The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is a name that needs no introduction to many. It’s one of the most influential light novels of all time…and it goes without saying, one of the most popular anime series as well.
But for others, it’s a series about a high school club where the leader is a literal God, and the others are robots, time travelers, and espers.
It’s hard to argue with a premise that cool. It was the entire reason I even watched the series back in the day. Not to mention the movie, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
But, the world is in a much different place than it was back in 2006. And while the series is beloved, it begs the question: Does The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya hold up today?
….Personally, I don’t think so. And it’s not really the series’ fault. A lot of series have come and gone, and many of them have taken what worked in Haruhi and refined them. And even when you consider that, the series as a whole is something that’s innovative and groundbreaking for 2006 standards….yet, by today, strangely dated and archaic.
That said, don’t expect this to be 25 minutes of dunking on the series. There’s still a lot to love….but again, competition is way fiercer these days, and with a lack of light novels, and no sign of any more adaptations, this series just doesn’t have quite the staying power it used to. Which is a shame, because there is something there…but you really gotta work to find it.
There are many anime series carried by one or two things, and sadly, this is one of them. Your mileage on the series may vary, and if you like certain characters, or like the movie, then this series could easily be a masterpiece. But if you don’t, it’s one heck of a slog.
(In a lot of ways, it’s totally worth the slog)
Chapters
Intro: 00:00
The Main Series: 01:36
The Movie: 20:31
Music:
God Knows (Simpsonill Remix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTRnfn2t3ec
Garreg Mach Monastery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrFQZrkRSbM
Ideal and the Real, Persona 5 Royal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXJRIAvaEY0
Every Day Is Night, VA-11-HA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loaZ9t96J7w
So Happy World, Persona 5 Royal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybhlFj3D_gw
Troublemakers, Fate/Stay Night Realta Nua https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZYt_AZBcLU
Reunion, Fate/Hollow Ataraxia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwr1r6ZJqfE
Sakura, Street Fighter 5 ver. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4hMDNRQWDk
EMIYA, Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works ver. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ErwgLxBNL0
Caren’s Theme, Fate/Hollow Ataraxia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en6BDzN3vDY
Innocence, Witch on the Holy Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgw6uV9VL-Y
Afternoon Nap, Witch on the Holy Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNBELndxjZU
Kasugano Residence, Street Fighter 5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp980GtPjg8
#TheMelancholyofHaruhiSuzumiya #TheDisappearanceofHaruhiSuzumiya
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