The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

Assuming that a standard episode is about 20 minutes long, many would ask, “Couldn’t they just have taken out some “Endless Eight” episodes and add this movie into the 2009 Haruhi season?” However, with The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya being 2 hours and 40 minutes, it would not be possible to fit it into a 14 episode season without condensing the majority of the plot and the monologues of Kyon. First and foremost, this movie is indeed a sequel to both of the previous two seasons of Haruhi. Watching this movie without seeing both seasons is not suggested. For those who have seen both seasons, Isuggest first taking time to remember some plot details and characters. First of all, who is Ryoko Asakura? If you remember from season one of Haruhi you would know that she is yet another alien in the same ranks as Nagato Yuki. In (chronologically) episode 4 of the first season of Haruhi she tries to kill Kyon by stabbing him. Second you should refresh your memories on the first episode of the second season of Haruhi, “Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody”, which is when Kyon goes back in time to help Haruhi draw lines on school grounds but then gets trapped in the past. Since the plot summary isn’t too well done on the website, I’ll give a brief go. The plot starts on December 16. In about a week, Christmas will hit, so the SOS Brigade decides to have a Christmas party in which Haruhi will make a hotpot for all the members to enjoy. On the morning of December 18, Kyon goes to school to find the strangest thing: Haruhi has gone missing and there are no aliens, espers, or time travelers anymore. As bizarre events keep occurring one after the other, he finds that he is the only person who still knows who Haruhi is. As Kyon loses all hope, he goes to the club room and finds, in one of the books, a bookmark with Nagato Yuki’s hand writing. Striving to figure out its mysterious message, Kyon goes out and tries to find the key to changing the world back to how it used to be. The plot is exceptional, with a huge plot twist in the middle. The monologues are very well done, including a really epic monologue near the end of the movie. The amount of thought put into the entirety of the plot is also well done; just by reading the plot summary will automatically suck you in. You will be on the edge of your seat the whole time trying to figure out the reasons for these bizarre events. There are some epic moments that really bring out your emotions. You will, at least one, feel tingles down your spine; for me it happened like 10-20 times. The plot is just that well put together that your body can’t help but to let you feel it epicness. Time travel is AMAZINGLY done in this movie. Your mind will be blown by the end of this movie because of time travel. One point in argument is that there are loose ends to the movie. This, of course, is part of the story because it will tie in with the seventh light novel of Haruhi (This movie being the fourth), so the movie automatically is open to a sequel, which of course is a really good thing. The art is amazing, just as good, if not better, than the TV series. There is a fair share of flashy lights and warping colors when time travel or alien sequences occur. The art is wonderfully beautiful at Kyon’s monologue near the end; trust me when you see it you’ll know. The music is of course amazing, the OP is Bouken Desho Desho, sung by Hirano Aya (Haruhi) and is the OP to Haruhi season one, and the ED is Yasashii Boukyaku sung by Minori Chihara (Yuki) which is peaceful sad melody. The overall OST is amazing and I would definitely get it since it combines sad music with upbeat music when Kyon makes a breakthrough in trying to solve the mysterious occurrence. Characters are at their best in this movie. Kyon is the central character and makes the biggest change in this movie. He comes to an ultimate realization of everything he was living for: Does he like the life with aliens, espers, and time travelers? Nagato Yuki would be another major character because her life, not as a humanoid interface, but as a human grows. She gains a little bit of emotions and is able to realize her true feelings. Even in the end, Kyon realizes that he has never been thankful everything that Nagato has done for him and ultimately saves her. Even minor characters play a big role, for example Taniguchi, who is ultimately the one who saves Kyon from absolute despair. Haruhi in the distorted world is just a normal person, but without her help, Kyon would not have been saved. The characters are amazingly done and you will love the way they are all presented. Overall, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is a plot filled, plot twisting, emotional giving, character changing, enjoyment giving, plot loving, mind blowing, time traveling, time distorting, epic bringing, ultimate awesomeness, wonderfully put together, amazingly amazing story. There is only one scene in the movie that is particularly different from the light novel; this would be when Kyon and Asahina encounter Nagato at the school early in the morning (you'll know when), the movie has the scene take place outside the school gates, where in the novel it takes place inside the clubroom; however, I would say putting that particular scene outside was a good call. Fans and haters alike will not be able to deny that this movie is amazing and will love every moment of it. As I said many times before, Kyon’s monologue near the end is wonderfully epic and you will love every moment of it with a passion. Your two hours and forty minutes will not be in vain in any manner, shape, or form. The DVD will come out in 8 to 11 months and you WILL rewatch it because it is just THAT good, I wouldn’t be surprised if I watch it two to three more times. The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is a wonderful experience and might be the best anime this 2010 year. I posted this review in a blog, so please feel free to leave a comment.

