The Novel and Manga of Haruhi Suzumiya

[NeoSam]

涼宮ハルヒ

Suzumiya Haruhi is originally a novel thats serialized in the seinen(young men's) novel magazine The Sneaker (the same magazine that serialized the seinen novel Trinity Blood).
For now there are 8 volumes released of this novel, here are the covers:

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/7919/novelvol11dp.jpg http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/1618/novelvol26th.jpg http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/613/novelvol33wh.jpg http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/1621/novelvol48hk.jpg http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/1875/novelvol53te.jpg http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/3162/novelvol64yl.jpg http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/2693/novelvol79yc.jpg http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/3996/vol86gk.jpg

The illustrator of the novel is Itou Noiji (the same illustrator of the seinen novel Shakugan no SHANA)

A manga based on the novel is serialized in the shounen manga magazine Shounen Ace.
There is 1 volume released of this manga, here are the covers:

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/205/mangavol12mw.jpg

This manga has ended with one volume, read why on this page:
Suzumiya Haruhi anime thread (http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=26413).

Genre: Seinen, Comedy.

Volume 8 of the seinen novel will be released om 1/5/2006 (May 1st, 2006). --> cover of volume 8 got added above with the other covers of the novel.
A new Suzumiya Haruhi manga is currently serializing in Shounen Ace magazine and the first volume of it will be released on 26/4/2006.

Here is the first volume and the second volume of the new manga:

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/1640/suzumiyaharuhimangavol18wg.jpg http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/8106/suzumiyavol29ai.jpg

An anime based on the novel started recently, site of the anime:
http://www.haruhi.tv/
http://lantis-net.com/haruhi/

And also the Suzumiya Haruhi anime thread (http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=26413).

Anyway this thread is for discussing the novel and manga of Suzumiya Haruhi.

[NeoSam]

Yay :) thanks Moe group for the first 7 volumes of the novel :)

[MagikalFly]

what's going on? I see chapter 1-7 of manga available but earlier, there was a volume 1, i think, of manga also available. Both seemed real but very different art. what's up with that?

[Sushi-Y]

what's going on? I see chapter 1-7 of manga available but earlier, there was a volume 1, i think, of manga also available. Both seemed real but very different art. what's up with that?
If you looked at the first page of the anime thread (also known as the peaceful times before the anime aired and brought with it a swarm of new fans), you'll know that there are two different manga adaptations for Suzumiya Haruhi.

The first manga adaptation, which serialized on the comic magazine Shonen Ace back in 2004, was drawn by Mizuno Makoto. Unfortunately, the manga was received poorly among the fans because both the drawing style and the storytelling were too different from the original novel. The manga was cancelled after only a single tankoubon release in September of 2004 (The cover is shown in Neosam's post above). For most people, this manga has been swept into kurorekishi (dark history). In other words, "it never existed".

The second (current) manga adaptation is drawn by Tsuganogaku, and began its serialization on Shonen Ace back in November of 2005, and is currently still ongoing. The first tankoubon (volume) of the manga is due to be released on April 26, 2006.

[sophismata]

what's going on? I see chapter 1-7 of manga available but earlier, there was a volume 1, i think, of manga also available. Both seemed real but very different art. what's up with that?
Basically, the manga has only recently started. While you may be able to find some material referring to an older manga, this "older manga" never actually existed. Anything you find that references it is just hearsay and lies... hearsay and lies.

If you were to look at this non-existant manga, you would see why it could not possibly exist (it was that bad, apparantly).

[panzerfan]

One thing to love about the novel is that you have to put in 3x the amount of narritive descriptions to captivate the audience, which means that Kyon gets quite a workout and subsequently his lines in the anime becomes that much stronger as he is both a narriator and an actor. We miss tidbits in the anime for obvious reasons... although not much since KyoAni handles the source material very well.

Good thing though is that the anime's character designs are so good that I don't see the 2 as seperate entities.

[melange]

In fact I find the anime heightens certain details mentioned in passing in the novel... like Haruhi's mesmerizing hair toss and just like how the contrast between a Tomo-gag and a Osaka-gag which was achieved in the Azumanga anime added hilarilty some of the cuts from character to character (the hyper-genki Haruhi -> teary-eyed Mikuru -> 'why-am-i-here Kyon -> completely motionless Yuki) really heightened the disjointedness to even more humorous levels.

[mp3chan]

Is there any info about how many volume the novel will be?

[Onizuka-GTO]

does anyone know who the author is?

[mp3chan]

Nagaru Tanigawa

[Onizuka-GTO]

cheers. added.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Melancholy_of_Haruhi_Suzumiya

:)

[Onizuka-GTO]

hey, was Haruhi ever Serialized in Shounen Ace, the manga version?

That's what i got for the Wiki,

edit: oh hang on, you did mention it. in the first post. sorry. ;^^

oh but was the manga done by Kaoru Mori?

She's been listed as the mangaka for manga haruhi in wiki.

[ragnarokr]

A manga based on the novel is serialized in the shounen manga magazine Shounen Ace.
For now there is 1 volume released of this manga, here are the covers:

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/205/mangavol12mw.jpg

This manga has ended with one volume, read why on this page:
Suzumiya Haruhi anime thread (http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=26413).

Genre: Seinen, Comedy.

I got ahold of this volume recently and the first thing I noticed was the difference of art between this artist and Itou Noiji's art. Noiji's art is of course far better than the artist of the manga.
I wanted to talk about the content, but I'm unable to, since I don't understand a damn thing of what's written there, but I can say that it is interesting and funny just from looking at the drawings.

[Sushi-Y]

Since NoSanninWa didn't like the novel translation talks in the Q&A thread, I guess I'll post my reply here (I already typed it, might as well post it ^^; ).
====================
I agree with Sushi-Y. Some of those sentences/concepts in all the denpa talk don't even feel like they belong in a 'light' novel.
It's not that bad all the time though, I only listed a few that happened to be particularly woozy to demonstrate my point. If you have enough patience, it's not impossible.

"次元振動周期を位相変換し重力波に置き換える作用を持つ力場を体表面に発生させた"
"I have caused a force field to occur on the surface of her body that carrys the effect of converting the phase of dimensional oscillication cycles and altering them into gravitational waves (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_radiation) "

Oh yeah, I should probably hold back on typing Japanese in my posts here, apparently, I'm getting flamed on 2ch (of all places) for being some kind of elitist or something, ouch. :heh:

[zalas]

"次元振動周期を位相変換し重力波に置き換える作用を持つ力場を体表面に発生させた"
"I have caused a force field to occur on the surface of her body that carrys the effect of coverting the phase of dimensional oscillication cycles and altering them into gravitational waves (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_radiation) "
I am soo tempted to use that as a test for translator recruitment... Reminds me of crustol's old "kanji test."

[Vexx]

Since NoSanninWa didn't like the novel translation talks in the Q&A thread, I guess I'll post my reply here (I already typed it, might as well post it ^^; ).
====================

It's not that bad all the time though, I only listed a few that happened to be particularly woozy to demonstrate my point. If you have enough patience, it's not impossible.

"次元振動周期を位相変換し重力波に置き換える作用を持つ力場を体表面に発生させた"
"I have caused a force field to occur on the surface of her body that carrys the effect of coverting the phase of dimensional oscillication cycles and altering them into gravitational waves (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_radiation) "

Oh yeah, I should probably hold back on typing Japanese in my posts here, apparently, I'm getting flamed on 2ch (of all places) for being some kind of elitist or something, ouch. :heh:


Gimme a break.... on 2chan? (refrains from labeling)
eh.. as long as you translate or call it a test, I'm fine with it. Does that translate as "coverting" or "inverting"?

@NoSanninWa: apologies.. I hadn't even noticed we'd drifted off frequency in Q&A.

Gosh, I can't even remember what I posted now relating to translation ... guess it wasn't critical. Something about ordering the books and a reference to Dan Ackroyd-style amazing monologues ala Ghostbusters.

[sophismata]

Oh yeah, I should probably hold back on typing Japanese in my posts here, apparently, I'm getting flamed on 2ch (of all places) for being some kind of elitist or something, ouch. :heh:
Really? How does that work?

You're work is awesome, like Kyon, and helpful, like Mikuru. Gotta love similies.

[Onizuka-GTO]

Oh yeah, I should probably hold back on typing Japanese in my posts here, apparently, I'm getting flamed on 2ch (of all places) for being some kind of elitist or something, ouch. :heh:


lololol.
well, if they got a problem with you on these forum boards, they should come here and complain.

who cares what they say.

your translating some holy Haruhi information for us, unlike them lot on 2ch. :rolleyes:

For that we thank you.

If that makes you elitist....well... Say your families are ninja's, then "Gaijin smash" them.

they will understand.

:D

[panzerfan]

It is very amusing that 2ch will even bother paying any attention to oversea board discussions such as this one and to go on and criticize on the subject matter. Moreover, why would they voice out such oppositions outside of the domain which the discussions are being hold?

At any rate, I am going to totally go off tangent but...
Yuki has perfectly described in essence, "Hilbert Effect" from Xenosaga. It is still beyond me how is it that Haruhi could do and Yuki supress such a thing...

[Onizuka-GTO]

It is very amusing that 2ch will even bother paying any attention to oversea board discussions such as this one and to go on and criticize on the subject matter. Moreover, why would they voice out such oppositions outside of the domain which the discussions are being hold?


I have no idea, maybe its the "Haruhi effect"? :D

Either way its very strange, and absolutely unwarranted, I mean i might be a barbarian gaijin, but insulting any members on our forum for no reason means WA-! sorry, i meant it's very rude. We don't insult them for being selffish for not helping us fellow fans to share in the love that is Haruhi.

:rolleyes:


At any rate, I am going to totally go off tangent but...
Yuki has perfectly described in essence, "Hilbert Effect" from Xenosaga. It is still beyond me how is it that Haruhi could do and Yuki supress such a thing...

well, quite easily since...ah...well it's been posted in one of the spoiler, so i'll let you do the rest. lets just say that Yuki can't "supress" merely conceal the results. And she isn't the only one able to "clean up" after Haruhi. ;)

[melange]

I have no idea, maybe its the "Haruhi effect"? :D

Either way its very strange, and absolutely unwarranted, I mean i might be a barbarian gaijin, but I insulting any members on our forum for no reason means WA-! sorry, i meant it's very sad.
I'd be very scared if you go off declaring WA- on 2ch. Japanese 2ch hackers have been known to utterly overload and shutdown websites that don't suit their fancy :heh:

2chは最高だよ！私たちを攻めないで... :heh:

[panzerfan]

(I was about to commit the heinous crime of making sense of what I see in fiction. Thank goodness I snapped out of it ><)

I was just dumbfounded over how that pulling a 'Hilbert effect' is no trivial matter in Xenosaga and how this is duplicatable with any mean...

The Japanese hackers are something. Actually the whole of Asia-Pacific has seen great many skirmishes between hackers all over, whether they be from China PR, S. Korea, Taiwan or even HK. Things as simple as defaming a webpage portal to all out DoS happens whenever tensions run high over the China sea.

[Onizuka-GTO]

I'd be very scared if you go off declaring WA- on 2ch. Japanese 2ch hackers have been known to utterly overload and shutdown websites that don't suit their fancy :heh:

2chは最高だよ！私たちを攻めないで... :heh:


And they have the nerve to call us "barbarians" :rolleyes:

[melange]

Well I finally managed to get some more progress on my reading.. and hopefully when the actual physical novels (what am I reading now? *whistles innocently*) arrive tomorrow it'll move along faster. Staring at the screen continually is taking its toll.. X_X In any case... finally Tsuruya-san got introduced and I'm quite digging her character. Not as uber-genki as Haruhi but that machine-gun fire speech pattern! :D

[NeoSam]

The new Suzumiya Haruhi manga is serialized in the shounen manga magazine Shounen Ace.

First volume of the manga will be released on 26/4/2006. (Price: 567 yen)

Second volume of the manga will be released on 26/6/2006.

Source: Kadokawa (http://www.kadokawa.co.jp)

And yes the second volume of the manga is coming out soon too :)
I'll post the covers of the manga volumes when they are available.

[Onizuka-GTO]

new? what does that mean? its a second series or something? or a repeat?

Is it the same manga that was illustrated by Gaku Tsugano?

wait,m so counting the failed manga released in spetember 2004, and the other one in november 2005, this one will nmade it the third version of suzumiya haruhi?

yes? no?

:confused:

[Adigard]

new? what does that mean? its a second series or something? or a repeat?

Is it the same manga that was illustrated by Gaku Tsugano?

wait,m so counting the failed manga released in spetember 2004, and the other one in november 2005, this one will nmade it the third version of suzumiya haruhi?

I've seen the first volume of the original manga... It's not that good. My understanding from this forum is that the original manga was far enough off kilter that it's been dismissed into non-existance. There's a term for it that's totally escaping me atm.

The manga was scrapped into "kuro-rekishi" ("dark history" = anachronism; a material that is viewed as it never happened and not to be discussed again. Other notable examples include "Macross II" and "Highlander 2").

Simply put: It's so awful, it is considered to be non-existent.

The new manga (in theory) is starting from the beginning of vol1 and telling the story from scratch. (I haven't seen the new manga, but that's what I've managed to skim from these boards). My understanding is that the new manga is doing a much better job at staying faithful to both the flow of the storyline, as well as maintaining the character designs. Something that other manga didn't do very well at all.

[Sushi-Y]

My understanding is that the new manga is doing a much better job at staying faithful to both the flow of the storyline, as well as maintaining the character designs. Something that other manga didn't do very well at all.
Unfortunately, even this remake is looking kinda bland now, compared to the anime.

[kj1980]

Does anyone want me to do a light novel synopsis similar to the one I have in the "Full Metal Panic!" section?

[NeoSam]

wait,m so counting the failed manga released in spetember 2004, and the other one in november 2005, this one will nmade it the third version of suzumiya haruhi?

yes? no?

:confused:

There is no third version of Suzumiya Haruhi manga.
When I say new manga, I mean the second Suzumiya Haruhi manga thats currently running in Shounen Ace magazine (And the first manga is the one that failed, but it doesn't exist so in reality it didn't fail :p LOL)

Does anyone want me to do a light novel synopsis similar to the one I have in the "Full Metal Panic!" section?

That would be great :) but I'm not sure how many are interested in reading them, since it might spoil the anime >.<

[melange]

Sorry but I just have to say something...
OMG! Chibi-Haruhi! XD kawaii~~~ :love:

[Sushi-Y]

Sorry but I just have to say something...
OMG! Chibi-Haruhi! XD kawaii~~~ :love:
Personally, I'm into the "Haruhi" in volume 4 myself, she totally had a Shana-aura around her... well, for about _ seconds anyway. :heh: You'll see what I mean when you get there. ^^; "Yuki" was also totally :love: too.

[melange]

Personally, I'm into the "Haruhi" in volume 4 myself, she totally had a Shana-aura around her... well, for about _ seconds anyway. :heh: You'll see what I mean when you get there. ^^; "Yuki" was also totally :love: too.
Lets see.. about 170 pages left before I get to vol. 4 :heh: Speaking of which I'm kinda relieved that vol.4 looks thinner than all the other vols! :heh:

Normal causal relationships completely thrown out the window with this one! lol I really like that quote Itsuki made at the end about the importance and worth of the King vis-a-vis the Queen in chess. The most obvious metaphor that it brings up is King -> Kyon, Queen -> Haruhi. :D

And... it will be revealed later on how Haruhi knows the phrase "I am here" in an alien language right? :heh:

[NeoSam]

Volume 8 of the seinen novel Suzumiya Haruhi will be released on 1/5/2006 (May 1st, 2006).

Here its cover:

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/423/suzumiyaharuhinovelvol85gh.jpg
Seinen novel

The first volume of the new Suzumiya Haruhi manga will be released on 26/4/2006.

Here its cover:

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/1640/suzumiyaharuhimangavol18wg.jpg

Serialized in: Shounen Ace

Covers of the novel and manga can be seen on the first post of this thread (http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=522155&postcount=1).

[Thelastguardian]

The first volume of the new Suzumiya Haruhi manga will be released on 26/4/2006.
Well, the background pictures of my signature are from the (2nd)manga . You can tell that the mangaka did a good job imitating the original illustrator's style.

[Julius Firefocht]

Well, the background pictures of my signature are from the (2nd)manga . You can tell that the mangaka did a good job imitating the original illustrator's style.

Yes, indeed. I seriously thought that Ito Noizi drew the manga. The style used in the manga is so similar to Ito Noizi's style.

[NeoSam]

Well, the background pictures of my signature are from the (2nd)manga . You can tell that the mangaka did a good job imitating the original illustrator's style.

