The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - Episode 19 Discussion / Poll [2009 added ep. 9]

[NoSanninWa]

Welcome to the discussion thread for Suzumiya Haruhi (2009), Episode 9.

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[Dakota]

Copypasta so everyone's up to date.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-08-05/haruhi-endless-eight-arc-confirmed-to-end

Chances of this are probably 8:1, in favor of it ending. I'll take bets on the left and your breakfast waffles on the right.

[relentlessflame]

Let's keep the ANN/NewType news in spoiler tags at least until the episode airs. Granted that it's like the world's worst kept secret, but still... Keep in mind that was a leak from a magazine that wasn't supposed to come out until next week.

[Myssa Rei]

Not betting. I can't even watch the stream tonight, since I'm in Singapore where the WiFi is hokey.

[Hypernova]

I hope it doesn't end, I want to see far the rage can get. Double points if anything physical happens.

[Triple_R]

I think that it's ending. The alternative would mean some pretty extreme things are true about KyoAni...

[Jenni]

Soon E8 will be over, yesss...

[Tempester]

Be wary of thou excessively high hopes, lest they all becommeth raging flames in the worst predicament.

[Peanutbutter003]

This is it, people. :heh:

[Ascaloth]

Not betting. I can't even watch the stream tonight, since I'm in Singapore where the WiFi is hokey.

You are? I wanna meet you. :D

[GMT]

I predict we'll totally bust the myth that Kadokawa and KyoAni love Haruhi and Her fanbase this week. I'll say that there's a 50% chance that this loop will carry on, per-normal. I'll give it a 25% chance that they'll drag the ending out to two parts, a 15% chance they'll pull some other whacked-out stunt to avoid airing the conclusion to E8, a 10% chance that the loop will end as we're hoping, and a 90% chance of NERD RAGE!!!11 followed by extreme indifference and snarking.

We're all going to become Kyon, I tell you!

[SidVicious]

The end is near. :D

[Slobodan]

Either way, I'll be sure to read about what happened here first instead of downloading the episode. If I start watching and it turns out to be another sequence of time loop I'm afraid I might watch the whole thing as I have been doing so far which I mustn't - the feeling how I was wasting precious time of my life was just too great the last time.

[typhonsentra]

We've made it guys, we've finally made it!

http://www.videosforfamily.com/Emerald%20City.jpg

[DRAGUN H.E.X.]

The end is near. :D

uh, what end is near? the world? or Endless 8? :heh:

i think you should use "the Freedom is near" instead :heh:

[wittyusername]

Chances of this are probably 8:1, in favor of it ending. I'll take bets on the left and your breakfast waffles on the right.

What if I bet with waffles, then?

Hmm... I really am not sure what to expect. Even if the odds are leaning towards towards it ending, it could still be another loop. Kadokawa doesn't seem to be the type to care about odds.
I kind of wish that the odds were really low, just so that I could pull a "0%? Sounds like 100% to me" thing, but...no.

[Sheba]

The end is near. :D

Dont get your hopes too high. *go back to be busted by space pirates*

[Uvthenfuv]

The end is near. :D

Anything happens, that's true...
Case A, E8 ends.
Case B, E8 doesn't end. 2ch/4ch Apocalypse.

Anyways, I have this theory (don't know if anyone has thought of it before, probably yes) that the ending loop will be the 15,498th according to Yuki, meaning that the anime IS in synch with the novel, just showing other loops too, and in at least one Yuki doesn't know the number or lies (for the greater good, perhaps?.... it might be that the probability of Kyon managing to break the loop is greatest if he thinks it's a number around 15,498 for whatever reason...)

[Dakota]

What if I bet with waffles, then?

Then the odds are ∞:1 in favor of that you should share your waffles with me, and that Endless Eight will air soon.

[M.Marangio]

The episode will air at 26:20 on Sun TV (a delay of 100 minutes), but normally at 25:00 on Teletama.

[OkamiNoKaze]

Since this is Haruhi, um who's the person behind the curtain in the Emerald City?