I’ve always had mixed feelings about the show where the esper, the alien, the time traveler, and the normal highschool student all gathered together to entertain that certain ecstatic girl. However, as time passed by, it ended up being one of my favourite guilty pleasures. How could I forget the super fun misadventures of the SOS Brigade? Kyon’s snarky attitude? Haruhi’s one of a kind personality? And, most of all, Mikuru’s tea? The series, though arguably mediocre, had some very fun moments. So where does this movie, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, stand? Story/Presentation: I’m going to skip over the synopsis, since you can already readone with a button away. Due to the hype behind this film, it’s practically common knowledge that this movie has a complete different tone compared to the hyperactive series. It starts off like any other episode from the show, and then slowly transitions into a more solemn tone. Sure, it isn’t dark as something Gen Urobuchi would write, but in contrast to the series, it’s quite the difference. The use of tone is used well, and it helps make the movie feel a lot more believable than the show (assuming you have a suspension of disbelief). Though the tone was one of the film’s highpoints, I can’t help but feel that it makes it a tad, just a tad, disjointed from the series. People expecting more misadventures from the original show will be sorely disappointed in this movie’s change for a serious plot. The pacing also deserves mention. The beginning of the film is very slow and deliberate, and though many people may criticize it for being boring, I found it to be good writing. Sure, it may seem a bit dragging at times, and it really doesn’t pick up until a big plot twist ¼ of the movie in, but that’s the writer’s intention. It’s supposed to give the viewer the sense of the dull normal world Kyon’s facing after Haruhi’s disappearance, this being reality. In terms of the story itself, it turns out to be quite the intricate tale, at least compared to the series. Many plot twists come along the way, and for the most part, the film remains unpredictable. Time travel also has a big role, and it really made me think, which is something I can’t say for the show. However, my favourite part about the story is how it uses past events from the series, as many subplots and character motivations come back and play their role here. When it comes down to it, the writing here has moments of absolute brilliance. Its connection to the series can be, to some, a downfall, as this isn’t a standalone. To watch this, the viewer must have knowledge of the first two seasons. Another flaw of this film is its association to the source material. It leaves a few plot threads dangling and a few unanswered questions by the ending (I will refrain from spoilers), and until we get more of the series animated, these plot threads will remain unanswered (unless you consult said source material). Characters: I loved the eccentric cast from the series. Sure, they mostly followed typical stereotypes, but they did so in a refreshing matter that made them memorable. If there’s one thing that bugged me about the series, it is the lack of characterization. Though one shouldn’t expect much of such from a slice of life show, it was shame that most of the characters weren’t given much depth on their own and in their relationships. In addition, they never really felt like real people. This is yet another highlight of the movie. Kyon is our point of view in this movie, and after Haruhi disappears, all his motivations and interactions with other characters are completely believable. The best part of his characterization comes to play when he starts to question whether he prefers the supernatural world he always complained about or the normal life he wanted from the beginning. His decision regarding that aspect says a lot about his character. Another character I’d like to mention is Yuki Nagato. We’ve all known her as the monotone emotionless alien/robot, and now we see her as a quite shy bookworm. How she got that way comes from her motivations from the previous season, and her actions in this movie really strengthens our view of her as a character. Did she really feel nothing throughout all the events of the original show? Is she really the emotionless drone we all thought she was? Surprisingly, Haruhi herself, despite being part of the driving force, doesn’t get as much screen time as one might expect. That’s not to say she was used poorly, and on that note, all the side characters were used well and they each held their respective purpose in the movie strongly. Art/Animation: Ah, Kyoto Animation. Feast your eyes, ladies and gentlemen, for this movie is a visual ecstasy when it comes to Japanese animation. The visual quality for the original series was already top notch, so just imagine Kyoto Ani squishing that entire budget on a 2 hour and 40 minute movie. I don’t think I need to say much more than that this film, from a visual standpoint, is absolutely stunning. The colours are vibrant and the animation is smooth. Speaking of the colours, they compliment the movie very well. In the beginning, the colours are bright to show the spunky life of the SOS Brigade, and when the movie transitions in tone, the colours become subtly darker to really drive home the dullness of an ordinary life. This is just a subtle but noticeable change, and that’s what I love about