more neutral observer? I suspect that Mikuru was purposely chosen to be a foil and a stimulus to provoke a reaction from Haruhi. A risky sort of research, certainly, but potentially productive. From the outside of course, she's there to be the "busty ditz". Just like Yuki's the "bookish glasses girl", and Suzumiya's the "tomboyish firebrand", she's there for (some of) the fans.

And that brings up your last point, the show's popularity. Honestly, it's got a lot of disparate pieces that people like (the aforementioned cute girls, sf/f elements, observer with a dry wit, non-linear narrative). From the beginning, I identified with Kyon in his "well, let's see where this goes" attitude. The non-linear stuff is getting a bit old to me (QT/RR & Chris Nolan do it in movies all the time) but lots of people still get a kick out of it. And I've learned never to underestimate the power of a well-selected cast of misfits and oddballs, whether male or female. I think if all those things (and more) click for you, then Suzumiya comes off as a great series, but if only a couple of things peak your interest, then it's just a cute, shiny show.

[something]

In my more sarcastic moments, I just kept thinking that the trekkie-trio's jobs would be so much easier if they just forced Suzumiya and Kyon into the classic "blanket scenario", but then the show would end. :evil:
I'm not sure what this means, but it sounds sexy.

Btw, really good review, you summed up some things better than I do in so many more words. See that, people? It's entirely possible to say something about a show you don't think is all that amazing and still be intelligent and helpful while doing so. Shame that seems to be so rare =(

[mandisaw]

In my more sarcastic moments, I just kept thinking that the trekkie-trio's jobs would be so much easier if they just forced Suzumiya and Kyon into the classic "blanket scenario", but then the show would end. :evil:
I'm not sure what this means, but it sounds sexy.

Btw, really good review, you summed up some things better than I do in so many more words. See that, people? It's entirely possible to say something about a show you don't think is all that amazing and still be intelligent and helpful while doing so. Shame that seems to be so rare =(

Thanks for the compliment. :)

"Blanket scenario" is an expression I picked up back when I discovered the strange, new (to me, at the time) world of fanfic. Basically you take two (or more) characters and put them in some contrived situation that forces them to take shelter together in a place with one bed/blanket. The curtains waft, the candles flutter, and they emerge in the morning/after the storm as a happy new couple (or as an awkward/angry non-couple). You get the cliche in sitcoms a lot, but it's usually a single-bed room in an over-booked hotel.

I actually thought that the Island Mystery episode of Suzumiya was goofing on that very cliche (the scene in the cave *almost* goes there). Alternately, I started to wonder if they were going for a "Ten Little Indians" theme (people disappear one-by-one, until only the detective & killer remain). Little did I know that they'd pull that trick properly at the end, sort of...

[something]

"Blanket scenario" is an expression I picked up back when I discovered the strange, new (to me, at the time) world of fanfic. Basically you take two (or more) characters and put them in some contrived situation that forces them to take shelter together in a place with one bed/blanket.
Hmmm, that could work. Lots of shows do that though, so maybe they could try something a little more like this: (1) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/disarm10/KHS_Haruhi_Doujin_24.jpg) ~~~> (2) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/disarm10/KHS_Haruhi_Doujin_25.jpg)

=D

[Fencedude]

Hmmm, that could work. Lots of shows do that though, so maybe they could try something a little more like this: (1) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/disarm10/KHS_Haruhi_Doujin_24.jpg) ~~~> (2) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/disarm10/KHS_Haruhi_Doujin_25.jpg)

=D

Is it bad that KyonXRyoko is by far my favorite pairing in the show?

[Dylonius Funk]

In my more sarcastic moments, I just kept thinking that the trekkie-trio's jobs would be so much easier if they just forced Suzumiya and Kyon into the classic "blanket scenario", but then the show would end. :evil:
I'm not sure what this means, but it sounds sexy.



Thanks for the compliment. :)

"Blanket scenario" is an expression I picked up back when I discovered the strange, new (to me, at the time) world of fanfic. Basically you take two (or more) characters and put them in some contrived situation that forces them to take shelter together in a place with one bed/blanket. The curtains waft, the candles flutter, and they emerge in the morning/after the storm as a happy new couple (or as an awkward/angry non-couple). You get the cliche in sitcoms a lot, but it's usually a single-bed room in an over-booked hotel.