[spawnofthejudge]

Since this is Haruhi, um who's the person behind the curtain in the Emerald City?PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN. But it's clearly Kyon.

[Miyuki-ism]

Wasen't the first E8 the original run through of the activities? Then it could very well end NEXT week because THEN it will have repeated 8 times.

[Dakota]

Since this is Haruhi, um who's the person behind the curtain in the Emerald City?

PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN. But it's clearly Kyon.

Or it could be
John Smith.

[Sho-tan]

Let's all just sit back and see how this turns out.

[Uvthenfuv]

Wasen't the first E8 the original run through of the activities? Then it could very well end NEXT week because THEN it will have repeated 8 times.

It has repeated a nifty 15,500+ times already, we just didn't see it... and (except for a specific newspaper article) we don't have any proof that it'd end on the 8th ep. The name itself came from a 30 page-ish part of a Haruhi novel.

[Heminga13]

As far as the loop number is concerned, the number of loops really doesn't matter to the story as long as the loop does end the way it did in the novel.

[Solachinx]

Once again: Latin chanting

[TakariCritic]

As much as I'd hate to gt my hopes up over an article based on information from 2ch, I think I'll take the same approach to this episode as the rest, and feel that same anxiety when the SOS brigade are in the cafe on the 30th.

Although I do admit it's more likely the EE arc will end on an even number of episodes rather than an odd.

[rapidfire]

Alright E8, bring it on! :bash:

[Game8910]

in ready for anything KADOKAWA, YOU CANNOT HURT ME ANY MORE

[baltakatei]

If we finally hear Kyon wondering if Nagato can nullify her body's gravity as he hauls her and Haruhi on his bike, then every original novel scene will have finally been animated.

[Solachinx]

If we finally hear Kyon wondering if Nagato can nullify her body's gravity as he hauls her and Haruhi on his bike, then every original novel scene will have finally been animated.

Has he really not said that yet? Damn.

[SSJiffy]

Let Today be the day. Let Today be the day. Let Today be the day.

[typhonsentra]

We should see the 2ch thread open soon, that'll be what we're really looking for.

[Dakota]

We should see the 2ch thread open soon, that'll be what we're really looking for.

Or if you were special, you could be watching the stream. ;D

[Ice Block]

What about the scene where Haruhi fixes Mikuru's hair in front of Kyon? Or was that never really there and I'm just making up my own variations...
The episode will air at 26:20 on Sun TV (a delay of 100 minutes), but normally at 25:00 on Teletama.
Yay for Sun TV delays! No need to follow the 2ch thread first then. And given the magazine leaks/spoilers, a certain chat box's gonna be damn epic tonight... :heh:

Anyway, predicting a resolution at loop 15529. And if it does end now, I wonder what they're gonna fill the remaining five episodes with... If it doesn't end tonight--
...oh well, whatever happens, I guess I'll just leave it to the "me" then.

[Game8910]

If we finally hear Kyon wondering if Nagato can nullify her body's gravity as he hauls her and Haruhi on his bike, then every original novel scene will have finally been animated.

actually then never showed the scene when Kyon asks Yuki how many time they've REALIZED that they were in a loop either.

[typhonsentra]

Or if you were special, you could be watching the stream. ;D

The [censored] stream is 30 minutes later. :(

[Heminga13]

actually then never showed the scene when Kyon asks Yuki how many time they've REALIZED that they were in a loop either.

Yeah, I think that's the big thing. Also, they might skip the OP (do something like BLR and a couple Melancholy episodes) to get extra story time in. That would probably be an indicator right off the bat.

[Dakota]

The [censored] stream is 30 minutes later. :(

Wait, what. It has a thirty minute lag?

[Ice Block]

The [censored] stream is 30 minutes later. :(
Not tonight! Quoting from page 1 of this thread:
The episode will air at 26:20 on Sun TV (a delay of 100 minutes), but normally at 25:00 on Teletama.
And that's in 8 mins time!

