Second Haruhi novel release in the last 13 years. We truly are spoiled.

Also, there is a concert event that will reunite the original voice cast, which is cool if you live in Japan, I guess.

src: https://twitter.com/takatsuki_kubu/status/1713087756497555486

Contains spoilers for the full Haruhi series, season, season 2 and the movie. Though I guess if you are browsing a Haruhi community in the year 2023, you have seen it all already.

Spoilers begin below:

Haruhi has godlike powers and manifests her wishes into reality

Or does she?

I forget which LN it was in. Tanigawa briefly teased the concept that Haruhi wasn't the one with godlike powers, but it was actually Kyon. It wasn't a big tease. It was mentioned in an offhanded way in part of a paragraph and then never brought up again. However, it was a thought I had had before reading that, and seeing that Tanigawa even thought of it too (although maybe he only considered it as a throwaway line) sort of makes me feel like there is some substance there.

My understanding of this theory is that Kyon's desires manifest everything in the world, though because he is in such heavy denial that aliens, espers and time travelers exist, he can only envisage this sort of thing happening if someone else is manifesting it, that someone else of course being Ms Suzumiya.

As a semi-related side note: have any of you read the Michael Crichton novel The Sphere? Or seen the late 90s movie based on it? The idea of people wielding Haruhi-esque godlike powers and manifesting subconscious desires into reality is a major part of the plot in that story. Crichton (at least in the book version) also does a good job of writing about the psychology of how and why such a thing could happen. Actually, the first time I watched Haruhi and Koizumi explained her godlike powers, my thoughts immediately went to this book first.

src: https://twitter.com/ishiyuki00/status/1678053708012347393

src: https://twitter.com/ishiyuki00/status/1678053259020472321

src: https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/108991579

src: https://twitter.com/chorohanage/status/1659526731836059650

src: https://twitter.com/tttaaikkiii/status/1662788446845554688

src: https://twitter.com/tttaaikkiii/status/1655200086857748480

src: https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/3713421

src: https://twitter.com/Mayoi8943/status/1675170311199944705

See:

• “Ronald McDonald Insanity”. (2008). Nico Nico Douga. Original source (dead). Mirrored on YouTube.
• “The Genderbending of Haruhi Suzumiya”. (2008-02-20). Anime Suki Forums. Accessed 2023-08-15.

"Mikuru is worried about her bangs."

src: https://twitter.com/kuuma25_kuma/status/1580532572714508290

It's completely in Japanese with no subs. They talk a bit about Haruhi and Poputepipikku, where they voiced an episode together in season 2. It's quite a step above my level so I don't understand much.

Lyrics transcribed by @bhadgagerisov5378 2 years ago:

You know what, if I could solve all

The mysteries and wonders of this planet,

I would keep my mouth shut, and not ever tell a soul.

Maybe you just wish that I would

Be more energetic, and more peppy like you.

But honestly girl, I'm just not that kind of guy.

And then time goes crazy and goes "Boon".

From all the crazy, weird, and strange things happening,

I get swept in and then your delusions all start to take control!

And consume this whole world!

One sunny day, as clear as can be,

She that searches endlessly

For some magic life, causes me such strife

Since I just get dragged around!

Tomorrow, I wonder if I'll survive.

I amazed that I'm still alive!

So if you're happy now, just leave me alone!

If we are done here, can I please go home?

Go and chase your dream now.

Go and try to catch it.

Because I do not have a dream, just let me be.

There is one thing, that I know, it's that

You cannot predict what is in the future,

Even though the paths we could take are endless.

Oh crap! I see your eyes are twinkling.

Don't look at me now! I know what you are thinking!

Looking at the stars, I wish someone would rescue me.

She's wasting all of my time, "Byon".

Even if it's kinda cool, the things you want to play,

You just force the Brigade to your will regardless of what I say!

Please don't show up today!

Would you release that grasp on my hand?

What will it take for you to undestand?

Your huge freakish eyes are beaming with ideas

To change the world where we all stand!

Don't make your plans all based on a whim.

Think them all out before you begin!

I wish that you would change, or you're going to kill me

With at all that pressure inside your heart! Everywhere you go to

You drag me right behind you.

Everyday, my chest, my chest, my ... pounds way too much...

From all the strange and crazy things going on...

