What is the best way (order) to watch The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

[animetum]

Is the chronological episode order, or Japanese episode order of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya better?

Also, any idea when season 2 comes out in Japan?

[Fencedude]

Is the chronological episode order, or Japanese episode order of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya better?

Also, any idea when season 2 comes out in Japan?

Broadcast order.

Also, season 2 should, in theory, be out sometime next year.

[something]

There's a thread in recommendations asking just this question already (and a few dozen existing threads from before).

[stardf29]

Actually, I prefer to watch it in the following order:

(The following are the episode titles)
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya III
Live A Live
The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya
Remote Island Syndrome (Part I)
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya V
Day of Sagittarius
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya VI
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya I
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya II
Someday in the Rain
Remote Island Syndrome (Part II)
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya IV
Mikuru Asahina's Adventure Episode 00
Mysterious Sign

That is, undoubtedly the best order, and needs no explanation as to why.

[vtr9kvictor]

Is the chronological episode order, or Japanese episode order of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya better?

Also, any idea when season 2 comes out in Japan?

Broadcast order. Accept no substitutes.

[Isuzu Inugami]

Broadcast order is probably more engaging for the first time through.

But I'm starting to think this question constitutes religious discussion.... :horse:

[tanahome]

Broadcast order is probably more engaging for the first time through.

But I'm starting to think this question constitutes religious discussion.... :horse:
i wanted to ask this same question too before i watch the series. so what's the broadcast order again?

and why did Bandai release MoHS in the episodic order instead of the broadcast order? i guess it's really probably be because that's normally how anime series are released.

[Redcoffin]

There is no good order. :evil:

[Daniel_Perales]

Broadcast order is probably more engaging for the first time through.

But I'm starting to think this question constitutes religious discussion.... :horse:

I just finished watching the whole series just 2 days, ago. I've watched it in both broadcast (some time ago) and the chronological order (the dub). And honestly, the broadcast order sort of confused me at first, but watching it in it's chronological order, the series made a bit more sense to me.

However, there was about 2 or 3 episodes that felt like it was just thrown in at random. It didn't matter which particular order I've watched it.

Anyway, it's a good series, even thought it's a bit too over-rated.


Danny

[Suwako Moriya]

and why did Bandai release MoHS in the episodic order instead of the broadcast order? i guess it's really probably be because that's normally how anime series are released.

The correct term is chronological order. It can also be called DVD order because that's the order the R2s were released in. Which is why the R1s are in the same order.

Still based on watching it both ways, I'd say each order has its pluses. Broadcast creates a better climax and adds backshadowing along with foreshadowing. However chronological allows for a change of pace. Where the first half is the drama and the second half is the slice of life.

I ended up watching broadcast order first by default and then later watched chronological order. Heck since the broadcast DVDs are subbed only, I like the idea of the following. Watch broadcast order subbed and chronological dubbed. Granted it doesn't work for those who only listen to one track.

[The Great Bear]

I'm starting to think this question constitutes religious discussion.... :horse:

Agreed.

[Suwako Moriya]

I'm starting to think this question constitutes religious discussion.... :horse:

Agreed.

How about this for a final solution? First Bandai writes the name of each episode on to a piece of paper. They're put into a pot. Each week they have a drawing to determine the episode watched for the week. Then after all the names are exhausted the process is repeated. It's inane and silly enought to (not) work. Screw Chronological or Broadcast for random lottery order will be more fun ;) *Waits for someone else to give a crazier suggestion*

[Isuzu Inugami]

Actually, I prefer to watch it in the following order:

(The following are the episode titles)
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya III
Live A Live
The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya
Remote Island Syndrome (Part I)
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya V
Day of Sagittarius
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya VI
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya I
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya II
Someday in the Rain
Remote Island Syndrome (Part II)
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya IV
Mikuru Asahina's Adventure Episode 00
Mysterious Sign

That is, undoubtedly the best order, and needs no explanation as to why.

Yes, but you forgot to tell him to watch the opening theme in the middle of each episode. The whole experience falls to pieces if you don't do that.

[Sensuifu]

Screw Chronological or Broadcast for random lottery order will be more fun ;) *Waits for someone else to give a crazier suggestion*

It helps to watch all the episodes simultaneously to avoid any order confusion...