I can expand on that a little bit. I think the fanfic idea came form the world of sitcoms where writers would often put characters who ahd conflict together in a confined space, usually sometihng like a locked basement or elevator, but something where they couldn't elave but wre in no immediate danger. While the people outside worked to get them out, the two who didn't get along would end up talking and slowly begin to understand eahc other so that by the time they were able to elave, they had become somewhat friends or at least didn't hate each other as much as they did.

A good example of this is a Friends episode from Season 1 called The One With The Birth. This is the episode where Ross's ex wife Carol is giving birth to their son and he and her new partner Susan are fighting so Phoebe drags them off toa janitor closet to try to make them get along. Well since it;s a sitcom they end up locked in and risk missing the birth. Eventually they manage to make their way out of the closet and even agree to name the baby Ben, due to seeing the name on a janitors jumpsuit in the closet where they somewhat made a truce to be civil to one another, for Carol's sake. I know MASH had at least one Hawkeye/ Hot Lips episode liek this as well, and I'm sure other sitcoms have also.

[Teiresias]

You guys are no doubt aware that the so-called "blanket scenario" originates in the 1934 film "It Happened One Night?"

You may recall that unmarried Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert challenged the infamous Hays Code (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hays_code) of the era by sharing a bedroom (SCANDAL!). They got away with it by erecting a blanket between the two beds ("The wall of Jericho").

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that all that came later in various sitcoms and films were riffing on this famous scene.

[Njr Scrawl]

I've started watching a few episodes and quite frankly I'm not seeing what the hype is all about. I must admit that the "poorly-made movie" in the 1st episode was an interesting idea but after that, I'm finding that I cannot stand Haruhi's character. She reminds me of a mixture of Ran Kotobuki and Excel - two characters I really hate. I'm not finding the humor that funny - I find it lacks direction compared to say, Magipoka, where the humor builds up to a punchline. And people have been saying about the ED is awesome but quite frankly Joshikousei had a better dancing ED.

I'll post more thoughts when I've finished this.

Interesting. Ran & Excel are not the real stars of their show, only front women. Of course the real stars are Ami & Hyatt respectively ;)

Joshi Kousei's ending is meant to be creepy. After all, why else those Umetsou drawings (he also did one of the inter-episode omakes) & deliberately sounding off-tune song. I like its opening, which is similar to Gokusen, another offbeat school based show.

JK's 1st several episodes are weak, but from the swimming episode it gets funnier, & then more poignant, as the characters are given more individual air time. JK is a semi-satire on shonen & shoujo school series, but with role reversal - why its called girlie (comics) for boys & girls.

Anyway, Haruhi also needs to be watched with an open mind IMO. Never a bad thing for any anime show :)

[braifordly]

This series is Anime Gold. I think the real question is what's up with the cat in the first episode. And he's in all of the freakin' ending credits!! I personally think that he's an alien like Yuki, who she convinced not to kill kyon. But that's just me.

[something]

This series is Anime Gold. I think the real question is what's up with the cat in the first episode. And he's in all of the freakin' ending credits!! I personally think that he's an alien like Yuki, who she convinced not to kill kyon. But that's just me.
Fencedude incoming, 5, 4, 3, 2...

Anyway, the cat is addressed in later novels apparently, though not necessarily as a significant thing.

[Andrew Kent]

Right; the cat is from book 2, and was involved in the shooting of the movie. Briefly, it was a talking cat, but with the resolution of the various weirdness of the movie shoot, he became a non-talking cat. ;p

[pianocello]

I've been often asked why I finish a series even though my initial impressions are not favorable.

I'm more than halfway through the series and I must say that from ep 4 onwards, it's like I'm watching a different series. Color me impressed.