I get swept in and her delusions, they...

They gain control and they... get powerful and...

They consume this whole world!

One sunny day, as clear as can be,

She that searches endlessly

For some magic life, causes me such strife

Since I just get dragged around!

Tomorrow, I wonder if I'll survive.

I amazed that I'm still alive!

So if you're happy now, just leave me alone!

If we are done here, can I please go home?

Go and chase your dream now.

Go and try to catch it.

Because your dream is just, it's just, it's just a dream.

Judging from the video description, only Minori Chihara (Yuki Nagato) Yuko Goto (Mikuru Asahina) will participate in the live stream.

Air date: 2023-07-27T20:00+09

ChatGPT translation of video description below:

Title: Haruhi Collaboration Confirmed! "KonoSuba Fan Live!" #38

Description: The popular TV anime "KonoSuba" introduces its first smartphone game, "KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Fantastic Days (KonoFan)". This is the official live broadcast "KonoFan LIVE!". We will deliver plenty of new information about "KonoFan" with our gorgeous cast, so please look forward to it!

【Cast】 Jun Fukushima (Kazuma) Minori Chihara (Yuki Nagato) Yuko Goto (Mikuru Asahina) MC: Hyakka Ryoran

【Program Contents】 ●Haruhi collaboration confirmed! KonoFan Information Bureau ●Upcoming Campaigns & Update Information ●Loud voices are prohibited! ASMR Game! ※Please note that the program content is subject to change without notice.

Official Website: https://konosubafd.jp/ Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/konosubafd Official LINE: https://line.me/R/ti/p/@185uhvnl Official YouTube CH: / @konosubafd

Download "KonoFan" from here! https://app.adjust.com/f6y5uno

©2006 Nagaru Tanigawa, Noizi Ito / SOS Brigade ©2019 Natsume Akatsuki, Kurone Mishima / KADOKAWA / KonoSuba Movie Production Committee ©Sumzap, Inc.

NOTE: This post is a part of an effort on my end to bring my Reddit content to Lemmy.

Original Posting Date: 15/8/2022

Post:

Yes. It's me. The guy who previously posted about how much I hate Haruhi as a character. And how much I loved the movie on first watch. Here's my previous post in case you wanted to catch up on my opinions about the show and movie. Or don't. I can't force you.

Alright. So... This movie is quite a treat. I noticed some stuff I didn't realise previously.

SPOILERS AHEAD

That scene where Kyon asks New Yuki whether the books are hers, she says no. And then she tells him that the book she's reading was borrowed. From the public library.

At first, I was giggling because I thought this was a joke of sorts in that Old Yuki never had such conversations. So New Yuki was a distinct person.

But now that I've seen it a second time, I've realised that she points out that she borrowed it from the public library because Kyon helped her get the library card. He doesn't remember, and she's trying to subtly nudge his memory.

It's a cute little moment that's so absolutely realistic because I've done similar stuff in a setting where I'm trying to remind someone who's clearly forgotten something.!<

That's all for new realisations.

But regarding new appreciation, I'm appreciating the overall theme of the movie more.

There's two major things that matter in this movie. Kyon's perspective and Yuki's perspective.

Kyon's Perspective

He's a kid who's never cared much for anything. But over time, no matter how much he finds Haruhi's behaviour irritating or annoying, he enjoys the overall excitement and unpredictability of the old world. He even says this in his inner monologue before he shoots Yuki. But I keep realising how big a decision it is for him.

Keep a broken and extremely unpredictable world that you've grown to like, or embrace the new fully fixed, normal world with absolutely no problems.

And I agree with Kyon. As much as I love Yuki's transformation and the normalness of the New World, I personally would have opted for the Old Chaotic world a hundred times over.

Yuki's Perspective

Yuki has developed emotions. She's become more organic and less Android over time. This makes her realise how much she's missing out on a normal life and how much Haruhi's behaviour is costing her and everyone else. She knows that this is not Haruhi's doing. It's not on purpose. She has no idea she can will all of this into existence. But consider the almost 15000 times Yuki had to sit through the summer vacation. Or the times she stopped Asahina from shooting lasers from her eyes. Or the fucking talking cat. Like, I can completely understand. I'd be exhausted too if I had the power to literally rewrite the world and here I am stuck doing damage control for the unconscious creations of a teenagers whims and fantasies. And talking about power, imagine if Haruhi finds out she has this power. It's basically Yuki, but even more reckless.