[KK1]

If you've never watched it or read the novels, then watch the broadcast order, otherwise watch it in chronological. I don't think it would have had the same impact on me had I originally watched it in chronological order, though honestly I almost didn't get past the first (ep 0) episode though something about Haruhi at the end with the gleam in her eye piqued my interest enough to continue.

[zoot]

Broadcast order, starting from episode 2 ...

[mandisaw]

I've watched it in both broadcast (some time ago) and the chronological order (the dub). And honestly, the broadcast order sort of confused me at first, but watching it in it's chronological order, the series made a bit more sense to me.
[...]
Anyway, it's a good series, even thought it's a bit too over-rated.
This pretty much sums up my opinion of Suzumiya. I thought it was okay, but over-hyped and confusing, in its original subbed broadcast order. But upon later re-watching it dubbed in chronological order, the dramatic progression built up to a nice satisfying sub-climax. The "slice-of-life" episodes add nice character development, and leave things open for later series/novels.

Purists may vote for broadcast order for its own sake, but I'd say for clarity's sake, watch it in chrono order. It's a much more hilarious and enjoyable series that way, since you can focus on the wacky characters, rather than trying to figure out WTF is going on.

[stardf29]

Yes, but you forgot to tell him to watch the opening theme in the middle of each episode. The whole experience falls to pieces if you don't do that.


Well, isn't that a given too? I suppose it's a little less obvious... but yes, the opening theme must be watched in the middle.

Watching the ending theme at the beginning is suggested, but not strictly necessary; I've heard others who prefer to watch it seven minutes into the show.

...Ah, whatever. Obviously, I don't really care about this stuff. The only thing I can say is: if you watch it in chronological order, don't complain about the ending being totally anticlimatic. :P

(I personally prefer broadcast order, but that's more because I have something for anachronistic orders... of course, my previous suggestion was fabricated completely from a random number generator. :D )

[LenMiyata]

I've watched it in both broadcast (some time ago) and the chronological order (the dub). And honestly, the broadcast order sort of confused me at first, but watching it in it's chronological order, the series made a bit more sense to me.
[...]
Anyway, it's a good series, even thought it's a bit too over-rated.
This pretty much sums up my opinion of Suzumiya. I thought it was okay, but over-hyped and confusing, in its original subbed broadcast order. But upon later re-watching it dubbed in chronological order, the dramatic progression built up to a nice satisfying sub-climax. The "slice-of-life" episodes add nice character development, and leave things open for later series/novels.

Purists may vote for broadcast order for its own sake, but I'd say for clarity's sake, watch it in chrono order. It's a much more hilarious and enjoyable series that way, since you can focus on the wacky characters, rather than trying to figure out WTF is going on.
Grumble Grumble Grumble

Now having watched the original broadcast order in fansubs, and chronological order on the LE DVD release, I find that the chronological order (with the climax happening in episode 6) gives the impression of Haruhi for the rest of the series as a ticking time bomb waiting to go off, while the broadcast order extends the mystery of who (and what) Haruhi actually is, leading up to the climax ending...

[tanahome]

i'm just going to flip a coin... =p~

[Suwako Moriya]

i'm just going to flip a coin... =p~

Wait before you can flip that coin we need to have a long winded debate on which side of the coin represents which order!

[Isuzu Inugami]

i'm just going to flip a coin... =p~

Wait before you can flip that coin we need to have a long winded debate on which side of the coin represents which order!

Don't listen to the coin--it's biased toward equal probabilities!

[Suwako Moriya]

i'm just going to flip a coin... =p~

Wait before you can flip that coin we need to have a long winded debate on which side of the coin represents which order!

Don't listen to the coin--it's biased toward equal probabilities!

And I'm sure you're going to mention to us a better alternative to the coin.

[Fudce]

i'm just going to flip a coin... =p~

Wait before you can flip that coin we need to have a long winded debate on which side of the coin represents which order!

Don't listen to the coin--it's biased toward equal probabilities!
And what if it lands on the edge?

[DKL]

I have watched this in broadcast order recently and have come to the conclusion that...

The show amasses epic win regardless of how you watch it; QED, thank you bitches (which I don't mean in a disrespectful way... just a general term for people).