Thelastguardian, you have a sixth sense or something like that >.<

I was thinking about asking you about your signature :)

[NeoSam]

The first volume of the new manga will be out soon :D

Also...

The june's issue of the seinen(young men's) novel magazine The Sneaker got out today (28/4/2006)

Here its cover:

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/6633/thesneaker7ti.jpg

Seinen(young men's) novel magazine.
Serializes light novels for young men (seinen light novels).
Publisher: Kadokawa

The seinen novel Suzumiya Haruhi is serialized in it.

[Onizuka-GTO]

Talking about the manga, i've noticed the raw manga of haruhi showing up on Bt sites.

interesting really, i mean someone could do a haruhi scanlation..... :D

not that im implying we could jump in, but it won't hurt to have a peek...ne..ne? :p

[moyism]

Personally I've rather have translations of the novel than the manga, since it seems the novel is a lot more richer in content.

... but I definitely wouldn't complain if a haruhi manga scanlation showed up one day ;)

[Adigard]

It's been suggested by a few of our Japanese speaking forumites that the new manga isn't terribly succesful. Kyon apparently is more of a cheap knock-off character and the manga isn't terribly succesful in replicating the "feel" of the novel. Given the choice between having people working on the novel, or the manga... I'd prefer to see the novel translated. Besides, there's more groups out there on the 'net that translate manga... people who are willing to translate novels are rather few and far between.

Unless of course we have some novel translators who just aren't feeling up to the task of tackling a full novel ^^

[PhantomX]

Does anyone have larger versions of the cover art?

[Sushi-Y]

It's been suggested by a few of our Japanese speaking forumites that the new manga isn't terribly succesful. Kyon apparently is more of a cheap knock-off character and the manga isn't terribly succesful in replicating the "feel" of the novel.
It's not that the manga is bad, but the original novel contained detailed literatures and the anime boasts superior art qualities, while the manga, in comparison, doesn't seem to have a lot to offer in return: the story isn't as detailed as the original novel, nor is the visual presentation as polished as the anime. The anime even managed to replicate the novel character designs down to a tee, while the manga took some liberties (especially for Kyon's design).

To put it in simpler words, as a media format used to deliver the story of "Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu", the manga (currently) just doesn't have the same impact value that the novels and anime have.

But, if you're simply interested in reading a manga adaptation/version of Suzumiya Haruhi and nothing else, then for what it's worth, the manga itself is actually very nicely done.

[Onizuka-GTO]

In other words. if your a TRUE believer of Haruhiism. You'll buy the manga.

:D

[NeoSam]

oops in my previous post I said that the first volume of the new manga will be out soon >.< but its already out (got out on 26/4/2006).

Whats soon coming out is the 8th volume of the seinen novel :) (release date: May 1st, 2006) :D

In other words. if your a TRUE believer of Haruhiism. You'll buy the manga.

Exactly :D if you are a true fan of Suzumiya Haruhi, you'll get everything :p : novel, manga and anime (and live action series :twitch: :heh: that would be just totally weird if they ever do a live action Suzumiya Haruhi :heh: )

[Onizuka-GTO]

I wanna see a live action version!! :D :D :D

Yuki! Mikuru! Kawaii! :D

Haruhi! Kowaii! :upset: Bijn! bijin! :bow:

[ando]

Whats soon coming out is the 8th volume of the seinen novel :) (release date: May 1st, 2006) :D

Official release date of the 8th volume of Suzumiya Haruhi novel is 1/5/2006, but practically it has been already available in 28/4/2006 due to the holiday season in Japan. Of course I got it. :D

[NeoSam]

Official release date of the 8th volume of Suzumiya Haruhi novel is 1/5/2006, but practically it has been already available in 28/4/2006 due to the holiday season in Japan. Of course I got it. :D

Yeah I know, its not the first time a novel or a manga is available before its officialy released (LOL this sentence didn't make any sense :heh: well, you know what I mean >.< )

I can't wait to get my hands on it :D

[Thelastguardian]

The manga wasn't that bad. It is unforturnate that the mangaka cut some major scenes out though (especially at the beginning- how Kyon and Haruhi met). Other than that, the manga is fine on its own.

If you want the novel illustration level of quality in a manga. That is so hard I don't even know if it is possible(especially when you compared the manga to the first few volumes. The illustrator slacked off for the later volumes XD ).

Just read the magazine. No need to wait for the manga ;) .

[C.A.]

Hmmm how do you guys handle your novels?

I just bought volume 2 to 7, 1 was out of stock and i have already placed an order. i also pre ordered vol 8.

So i read chapter 1 of vol 2 and I find myself handling really carefully, now im disturbed that the cover is a little warped and some corners dented lol.

I'm thinking of buying another set, which i will not be reading, just for keeping/collection.

I've also ordered the chinese versions 1 - 5, which i won't be treating with extreme care, I'm just going to read them like a normal book.

I usually don't treat books with much care, but its guess my haruhist fanatism.

[Haruhara]

Does anyone know a good place to buy the novels online? Preferably somewhere that accepts paypal.

I ordered volume one from yesasia but they said they were out of stock and that it didn't look like they were getting any in anytime soon. :(

[RiXeD]

Sry for n00bish question... But is any group scanlating teh manga? I`d get teh original but it`s too hard to find a good japanese course in my country >_<

[Vexx]

I got all mine from amazon.co.jp - though they run higher than necessary on shipping so I try to buy a bunch of books at once when I order from them.

I've given up on yesasia .... out of five orders I've placed with them, they failed to actually have stock on all but one order. Of course, they'd wait for a month before they'd tell me so I'd have lost that time for looking elsewhere.

Places that accept paypal are harder to find.... in fact, looking through my "preferred dealer list" not one does. They all take debit cards or "visabuxx cards" though (even the ones that claim to only take credit cards).

@RiXeD: not yet, but I imagine there will be soon given the popularity of the anime and the novels.

[Runningkid]

oh dear...... ive jsut ordered from yes asia , book 4 5 6 and 7 and the manga..... theys ed tow ait 21 days.

So would they tell me in 21 days taht they dont ahve stock?!

[Vexx]

well.. you might have wonderful results ....
All I can say is if they said that.. I might start looking elsewhere and cancel it if you can place an order with someone who has it *on hand* (ship <24hrs).

[panzerfan]

Brick and mortar stores might have 1 or 2 volumes but getting a set is now difficult.

[Julius Firefocht]

Hmmm how do you guys handle your novels?

I just bought volume 2 to 7, 1 was out of stock and i have already placed an order. i also pre ordered vol 8.

So i read chapter 1 of vol 2 and I find myself handling really carefully, now im disturbed that the cover is a little warped and some corners dented lol.

I'm thinking of buying another set, which i will not be reading, just for keeping/collection.

I've also ordered the chinese versions 1 - 5, which i won't be treating with extreme care, I'm just going to read them like a normal book.

I usually don't treat books with much care, but its guess my haruhist fanatism.

Don't worry about warped covers and such, my Chinese copy of Volume 5 is already quite well-worn despite the fact that I owned it for less than 2 weeks. It's just how the books are printed. What is important is the content of the novels, IMO.

Speaking of Volume 5,

the Computer Club just got utterly pwned by the SOS-Dan. :D

[arcticphoenix16]

the Computer Club just got utterly pwned by the SOS-Dan. :D



Correction, the Computer Club got utterly pwned by Yuki <3

[Julius Firefocht]

Correction, the Computer Club got utterly pwned by Yuki <3


Yuki's in the SOS-Dan, yes? All of the members achievements are Haruhi's achievements, and all of Haruhi's achievements are the SOS-Dan's achievements.

At least, that is how I see it.

[Onizuka-GTO]

Yuki's in the SOS-Dan, yes? All of the members achievements are Haruhi's achievements, and all of Haruhi's achievements are the SOS-Dan's achievements.

At least, that is how I see it.

ah, no.

That should be:

"All of the members achievements are Haruhi's achievements, and all of Haruhi's achievements are Haruhi's achievements.

:D :D

[arcticphoenix16]

"All of the members achievements are Haruhi's achievements, and all of Haruhi's achievements are Haruhi's achievements.

Dam, I can't argue with this. As much as i like Yuki, Haruhi is like... the ULTIMATE authority. All hail Haruhi!

[velocity7]

Just wondering, what novel volumes are considered "mainstream" in that they affect the plot seriously? For example, volume 1 is considered "mainstream" in that it forms the SOS Brigade and invites all the members.

[PhantomX]

2 and 3 are random story type, while 4 is more linear ... but I believe they all influence the plot and character development. I don't know past 4

[melange]

1,2,4,7 are 'single story' volumes while 3,5,6 are 'short story' volumes.
"Heavy" plotlines happen in 1,4,7 though very important plotlines happen in the short story volumes as well and they build a lot of the character development. 2 is a lighter plot.

[PhantomX]

Novel 2 is essentially the making of episode 00

[Sushi-Y]

To add to that, the recently released volume 8 is also a short-story volume (well, 2 medium length short stories. Both are compiliations from The Sneaker's serializations. So there are no original stories written for this volume).

But I don't care, the SOS-dan member's novels were super fun to read. Especially that "Fantasy Horror" piece Yuki wrote. ^^

Maybe I'll add a review sometime. ^^;

[velocity7]

Sushi-Y: Given your pretty big interest here, would you want to help with the novel translation project? You'd be more than qualified, and there's a lot of discussion allowing more translators to work on a volume at a time under certain circumstances (e.g., short story novels vs. single story novels).

[yamikage]

Chapter 1 of the Suzumiya Haruhi manga is now available! Go get it at #Kawaru-Enishi@irc.irchighway.net

[NeoSam]

Chapter 1 of the Suzumiya Haruhi manga is now available! Go get it at #Kawaru-Enishi@irc.irchighway.net

Thanks :D

Thats really great :) a group fansubbing the anime, a group translating the novel, and now a group scanlating the manga :)

[Onizuka-GTO]

Sushi-Y: Given your pretty big interest here, would you want to help with the novel translation project? You'd be more than qualified, and there's a lot of discussion allowing more translators to work on a volume at a time under certain circumstances (e.g., short story novels vs. single story novels).


if you pull that off, i'll give you a red armband, mr deputy chief editor.... :D :D :rolleyes:

[Psieye]

Sushi-Y: Given your pretty big interest here, would you want to help with the novel translation project? You'd be more than qualified, and there's a lot of discussion allowing more translators to work on a volume at a time under certain circumstances (e.g., short story novels vs. single story novels).
I know that weeks back when people were speculating about translating the novels, Sushi-Y did say she wasn't so enthusiastic about translating novels compared to manga. She places emphasis on the difficulty of keeping the original author's Tone and Atmosphere consistent during the translation into English - which is no easy feat as we're finding on the Wiki project. Though with the "Editors and other Translators take care of synchronising tone/atmosphere" system we've got, who knows?

Incidentally Sushi-Y, how goes the translation of Reshuffle, the Shakugan no Shana short story you said (last month) you were translating?

[Vexx]

Chapter 1 of the Suzumiya Haruhi manga is now available! Go get it at #Kawaru-Enishi@irc.irchighway.net

bleh... no bit torrents? .... my connection is too unstable at the moment to waste bandwidth with irc (most of them hwarf people out if the connection gets "too slow" anyway ... with some very interesting definitions of "too slow")
ah well ...maybe next week (if my damn situation improves)

[Onizuka-GTO]

bleh... no bit torrents? .... my connection is too unstable at the moment to waste bandwidth with irc (most of them hwarf people out if the connection gets "too slow" anyway ... with some very interesting definitions of "too slow")
ah well ...maybe next week (if my damn situation improves)

I get seasick when i go on to irc. strange but true. its all those rapid scrolling text that i just dunno how to stop. :upset:

BT is a god sent. death to Seasicking ancient inefficient IRC!!!

:frustrated:

[Sushi-Y]

I know that weeks back when people were speculating about translating the novels, Sushi-Y did say she wasn't so enthusiastic about translating novels compared to manga. She places emphasis on the difficulty of keeping the original author's Tone and Atmosphere consistent during the translation into English - which is no easy feat as we're finding on the Wiki project. Though with the "Editors and other Translators take care of synchronising tone/atmosphere" system we've got, who knows?
Yeah, I wrote it on the first page of the translation thread when it first began.

I already replied to velocity7 about the offer, and as I mentioned in the reply, novel translation simply isn't my cup of tea. Because I'm an incredibly anal translator, I'd rather spend 30 minutes trying to think of a way to write a paragraph that remains the most faithful to the original text's tone and meaning, rather than spend 5 minutes and take liberties by using my own interpretations.

To put it bluntly, my translations sound like Japanese people speaking English, rather than English people speaking English. Whether that's a good thing or not is up to the reader.

Either way, I'm slow as a cow when translating novels, nor do I have the energy to burn on them (kudos to the people working on this, it looks like you guys are actually advancing quite nicely, I'm impressed), so for the moment, I'm sitting this one out.

Incidentally Sushi-Y, how goes the translation of Reshuffle, the Shakugan no Shana short story you said (last month) you were translating?
Haha... People still remember that? ^^; I'm halfway through, but then the new anime season + school started and I got distracted again.

Maybe I'll finish it off when I get the time.

[Psieye]

To put it bluntly, my translations sound like Japanese people speaking English, rather than English people speaking English. Whether that's a good thing or not is up to the reader.

Either way, I'm slow as a cow when translating novels, nor do I have the energy to burn on them (kudos to the people working on this, it looks like you guys are actually advancing quite nicely, I'm impressed), so for the moment, I'm sitting this one out.Mmm yes, I know what you mean - I always wondered sometimes at your word choices in the Negima scripts. But that is the best way to retain the original atmosphere - break all native speakers' mannerisms to fit with Japanese natives' idea of English. And we're only making fast progress because behind the scenes we're sitting around for days trying to figure out how to make one sentence sound right, after a rough draft is up ^^;;


Haha... People still remember that? ^^; I'm halfway through, but then the new anime season + school started and I got distracted again.

Maybe I'll finish it off when I get the time.My memory doesn't let go of certain things at times (I wish it would retain more of my academia-related knowledge...) ^^;; Best example would be "Oh, so THIS is what my friend was talking about when he said 'Violin that shaves 3 years off life expectancy each time it buffs you' 11 years ago" when I read a bit of Violinist of Hameln.

But yes, and this season has a lot of hard-hitters, not to mention this is Exam Term/Semester for students worldwide - certainly a novel translation project should be put behind for now ^_^

Incidentally, around where in the timeline (relative to major chara development events) does that sidestory occur?

I get seasick when i go on to irc. strange but true. its all those rapid scrolling text that i just dunno how to stop. :upset:
Ahaha, it's not that bad when you know exactly what you want and torrents are dead/slow. With college bandwidth, I've achieved ludicrous speeds with IRC just as much as with torrents (definitely faster for old things).

Linux-style "recall previous command input" and other features makes it easy to streamline the download of a long stream of items.

[yamikage]

Chapter 2 is out, available at the same place as chapter 1.

I'd tell you where to get ddl but some mod might make my post legendary. ;)

[Adigard]

Since the first chapter showed up on BT a few days after it was released, I'll anxiously await chapter 2 showing up there as well ^_^

[passin'gass]

Is there a problem with the baka-tsuki site? I can't access it...this is what i see:

Internal Server Error
The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator, webmaster@baka-tsuki.net and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.

Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

[Adigard]

Someone beat me to the punch ^_^

Yeah, running into the same problem. I'm assuming there's some server maintenance ongoing atm.

//EDIT: that just ended, because I'm able to access the site atm. ^^

[passin'gass]

Thank Haruhi! Then again the site may have temporarily entered a Closed Space of her creation...

[IchiKyo]

Chapter 2 is out, available at the same place as chapter 1.

I'd tell you where to get ddl but some mod might make my post legendary. ;)

Can i ask you something in PM?

[Kazu-kun]

If you don't use spoiler tags for that kind of posts, the mods will surely delete it.... again :heh:

[PhantomX]

Lol, she does it on purpose ... she enjoys being smited by the powers that be :P

[Vexx]

She also doesn't quite seem to grasp that anime doesn't necessarily track source material (novel in this case) on a 1:1 basis --- sometimes the writers CHANGE the story a bit to fit the restraints of the medium.

So that makes novel spoilerage doubly bad -- not only is she ruining the novels for those of us who want to read it after the anime is over, she may, in fact, be incorrect based on the anime's story direction.

We'll see if the mods can get that across... I'm not happy with her for answering some anime comments I had with unmarked novel spoilers that weren't even very relevant to my comments.