I think though one of the big problems is that the producers and fans of the show keep trying to market and promote this show like a high school comedy. To do so is setting up folks (like me ) for disappointment(because one is just going to expect a wacky comedy like School Rumber and quite frankly this show's comedy isn't that funny unless you enjoy watching Haruhi act like she's going to rape Mikuru :roll: or acting like an ass to everyone). A better idea is to sell this show as a sci-fi mystery (I'm thinking alongst the lines of Lain and Boogiepop Phantom. At the very least, it should be treated like a high school romantic comedy with very dark and mysterious elements in the background.
Quite frankly, when it was revealed that there is more to the characters than meets the eye, that was when the story became interesting. I also initially found it hard to care about the characters but later when I started liking the characters (my liking of a show is strongly dependent on whether I can like the characters), that my impression of the show changed. The later episodes helped me to identify more with the characters. Maybe it was just that I saw a little of myself in them but essentially we find out that despite their exterior personality (which might turn some off), deep inside they are actually very lonely and do long for company (and maybe that is why the 5 of them are drawn to each other)

I doubt this will be in my top 5 and I still think that some of its hype is blown way out of proportion but I've been impressed from ep 4 onwards. Will post my final thoughts after finishing the series.

[something]

I think though one of the big problems is that the producers and fans of the show keep trying to market and promote this show like a high school comedy. To do so is setting up folks (like me ) for disappointment
Putting aside that many people would wholeheartedly disagree that it's not funny, the fact that it was not "just another wacky high school comedy" is why we like it so much more than we would if it were "just another wacky hig school comedy". Those shows are great when done right (your example, School Rumble, is one of the best shows I've ever seen!), but that's not what Haruhi is, as you've seen, and rather than setting up for disappointment, most of us felt the opposite: pleasantly surprised!

A better idea is to sell this show as a sci-fi mystery (I'm thinking alongst the lines of Lain and Boogiepop Phantom.
That overstates the "darkness" far too much, I think. I'm not sure where you are in the show that you feel such overwhelming darkness (first part of the island arc maybe?) Sure sci-fi mysery is in large part an aspect of the show, absolutely no doubt, but marketing it as a Lain-like show? Now that would be deceptive. It's fundamentally mysterious and very intelligent, just like Lain, but it's significantly more active and upbeat and lighthearted (most of the time) than Lain or Boogiepop could ever be considered -- they're just different types of shows entirely.

At the very least, it should be treated like a high school romantic comedy with very dark and mysterious elements in the background.
Again, I don't know how dark you're looking for, but I do think they've made explicit attempts to get both aspects (including the mystery/scifi) into their marketing. The latter is just somewhat more subtle because... well you're watching the show, you know that if you came into it totally expecting all the sci-fi mystery stuff, none of that would have been as surprisingly refreshing. You come in expecting yet another comedy with little else, fun and perky but not necessarily "unique", and then it throws you for a loop. I think they have to walk a very fine line in how they market that, but they are certainly not ignoring the "sci-fi/mystery" aspect ...I mean, hell, been to R1 lately? =P

Maybe it was just that I saw a little of myself in them but essentially we find out that despite their exterior personality (which might turn some off), deep inside they are actually very lonely and do long for company (and maybe that is why the 5 of them are drawn to each other)
I agree with this. I'll hold off some reasons until you're done,s ince I don't know where you are right now, but you hit on a big part of what gives this show "depth", if you stop and think about it.

Will post my final thoughts after finishing the series.
I want to say I think you'll like it based on what you said so far, but since I have no idea where you are when you make that comment... It's hard to say :sd:

Edit: Ok, you did say "more than half way" so you may well have written that after or during the first episode of the island arc.

[Daniel_Perales]

I watched this show some time ago (on my laptop PC while I was on the train on my way to and from this past Otakon). I thought that it was a decent show. Not like the "second coming of anime" the way some are making it out to be. The broadcast order sure threw me for a loop a bit.

I'll buy the show when Bandai start releasing it on R1 (or dare I say, Blu-ray), later this coming year.


Danny

[something]

I'll buy the show when Bandai start releasing it on R1 (or dare I say, Blu-ray), later this coming year.
Nah, I don't see it coming out in a HD format so soon. Not until the DVD run is sucked dry for sales, then in a few years they can go with whatever HD format won (if either still exists) for a second round of buys.

[Ty]

I'll buy the show when Bandai start releasing it on R1 (or dare I say, Blu-ray), later this coming year.
Nah, I don't see it coming out in a HD format so soon. Not until the DVD run is sucked dry for sales, then in a few years they can go with whatever HD format won (if either still exists) for a second round of buys.


I can see some HD format re-releases coming starting in 2008 or so for popular series, but they're going to give them a wide time frame and distance them from the original release for sure.