[TakariCritic]

Yeah, thirty minutes behind. Not sure if that incoperates the 100 min delay though.

also, http://dec.2chan.net/24/res/4018215.htm

[SidVicious]

It started.

[Sho-tan]

The music is very.... ominous. Also, ants.

[Dr. Casey]

Aye, no delay.

Spoilers: Kyon's sister said Kyon-kun, denwa~

[GDB]

The music is very.... ominous

Noticed that too. Also, OP is still there (as someone was asking earlier whether it may or may not be included for time-sakes).

[Heminga13]

OP...oh well. Super Driver!

[Solachinx]

It may be possible that the ED is omitted.

[Sho-tan]

It's MINORU!! Looking very spiffy.

[typhonsentra]

Aye, no delay.

Spoilers: Kyon's sister said Kyon-kun, denwa~
There's no wai!!!

[Ravage]

Things are moving along pretty nicely so far. We could make it.

[Sho-tan]

It seems as if they've recycled the swimming suits.

[CrowKenobi]

Swimming suits courtesy of Lone Island Syndrome...

[Ascaloth]

I swear Haruhi and Mikuru's sporting the same swimsuits from Lone Island.

EDIT: Ninja'd. Twice. orz

[Solachinx]

Ooh! Pretty lights!

[SidVicious]

Yukata with fish. :D

[CrowKenobi]

Goldfish yukata sighted!

[TakariCritic]

The yukatas from the book! Good sign!

[typhonsentra]

Oh shit guys, it's on...

http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/images/2/2f/Sh_v05c01_01.jpg

The patterns, they're the same, they're the same!

[Ascaloth]

Goldfish yukata!

EDIT: DAMMIT, NINJA'D MULTIPLE TIMES T_T

[Solachinx]

What about Haruhi's and Yuki's?

[GDB]

Kamen Ride-... Nagato!

[Sho-tan]

Well, the mask doesn't match, but I think the Yukata are a clear sign of the end.

[Ravage]

lol @ Kyon almost getting decapitated.

Art and animation are pretty good this time around btw.

[Isekaijin]

If this is truly the end, I'd rage over the reason Haruhi kept reseting august, had I not read the light novels.

[Solachinx]

lol @ Kyon almost getting decapitated.

Art and animation are pretty good this time around btw.

It has been for the past 3 eps

[typhonsentra]

They... went a bit overboard on the tears.

[CrowKenobi]

Yeah, someone get Mikuru a box of tissues! :D

[Ascaloth]

Waterworks :D

[Sho-tan]

...Or a sponge.

[Dr. Casey]

XD Yeah, that's what I was thinking. It could be cool if people could have three different streams coming from each eye in real life though.

Commercial break.

[Solachinx]

It's like a faucet!

[GMT]

Wow. Don't know what to make of the stream so far, but
They're skipping a lot of stuff this week, so far.

Fascinating, Captain.

[SidVicious]

Waterworks :D

Reminds me of Kyou and Ryou in episode 18. :D

[Dakota]

Wow. Don't know what to make of the stream so far, but
They're skipping a lot of stuff this week, so far.

Fascinating, Captain.

Yes they have.

Who wants waffles.

http://www.wrightangle.com/food/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/waffles1.jpg

also 15,532

[Solachinx]

Wow. Don't know what to make of the stream so far, but
They're skipping a lot of stuff this week, so far.

Fascinating, Captain.

To make time for the climax.

[CrowKenobi]

What's so special about Koizumi's knees? :p

and what was the number of loops this week?

EDIT: ninja'd! thanks! :D

[Vegard Aune]

To make time for the climax.
Let's hope that's the reason... If not, then I'll be IN DESPAIR!!! (Again.)

[Gyom]

It's the 15532nd loop

[Ravage]

Let's hope that's the reason... If not, then I'll be IN DESPAIR!!! (Again.)

Not much else they can do. I doubt they're gonna make us watch a clock for minutes on end again. ;)

[Ascaloth]

Not the exact same shoulder-to-shoulder sleeping scene from the novel, but that one's been done in a previous E8.