[Adigard]

She also doesn't quite seem to grasp that anime doesn't necessarily track source material (novel in this case) on a 1:1 basis --- sometimes the writers CHANGE the story a bit to fit the restraints of the medium.

While it's wildly off-topic, the introduction of Kyon's sister to the Lone Island episode was a smart addition by the KyoAni staffers. Performing a 1:1 translation of novel to anime is virtually impossible, and if they had performed such a feat... it's rather unlikely it would be enjoyable. Some modifications to the story have to be expected, because they make the anime a stronger product. From the small piece of the Lone Island Syndrome that has been translated, brining Kyon's sister into the show looks like a smart idea.

[Vexx]

I agree and understand --- any visual treatment of a novel or even a manga has to re-arrange certain things because of time and budget constraints as well as just the fact that the visual medium lets you highlight different aspects of a story.
Something as simple as a pedantic description of a castle becomes a awe-inducing experience with a visual.... and its quite difficult to project inner motivations in a visual medium when its a snap in written form.

[IchiKyo]

Chapter 2 is out, available at the same place as chapter 1.

I'd tell you where to get ddl but some mod might make my post legendary. ;)

you have my thankful yamikage
because of you
i finally trad the Suzumiya Haruhi No Yuutsu Manga
Chapter 1 and 2 into FR
to finally search for french fans :rolleyes:

[Psieye]

On a separate note, Manga Vol 1 Ch 2 is already pulling off what should be done in the anime's "Yuutsu Ep 4 of 6". In other words, do not read it if you don't want to be spoiled of what the anime will take another 2 weeks before coming back to.

[Onizuka-GTO]

On a separate note, Manga Vol 1 Ch 2 is already pulling off what should be done in the anime's "Yuutsu Ep 4 of 6". In other words, do not read it if you don't want to be spoiled of what the anime will take another 2 weeks before coming back to.


*goes off to download it*

:D

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

*goes off to download it*

:D
If you are going to do that, won't it be quicker to read the novel translations?:heh:

[Psieye]

He already has - he's an Editor in the novel translation project ^^

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

He already has - he's an Editor in the novel translation project ^^
I expected as much... Still, I personally don't have an urge to read the manga for some reason.

[Onizuka-GTO]

oh well its a different expericence, not worse but sadly not better either.

oh well, if you got a free second to download it. just give it ago, it was quite a novelty to see it in manga form to be honest. (^^)/

[melange]

Hmmm how do you guys handle your novels?Sorry for replying late to this but...

What I do is emulate what the Japanese book stores do when you buy a book from them: wrap the book in a paper cover. The Japanese book stores have ready-made mass-produced paper covers but I make my own paper covers by using relatively thin letter-sized or A4 paper. I usually only use this on books I'm currently reading so the covers don't get knocked up as much.


First I lay the paper out horizontally and place the book vertically on it in the middle.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/yuchengk/diagram/diagram1.gif
(Green represents the book itself, light green are the spaces the book will take up if it is flipped along its spine)

Then using the book height as a guide a fold the top and bottom of the paper towards the middle (fold 1). Take off the book when you're doing this. Its best to leave a bit of space between the fold and the top/bottom dimension of the book, i.e. don't fold it too closely esle the paper cover isn't going to help much in protecting the book.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/yuchengk/diagram/diagram2.gif

Replace the book onto the paper.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/yuchengk/diagram/diagram3.gif

Finally, with the book still on the paper, fold the left and right edges of the paper into tabs (fold 2) and slip them under the front and back covers of the book itself. These hold the paper cover in place.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/yuchengk/diagram/diagram4.gif

[Onizuka-GTO]

......... :twitch: ......

*is speechless*

[C.A.]

Sorry for replying late to this but...

What I do is emulate what the Japanese book stores do when you buy a book from them: wrap the book in a paper cover. The Japanese book stores have ready-made mass-produced paper covers but I make my own paper covers by using relatively thin letter-sized or A4 paper. I usually only use this on books I'm currently reading so the covers don't get knocked up as much.


First I lay the paper out horizontally and place the book vertically on it in the middle.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/yuchengk/diagram/diagram1.gif
(Green represents the book itself, light green are the spaces the book will take up if it is flipped along its spine)

Then using the book height as a guide a fold the top and bottom of the paper towards the middle (fold 1). Take off the book when you're doing this. Its best to leave a bit of space between the fold and the top/bottom dimension of the book, i.e. don't fold it too closely esle the paper cover isn't going to help much in protecting the book.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/yuchengk/diagram/diagram2.gif

Replace the book onto the paper.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/yuchengk/diagram/diagram3.gif

Finally, with the book still on the paper, fold the left and right edges of the paper into tabs (fold 2) and slip them under the front and back covers of the book itself. These hold the paper cover in place.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f331/yuchengk/diagram/diagram4.gif


Hmmm I see, I was thinking of adding plastic wraps or covers.

But anyway I'm going to check on the novel 8 I ordered and I decided to buy another set just for collection.

[arias]

Hmmm I see, I was thinking of adding plastic wraps or covers.

But anyway I'm going to check on the novel 8 I ordered and I decided to buy another set just for collection.

Plastic wraps could be done in the same way with the paper wraps, except you use little transparent tapes to tape the corners of the plastic together. Depending on where you live, there might be customized plastic covers for books of various sizes. When I was in Singapore, I often bought exact plastic covers for my manga; each costing about US$0.30. So now I have my best-loved series in complete mint condition... except that the paper sometimes gets yellow, naturally.

[C.A.]

Plastic wraps could be done in the same way with the paper wraps, except you use little transparent tapes to tape the corners of the plastic together. Depending on where you live, there might be customized plastic covers for books of various sizes. When I was in Singapore, I often bought exact plastic covers for my manga; each costing about US$0.30. So now I have my best-loved series in complete mint condition... except that the paper sometimes gets yellow, naturally.

Yea I'm singaporean, seems like singaporeans like plastic wraps alot lol, school text books are always in such wraps.

And yes it keeps books in very good conditions. But prefabricated plastic covers don't seem to come in sizes as small as the Haruhi novels.

[arias]

Yea I'm singaporean, seems like singaporeans like plastic wraps alot lol, school text books are always in such wraps.

And yes it keeps books in very good conditions. But prefabricated plastic covers don't seem to come in sizes as small as the Haruhi novels.

Haruhi novels? Mmm. I am pretty damn sure you can find the bookwraps in Popular Bookstores... I usually acquire mine from the one in Parkway Parade. Unless the novels are incredibly tiny (much smaller than the average manga book by Chuang Yi), there should be a size for it. They is the awesome :D

[Wrath88]

Yea I'm singaporean, seems like singaporeans like plastic wraps alot lol, school text books are always in such wraps.
Agreed. It keeps the books in good condition. Although my mother sometimes uses the harder paper that those calenders are made out of to wrap some of my books instead. They work just as well as plastic, although you have to cut them down to fit the book first.

[Vexx]

Actually, book covers have been *required* for eons by school districts for textbooks in the US ... and there's small industry in bookcovers ranging from paper, vinyl, leather....
We use to make them out of paper grocery sacks.... but it looks like "prefabricated" is the rage.

I only use them for my reading materials if I'm going to be "out and about" with them (like camping or traveling).

[iamandragon]

Just a thought...might not be accurtae:

"Normal humans don't interest me. If anyone here is an alien, a time traveler, slider, or an esper, then come find me! That is all."
Remember this line? We now have an alien(Nagato), a time traveller(Mikuru) and an esper(Itsuki). Then who is the slider?
Slider means people from other world--us the reader...we're from the reality world, which is a different world from the fictional world...

Does anyone approve of this theory?

[Onizuka-GTO]

you got a point there. :p

[arias]

Just a thought...might not be accurtae:

"Normal humans don't interest me. If anyone here is an alien, a time traveler, slider, or an esper, then come find me! That is all."
Remember this line? We now have an alien(Nagato), a time traveller(Mikuru) and an esper(Itsuki). Then who is the slider?
Slider means people from other world--us the reader...we're from the reality world, which is a different world from the fictional world...

Does anyone approve of this theory?

I dunno, there could be another new character later on, OR, Kyon could be the slider.

Yours is a good literary interpretation, though. Just probably unlikely.

[IchiKyo]

See Already The Chapter 9

Kyon kissed God! Oh Goodness!!!
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4162/0180191rq.th.jpg (http://img140.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0180191rq.jpg)

[panzerfan]

I had a disturbing thought that stems from the chapter "Endless Summer" from vol5
Higurashi's story 'reset' gives me a rather uncomfortable look at how the endless summer plays out. 15,497 times of re-doing it all...

[Kaioshin Sama]

See Already The Chapter 9

Kyon kissed God! Oh Goodness!!!
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4162/0180191rq.th.jpg (http://img140.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0180191rq.jpg)

Sigh here we go again, I've lost count:
From Vol 1. Chapter 7:

To me, Haruhi's not just an ordinary classmate, and certainly not any "evolution possibility", "temporal distortion" or even "God"."

What he decided Haruhi is to him we may not find out for a while or ever, but it certainly wasn't God. With that the above events happen. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt though and assume you are joking or misread the line in the spoilers or something. I'm trying not to rip peoples heads off anymore as I was accused of doing earlier yesterday, but really the god theory holds up about as well as the Wright Brother's flight at Kitty Hawk, sure it starts off good, but it falls apart and comes crashing down under the slightest scrutiny or adversity.

Though, I don't know why I keep biting, maybe it really is pointless and I'm going in circles like Kyon in that scene.

[panzerfan]

Just my own 2 cents... putting a spoiler on this for now
Well the picture painted from later volumes actually makes me less and less certain of Haruhi and all parties involved. I only have more question than I do answers as the story feels like thought experiments in every segment. The anime so far actually gives me a more coherant outlook than the novel... for one I can't even conclude which element has the upper hand now. It almost feels as if I am back to square one in some ways... that I am only certain about the SOS-dan being there, that Kyon is at the center of it all... that Haruhi's level of awareness of it all is unknown and everyone else close to her becomes more attuned to the chances tribulations brought forth to them. The game afoot feels greater than determining the nature to Haruhi to me as I read further...
Part of it I suppose has to do with my own bewilderment at all of this and getting caught up is having a perception based on precedence. The mind-boggling feelings that I got from Yuutsu has come back to bite me and it's a ride that's hard to put aside...

[Sushi-Y]

I had a disturbing thought that stems from the chapter "Endless Summer" from vol5
It's called "Endless Eight" エンドレスエイト (as in infinity ∞).
=================

You know, 8 volumes later, nobody really cares about the god thing anymore. Haruhi is Haruhi, that's all.

If Wandering Shadow (last story from vol.8) revealed anything, it's the fact that:
the primary cause for the strange events is no longer Haruhi, but 3rd party aggressors. Ever since we entered the new year (starting with volume 7), it's almost as if Haruhi was "powered down". Instead, serious threats appeared for the first time in the form of antagonist characters, bringing the action with them (and not a one-shot kind like Asakura either).

Past the Valentine event, and after the whole Mikuru+Kyon's mission-from-the-future fiasco in vol.7, things really settled down (Haruhi-wise). By the end of Wandering Shadow (which is the end of the school year, once spring break comes and goes, Haruhi, Kyon, Yuki, and Koizumi will all become 2nd year students, while Mikuru goes on to 3rd year), Koizumi explains to Kyon that since Haruhi has become so stable, aggressive factions may be trying to cause problems just to get a reaction from Haruhi.

Right now, the story has changed from "Haruhi making the world go crazy while the other members try to maintain order" in the early volumes to "Haruhi and other members enjoying peace, but powerful and mysterious antagonists are threatening to intrude"

Well, if anything, Wandering Shadow was a huge forshadowing to something big... Kind of like how "The Day of Sagittarius" was for Shoushitsu... I'm looking forward to vol.9.

Also, Yuki said her first joke in Wandering Shadow. After 8 volumes and 2400 pages, it was about time. :heh:

[panzerfan]

(O god what was I thinking, putting summer instead of August or what you've just said)

Well by vol5 even Itsuki comes to conclude that he is even more obligated to the SOS than his own faction after the snow mountain which makes me place SOS itself as the constant to be measured by. Mikuru for me still remain to be seen but... well... SOS dan suddenly is so vulnerable to me. I guess that's the only way to put it right now....

[Kaioshin Sama]

It's called "Endless Eight" エンドレスエイト (as in infinity ∞).
=================

You know, 8 volumes later, nobody really cares about the god thing anymore. Haruhi is Haruhi, that's all.

If Wandering Shadow (last story from vol.8) revealed anything, it's the fact that:
the primary cause for the strange events is no longer Haruhi, but 3rd party aggressors. Ever since we entered the new year (starting with volume 7), it's almost as if Haruhi was "powered down". Instead, serious threats appeared for the first time in the form of antagonist characters, bringing the action with them (and not a one-shot kind like Asakura either).

Past the Valentine event, and after the whole Mikuru+Kyon's mission-from-the-future fiasco in vol.7, things really settled down (Haruhi-wise). By the end of Wandering Shadow (which is the end of the school year, once spring break comes and goes, Haruhi, Kyon, Yuki, and Koizumi will all become 2nd year students, while Mikuru goes on to 3rd year), Koizumi explains to Kyon that since Haruhi has become so stable, aggressive factions may be trying to cause problems just to get a reaction from Haruhi.

Right now, the story has changed from "Haruhi making the world go crazy while the other members try to maintain order" in the early volumes to "Haruhi and other members enjoying peace, but powerful and mysterious antagonists are threatening to intrude"

Well, if anything, Wandering Shadow was a huge forshadowing to something big... Kind of like how "The Day of Sagittarius" was for Shoushitsu... I'm looking forward to vol.9.

Also, Yuki said her first joke in Wandering Shadow. After 8 volumes and 2400 pages, it was about time. :heh:

You know that's what I've been trying to point out to no avail, that "Haruhi is Haruhi". Maybe they'll listen too you.

[C.A.]

Of course Haruhi is Haruhi, shes the one and only. Its not whether she literally is a god, or she has god like powers, but Haruhi = god. We don't really care what powers she has or has not, we love her for who she is and for that she is god in our eyes.

[IchiKyo]

I heard the Chapter 3 and 4 are translated
Now time to get them...

[molitar]

Ok from the baka-tsuki project of the novel translations I have compiled the novel into a single easy to read and save pdf format :) It includes the artwork, prologue, author notes, and translator notes. You may find it located at this tracker for your enjoyment.... http://xephone.mine.nu:6969

This was released with the permission of TheLastGuardian head of the translation project. Please enjoy the work I have done compiling it and as the other volumes are fully translated I plan to compile also.

[eggplant]

Here is the cover for volume 2 of the manga tankoubon.

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2359/haruhivol20ko.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱 2 Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu 2 (The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi 2)

Release date: June 26

[IchiKyo]

Ok from the baka-tsuki project of the novel translations I have compiled the novel into a single easy to read and save pdf format :) It includes the artwork, prologue, author notes, and translator notes. You may find it located at this tracker for your enjoyment.... http://xephone.mine.nu:6969

This was released with the permission of TheLastGuardian head of the translation project. Please enjoy the work I have done compiling it and as the other volumes are fully translated I plan to compile also.

I really like the translation and the font image for each page of chapter :D

[NeoSam]

Here is the cover for volume 2 of the manga tankoubon.

Release date: June 26

Thanks for the cover :) , I added it to the first post of this thread.

[RiXeD]

It's called "Endless Eight" エンドレスエイト (as in infinity ∞).
=================

You know, 8 volumes later, nobody really cares about the god thing anymore. Haruhi is Haruhi, that's all.

If Wandering Shadow (last story from vol.8) revealed anything, it's the fact that:
the primary cause for the strange events is no longer Haruhi, but 3rd party aggressors. Ever since we entered the new year (starting with volume 7), it's almost as if Haruhi was "powered down". Instead, serious threats appeared for the first time in the form of antagonist characters, bringing the action with them (and not a one-shot kind like Asakura either).

Past the Valentine event, and after the whole Mikuru+Kyon's mission-from-the-future fiasco in vol.7, things really settled down (Haruhi-wise). By the end of Wandering Shadow (which is the end of the school year, once spring break comes and goes, Haruhi, Kyon, Yuki, and Koizumi will all become 2nd year students, while Mikuru goes on to 3rd year), Koizumi explains to Kyon that since Haruhi has become so stable, aggressive factions may be trying to cause problems just to get a reaction from Haruhi.

Right now, the story has changed from "Haruhi making the world go crazy while the other members try to maintain order" in the early volumes to "Haruhi and other members enjoying peace, but powerful and mysterious antagonists are threatening to intrude"

Well, if anything, Wandering Shadow was a huge forshadowing to something big... Kind of like how "The Day of Sagittarius" was for Shoushitsu... I'm looking forward to vol.9.