it. Music/Voice Acting: This has got to be one of my favourite soundtracks in anime of all time. Each track compliments the movie extremely well and every single one of them is fantastically orchestrated. There is a lot of range in atmosphere in the soundtrack, from upbeat to suspenseful to solemn. It goes without saying the soundtrack is excellent and is used masterfully well. As far as the English Dub goes, I really have no complaints. It is the same cast as the original series, and so if you had no issues there, then you shouldn’t have any here. Each actor continues to compliment his or her respective role well. As far as standouts go, they would have to be Crispin Freeman as Kyon and Michelle Ruff as Yuki Nagato. Crispin brings something new to the table as Kyon, going beyond the usual snarky attitude he usually has. Michelle Ruff wasn’t necessarily impressive in the original series (though in her defense, her character didn’t really call for anything special), and when it came to portraying the new side of Yuki Nagoto, she really delivers. She doesn’t go crazy and change her voice drastically. Instead, she subtly adds an indescribable… meekness to her performance. So yeah. The music and the dub are both fantastic. Final comments: This movie will give fans of the original series the fangasm they were wishing for, and even those who didn’t like the series might find something to enjoy here. Does this make the original series worth watching? In many ways, yes, it does. It’s a well-written movie with a great use of tone, amazing presentation, and masterful production values. It goes without saying that The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya gets a high recommendation from me. That’s all for my review, folks! Feedback would be greatly appreciated, whether it be praise or criticism.

First off i would like to start this review by saying that I found this movie very enjoyable. It was good just like the original series but possessed a different tone and threw in different elements that helped me see what was going on in the world a little deeper. STORY 9/10: I found the plot very interesting because they show you how the characters react to the events of Haruhi's disappearance(specifically Kyon). Within the original two seasons of the show Kyon is always complaining about all the ridiculous things that Haruhi gets him and the rest of the S.O.S Brigade into. But after she disappears andhe is in a world that he has no problems to complain about, he freaks out and investigates how he could change it back. They also go and show great development on Yuki when she has more emotions. Overall i found the plot pretty well driven and had a slightly slow pace, with an ending that doesn't really end. But i never found myself asking what happens next, it was a pretty satisfying show from beginning to end. ART/ANIMATION:9 I have always liked the art style that was used for this series and the animation was very good. It was easily better than average with lots of great moments. I personally never found a moment where the animation was poor or even average, it was some of the best i have ever seen. CHARACTERS:8 Even though i found Kyon and Yuki to be kind of generic and dull in the original series, i think they really stepped up in this movie. They both had very strong development. Kyon was able to go through an arc where he saw his life without the S.O.S Brigade and found that it wasnt hell for him he was actually having fun. Also for Yuki you actually got to see some emotion come out of her and see what she would act like if she were human. And lets not forget Haruhi that's all i have to say on her she is just a character that is great entertainment and really quite unique in my opinion. But now there were some generic characters like Itsuki and the classic moe character Mikuru so i gave this category an eight. ENJOYMENT:9 Remember this is my opinion. I really enjoyed watching this movie, even though it was almost three hours, it flew by. I found the plot interesting and I really loved how we were able to see a side of this series that had a little more drama and character development. OVERALL:9 With an average from all the other categories i give this a nine out of ten and a recommend anyone to watch this film when you have completed the original series, it is a MUST WATCH! Thank you for everyone who took the time to read my review and have a good day

In a time when originality is something rare to find in animes, it is the way the content is delivered that defines whether a show becomes great or not, and in this aspect the Haruhi Suzumiya series is when it shines the most. Everyone that knows the series knows that this franchise has always been the "odd guy" that stands out when it comes to the way things are presented or given to the fans, with jumbled chronological airing, or slipping new episodes into what would be otherwise a "re-run" of the old series, or repeating the same events for 8 different episodes. While theabove actions gained the love and hate of many, it is without a doubt that the series is one of the most recognized animes of this decade, and after 2 anime seasons Kyoto Animation has decided to continue its adaptation of the light novel series with this movie. While most fans were expecting this adaptation to occur during the show's 2009 run, Kadokawa and Kyoto Animation decided that a movie would suit the content of this novel more (or because they