This movie, above all else, has made me realise that this show in general has a pretty cool concept, and that the way they're approaching the storytelling in the series is a bit offputting to someone like me. I'm not a fan of the overly light tone of the show. I don't like how Haruhi's character is allowed to continue to act as she pleases. I know she has ultimate power and they all know that, that's why it goes on. But she needs a good bonk.

But the movie humanizes Haruhi. That last scene shows that no matter how fuckin idiotic and reckless and plain assholey she is, she's not entirely a bad person.

I'm waiting to read the novels and hope they redeem Haruhi's character for me.

But as of now, Yuki is best girl. She is the quiet, shy girl I've dreamed of from back in school. Yuki reminds me of my childhood crushes.

And yes, I still fuckin hate Haruhi for all the reasons I've stated in the previous posts. But this movie definitely made me rethink my opinion.

For better or for worse, Haruhi has the ultimate power in the universe, and the SOS Brigade is stuck making her and the world adapt to each other.

Update: u/Lower_Saxony (a user who commented on my old reddit post) has dropped some seriously wise stuff in the comments...

... the fact that she doesn't know that the others would never refuse to do whatever she says, even though she acts like she's a military leader, she has shown to take in consideration's kyon's objections in the past, and I think that if the others had the guts to tell her no, she would be a better person, I think any kid would become an ass if nobody ever told them no, and she still is a kid. I actually feel bad for her because all of her friends, except for Kyon, are afraid of her, it's something that if she would ever find out it would probably destroy her.

And they go on to say the best thing anyone has said to me on this sub:

In the end, what unites us as Haruhi fans is the fact that we would all pick Haruhi's world instead of Yuki's normal world, even kyon himself says so, and I think it's beautyful.

NOTE: This post is a part of an effort on my end to bring my Reddit content to Lemmy.

Original Posting Date: 30/7/2022

Post:

Update: I just watched the movie again and I've noticed and realised a few more things. Here you go.

Here's a link to my previous post about how I hate Haruhi as a character.

I realised that I hadn't yet watched the movie so I decided that I should go ahead and do that. And I did. Here are my thoughts -

So, first of all, I'm a huge Stein's Gate fan, as is probably obvious by the username. So when I read the title of the movie, I immediately assumed that Haruhi disappearing would be a major theme. However, I was slightly intrigued when it turned out that Kyon was the guy who gets transported.

How does me being a Stein's Gate fan relate to this? Well, there's only one Stein's Gate movie: Load Region of Deja Vu. That movie covers the same plot.

Spoilers ahead for those who haven't watched the movie or haven't seen the series (I highly recommend it. I cannot recommend it enough.):

Alright. Now back to Haruhi's movie.

Now I have certain things to say about the movie before I talk about the story, or rather the effect it has on the canon.

1. The animation. 🤌🏼 My god KyoAni outdid themselves. I've known about their standards because of conversations I've had with friends but goddamn. I wish I could explain it but maybe I'll just make a video review one day. That'll make it easier. Not that there aren't already tons of those.

2. The Music. 🤌🏼 The score really hits hard. Each and every beat hits you with a metric tonne of emotions and leaves you wanting more. I almost orgasmed just thinking about it. 😌

3. The direction 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 they really took the show's themes to their absolutely perfected version. This is where it really differs from Stein's Gate Load Region of Deja Vu. Stein's Gate is a mental gymnastics show of sci-fi time travel so it's got a more matter-of-factly vibe to it. This movie however has a dramatic flair that really makes it a more palatable consumption for anyone with a basic understanding of the show. And let's be honest, we could skip almost 10 episodes worth of content from the series' runtime and still have more than enough information to watch the movie. But more on that later.