Also, Yuki said her first joke in Wandering Shadow. After 8 volumes and 2400 pages, it was about time. :heh:


So like.... no progress on HaruhixKyon relationship?

Damn, where`s my Enja!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[raikirihikari]

Are these going to be put in stores in america?

[rpgman1]

Just a thought...might not be accurtae:

"Normal humans don't interest me. If anyone here is an alien, a time traveler, slider, or an esper, then come find me! That is all."
Remember this line? We now have an alien(Nagato), a time traveller(Mikuru) and an esper(Itsuki). Then who is the slider?
Slider means people from other world--us the reader...we're from the reality world, which is a different world from the fictional world...

Does anyone approve of this theory?
Are you talking about that show "Sliders" where a group of people travel throughout parallel worlds where time is still in the present?

[C.A.]

No, sliders have since been a term for all people who travel between parallel worlds/dimensions/universes, or just dimensions.

I believe that Haruhi wasn't wishing to meet a single slider, like the others(alien, time traveller and esper), she just wished sliding would be possible or something. And the entire SOS-dan are sliders, all of them has gotten in and out of closed spaces, parallel dimensions and such.

Yuki and Itsuki can easily get in and out of specific closed spaces, so they are actually an alien/esper + slider.

Mikuru's theory on time planes is actually similar to dimensional sliding, where you can access different parts of each time line by sliding through a time plane to another.

Kyon himself experienced all sorts of dimensions, he was forced to be a slider lol

Haruhi is even more potent, she creates her own dimensions lol

[rpgman1]

Wonder why Haruhi kept Kyon since he is just an ordinary human being mentioned by Itsuki? Isn't the SOS Brigade is made up of those people who Haruhi want to meet by accident? That's like making the impossible possible isn't it?

[C.A.]

Since episode 14 is out, half of Kyon's identity has been revealed.

Haruhi didn't want to meet any of them by accident, she wanted to meet them(aliens, time travellers and espers) in her heart, she really wanted to meet them. And Kyon is the one she wanted to meet most.

Haruhi wants to meet Kyon because she wants to meet someone who would listen to her, who would relate to her, someone she can talk to. Or in other words she's looking for someone she can love and be loved. Kyon's power = the power of love.

[Mr_Geefunker]

Wow I haven't seen someone sum that end up so well. I wonder how many other people got it on their own.

I don't know though I kind of wanted to see more. The ending seemed a little rushed. I kind of wanted to see him find out about the mole is some meaningful why. Oh well, we cant get everything we want.:eyespin:

[arias]

Haruhi wants to meet Kyon because she wants to meet someone who would listen to her, who would relate to her, someone she can talk to. Or in other words she's looking for someone she can love and be loved. Kyon's power = the power of love.

No, I think you're really jumping to conclusions here.

I still think it's debatable why Kyon is in SOS-dan. I've already proposed a possible theory where NOVEL SPOILERS AHEAD

Haruhi actually wants to meet John Smith, her wish to do so prompts 'John Smith' to appear in front of her just like the alien, time traveller and esper.

Of course, John Smith is really Kyon, and she doesn't know that.

Similarly, I've already proposed the possibility that she wanted to create a new world NOT with Kyon but with John Smith, which could support why she said, "Why am I with you out of all people?"


I think this is very plausible. Her and Kyon are far from solidified, and I'd think the author would really drag on the novel for more volumes before seriously bringing them together..

[Kaioshin Sama]

You! stop beating me too the punch. Yes believe it or not under all the hustle and bustle Haruhi is a lonely girl who needs someone to care for and watch out for her, unfortunately that duty seems to rest on the often indifferent Kyon, why, search me, personally I think she could do better but maybe she likes him for some other reason. I mean people seem to like me and I don't even know why so I'm not the best person to explain this stuff :D , ask C.A he's a pretty sentimental guy.

Novel Spoilers

She looks after him too much later on in one of the later Novels, though flat out denies it when he wakes up

[Shirobane]

Wow I haven't seen someone sum that end up so well. I wonder how many other people got it on their own.

I don't know though I kind of wanted to see more. The ending seemed a little rushed. I kind of wanted to see him find out about the mole is some meaningful why. Oh well, we cant get everything we want.:eyespin:
The show only really covered the first novel. A lot of the questions raised during the length of the show will be revealed in the other novels in some form. As a gateway drug into the novels, the anime couldn't have done a better job. :heh:

[C.A.]

No, I think you're really jumping to conclusions here.

I still think it's debatable why Kyon is in SOS-dan. I've already proposed a possible theory where NOVEL SPOILERS AHEAD

Haruhi actually wants to meet John Smith, her wish to do so prompts 'John Smith' to appear in front of her just like the alien, time traveller and esper.

Of course, John Smith is really Kyon, and she doesn't know that.

Similarly, I've already proposed the possibility that she wanted to create a new world NOT with Kyon but with John Smith, which could support why she said, "Why am I with you out of all people?"


I think this is very plausible. Her and Kyon are far from solidified, and I'd think the author would really drag on the novel for more volumes before seriously bringing them together..I know about John Smith and I know who he is. And thats why I said half of Kyon's identity.

Haruhi wanted someone she loves. 1st Half.

Haruhi wanted to meet John Smith. 2nd Half.

Combine both halves and it turns out Kyon is John Smith and someone she loves. Meaning Haruhi brought Kyon into the SOS-dan because of these 2 reasons.

That's the full theory from me, and that's why I said "Since episode 14 is out, half of Kyon's identity has been revealed.".

I don't like to reveal entire spoilers, so I only explained the half thats already revealed in the show.For those who aren't going to read my spoilers, it just states that my theory is still correct until its contested again and disproved :p.

[Major Kerina]

Anyone got a clue when/if there'll be a 9th volume of the Haruhi novels?

[NeoSam]

Anyone got a clue when/if there'll be a 9th volume of the Haruhi novels?

Still no info from the publisher on when it will be out.

But there's some other interesting info :) Yay a Suzumiya Haruhi official fan book will be out on 4/8/2006 (August 4th, 2006) :D I'll post its cover when its available :)

[raphaël]

OK, I just wanted everyone to know I bought the first novel yesterday, and... Yeah, it's gonna take me a while to finish it. :heh:

The funniest part of reading in Japanese is that you can hear kyon's voice in your head all along. :p

Actually, I think it must have been pointed out many times here but lots of sentences have been used in the anime just as they are in the novel. So it's even better! :cool:

[C.A.]

The novel is the script for the anime lol, like 90+% of the anime is the same as the novels.

[raphaël]

The novel is the script for the anime lol, like 90+% of the anime is the same as the novels.
I thought it might be different when the novel is based on the manga or the anime...
The fact is I never read any light novels before, so I don't really know...

Anyways, I'm gonna try as hard as I can to finish it before I leave...
Mmm... Actually that may be a good reading to keep for when I'm back... Isn't it? :D

[C.A.]

Kyoani always stick to their novels, not only for Haruhi.

And you mean the anime and manga is based on the novels lol

[raphaël]

Kyoani always stick to their novels, not only for Haruhi.

And you mean the anime and manga is based on the novels lol
:p

No I meant, some light novels are based on anime or manga, aren't they?

[C.A.]

Hmmm, I've never seen those before, they may exist though

Most anime out there are adaptations of light novels

Haruhi originally starts out as a novel and became a manga which failed, then kyoani created the anime. A new manga was created, but it isn't really good compared to the novels and anime. The novels are still the best for the story though, Tanigawa Nagaru is just too good.

[raphaël]

Hmmm, I've never seen those before, they may exist though

Most anime out there are adaptations of light novels
Or manga. ;)
And I can assure you there are many bad light novels based on manga or anime. But let's ask KJ ok? :D

Then, yeah, Tanigawa rocks. He must be Kyon, or something, to be able to write like that.

[NeoSam]

=====

The cover of the seinen(young men's) novel magazine The Sneaker.

Released on: 30/6/2006

Cover of the magazine:

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/7857/thesneaker30620063ox.jpg

=====

The cover of the shounen(boy's) manga magazine Shounen Ace.

Released on: 26/6/2006

Cover of the magazine:

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2451/shounenace26620067mg.jpg

====

[The Creator]

i have a question 'bout the anime and the novels as well

the anime is an adaptation of the novels; but which ones? i´d guess and say that most if not all, of the first novel and some short-storys from vol 2-3-4; but that's only my guess :P

[C.A.]

The show is based mainly on the 1st novel, Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu, so the main story is the Yuuutsu episodes.

Firstly, the episode orders:

Chronological Order/Broadcast Order/Novel
Episode 01/02 - Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu Ⅰ - Novel 1 Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
Episode 02/03 - Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu Ⅱ - Novel 1 Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
Episode 03/05 - Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu Ⅲ - Novel 1 Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
Episode 04/10 - Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu Ⅳ - Novel 1 Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
Episode 05/13 - Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu Ⅴ - Novel 1 Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
Episode 06/14 - Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu Ⅵ - Novel 1 Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
Episode 07/04 - Suzumiya Haruhi no Taikutsu - Novel 3 Suzumiya Haruhi no Taikutsu
Episode 08/07 - Mysterique Sign - Novel 3 Suzumiya Haruhi no Taikutsu
Episode 09/06 - Lone Island Syndrome (Part 1) - Novel 3 Suzumiya Haruhi no Taikutsu
Episode 10/08 - Lone Island Syndrome (Part 2) - Novel 3 Suzumiya Haruhi no Taikutsu
Episode 11/01 - Asahina Mikuru no Bouken Episode 00 - Novel 6 Suzumiya Haruhi no Douyou
Episode 12/12 - Live A Live - Novel 6 Suzumiya Haruhi no Douyou
Episode 13/11 - Day of Sagittarius - Novel 5 Suzumiya Haruhi no Bousou
Episode 14/09 - Someday In The Rain - Not in the novels, specially written for the anime.

And how the Yuuutsu/Melancholy, novel 1 chapters are broken down into the anime Yuuutsu episodes;

prologue + chapter 1 + chapter 2 = Episode 2, Yuuutsu I
chapter 2 + chapter 3 = Episode 3, Yuuutsu II
chapter 2 + chapter 3 + chapter 4 = Episode 5, Yuuutsu III
chapter 5 + chapter 6 = Episode 10, Yuuutsu IV
chapter 6 = Episode 13, Yuuutsu V
chapter 7 + epilogue = Episode 14, Yuuutsu VI

[The Sphinx]

Episode 1/11: The Adventures of Asahina Mikuru Episode 00. Adapted from: Student film produced by SOS-Dan. Volume 2 of the novels follows the creation of this film.
Episode 2/1: The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi I. Adapted from Volume 1, Prologue and Chapter 1 and 2.
Episode 3/2: The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi II. Adapted from Volume 1, Chapter 2 and 3.
Episode 4/7: The Boredom of Suzumiya Haruhi. Adapted from Volume 3, chapter of the same name.
Episode 5/3: The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi III. Adapted from Volume 1, Chapter 3, 4 and 5.
Episode 6/9: Remote Island Syndrome Part I. Adapted from Volume 3, chapter entitled "Remote Island Syndrome".
Episode 7/8: Mystérique Sign. Adapted from Volume 3, chapter of the same name.
Episode 8/10: Remote Island Syndrome Part II. Adapted from Volume 3, chapter entitled "Remote Island Syndrome".
Episode 9/14: Someday in the Rain. Original story, screenplay by Tanigawa Nagaru.
Episode 10/4: The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi IV. Adapted from Volume 1, Chapter 5 and 6.
Episode 11/13: The Day of Sagittarius. Adapted from Volume 5, chapter of the same name.
Episode 12/12: Live Alive. Adapted from Volume 6, chapter of the same name.
Episode 13/5: The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi V. Adapted from Volume 1, Chapter 5 and 6.
Episode 14/6: The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi VI. Adapted from Volume 1, Chapter 7 and Epilogue.

EDIT: Heh, beaten.

[Anime Online]

I'm not sure if this was pointed out earlier.


We know in Novel#1 (Episode 02), Kyon asked Haruhi about her daily changing hairstyle. After explaining, she asked if she had seen him before, a long time ago.

The very next day, she cut her long hair. It is alluded by both the anime and novel that it was because he asked her about her hairstyle.

Fast forward to Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody in Novel#3, we know Kyon went back in time and met middle-school Haruhi. From the novel, we know the length of her hair was past shoulder-length.

It would seem high-school Haruhi cut her hair to see if Kyon was the same person she met 3 years before and if he recognized her. In fact, she wears the same hairband as middle-school Haruhi did the night she met Kyon.

[NeoSam]

The second volume of the seinen light novel The Guardian of my World (ボクのセカイをまもるヒト) got out June 2006.

Its by the same author of Suzumiya Haruhi light novel: Tanigawa Nagaru (谷川流)

Here's the cover it:

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1144/nzjcqgvol20ct.jpg

Seinen light novel
Serialized in: Dengeki Maoh
Published under the label Dengeki Bunko.

[SnakeLegend]

oh yeah i happened to had six of the novels <3
if anyone needed translation from a slacking translator, i would be glad to help out :3

[C.A.]

oh yeah i happened to had six of the novels <3
if anyone needed translation from a slacking translator, i would be glad to help out :3You're at the wrong thread lol, it should be the novel translation thread.

[aodu]

Where can i find the japanese yen price for the manga for Haruhi? My friend said that mangas costs like what 7k yen? no way man. Anyways if any of you manga-pros can prove that normal mangas like haruhi only costs about 400ish-yen each volumn, that would be a great help.

thx.

[SnakeLegend]

ok here's what i've got:
i found mine at SG$12.75 (avg price)
for the japanese one, probably.... 5k i think. shouldn't be that expensive. tried amazon.co.jp?

[Anime Online]

Where can i find the japanese yen price for the manga for Haruhi? My friend said that mangas costs like what 7k yen? no way man. Anyways if any of you manga-pros can prove that normal mangas like haruhi only costs about 400ish-yen each volumn, that would be a great help.

thx.


Volume 1 (http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/comic/bk_search.php?pcd=200512000071) of the manga is about 567 yen. 7K yen is ridiculous.

[SnakeLegend]

might be his friend summarized the whole 8 volumes of the japanese novels instead of the manga.

[aodu]

k thx guys

[NeoSam]

There will be a fan book of Suzumiya Haruhi that will be released on 25/8/2006 :)

This fan book is called:

Official Fan Book Suzumiya Haruhi no Koushiki

I'll post its cover when its available.

[Archaic]

Will that fanbook only be covering the anime, or will it cover the novels and/or manga series as well?

[raphaël]

I just wanted to boast around over the fact I just finished reading vol.2 in Japanese. :cool:

lol, yeah, I'm slow, I can't help it.

Anyways, my point is everything concerning the movie gets much much clearer, of course. Now I'm wondering how people can enjoy the series without reading the novel.
:p Just joking. It's just a big big bonus, in my humble opinion.

Now I don't think vol.3 will be as fun, if it's "just" the "script" of the eps I watched many times already. I could be mistaken though. :heh:

[FatPianoBoy]

Now I don't think vol.3 will be as fun, if it's "just" the "script" of the eps I watched many times already. I could be mistaken though. :heh:

Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody > All
And there are a few differences between the chapters that were animated and their anime counterparts.
So, it's worth it.

I'm really excited about volume four. The first chapter was just great.

[Vexx]

@raphael: Meh... My novel set is still on my shelf while I struggle through Azumanga and Yotsuba& Actually reading Suzumiya in the OJL is at least a year away.... yay for the translation team.

(jealous of your location .... too old for JET and suspicious of the others)

[raphaël]

Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody > All
And there are a few differences between the chapters that were animated and their anime counterparts.
So, it's worth it.
Thanks for telling me, I'm sure I can trust you on that. :cool:


(jealous of your location .... too old for JET and suspicious of the others)
Don't need to be. I'm about to go home next monday, and I'm f... depressed about it. I came with a working holiday visa, and as a French, it just doesn't lead anywhere... It basically destroyed all the dreams I had to find a real job and settle here.

So yeah I can't find the words to express how sad and frustrated I feel. It's just so unfair...
But anyways this is absolutely not the place to talk about that so... :p

[Vexx]

well... just make a lot of money and spend 3 months a year there puttering about?
That'd be plan B I guess.

Speaking of money ... back to work.

[raphaël]

well... just make a lot of money and spend 3 months a year there puttering about?
Heh, if things were that easy I suppose I wouldn't be so upset. Then what I want is basically living here.

For now on, at least I have some reading to do. :p

[arias]

Heh, if things were that easy I suppose I wouldn't be so upset. Then what I want is basically living here.