just wanted more money). And while their execution of the 2009 episodes is questionable, I believe it was worth the wait in order to get this film. Story: + As trademark KyoAni, the movie provides a near carbon copy adaptation of the novel, so fans dont need to worry about this aspect. In fact, KyoAni took some liberties and added a few scenes and dialogue every now and then. + At a staggering 2 hours and 42 minutes run, the movie actually manages for the most part to remain interesting leaving the audience wondering just what will come next, so even though its length is intimidating for some people the movie might just go by pretty fast. + The movie's story manages to pull from pretty much everything that the series has gone through plot wise and use it in some way or another to further the events of the film. This is not a movie that a newcomer can just walk into, as A LOT of previous events are referenced throughout the movie. Those who sat through ALL the episodes (2006 and 2009) will be rewarded the most. - While the movie has an incredibly interesting plot, the movie's length itself could also become a problem to some viewers, specially some scenes that could have been trimmed a little to save time and pace since they didnt really include much other than having Kyon sitting, or just walking in silence. - Those who were turned off by the 2009 episodes might be a bit annoyed to know that while the movie is perfectly watchable as long as you only watched the 1st episode "Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody", living through the endless eight could improve your views on the movie. Art: + Unquestionably the most graphically impressive work Kyoto Animation has pulled off yet. And personally I have not seen such impressive and fluid animation from pretty much any anime series/movies before in the past. This movie is a looker, guaranteed. + The backgrounds sometimes look like they just got lazy and used real life photos, but I can assure you...they are not...its all drawn and it looks amazing. + It is not only the background images but also the actual background objects as well, people, cars, wind...this movie always has something going on in the background. Sound: + Sugita Tomokazu needs a damn award for this, he has always been great voicing Kyon...but this time his performance was just a step up from pretty much anything I've heard him voice before. Chihara Minori also deserves mention for being able to handle Nagato great, especially on this arc which requires extra attention to detail. + While a lot of the movie was somewhat quiet. When you started hearing music actually starting to play, you knew sh!t was going down, one of the best uses of soundtrack I've heard in a while. + The entire movie is alive with sound, cars, people, even small things like the sound a metal doorknob makes when its grabbed created its proper sound. A truly impressive work to the last detail. - The only reason I did not give this a 10, is because while the soundtrack itself is truly amazing, a lot of the movie itself did not feature any type of background music except for when actual important events started to happen. Which might make some people lose focus on the film. Character: + This is the movie's main feature, and IMO where it nails it. While Haruhi herself is the title character, this movie really is mostly about 2 characters, Kyon and Yuki Nagato. + Yuki Nagato undergoes its most severe character development yet for the series, as fans might be delighted to see her growing on the inside and possibly outside. I dont want to spoil much but this movie might give some people a new view on Nagato's character. + The true star of this movie however, is Kyon. He undergoes probably the biggest change out of all the characters as he finally comes to a personal choice about where he stands on the SOS Brigade. And while I dont want to spoil much, watching him struggle with himself and coming to terms with what he truly wants was truly amazing. - The lack of involvement of Mikuru (small), Koizumi and even Haruhi herself might disappoint some of their fans. Enjoyment: Ever since I read novel 4 three years ago, I had been waiting for the time KyoAni would animate it. And now that it has finally arrived, I can say that the many years of wait where worth it. I came into this movie with VERY high expectations because I knew that Kyoto Animation can produce very high quality shows when they try, and even though I had high expectation, I was still blown away even if I watched this from a pretty bad quality camrip. I do not give away a 10/10 score just like that...but if I ever had to give one, this movie definitely earned it. Overall: If you have watched the TV series (but at this point who hasnt?), I highly recommend, no...it is MANDATORY that you watch this movie. The 2009 run of the series put off a lot of people from the franchise and left a bitter taste in the mouth of many, but do not turn your backs on the series yet. This movie might just make you regain your faith in what the Haruhi series can deliver and in the case of those who were never really fans of the series, it might just improve your views on it. This movie felt like the culmination of what the first 28 TV episodes of the series has achieved, and with a few more novels still untouched you can bet for sure that the name of the Haruhi Suzumiya series will continue to live for now and for many years into the future.