But seriously, I liked it both ways...

Though, broadcast order seems more like a gimmick than anything.

That said, the thing I noticed is that it's easier to keep track of all the neat little clues about Haruhi's feelings in chronological order...

For example:

I liked the thing in the baseball episode where Haruhi attempts to tie Mikuru's hair into a pony-tail, but she kinda stops given that Kyon has a pony-tail moe *as mentioned in the previous episode in chronological order* and doesn't want him fawning all over Mikuru because of it.

On the other hand, you also notice some details missing when you watch it in chronological order, such as:

The fact that I don't see the damn talking cat introduced anywhere, despite the fact that I passed the episode where they supposedly put "The Adventures of the SOS Brigade" video together...

In fact, there should've been an episode where they actually document the shooting of the video; that would've been great.

ALSO, as far as broadcast order is concerned, I was originally under impression that:

They were gonna switch around the episodes where that Asakura chick disappeared... given that there were literally almost NO blatant hints about how Kyon was involved in anything *other than the thing with Yuki vaguely alluding to it*, it would've been cooler to air the "hey, she disappeared and went to Canada for some reason" episode first... and then like, you find out WHY she disappeared later (as it would've made a nice buildup to the episode where Haruhi and Kyon get transported to another world Haruhi creates as well)

But yeah...

Point still stands that the show is EPIC either way you watch it.

[The Great Bear]

i'm just going to flip a coin... =p~Wait before you can flip that coin we need to have a long winded debate on which side of the coin represents which order!Don't listen to the coin--it's biased toward equal probabilities!And what if it lands on the edge?

Pffft. Coins. You should get someone to make you a 14-sided die, which you can roll to determine the order in which you watch it.

[KK1]

Honestly if you like it you will be watching more than once so watch broadcast order first because you'll never be able to experience it that way with the same surprise if you watch it chronological first.

[tanahome]

i'm just going to flip a coin... =p~Wait before you can flip that coin we need to have a long winded debate on which side of the coin represents which order!Don't listen to the coin--it's biased toward equal probabilities!And what if it lands on the edge?

Pffft. Coins. You should get someone to make you a 14-sided die, which you can roll to determine the order in which you watch it.
damn, i was going to ask what if it lands on the edge, but Fudce beat me to it. now, i like that 14-sided die idea. what happens if the same number is most likely to show up again? does that mean i have to re-watch that particular episode again? this could take forever to watch all 14 episodes! :laugh:

[CGord]

If you've never watched it or read the novels, then watch the broadcast order, otherwise watch it in chronological. I don't think it would have had the same impact on me had I originally watched it in chronological order, though honestly I almost didn't get past the first (ep 0) episode though something about Haruhi at the end with the gleam in her eye piqued my interest enough to continue.
LOL, I agree with this entirely! After about 5 minutes of ep 0, I fast-forwarded to see if it maintained the visual style through the whole episode. When I found it did, I checked out the next ep to see if the whole series looked like that, because if it did, I wouldn't be watching! Once I saw that it returned to a more typical style, I settled in for ep 0, & it's now one of my favoritest shows EVAR. :D

So, yeah. Broadcast order ftw.

[Isuzu Inugami]

i'm just going to flip a coin... =p~

Wait before you can flip that coin we need to have a long winded debate on which side of the coin represents which order!

Don't listen to the coin--it's biased toward equal probabilities!
And what if it lands on the edge?

Oh, "What if" "What if" "What if"!!
What if planes could fly? What if you could carry your phone around with you instead of plugging it into the wall? What if Piano Cello liked yuri? Stop confusing the issue with these ridiculous scenarios!

[rpmurray]

i'm just going to flip a coin... =p~

Wait before you can flip that coin we need to have a long winded debate on which side of the coin represents which order!

Don't listen to the coin--it's biased toward equal probabilities!

And I'm sure you're going to mention to us a better alternative to the coin.

Reverse broadcast order, then you get the whole Momento effect.

[Suwako Moriya]

Reverse broadcast order, then you get the whole Momento effect.

Ah figures someone would suggest that. You know what would have been really evil? If Kadokawa had said "Screw the Japanese Broadcast order and the Japanese DVD order, the U.S. gets a third order for its DVDS".