Marry a Japanese girl? :D

[raphaël]

Marry a Japanese girl? :D
I'm only interested in Haruhi-sama and her girlfriends, so I suppose I got a bit picky when it comes to finding a Japanese wife, lately.

:p

No, seriously, that's the last thing I'd do. Though I have friends who crossed the line... :twitch:

[NeoSam]

Yay Yay Yay Yay :D :D :D Suzumiya Haruhi Fan Book got released today (25/8/2006) :D

Details:

Official Fan Book Suzumiya Haruhi no Koushiki

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/5044/officialfanbookev5.jpg

A4
Price: 1260 yen
ISBN: 4-04-853991-4-C0076

I have to get my hands on it >.< I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it >.<

[Noppapana]

can someone explain to me what a fanbook is ?

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

No, sliders have since been a term for all people who travel between parallel worlds/dimensions/universes, or just dimensions.

I believe that Haruhi wasn't wishing to meet a single slider, like the others(alien, time traveller and esper), she just wished sliding would be possible or something. And the entire SOS-dan are sliders, all of them has gotten in and out of closed spaces, parallel dimensions and such.

Yuki and Itsuki can easily get in and out of specific closed spaces, so they are actually an alien/esper + slider.

Mikuru's theory on time planes is actually similar to dimensional sliding, where you can access different parts of each time line by sliding through a time plane to another.

Kyon himself experienced all sorts of dimensions, he was forced to be a slider lol

Haruhi is even more potent, she creates her own dimensions lol
Actually, the fact that Sliders have yet to appear in the story is a regular in-joke in the novel. Kyon often wonder if a Slider is finally going to show up this time.

Indeed, once he was told there might be dangerous enemies of SOS dan out there, and the first thought he had was "They aren't Sliders, are they?":heh:

Just like the readers and anime watchers, Kyon is just as curious about the absence of Sliders.:)

[Noppapana]

Yay Yay Yay Yay :D :D :D Suzumiya Haruhi Fan Book got released today (25/8/2006) :D

Details:

Official Fan Book Suzumiya Haruhi no Koushiki

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/5044/officialfanbookev5.jpg

A4
Price: 1260 yen
ISBN: 4-04-853991-4-C0076

I have to get my hands on it >.< I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it >.<

i have seen some scans of this fanbook most of them are the same magazine scans of Newtype but all of them are clear ( no text )
and there are even pages with Haruhi on a whole page !!

I WANT IT soo badly ... must have it !! :uhoh: :heh:
damn i am getting desperate :p

[IchiKyo]

It's just a question :/
I found a Chapter 15 of Haruhi...
The Manga didn't stop after Chapter 9?

[NeoSam]

It's just a question :/
I found a Chapter 15 of Haruhi...
The Manga didn't stop after Chapter 9?

Of course not, its still ongoing in Shounen Ace magazine :)

Also volume 3 of the manga is coming out this month (26/12/2006) :)

[relentlessflame]

Also volume 3 of the manga is coming out this month (26/12/2006) :)And, for what it's worth, they've already solicited a limited edition of the 4th volume (http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/4049007843/) for June 10th 2007. So, it's definitely on-going...

[IchiKyo]

Oh ok
Thanks for the info :)

[Sushi-Y]

By the way, the title for the 9th volume of the novel has popped up recently.
http://www.animate-shop.jp/webshop70/commodity_param/ctc/book/shc/0/cmc/4055842

涼宮ハルヒの奔走 (Suzumiya Haruhi no Housou) (Housou = Bustle, Rush)

The release date was delayed from 12/28 to Undetermined. Some say it won't be out until February.

[typhonsentra]

Yeah, I heard about the delay a long time ago. So this is the first time less than 2 new books came out in a single year since he started writing the series?

[PastPrime]

At least it is nice to knowthat Kyon has realized that Yuki is also an important part of his Harem. Or, as he said:
"But, if Asahina-san were to suddenly have a boyfriend, I'd probably stalk him all day......

Huh? So that's why, that's how it is.

Now I knew what this uncomfortable feeling in my heart was.

Whether it was Asahina-san or Nagato, I just can't stand any guy getting between them and me! It was that simple. That was why I felt so relieved, I guess I'm a simple-to-understand guy."

[NeoSam]

Here's the cover of the volume 3 of Suzumiya Haruhi manga :)

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/3418/vol3dm5.jpg

Shounen manga
Serialized in: Shounen Ace

ISBN 4-04-713885-1-C0979
Format: B6
Price: 567 Yen (including tax)

[SnakeLegend]

For Singaporeans:
Book 7 is out now already.

For the rest:
lol...
Book 9 is out already? >.<

[Kinny Riddle]

For Singaporeans:
Book 7 is out now already.

For the rest:
lol...
Book 9 is out already? >.<
That's old news. Kadokawa Taiwan's vol 7 has been out since last week, after a delay of nearly four months. Understandable, as it's a whopping 400 pages and those guys want to ensure as little errors as possible.

And there's only been a title confirmed for vol 9. (涼宮ハルヒの奔走)

Though no release date yet.

[panzerfan]

Here's something that would make alot of sense for those of us that have read novel 4:

Literary club sign-up sheet.
http://www.haruhi.tv/literatureentry.html

ps: read this list too:
http://www.haruhi.tv/library.html
(http://www.haruhi.tv/member_yuki.html)

[Cloud05]

Is there a translated version of the Manga yet?

[Skane]

Reading Vol04-Chap6 at the moment. Grinning maniacally from all the developments. I really look forward to the second season.


"Where is this place?"

"A private hospital."

I took a look around. It was an impressive single-bed ward, and I was sleeping in the bed. For me to actually check in to a single-bed ward, my family must be quite rich, and I never realized.

"A friend of my uncle happens to be the warden of this hospital, so you get special treatment when you check in here."

Turns out my family aren't rich after all.

Cheers.

[Skane]

Oh how the Yaoi fangirls would love Snow Mountain Syndrome! :heh:


Surprisingly, Haruhi actually lowers her head, bites on her lower lip and only opens up after some time.

"I had the strangest dream. I dreamed that you sneaked into my room and didn't talk like you would have... urr, and did things that you wouldn't do. I find it odd... in the end, I punched you hard and ran off! Odd, that's a dream! Right? But it didn't feel quite like a dream."

If that was a dream, then this would be a continuation of the dream. As I look at the vexed Haruhi with locked eyebrows, Koizumi heads to my direction.

"I, as well."

He stares right at my face.

"You appeared in my room as well. The appearance might have been you, but the behaviour was just terrifying... anyways, you did things that you wouldn't do."

I start to get frightened out of the blue. My sight moves away from that smiling face of Koizumi, seemingly up to something, and turns instead towards Asahina-san.
Read the whole chapter to get the full context of it. ;)

Cheers.

[panzerfan]

haruhi.tv has been updated, following the course of event in volume 4 of the novel. The keys have all been gathered.

[xxsaznpride]

@Skane:: That was probably the funniest part of all parts involving Koizumi. I forgot about it until just now....



Anyone know if the manga's still being translated into english?

[Sasha]

I just finished reading Snow Moutain Syndrome.

I have a question I don't understand and would like to hear people's opinions.


Do any of you think Mikuru was acting a big stupid that whole chapter? With thinking nothing was strange with the mansion, and telling Haruhi that she had the dream with the mansion as well.

[Mirrinus]

Meh, my thoughts on it . . . spoilers for volumes 6 and 7!

Mikuru usually knows the least out of the SOS brigade (excluding Haruhi) anyway, since even the important things she does she's totally oblivious to, and is just following the orders of her superiors. She doesn't have psychic powers like Itsuki or a super-powerful alien boss like Yuki. Her own boss tries to reveal as little to her as possible. You'll see how her position emotionally impacts her in The Melancholy of Asahina Mikuru in volume 6, and the theme of Mikuru's frustration at her helplessness continues in volume 7. Of course, the irony of the whole thing is that older Mikuru is completely aware of pretty much everything going on. She says it pains her to see her younger self so depressed, but it's necessary because when she herself was younger, she had to go through it too . . . gah, time travelers, lol.

So basically, I think it's not that Mikuru's acting stupid, but that Itsuki, Yuki, and Kyon are acting too smart. Itsuki is well-informed by a shadowy organization with contacts and sources everywhere (as revelations show in volumes 7 and 8), and has his own powers to back it up (besides his closed-space powers, I think there's enough evidence to prove he has other psychic abilities related to Haruhi). And Yuki, we all know she's capable of a ton of stuff. Kyon, while lacking abilities, is not without resources, as he can ask either Itsuki or Yuki for explanations as to the situation. Mikuru, on the other hand, is afraid of asking those two, and is unable to get a response from her own superiors.

Besides, if it weren't for Yuki and Itsuki leading him around, Kyon would probably be just as lost as Mikuru...

[Sushi-Y]

>シリーズ最新作「涼宮ハルヒの分裂」3月31日発売

( ・ω・ )ホホゥー

Seems like we're finally going to get a new Haruhi novel volume soon. But it seems that the volume title won't be 涼宮ハルヒの奔走, as rumored earlier, but 涼宮ハルヒの分裂 (Suzumiya Haruhi no Bunretsu) (Suzumiya Haruhi's Break Up/Division) instead.

The novel appears to be scheduled for a March 31st release.
*looks at my vol.8 colophon*
(Heisei 18 (2006) May 1st, First print published)
I can't be believe it has almost been a year since the last volume. :heh:

related links:
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/keyword/%CE%C3%B5%DC%A5%CF%A5%EB%A5%D2%A4%CE%CA%AC%CE%F6
(Hatena entry on Bunretsu. The beginning of a new school year)
http://www.broccoli.co.jp/news/0702/22_books_sneaker.html
(Gamers' product entry on the April issue of "The Sneakers", with mentions of an included bonus of a replacement book cover featuring Itou Noizi's original illustration for the newest novel volume)

[myopius]

Excellent, it's good to finally have that info down. New title sounds dramatic, I hope it doesn't mean that the novels will be wrapping up soon (like, if it was the SOS Brigade that broke up...)--it seemed to me like they're just starting to get interesting with all the development in volume 7, but I retain the fear that Tanigawa could decide not to flesh out every detail of the whole fictional universe of the novels and get tired of writing more Haruhi-related stories... :upset: Well, just another month or so until we see how things look as far as that's concerned, then.

Edit: Speculation:

The way I see it, this novel was called both Honsou and Bunretsu, right? So both of those should apply to it, unless they're not as concentric to the plot as they should be (the Melancholy & Disappearance & Intrigues certainly were, IMO). I Google'd Honsou (not the best translator, I admit, especially when it could use different kanji, or what have you ...) and the first result stated, "Honsou” means to run around everywhere or to scramble for, so that things will turn out all right." Perhaps something happens which splits up something, and then it's necessary to run around trying to fix it? The way I read "honsou" as it's described (specifically, the "run around everywhere" part), I'd also be tempted to speculate that multiple, perhaps somewhat isolated occurrences cause that thing to be split up in many different ways. Thus my theory is: different issues involving different SOS brigade members occur around the same time, probably many at once at least in part, and Kyon & Haruhi (unless she's also affected? but usually they would have a plot arc just centered around her, I'd imagine, if they were to have one at all... where by "they" I just mean Tanigawa of course) have to run around and try to resolve the issues (Haruhi not necessarily knowing all of what's going on).

[Nemo_N]

Yay! I wonder if it'll be a new arc... short stories are OK, but I would like to see more plot advancement.

Waiting for the translation will feel like an eternity (winks @ Baka-Tsuki) .

EDIT: I've been thinking, what is the use for the japanese word Bunretsu; physical division? Or maybe the SOS-dan will break up!

Even better; Haruhi becomes two Haruhis! One tsun-tsun and one dere-dere!:D

[Sushi-Y]

Yay! I wonder if it'll be a new arc... short stories are OK, but I would like to see more plot advancement.

Waiting for the translation will feel like an eternity (winks @ Baka-Tsuki) .

EDIT: I've been thinking, what is the use for the japanese word Bunretsu; physical division? Or maybe the SOS-dan will break up!

Even better; Haruhi becomes two Haruhis! One tsun-tsun and one dere-dere!:D
There weren't any new Haruhi short-stories being serialized on The Sneaker as of late, and considering the series track record, I'd say chances are good that Bunretsu will be a single long-story volume similar to Inbou (vol.7).

All the suggestion you mentioned have all been suggested by speculating Japanese fans as well. Right now, possible implications of Bunretsu include:
1. SOS-dan splitting
2. Haruhi splitting into two persons (lol)
3. The volume itself splitting into two books (rofl)

[quigonkenny]

...I'd say chances are good that Bunretsu will be a single long-story volume similar to Inbou (vol.7).

Awesome. More arc = WIN.

[panzerfan]

I don't know... for a 'split' that I thought of has already happened, and Kyon's still alright, more or less...

It looks like that if I don't think of something, SOS Brigade will spawn an oversea division sooner or later. I hope that the situation then won't become totally uncontrollable- I say this to myself, in the depths of my ears, with my deficient language skills.

[Sushi-Y]

「涼宮ハルヒ」最新巻は上下巻構成で、第9巻『涼宮ハルヒの分裂』が4月1日発売、第10巻『涼宮ハルヒの 驚愕』も間を置かずに刊行予定。
"Suzumiya Haruhi's newest issue will consist of two volumes, with volume 9 "Suzumiya Haruhi no Bunretsu" (bunretsu = separation/division) going on sale April 1st, while volume 10 "Suzumiya Haruhi no Kyougaku" (kyougaku = surprise/shock) is also expected to be released immediately after."

Sounds interesting, but why April 1st of all days? ^^;

[Noppapana]

cover of volume9

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1750/1172480929701wt4.jpg

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

cover of volume9

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1750/1172480929701wt4.jpg

Assuming the Moonphase info is correct, I am almost certain the volume 10 cover would feature Kyon, reaching his hand out to meet Haruhi's.:D

[typhonsentra]

You know, I've always preferred the way she's drawn in the show... by far.

By the way, notice her hair's a bit longer than normal on this cover?

[Noppapana]

You know, I've always preferred the way she's drawn in the show... by far.

By the way, notice her hair's a bit longer than normal on this cover?

a hint for ponytail ??? :D :p

[quigonkenny]

By the way, notice her hair's a bit longer than normal on this cover?
Maybe Kyon accidentally kissed Tsuruya-san on the forehead? ^_^

[Woland]

Well but... 1st April still worry me a lot...

It's a safe day in Japan?

[Sushi-Y]

cover of volume9
Actually, that appears to be the replacement cover mentioned over at Gamer's page (http://www.broccoli.co.jp/news/0702/22_books_sneaker.html), which was included as a bonus with the April issue of The Sneaker. So the real "normal" vol.9 cover should be different?

Also, MOON PHASE was just updated again with some general spoilers from vol.9 (I didn't want to read it myself, but my eyes just landed on them when the page loaded, damn it). I'll put them here, but don't read unless you don't mind being spoiled.
- Alternate world visiter (slider)
- All SOS-dan members advance one grade. No class changes. Haruhi stays behind Kyon.
- "Nagato Yuki's Counterattack Episode 00 Preview" airs. It was filmed during spring break.
- Haruhi and the gang are seeking new members for the combined Literature club SOS-dan.
- Student council president and Kimidori-san appears once again.
- Even though Haruhi is supposed to be in a great mood, it seems like she's becoming unstable unconsciously, with <<Shinjins>> going on rampages every night.
- It has been a while (since he last fought them), so Koizumi is currently exhausted from work.
- The reason is something that happened on the last day of spring break, cue flashback.
- Kyon's junior high friend, Sasaki, appears. A guy who rambles a lot like Koizumi. A call from Sudou wanting to hold a reunion or something.

[FatPianoBoy]

By the way, notice her hair's a bit longer than normal on this cover?

She cut it back in September. Hair grows quite a bit in six months ;)

[quigonkenny]

Actually, that appears to be the replacement cover mentioned over at Gamer's page (http://www.broccoli.co.jp/news/0702/22_books_sneaker.html), which was included as a bonus with the April issue of The Sneaker. So the real "normal" vol.9 cover should be different?