Alright. Now for the story. So, here's the thing: I find this movie improves on the show on multiple levels, but somehow Haruhi as a character feels different. One of my key complaints about Haruhi (complaint is a weird word. More like my problem with Haruhi) is that she's an insufferable asshat with little to no awareness of how her behaviour affects others around her. People told me shit like "it's a character arc", or "watch the movie. She grows as a character. That's why it's worth it." No. She doesn't. The movie character might as well be a different Haruhi altogether. Maybe I'm digging too deep into this, but come on. The only time we see any, and I mean ANY, character development of Haruhi, is in the first two episodes, and then directly in the movie. It's astonishing how annoying she is like that. Forget the fact that she doesn't know her powers. She's an asshole all-in-all. She blackmails people (blackmails that Computer Club head with fake sexual harassment claims which were sure to ruin his entire life forever), she knowingly mentally and physically harasses Asahina-san with her groping and her forcible wearing of skimpy clothes and WHO COULD FORGET THAT SHE ROOFIED ASAHINA?! WTF HARUHI?! FOR A MOVIE SCENE?! SO SHE COULD GET HER KISS SCENE?! COME ON HARUHI!

So yeah. This is a great movie that I think was a beautiful send-off. I heard that their studio was attacked in 2019 leading to all major mangaka (atleast Attack on Titan did) and shows (also, Attack on Titan. Might've been for another reason but it happened and this is all I remember) suspending their work for a while.

Anyway, this might be edited or updated if I find more things to say or someone in the comments says something insightful. Defend her all you want, she's a sexually harassing, molesting, control freak with delusions of grandeur. And that's before we find out she has powers.

Also, Nagato Yuki is forever best girl.

NOTE: This post is a part of an effort on my end to bring my Reddit content to Lemmy.

Original Posting Date: 29/07/2022

Post:

She's an insolent, stubborn, selfish piece of shit that won't stop for anything to get things her way. Cast aside the over arching plot of supernatural stuff, she's still an asshole. I hate her and the more I go into this series, the more I hate her with a burning passion.

Edit: adding that I'm yet to watch the movie. My opinion could change over time so let's hope for the best.

Also, some people seem to think that I hate the series. Hell no. I've laughed my ass off at Kyon and the gang being annoyed at her whims and fantasies. I also know that that's the point of her character. But apparently it's criminal to join the subreddit of an anime to discuss our thoughts unless they're positive opinions.

Lemme know what your views are.

Edit 2: This comment is really awesome. (Was posted by u/Cerber4444 on Reddit)

Okay, hear me out. I'm a big fan of this show myself. But Haruhi is indeed has not the best character in universe. But its kinda the point of the show. She isn't badly written character, she's a character with bad behaviour. She is designed with that in mind.

This whole show is partially a big self aware parody of clichés in anime. You know like in typical anime there is always main girl who is loved by people in anime itself and fans, but in reality she would be annoying and simply toxic friend/girlfriend.

Haruhi is this character but put in realistic setting. That's why everyone in school avoid Haruhi, despite her being beautiful looking. Because that's how any real person would react to insane girl who is not considering of their surroundings.

Same with other cast- Koidzumi, Mikuru and Yuki seems to be your regular one dimensional characters. But in reality they are good writen characters with their own motivation, secrets, internal conflicts and overall depth.

Overall this show is about four students who is friends with that annoying and toxic main character, and despite understanding that she is bad for them, they can't leave this relationship because of existential threat for our world from Haruhi. Well three of them arrived to this time and place specifically because of this threat.

And remember how sometimes this show gets a little bit dark? Koidzumis monologue in taxi and on bridge, for example. He is turning it to a joke, but it doesn't feel like a joke. That kind of moments make me confident, that all this dark theme between the lines was intentional.

And yeah, like Kyon said- he is a voice of reason for Haruhi, and he is changing her to a better side little by little. And his love to her is becoming obvious in this context. Because it's isn't rare, when a person falls in love with someone who is toxic, but displays a redeeming qualities time to time.

I could go on and on about all of this, but I already said a lot. And that is making this anime one of my favourite. It has so much depth, despite appearing as regular one dimensional anime at first glance.

Update: I watched the movie. Here's my post talking about it.

Oh and one more thing: Nagato is best girl. Fight me, Harusimps.

I want them to be here. They're 3 separate posts that link to each other. Is that fine?

I will add the necessary context at the beginning or end of the posts to ensure maximum investment in the post content (lol I'm not a writer).

So, is this fine?

Edit: I did it anyway.

src: https://twitter.com/nanonomee/status/1681636301559468032

src: https://twitter.com/tttaaikkiii/status/1678733373244682241

Also check out: https://twitter.com/Hysteric_Barbie/status/1678634067380584449