Also, MOON PHASE was just updated again with some general spoilers from vol.9 (I didn't want to read it myself, but my eyes just landed on them when the page loaded, damn it). I'll put them here, but don't read unless you don't mind being spoiled.
- Alternate world visiter (slider)
- All SOS-dan members advance one grade. No class changes. Haruhi stays behind Kyon.
- "Nagato Yuki's Counterattack Episode 00 Preview" airs. It was filmed during spring break.
- Haruhi and the gang are seeking new members for the combined Literature club SOS-dan.
- Student council president and Kimidori-san appears once again.
- Even though Haruhi is supposed to be in a great mood, it seems like she's becoming unstable unconsciously, with <<Shinjins>> going on rampages every night.
- It has been a while (since he last fought them), so Koizumi is currently exhausted from work.
- The reason is something that happened on the last day of spring break, cue flashback.
- Kyon's junior high friend, Sasaki, appears. A guy who rambles a lot like Koizumi. A call from Sudou wanting to hold a reunion or something.
If those spoilers end up being true, then... Wow. That answers a big question.

[myopius]

Man, from the titles it seems like the series is reaching a major point which could signify the beginning of the end (probably not the end itself I'd guess, right? last volume being "Surprise/Shock" seems melodramatic). Of course that could be completely incorrect but don't say if it is because I don't want to read that spoiler for volume 9. And on that note:

Guess it's time to stop hanging out on IRC as I don't want to read that spoiler for volume 9.

Anyway, in spite of heightening my fears that Suzumiya Haruhi novels won't be continuing on in completely expected directions for the next three decades with these titles, this announcement just really gave me a jolt of excitement. Hmm, I wonder if season 2 could include these novels? Since the two main arcs besides Melancholy (Disappearance & Intrigues) aren't as Haruhi-centric as these two upcoming ones seem (at first glance)... Nah, probably impossible due to the tight release interval and the background necessary. ...And I probably shouldn't speculate on the anime in the novel thread (why do I find myself speculating on one in the other's thread?).

[quigonkenny]

Man, from the titles it seems like the series is reaching a major point which could signify the beginning of the end (probably not the end itself I'd guess, right? last volume being "Surprise/Shock" seems melodramatic). Of course that could be completely incorrect but don't say if it is because I don't want to read that spoiler for volume 9. And on that note:

Guess it's time to stop hanging out on IRC as I don't want to read that spoiler for volume 9.

Anyway, in spite of heightening my fears that Suzumiya Haruhi novels won't be continuing on in completely expected directions for the next three decades with these titles, this announcement just really gave me a jolt of excitement. Hmm, I wonder if season 2 could include these novels? Since the two main arcs besides Melancholy (Disappearance & Intrigues) aren't as Haruhi-centric as these two upcoming ones seem (at first glance)... Nah, probably impossible due to the tight release interval and the background necessary. ...And I probably shouldn't speculate on the anime in the novel thread (why do I find myself speculating on one in the other's thread?).
Season 2 will be based around Volume 4 and Season 3 will be based around Volume 7. I'm calling it now.

No more anime speculation from me in the novel thread. *Zips mouth*

[ellifeedn]

Do you think that the "Sneering Bastard" and the kidnapper woman from vol.7 will transfer into the school and make things more difficult for the SOS dan? I don't know if this thread is the right one to post in, so don't blame me if it isn't.

[PastPrime]

Do you think that the "Sneering Bastard" and the kidnapper woman from vol.7 will transfer into the school and make things more difficult for the SOS dan? I don't know if this thread is the right one to post in, so don't blame me if it isn't.

I wouldn't expect SB to tranfer in, but the fangirly female kidnapper souded like she expected to see a lot more of Kyon. If she joined the Literature Club and then started trying to take Kyon away from Haruhi, I am sure that it would cause multiple reactions.

[ellifeedn]

I know that what I write next would go against all forms of logic, reasoning, and faith that we have in Kyon (and I'll probably be "severly" punished for even considering this) but I got this wierd, compulsive feeling that I had to write this. There is a high probability that there will be a representative from each of the other factions enrolling in the school, and I think that Kyon will become friends with them like he is friends with the people in SOSdan.

Other than that, I believe that sliders, based on my understanding of them, can break the forth wall as they could bring Kyon into what would be "our" world. :uhoh: ...hmm, I wonder what would happen.

[X207]

so far we've seen 3 aliens (yuki emiri ryoko), the time the not so future asahina was kidnapped, might there hav been the 4th alien? cause 3 out of 4 supernatural groups hav been introduced, sliders not yet. so im presuming a slider wasnt part of the fab trio

[Sushi-Y]

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/3135/200609000124wj7.jpg (http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%B6%BC%E5%AE%AE%E3%83%8F%E3%83%AB%E3%83%92%E3%8 1%AE%E5%88%86%E8%A3%82-%E8%B0%B7%E5%B7%9D-%E6%B5%81/dp/4044292094)
It's Bunretsu time~

Expect comments and spoilers to pop up all over the place soon. :heh:

[X207]

when vol 9 spoilers do come, pls mention that they're from vol 9 b4 u put the spoiler

[Anant]

Is this real or fake?

http://www.cartoon.co.th/webboard/picture/request/03033_13942.jpg

Credit from 2chan

[Nemo_N]

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/3135/200609000124wj7.jpg (http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%B6%BC%E5%AE%AE%E3%83%8F%E3%83%AB%E3%83%92%E3%8 1%AE%E5%88%86%E8%A3%82-%E8%B0%B7%E5%B7%9D-%E6%B5%81/dp/4044292094)
It's Bunretsu time~

Expect comments and spoilers to pop up all over the place soon. :heh:

Damn you all, japanese language readers! :p

I demand double layer spoiler tags!

*waits for translations*:(

[Sushi-Y]

Is this real or fake?
Lol not unless they want to drive down sales. :heh:
Notice the copy and pasting of white backgrounds near the top left?

The normal cover is the image I posted above, while the special replacement cover included in the April issue of The Sneaker looks like this:
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7659/kakekaecoveror2.th.png (http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=kakekaecoveror2.png)

[quigonkenny]

Is this real or fake?
That's from the special YFG Edition. It includes 20 pages of blank space at the end for all the YFGs to fanfic "that" kind of ending into the story.

[wtflux]

It's Bunretsu time~

Expect comments and spoilers to pop up all over the place soon. :heh:


spoiler away, please.

it's very annoying when people take away my right to spoil myself =) of course i'm totally at their mercy for even giving me the option to spoil myself before i can get my hands on a translation or book.

if people don't want to be spoiled, they shouldn't click the spoiler button. if they do, it's they're fault; if they whine, they're being childish and need to learn what 'self control' means(if you want my opinion, if they clicked and read, in truth they want to be spoiled).

i prefer to know ahead of time; the most entertaining thing about reading a book is seeing HOW the author unravels the story in detail.

anyhow thanks sushi for all you've done with higurashi+haruhi(and of course all you other people who translated or edited at some point for haruhi too). can't wait to hear if tanigawa is going to delay some conclusions even longer, what with all the opportunities he's had to wrap many things up. kyon's realized how important haruhi is to him -how- many times now? ;) even 2 is too many for nothing to happen(this is, of course, my perspective--not a spoiler ;)).

i'm dissatisfied with the way tanigawa has done things so far in terms of plot(which isn't to say i don't like it overall), but i will grant him redemption if we get some major plot or relationship progress(some relationship is necessary... more ridiculous the longer the conflict is drawn out) in the next two books(both of them).

with names like 'split' and especially 'surprise', it looks good.

[ricerocket]

picture spoilers :D



http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi2.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi3.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi4.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi5.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi6.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi7.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi8.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi9.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhia.jpg

[ellifeedn]

picture spoilers :D



http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi2.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi3.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi4.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi5.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi6.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi7.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi8.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhi9.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhia.jpg




Wow. Where did you get those from?

[ricerocket]

more spoiler pics :D



http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/ricerocket101/haruhib.jpg

[darkadherent]

theres already a torrent of scanlations of volume 9 in the internet

[TigerII]

Damn, that was hella fast.

[Newguy]

It should be titled "the Splitting of Kyon" because his ex-girlfriend, Sasaki, is 'other Haruhi' of other-SOS-dan! Of coz there are other "Koizumi", other "Mikuru", and other "Nagato"! Therefore, there is two SOS-dans!

On otherwise, this "SOS-dan of the Dark side(?)" has every member that has similar abilities except that they don't have Kyon.

So, there is other Haruhi, whose name is Sasaki, is always creating Closed Space to make Koizumi very, very tired.

Then it will be a huge problem of Kyon -- would he remain in the "SOS-dan of Light(?) Side" or turn into the "SOS-dan of Dark Side(?)".

Well, Kyon, now we are going to see you are going to be Anakin Skywalker or Luke Skywalker.

[X207]

It should be titled "the Splitting of Kyon" because his ex-girlfriend, Sasaki, is 'other Haruhi' of other-SOS-dan! Of coz there are other "Koizumi", other "Mikuru", and other "Nagato"! Therefore, there is two SOS-dans!

On otherwise, this "SOS-dan of the Dark side(?)" has every member that has similar abilities except that they don't have Kyon.

So, there is other Haruhi, whose name is Sasaki, is always creating Closed Space to make Koizumi very, very tired.

Then it will be a huge problem of Kyon -- would he remain in the "SOS-dan of Light(?) Side" or turn into the "SOS-dan of Dark Side(?)".

Well, Kyon, now we are going to see you are going to be Anakin Skywalker or Luke Skywalker.

pls say the spoiler is from vol 9 next time, i opened it to realise its vol 9 and unfortunately my curiosity did me in. i understand its a spoiler but pls dont just put in spoilers like that without giving a hint as to where the spoiler is from

[wtflux]

volume 9 spoiler
around p83 after he's done with his story, kyon denies any middle-school romantic feelings between him and sasaki =p although we know that denials of romantic interest from main characters in these stereotype-fitting genres(light novels+anime+manga) means absolutely nothing, usually the opposite. i haven't gotten any further, so i might be missing something, and i suspect sasaki thought otherwise of the situation. correct me if i'm wrong in any of this, i'm mainly reading this to exercise my japanese, which isn't perfect.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

volume 9 spoiler
around p83 after he's done with his story, kyon denies any middle-school romantic feelings between him and sasaki =p although we know that denials of romantic interest from main characters in these stereotype-fitting genres(light novels+anime+manga) means absolutely nothing, usually the opposite. i haven't gotten any further, so i might be missing something, and i suspect sasaki thought otherwise of the situation. correct me if i'm wrong in any of this, i'm mainly reading this to exercise my japanese, which isn't perfect.

reply to spoiler...
According to Kyon, everyone else except him who was around back then believe he was dating the girl. So it is probably something complicated that occurred in the past. Oh, and they also said she is as weird as Haruhi.

[wtflux]

from vol9
yeah, kyon came to the conclusion that that their guesses were reasonable(based on how sasaki+kyon looked) after he finished telling koizumi his story(just various stuff about sasaki+cram school), he just says they misunderstood and there was no romantic intimacy =p yeah, it probably was more complicated than kyon realized at the time.

on another note, apparently kyon revealed his real name to sasaki--so at least we know he -does- have one(whether or not he actually does has always been a question in my mind =p). unless that's a fabricated memory :O

about the weirdness, the only thing i've seen mentioned so far(i'm zooming in on parts i find interesting and reading them, i've probably skipped a lot) is that she refers to herself in a boyish way. kyon says

"as she blended in very well with the other girls, i couldn't see her as anything other than a normal schoolgirl. the only exceptional things about her were the excellence of her social graces and the seeming shine of her pupils while she talked. Yep, aside from when she was talking to guys, she was the kind of plain middle school student you could find anywhere, now a high school student."

^there may be some translation errors there but i hope i got it mostly correct. anyways, obviously kyon didn't think she was that weird =p

EDIT: added a bit more to the translation

[quigonkenny]

from vol9
yeah, kyon came to the conclusion that that their guesses were reasonable(based on how sasaki+kyon looked) after he finished telling koizumi his story(just various stuff about sasaki+cram school), he just says they misunderstood and there was no romantic intimacy =p yeah, it probably was more complicated than kyon realized at the time.

on another note, apparently kyon revealed his real name to sasaki--so at least we know he -does- have one(whether or not he actually does has always been a question in my mind =p). unless that's a fabricated memory :O

about the weirdness, the only thing i've seen mentioned so far(i'm zooming in on parts i find interesting and reading them, i've probably skipped a lot) is that she refers to herself in a boyish way. kyon says

"as she blended in very well with the other girls, i couldn't see her as anything other than a normal schoolgirl. the only exceptional things about her were the excellence of her social graces and the seeming shine of her pupils while she talked. Yep, aside from when she was talking to guys, she was the kind of plain middle school student you could find anywhere, now a high school student."

^there may be some translation errors there but i hope i got it mostly correct. anyways, obviously kyon didn't think she was that weird =p

EDIT: added a bit more to the translation
Actually, Kyon's revealed his name to at least his entire class. If you remember, the first real scene of the first chapter of the first book begins with his (off-screen) introduction to the class (right before Haruhi's memorable introduction). In truth, his real name is only a mystery to the readers, as there's no reason to believe that anyone who knows him well doesn't know his real name (his teachers, Kunikida, and all the SOS-Dan members, certainly, although Haruhi may not remember it). They just don't use it.

[wtflux]

volume9
yeah, the chances that the name he revealed to his class wasn't his real name are extremely low--i'd have to go out on a limb to believe tanigawa would do that. i didn't think of that. =(

some other stuff about the opposite SOS dan:
i guess the name of "sneering bastard" is fujiwara, and he is a time traveler. the esper's name seems to be tachibana kyouko(probably have that wrong), and kimidori would be the alien. predictably, they think that sasaki, not haruhi, is the godlike existence.

[quigonkenny]

So, regarding the members of the other SOS-Dan, we know they're all "special" people, right? Just to make sure I have this straight, the Nagato analogue is (I assume) a member of the group that is a rival to the IDSE (the group behind "Snow Mountain Syndrome"), the Itsuki analogue ("Sneering Bastard") is a member of the rival time travelers (from Vol 7), the Mikuru analogue is the Kyon fangirl who previously came across as the leader of the rival Organization (again, from Vol 7) and is thus likely an esper, and the Haruhi analogue is Kyon's old "girlfriend." Do I have that right?

Now the big question is, for how many of them do we have their full names mentioned somewhere in the book? Previously, there's been an unwritten (figuratively, that is) rule that "special" people have had their full names revealed (ie: Koizumi Itsuki, Suzumiya Haruhi, Kimidori Emiri), while "normal" people either only have a single name revealed (Tanaguchi, Tsuruya-san) or a nickname or descriptive name (Kyon, Computer Society President). I'd like to know if that holds true.

[wtflux]

I've read from various places that the nagato analogue's name is Suou. i haven't read of a last name. and i haven't personally seen her name anywhere despite reading various sections of the book enough to know the other names.
Sneering Bastard insists that names are pointless; probably has something to do with the apparent 'psychic link' humans have in the future(i.e. it seems to be implied that computers and the internet analogue, even time travel, are somehow linked directly to humans or a human network). but after sasaki asks him politely he immediately replies 'fujiwara,'(maybe he is either subordinate to sasaki or has romantic feelings for her ala alternate universe koizumi?) and that's the name they use for him, although it seems that this is only a temporary name given because of contemporary culture's need for names.
ESPer's name is tachibana kyouko, if i'm reading the kanji right.

also, a third SOS brigade is hinted at. i think this is whole multiple SOS brigade thing is kind of asinine/juvenile, there are much better ways he could have invented other factions without actually making them into a brigade. the multiple endings thing is stupid as well, if it's really a 'choose your ending' type of deal. but i'll have to see how he executes it to make a final analysis. it would be OK if there were only 2 sos brigades, and the other SOS brigade was from the alternate reality that nagato created. but i guess according to tanigawa that wouldn't exist anymore.

on a side note, trying to read this is magnifying my hatred for kanji and especially those who implemented it by about tenfold. i don't even want to imagine what it would be like trying to read chinese. at least they give furigana for -some- of the words.

[Plant42]

So, regarding the members of the other SOS-Dan, we know they're all "special" people, right? Just to make sure I have this straight, the Nagato analogue is (I assume) a member of the group that is a rival to the IDSE (the group behind "Snow Mountain Syndrome"), the Itsuki analogue ("Sneering Bastard") is a member of the rival time travelers (from Vol 7), the Mikuru analogue is the Kyon fangirl who previously came across as the leader of the rival Organization (again, from Vol 7) and is thus likely an esper, and the Haruhi analogue is Kyon's old "girlfriend." Do I have that right?

Now the big question is, for how many of them do we have their full names mentioned somewhere in the book? Previously, there's been an unwritten (figuratively, that is) rule that "special" people have had their full names revealed (ie: Koizumi Itsuki, Suzumiya Haruhi, Kimidori Emiri), while "normal" people either only have a single name revealed (Tanaguchi, Tsuruya-san) or a nickname or descriptive name (Kyon, Computer Society President). I'd like to know if that holds true.


The time traveller name is Fujiwara
The esper name is Tachibana Kyouko
and the alien name is Suou Kuyou

[wtflux]

someone should upload the color illustrations =(
i've seen the one with the three girls staring at the camera, but i'm hoping for something other than that =/

[Mirrinus]

While others may disagree, I for one welcome any spoilers. ^_^

I am simply voracious for any new story material, and this stuff sounds too crazy not to follow.

[Sheba]

Sweet! The story is getting to move, just when one of my friends keep on moaning and bitching about how nothing does ever happen in Haruhiverse.

The alt SOS dan thingie reminds me the other time traveller team in "Quantum Leap".

Some may say that it is jumping the shark (and that is saying w/o even actually read it), I believe that Tanigawa can pull a nice story out of it; after all "ZOMG HARUHI DISAPPEARS AND I BE IN ANOTHER WORLD" sounded like a very cheesy premise for a train-wreck, and we saw how good the author did it.

[typhonsentra]

I've read from various places that the nagato analogue's name is Suou. i haven't read of a last name. and i haven't personally seen her name anywhere despite reading various sections of the book enough to know the other names.
Sneering Bastard insists that names are pointless; probably has something to do with the apparent 'psychic link' humans have in the future(i.e. it seems to be implied that computers and the internet analogue, even time travel, are somehow linked directly to humans or a human network). but after sasaki asks him politely he immediately replies 'fujiwara,'(maybe he is either subordinate to sasaki or has romantic feelings for her ala alternate universe koizumi?) and that's the name they use for him, although it seems that this is only a temporary name given because of contemporary culture's need for names.
ESPer's name is tachibana kyouko, if i'm reading the kanji right.

also, a third SOS brigade is hinted at. i think this is whole multiple SOS brigade thing is kind of asinine/juvenile, there are much better ways he could have invented other factions without actually making them into a brigade. the multiple endings thing is stupid as well, if it's really a 'choose your ending' type of deal. but i'll have to see how he executes it to make a final analysis. it would be OK if there were only 2 sos brigades, and the other SOS brigade was from the alternate reality that nagato created. but i guess according to tanigawa that wouldn't exist anymore.

on a side note, trying to read this is magnifying my hatred for kanji and especially those who implemented it by about tenfold. i don't even want to imagine what it would be like trying to read chinese. at least they give furigana for -some- of the words.

Yeah, I was afraid it'd go in that direction. It always seems like Tanigawa's ideas are better as obscure ideas, and when we actually see them executed it ends up disappointing. Volume 7 was like that for me and I'm kind of getting a similar vibe from this book.

[wtflux]

don't get too mad at me, because i strongly agree with your friend and i'm going to speak pretty bluntly. has no bearing on my opinion of you, i just do not think very highly of tanigawa's work as a whole anymore. he's fallen prey to the same flaws most of the other contemporary japanese manga/anime/etc. writers are =(

"ZOMG HARUHI DISAPPEARS AND I BE IN ANOTHER WORLD"
to be honest that didn't really sound very cheesy to me, and i still don't think it's very cheesy at all.

the anti-group does, however. "Oh, against all sensibility let's make it so that there just happens to be another group with complete analogues to each character(god knows why they felt the need to coincidentally band together in a group of 4, all with the same 'type' and number of super-people, despite each having background groups). an ANTI-version of the protagonists?! that's a Stephen King caliber plot twist!"

the only bad thing about the dimension-crossing idea was that you knew in the end it probably wouldn't matter, because of the way the plot has been going. it was basically tied to nothing before it. if he ended things with that, or if things drastically changed and haruhi lost her powers etc. it wouldn't fit the plot at all(think of the plot like a string, the longer tanigawa makes very little happen, the harder it is to naturally make big vibrations in the string). especially since it's another dimension, the plot could have no effect on haruhi, and thus the most it could do was make a revelation about, say, the nature of haruhi's powers or kyon's feelings for haruhi(it didnt do much for either; for the main plot, it just gave us a tidbit that haruhi's powers can be transferred).

the thing that's pissing off both your friend(i strongly suspect) and myself, is that it's blatant that tanigawa has -at least- five conflicts he can utilize to move the plot forward with EASILY at any time:

(for clarity, i identify "main plot" as haruhi's relationship with kyon(romantic plot), the nature of haruhi's powers, and what will come of those powers(together, the practical plot))

1. The fact that haruhi has everything she has asked for around her
2. Kyon's earlier "love relationship" in middle school, but
he seems to have killed that opportunity this chapter, sasaki seems to be anything but competition for haruhi, but i'm not totally sure yet
3. The fact that haruhi has godlike powers
4. The fact that Kyon is John Smith
5. The dream kiss and the reality behind it

and he has used NONE of them to directly move the main plot for many novels now; notice ALL of these were introduced in the first novel.

in addition, kyon has many revelations about himself, the changes to his life, and whether or not haruhi is valuable to him(neverMIND the question of whether or not he wants her sexually or romantically; we aren't even there yet!), yet none of them are never used as anything more than methods of delivery of a basic message. i don't think any of his revelations have changed his attitude or caused actions towards haruhi.

oh, and the last two pages of vol9(GET READY, THIS IS A SHOCKER)
Nagato is absent from the club. Haruhi calls her or gets a call(i can't remember) and after hearing that she is sick, is frustrated that she wasn't told by anyone that Nagato hadn't come to school that day and(HERE IT COMES)

ARE YOU READY?

haruhi decides they will to go to nagato's house.

the last line of the book, from that ending(i don't know if it's alpha or beta, the book is missing pages), is "and there wasn't a single brigade member that had a complaint[against this suggestion].

WHEW, I'm shocked and fulfilled! The only good thing about it is that it's a different ending from how Tanigawa usually ends his novels(cliffhanger type; tanigawa almost never does cliffhangers novel-to-novel, usually when authors do things like that(if they don't always do it...) something major is coming up).

i think tanigawa, like many of his contemporaries, is scared that people will lose interest if he actually ENDS something. he doesn't have enough confidence to realize that even if he did, people will still enjoy reading about his characters if he were to publish more after doing so(full metal panic fumoffu, for example, would have worked well even if all the conflicts in the story were resolved). the fact that the plot goes nowhere and people keep reading indicates that that's the case(half of the reason I read haruhi is for the character interaction between Kyon and the other brigade members; and i don't mean in a romance sense).

[typhonsentra]

Well he'd better snap out of it if what you're saying is true. People started losing interesting in Lost after teh second season. At least they finally introduced a character we've only heard of before, that's something right?

[wtflux]

yeah, and i'm not trying to say the novel and series are a complete flop. the introduction of sasaki could be huge. like i said, i haven't nearly read everything yet(just what i could find of the important-seeming parts), and i am probably completely missing the second ending from the file i have(anyone care to help?). the whole two-endings thing is completely asinine, by the way, unless he merges the endings in the next novel. reminds me of those old R.L. Stein horror books for elementary students.

I am just in a very low mood with tanigawa because of overall series progress, as i have stated above, and the fact that it seems like he killed Sasaki as a method to move the main romance plot; sasaki doesn't seem to be anything more than a friend to kyon. At least I've read in one ending that Sasaki ends up with haruhi's powers, which is huge. I don't know which ending that is, and that's very important. in the other ending, the two SOS brigades become one--which, while interesting, doesn't actually seem that significant in the scheme of things.

[John.S]

ahem ... if u don't mind, short question ...
1. are those ppl Kyon's kouhei ?
2. what is their reason for creating the 2nd SOS-dan ?
3. where's their basecamp ? (don't tell me they taking over some other clubroom just like Haru-nyan does ?)

thanks ;)

[wtflux]

1. "kouhei?" do you mean "kouhai" as in juniors? if so, i'm not sure. i don't think they are even enrolled in North High.
2. They believe Sasaki is the godlike existence, apparently. Other than that, they all have their own motives, just as Koizumi's, Yuki's, and Mikuru's organizations do.
3. I'm not so sure if they have a 'basecamp.' As far as I know, they don't actually operate as a high school club brigade, just an association of 4 people, and thus when they want to talk they simply meet in a cafe.

this info probably seems shaky, and don't take it to heart. i'm busy with college and it takes me a long time to read this stuff, but i'm assuming you're all just as hungry for any potential official info as i am, so i'm posting without knowing the entire picture yet.

[John.S]

thx for such quick reply :)
more questions ...

1. this Sasaki girl, is she fully aware about her god-like powers ?
2. does Kyon and the others know about the existance of this 2nd brigade ?
2. who's the slider guy that mentioned in previous page ? I assumed that it isn't Tsuruya-san, eh ? ^^

thanks :)

[wtflux]

i can't really answer those, as I'm not sure of them yet.

i can give some roundabout answers though:

i'm not sure if sasaki had powers to begin with. i believe she does. my statement that they believe she is the godlike being is pretty much a direct quote, however(the person(tachibana) literally says they think that sasaki, NOT haruhi, is the godlike existence), so chances are either she already does have them or she is a person who is capable of receiving them(vol4 nagato style). sasaki, however, is not ignorant of the 'alternate brigade's' purpose.

i have not heard of a slider yet, and i am of the opinion that it is probably just a misunderstanding and no slider exists in volume 9.

i believe everyone but Haruhi knows of their existence. at the very least, Kyon does, and Koizumi knows about sasaki, so I presume that the other brigade members know what's up, although they may not know that the other brigade is trying to get Kyon to cooperate with them.

[John.S]

again, TFYI.
pls let us know if there's more info to share :)

[CrowKenobi]

Spoilers from volume 9:

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/5894/1175483590576mf1.th.jpg (http://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1175483590576mf1.jpg) Left to Right: Tachibana Kyoko, Suo Kuyo, Sasaki

And a colorized version of a previously posted pic:
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/7489/1175484066467de5.th.jpg (http://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1175484066467de5.jpg)

h/t sos-dan.com

:cool:

[quigonkenny]

Spoilers from volume 9:

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/5894/1175483590576mf1.th.jpg (http://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1175483590576mf1.jpg) Left to Right: Tachibana Kyoko, Suo Kuyo, Sasaki

And a colorized version of a previously posted pic:
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/7489/1175484066467de5.th.jpg (http://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1175484066467de5.jpg)

h/t sos-dan.com

:cool:
Regarding first pic, middle... That is some serious hair...

[Mirrinus]

Or it could be, ya know, that people are trying to take the series a bit too seriously. Recall, we've had combat waitresses, giant crickets, Kyon in a cat costume, and Haruhi taking over an RPG world. I'm really interested more for the ride than the actual destination. I don't really care if the total displacement is zero so long as the velocity and acceleration were enjoyable.

[wtflux]

"Or it could be, ya know, that people are trying to take the series a bit too seriously..."

as if it's wrong to expect a plot to end someday? haruhi isn't school rumble.

i'm perfectly fine with a 'ride,' as i stated in the last post. azumanga daioh is a well done 'for the ride' series; it has no plot, it's all about the characters. haruhi is not a 'ride' series, it has a plot and continuously focuses on it without ever actually doing anything with it, which naturally detracts from the experience if you care at all about the plot.

i am simply frustrated with what i perceive to be relatively good writing that was spoiled by the writer's lack of desire to end things. if the author provides something to take seriously(there are two main plot lines), it's only natural to expect it to go somewhere. haruhi for sure has its juvenile points, as you said, but that doesn't excuse tanigawa from a literary standpoint(this is a novel, not azumanga daioh, right?), because he focuses too much on the main plot. please don't look down on people just because you're not looking for the same thing they are, especially if both are there(in this case, 'both' would be humor/adventure(i guess?) and plot line).

trust me, i recognize haruhi's good points as much as you do; i'm still reading it, right? it's just that i enjoy talking about and analyzing stories. hope i'm not begrudged that.

[Sheba]

Regarding first pic, middle... That is some serious hair...

Mushroom hair!!

[Mirrinus]

I just can't seem to agree with your statement that Haruhi is not a "ride" series. Considering how just about every other novel volume is composed of short stories that barely push the plot but do flesh out the characters, I'm more inclined to see this as a character-driven series. Many of the events going on can be attributed directly to the actions of the SOS Brigade members; it was only in a few of the later stories that things actually started happening as a result of someone foreign to the group. Perhaps the central story plot hasn't moved much, but you can't deny the fact that each of the characters have undergone noticable development. It appears to me that the focus is on the characters, not the epic state of reality or something. Come on, even volume 4 was really nothing more than immense character development. Many of the stories could have worked as stand-alones. I'm curious to know, what exactly do you think is the central plot that must be resolved right away?

Actually, regarding your claim that this is a novel series, I think it's really only true up to a point. Oftentimes, it feels more like a collection of short stories somewhat linked to one another. Both can be excellent, but it's pretty tricky to try to pidgeonhole a series like this into only one standard by which to judge it. Haruhi really doesn't resemble many other novel series that I've read. Then again, I'm not surprised to see it subverting the genre or something...

I'm not really anxious for anything to end just yet; you on the other hand seem to demand that something gets resolved in this volume. Why is that? It's not like there's a limit placed on how many volumes this series is allowed to run for. Last time I checked, they're only at the beginning of their second year of high school. Earlier, you listed 5 different plot threads that could be used to advance the plot. For each of them, I'm personally having trouble seeing either 1) how they can advance the plot, or 2) why they're necessary to advance the plot.

I don't profess to know what Tanigawa is planning, or where this story will go. But to me, it still seems rather presumptuous to be making such statements when the work itself is definitely still incomplete anyway. This isn't Harry Potter, where we all knew that 7 years will be covered in 7 volumes. There's nothing wrong with expecting a plot to end, but I'm confused as to why you feel you must set a deadline for it. I'm not trying to look down on you right now; I just want to understand your logic, and offer my comments as to why my thinking is different.

Finally, I don't really think having two separate story endings means it has to be taken seriously. I know I sure didn't take that live action CLUE movie seriously, lol. It sounds quite like something bizarre that I'd expect from Miss Suzumiya. From the Author's Notes of the earlier novels, it sounds like Tanigawa is having fun trying out different styles. I'd personally withhold judgment until I see the whole thing for myself. I've learned that going by second-hand information is a terrible way to judge anything.

[wtflux]

were there any other colored illustrations?

there are no vol9 spoilers in this post.

get ready for a whale of a post =/ maybe i shouldn't post this. anyways, it's so big that i decided to split up the parts that were taking up the most space so as not to create an eyesore. heh, i've probably written a lot of things i don't even believe.

"I'm not trying to look down on you right now"

well, your first sentence struck of condescension(the part i quoted in my previous post), when really thinking about things like this is just a way of having fun for me--as contradictory as it may seem, since i'm criticizing his writing. i don't take any offense now, though. anyways...

as a disclaimer, while you're reading this please try to remember that i am judging Haruhi as a series of novels, not as a collection of short stories. if I was judging tanigawa's writing as a collection of short stories, and not from an overall view(although they are written as short stories, since they all clearly connect together this is not inappropriate), things would be very different.

some of your questions can be answered by reading the long post where i posted a spoiler of the last page of vol9.

clarification of plot and the issue i take with tani's writing

first, i'll clarify what i mean when i say the "two main plots"(i did this in the aforementioned post, but i'll do it here anyways):
1. the nature of haruhi's relation to kyon(ie why is he essential to haruhi? presumably romance; in other words, the romance plot.)
2. the who/what/when/why/how of haruhi's powers and what she will do with them(if she ever finds out), if that's clear

the fact that it is not all resolved is not my complaint. my complaint is that it(those two main plot points) have barely changed from when it started. yes, there is a great deal of character development--but it is not a character driven story, because those developments have no relevance or impact(thus far, as far as i can tell) on the main plotlines. they are side stories. it's great that yuki can feel emotions, but if that doesn't have any meaning in terms of Haruhi as a story(vs a collection of short stories) until it actually has an effect on the plot. the ratio of haruhi's plot advancement(virtually 0) vs the number of side stories and length of the novels, for how often tanigawa refers back to the main plot, is far too high to be considered a great story. no plot advancement+frequent reference to main plot+tons of short stories which do not contribute=bad overall.

various points on the haruhi plot

throughout the novels, not just recently, tanigawa drops hints that kyon cares for haruhi, and vice versa, but he's really just beating around the bush with it. and he has been doing so since the first novel, even the first chapter(in any story, when people introduce the possibility of a romantic relationship and it is not utterly crushed, it becomes a conflict--it happens to be one of haruhi's main conflicts--i'd argue it started with people suggesting a "special relationship" between the two and saying things like "kyon always did like weird girls").

examples: haruhi tying mikuru's ponytail in the baseball chapter. kyon freaking out when he discovers haruhi may not exist. haruhi's suspicion and anger at kyon during snow mountain syndrome regarding yuki. etc, etc, etc.
This constant display of jealousy/affection hasn't gone anywhere for 8 novels(the kiss and the scenes leading up to it, in the first novel, are both arguably the best part of the series and the last development of this conflict) and yet it's so prevalent in the novels. hinthinthinthinthinthinthinthint is all tanigawa is doing. even the valentine's story ended up as nothing. (un?)fortunately, we can't actually say "nothing" until the end since we don't know what he will use to evoke the plot movement, but tanigawa has nevertheless had many points at which he could have levered major change(and chose not to, sometimes in the face of realism).

the story behind tanabata, how haruhi got her powers, why she has them, and pretty much everything about kyon is all a mystery. it's been so long since the thing was touched other than volume 4's "Oh, Haruhi's powers can be transferred." that it seems like they're just a plot device to get action started now. and even so, tanigawa constantly hints that kyon is somehow linked to haruhi's powers(both through Koizumi's observations and time travelling), but doesn't tell us why. this plot line has better development than the romance one, however; while minor and not actually revealing any truths besides "kyon was john smith, who helped haruhi trace a symbol"(to which i say, "what of it? if you think about it, the only thing that tells us is that haruhi is closely tied to kyon, which we SORT OF got wind of from the fact that kyon is the only one who can stop her from destroying fucking reality itself"), the time travelling events were developments in this area.


my ideas on plot and why i am disappointed with haruhi's plot dragging out

if there's a reason i want him to wrap it up it's because i feel it's already gone on long enough. volume 9 is 300 pages. i imagine the other volumes are of similar length. I am of the opinion that both character AND plot dynamism are necessary for a novel's story to be good. after 9 volumes of that length something other than "kyon is john smith" should happen.

As to why something major should happen soon(or should have happened already...), I'll try to make an analogy. A good plot functions as a rollercoaster; you go up, you go down, you go up, you go down, and you go UP AND DOWN REALLY FAST at the end, both emotionally and in your feeling of understanding of what's going on. A good plot should change often and leave you guessing all the time; the more actively engaged your brain is in thinking about the plot, the better. I'm sure you've heard this analogy before, but if I have to explain it more that's fine. Anyhow, with every novel that nothing actually happens Tanigawa makes his overall roller coaster longer without really adding more bumps--therefore instead of "up, down, up, down, updownupdownUPDOWN," it becomes "upppppp... downnnnnnnnnnnnn... uppppppp... etc.". In other words, the mind's sense of the overall plot is dulled the longer the story is dragged out. The plot is actually fairly static since volume 1, so it's more like it went up(or up and down several times in that one volume, it was great) and hasn't moved much.

Having said that(i hope it made sense... doubt it though), if i offered you two stories:
1. a story with an explosive plot where things that matter HAPPEN(i.e. both plot and characters are very dynamic)
2. a story with a plot where a bunch of pointless, unrelated to plot side-stories happen, intermittent with empty chapters and hints that focus on the main plot but don't actually have anything to do with it, right?
wouldn't you agree 1 is more interesting? 2. is, of course, haruhi, and while the side stories are definitely interesting they are just that: side stories. so it's really like a collection of stories. if i were to judge haruhi as a collection of stories rather than a novel series, i might be saying something very different right now.



that pretty much sums up the reasons for my dissatisfaction, i believe. i hope i'm not repeating myself too much here. don't get me wrong(after all that i hope you dont =p), i don't desire a swift ending to everything because it's dragged on too long. that wouldn't be good. if he were to start a chain of events that ended up ending things, even if it took 2-3 novels, that would be fine. but the long space of nothingness would leave a sour taste in my mouth in terms of plot analysis(although the side/short/character specific stories are nice). the novel name "the shock of suzumiya haruhi" has me hoping.

[quigonkenny]

were there any other colored illustrations?

there are no vol9 spoilers in this post.

get ready for a whale of a post =/ maybe i shouldn't post this. anyways, it's so big that i decided to split up the parts that were taking up the most space so as not to create an eyesore. heh, i've probably written a lot of things i don't even believe.

"I'm not trying to look down on you right now"

well, your first sentence struck of condescension(the part i quoted in my previous post), when really thinking about things like this is just a way of having fun for me--as contradictory as it may seem, since i'm criticizing his writing. i don't take any offense now, though. anyways...

as a disclaimer, while you're reading this please try to remember that i am judging Haruhi as a series of novels, not as a collection of short stories. if I was judging tanigawa's writing as a collection of short stories, and not from an overall view(although they are written as short stories, since they all clearly connect together this is not inappropriate), things would be very different.

some of your questions can be answered by reading the long post where i posted a spoiler of the last page of vol9.

clarification of plot and the issue i take with tani's writing

first, i'll clarify what i mean when i say the "two main plots"(i did this in the aforementioned post, but i'll do it here anyways):
1. the nature of haruhi's relation to kyon(ie why is he essential to haruhi? presumably romance; in other words, the romance plot.)
2. the who/what/when/why/how of haruhi's powers and what she will do with them(if she ever finds out), if that's clear

the fact that it is not all resolved is not my complaint. my complaint is that it(those two main plot points) have barely changed from when it started. yes, there is a great deal of character development--but it is not a character driven story, because those developments have no relevance or impact(thus far, as far as i can tell) on the main plotlines. they are side stories. it's great that yuki can feel emotions, but if that doesn't have any meaning in terms of Haruhi as a story(vs a collection of short stories) until it actually has an effect on the plot. the ratio of haruhi's plot advancement(virtually 0) vs the number of side stories and length of the novels, for how often tanigawa refers back to the main plot, is far too high to be considered a great story. no plot advancement+frequent reference to main plot+tons of short stories which do not contribute=bad overall.

various points on the haruhi plot

throughout the novels, not just recently, tanigawa drops hints that kyon cares for haruhi, and vice versa, but he's really just beating around the bush with it. and he has been doing so since the first novel, even the first chapter(in any story, when people introduce the possibility of a romantic relationship and it is not utterly crushed, it becomes a conflict--it happens to be one of haruhi's main conflicts--i'd argue it started with people suggesting a "special relationship" between the two and saying things like "kyon always did like weird girls").

examples: haruhi tying mikuru's ponytail in the baseball chapter. kyon freaking out when he discovers haruhi may not exist. haruhi's suspicion and anger at kyon during snow mountain syndrome regarding yuki. etc, etc, etc.
This constant display of jealousy/affection hasn't gone anywhere for 8 novels(the kiss and the scenes leading up to it, in the first novel, are both arguably the best part of the series and the last development of this conflict) and yet it's so prevalent in the novels. hinthinthinthinthinthinthinthint is all tanigawa is doing. even the valentine's story ended up as nothing. (un?)fortunately, we can't actually say "nothing" until the end since we don't know what he will use to evoke the plot movement, but tanigawa has nevertheless had many points at which he could have levered major change(and chose not to, sometimes in the face of realism).

the story behind tanabata, how haruhi got her powers, why she has them, and pretty much everything about kyon is all a mystery. it's been so long since the thing was touched other than volume 4's "Oh, Haruhi's powers can be transferred." that it seems like they're just a plot device to get action started now. and even so, tanigawa constantly hints that kyon is somehow linked to haruhi's powers(both through Koizumi's observations and time travelling), but doesn't tell us why. this plot line has better development than the romance one, however; while minor and not actually revealing any truths besides "kyon was john smith, who helped haruhi trace a symbol"(to which i say, "what of it? if you think about it, the only thing that tells us is that haruhi is closely tied to kyon, which we SORT OF got wind of from the fact that kyon is the only one who can stop her from destroying fucking reality itself"), the time travelling events were developments in this area.


my ideas on plot and why i am disappointed with haruhi's plot dragging out

if there's a reason i want him to wrap it up it's because i feel it's already gone on long enough. volume 9 is 300 pages. i imagine the other volumes are of similar length. I am of the opinion that both character AND plot dynamism are necessary for a novel's story to be good. after 9 volumes of that length something other than "kyon is john smith" should happen.

As to why something major should happen soon(or should have happened already...), I'll try to make an analogy. A good plot functions as a rollercoaster; you go up, you go down, you go up, you go down, and you go UP AND DOWN REALLY FAST at the end, both emotionally and in your feeling of understanding of what's going on. A good plot should change often and leave you guessing all the time; the more actively engaged your brain is in thinking about the plot, the better. I'm sure you've heard this analogy before, but if I have to explain it more that's fine. Anyhow, with every novel that nothing actually happens Tanigawa makes his overall roller coaster longer without really adding more bumps--therefore instead of "up, down, up, down, updownupdownUPDOWN," it becomes "upppppp... downnnnnnnnnnnnn... uppppppp... etc.". In other words, the mind's sense of the overall plot is dulled the longer the story is dragged out. The plot is actually fairly static since volume 1, so it's more like it went up(or up and down several times in that one volume, it was great) and hasn't moved much.

Having said that(i hope it made sense... doubt it though), if i offered you two stories:
1. a story with an explosive plot where things that matter HAPPEN(i.e. both plot and characters are very dynamic)
2. a story with a plot where a bunch of pointless, unrelated to plot side-stories happen, intermittent with empty chapters and hints that focus on the main plot but don't actually have anything to do with it, right?
wouldn't you agree 1 is more interesting? 2. is, of course, haruhi, and while the side stories are definitely interesting they are just that: side stories. so it's really like a collection of stories. if i were to judge haruhi as a collection of stories rather than a novel series, i might be saying something very different right now.



that pretty much sums up the reasons for my dissatisfaction, i believe. i hope i'm not repeating myself too much here. don't get me wrong(after all that i hope you dont =p), i don't desire a swift ending to everything because it's dragged on too long. that wouldn't be good. if he were to start a chain of events that ended up ending things, even if it took 2-3 novels, that would be fine. but the long space of nothingness would leave a sour taste in my mouth in terms of plot analysis(although the side/short/character specific stories are nice). the novel name "the shock of suzumiya haruhi" has me hoping.
You go on about how you don't like the lack of development in what you consider "the main plot," but you ignore what I (and I'm sure others) feel are the best things about the Haruhi series, and that's the development of the peripheral characters and the fleshing out of the Haruhiverse. Why else would volumes 4 and 7 be so popular when there was literally no development between Kyon and Haruhi, and little exploration into Haruhi's powers (besides their "borrowing" in volume 4)? While those things may not necessarily make up "the main plot," there's no denying they're central to the main storyline, and also very enjoyable.

And from what I've heard of volume 9, we're getting even more of that kind of development, which I for one am happy about. See, the great thing about centering the story around the development of the characters and the universe, instead of the plot, is that in this case the resolution of the plot will mean the resolution of the series, but you can develop the characters and the universe until the cows come home. I mean, after you hook up Kyon and Haruhi, and after she finds out about her powers (or we find out that Kyon's the one with the powers, if you subscribe to that school of thought), then that's it. I mean, what could be next after that?

[HolyCow]

I for one wouldn't like to see Tanigawa base EVERYTHING about the main plot. Going by your logic, we would have gotten a whole plot based around Haruhi's powers, like for example:

1- MELANCHOLY volume
2- Kyon tries to find out about Haruhi's powers blablabla
3- Haruhi becomes semi-aware of her powers blablabla
4- Haruhi realises Kyon is John Smith blablabla
5- <Insert Giant Plot Twist here>

and so on.

My point is, if everything were to be based upon Haruhi's powers, I'm sure that many would find the series too mundane and stereotypical, or at the very least, I'm sure I would. The main thing I like about Haruhi is it's general craziness, a theme that has been clear throughout all 8 novels. From MELANCHOLY's setup of the SOS Briagde to DISAPPEARANCE's 'omgwtf?' plot to INTRIGUES's weird orders, everything that happened was general wackiness. I would rather see a novel series that actually bothers to develope its side characters (Nagato in DISAPPEARANCE, Asahina-san in INTRIGUES, and other misc short stories i/e: Nagato in Charmed and Shadow) than focus purely on a single plotline.

Right now it may seem that Tanigawa hasn't explained much about HAruhi's powers, but who knows, maybe this alternate SOS Brigade thing will play a role in that? I can imagine Sasaki explaining to Kyon how she obtained her powers, and how similar her powers are to Haruhi, or something of teh sort. INTRIGUES didn't seem important at first, but that was until DISSOCIATION came along and we realized that the whole point of INTRIGUES was to introduce us to the 'other SOS', like the Sneering Bastard for example. Snow Mountain Syndrome seemed nothing more than an adventure flick to go along with Lone Island Syndrome, until INTRIGUES explained that the MSCE were behind it all and thus introducing a new faction into play. I for one love these kind of 'foreshadowings' and so far Haruhi has yet to disappoint me. Who knows, maybe we'll be hearing more about the Titanium-Caessium Rod (it was briefly mentioned in Shadow after all) or the Data lifeforms mentioned in Shadow.

I believe that Tanigawa knows what he's doing. He probably won't just forget about these elements he introduced, as evident with the various reusing of characters (the bespectacled kid from Melancholy of Mikuru was reused in INTRIGUES, Kimidori was reused waaaay later in Editor) so far. I'm confident that he'll be able to tie up all these loose ends to the main plot (of which we're not really sure what it is, actually) while at the same time maintaining the same sense of quirkiness the Haruhi novels have had over the span of 8 volumes so far.

[wtflux]

you might be misunderstanding me, and you're all taking my comments a little out of proportion. i acknowledged there in several places that the side stories are a good part of the series, and the character interactions are half the reason i read the series. however, without plot dynamism, that doesn't make it a good -story-: it makes it a good collection of stories with good characters. as i said, i was attempting to analyze his writing based on the story as a novel, which needs both plot and character dynamism--one of the aspects of the series that seriously sours the rest of it for me.

if you didn't notice, i tried to split the series into two things(which you have also followed): side stories, and the primary conflicts. i am entirely pleased with the side stories. it would be fine if that was all there were. but it's not. tanigawa created an interesting, seemingly forward-moving plot in volume 1--and it hasn't moved(much) since. THAT IS ALL I TAKE ISSUE WITH. but it's a souring point of his writing for me. even in the anime, it seemed like the plot may go somewhere(with either of the endings, it seemed like it CONFIRMED "this relationship is -going somewhere-").

holycow, a plot focused around haruhi's powers(that's what haruhi is focused around, along with haruhixkyon; notice haruhixkyon and this conflict drive the subplots, not the other way around, unfortunately) doesn't mean there can't be subplots tied to the main plot. currently there are just subplots and none of them have actually been tied to the main plot(yukixkyon was just excused away by kyon instead of fueling a change in haruhi and kyon's relationship, for example). as you said, if he does tie them all up in the end, i will be very happy--but i think it will turn out that it would be better if he had been doing it all along, keeping things fresh.


i am not trashing haruhi overall. i've said it and i'll say it again, i read it and enjoy most parts of it. i am only criticizing one part of the series which prevents the it from being really great like the first novel, and that may be why it seems like i'm 'ignoring' everything else.

tanigawa can write as many short stories interspersed in the novel as he desires. i don't care, i like reading them, and they do good things for the character dynamics. but that isn't an excuse to cause the plot dynamism to stagnate(although the short stories have nice plots themselves, this often doesn't actually contribute to the main vein of the story--he is clearly a capable writer, but as i've said before i think something gets in his way of moving the series toward a conclusion at all).

anyways, im a little surprised you issue is taken with me saying the development of the primary plot is subpar, while the development of other things is great, which means that while there are interesting subplots and the main characters are dynamic, the plot is not. this doesn't mean END IT NOW. this doesn't mean he should delete the side stories. it means he should have done something with the plot; not necessarily end it, just develop it/flesh it out along the way. although i would think he could have had some conclusions after 9 novels =p that's all i mean.

but i think i will leave things at that, because this is taking up way too much of my time. i'm going to try to stick to translation spoilers =(

P.S: a conclusion of the plot lines doesn't mean an end to haruhi. i'm sure most of you would agree, based on your arguments, that tanigawa could still make haruhi a fun series to read even if things behind haruhi's powers were revealed and kyon+haruhi became official(or was stamped out). i'm sure you can imagine how Disappearance could have happened even if those things had been cleared up, for example.

[Ascaloth]

*blah blah blah blah blah*

So, in short, you just don't like the fact that Tanigawa's pacing of the main plot is too slow for you, isn't it? And that is why you think it isn't such a great story as a whole, while the rest of us have absolutely no problems with the pacing whatsoever, is that right?

Keep
It
Simple,
Stupid.

:D :p

[Sheba]

How many pages there are in a light novel?
It is not like I have to expect something of the same caliber as "War and Peace" in my Haruhi.