[Sho-tan]

Well, it's going to end this week. No doubt.

[Dr. Casey]

We're at the cafe.

[GDB]

Already back at the restaurant. Good sign.

[typhonsentra]

We still have so much time and we already are at the end?

[Solachinx]

Say "I love you," Kyon.

[GDB]

Freaking epic deja vu.

[Dakota]

Holy shit, Kyon is on acid.

[Ascaloth]

The Japanese are shouting kitaaaaa~ en masse. :D

[TakariCritic]

Homework! Yesssssssss!!!!!!!!!!

[typhonsentra]

Fuck yeah!

[Ravage]

FUCK YEAR! Finally, Kyon! :D

[SidVicious]

Go Kyon! :D

[SilentOb]

Yes finally!

[baltakatei]

Yaaaattttttaaaaaaaaaaaaa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW6M8D41ZWU#t=0m29s)!!!

[Dr. Casey]

HE SAID IT!

Go Kyon, fuck yeah!

[Sho-tan]

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!

[typhonsentra]

The music.... :heh:

[Rakuda]

I am crying blooood

[IndoViking]

It ends!!!!

[Solachinx]

Wow, they used negative.

[Ravage]

Oh god, that music. :D

[GDB]

Bet Kyon's chest is bruised now.

[Gyom]

Finnaly <3<3<3<3

[Midonin]

Now can the rest of the season get a chance to play out without the panicky people declaring the show dead?

[Ascaloth]

And the Great SOS Brigade Cramfest is planned! :D

[Ice Block]

Epic!!!......

[Solachinx]

In the words of Hiro: Yattaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Ƞ

[Hypernova]

And so it ends...

[Tokkan]

I hereby forgive the repeated Endless Eights as they only made this moment more epic and satisfying.

[Sho-tan]

Fucking epic music.

[Ascaloth]

Haruhi plays the PS3 with Imouto, Mikuru plays a board game with Itsuki, Yuki reads a book, and only Kyon does homework.

Oh WTH. :D

[Ravage]

Kyon, you hacker! Try playing the WSOP next year. ;)

[TakariCritic]

I'm... so happy right now.

[Dr. Casey]

I hereby forgive the repeated Endless Eights as they only made this moment more epic and satisfying.

Completely agreed. I haven't actually actually watched the episodes (I just popped in and out every few minutes to see what was going on, I'm saving the actual viewing for the subs), but from what I can tell that was one of the greatest moments in fictional history.

[Solachinx]

I hereby forgive the repeated Endless Eights as they only made this moment more epic and satisfying.

The latin! THE LATIIIIIIIN!

[Soelke]

Yattaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! :hyper-^v^:

[Raiga]

Awesome timing. I finished lunch and tuned in just in time for the ending, starting as Haruhi started to leave the cafe.

Epic music.

[CrowKenobi]

Finally it's over! Finally Kyon acts like a man! :p :heh:

[GMT]

That was EPIC!

And, just like Adam Savage of Mythbusters, my predictions were comically wrong.

[typhonsentra]

I can't believe they kept the ending though. I guess by this point we're all too tired to care anymore how shitty it all really was. Moving on: The... second (Third if you count the cat murder mystery) worst story in the series? :heh:

[Ascaloth]

Kyon gets a Royal Flush. :D

[Dakota]

It's over. Endless Eight is over. That just feels good to say. Time for a fucking victory cigarette, brothers.

[Crimson7]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is all....

[Tokkan]

The latin! THE LATIIIIIIIN!

Check word order, I said "they only", not "only they".

[aulzon]

Just watched it and I have to say, I still don't forgive what Kadokawa and Kyoani pulled over the past 8 weeks but the ending to Endless Eight is something I will always remember. I don't remember cheering so hard.

[wittyusername]

I love Kyon for this.

Like, more than before.

[Takamura Mamoru]

Inb4 this episode gets tons of 10 ratings and barely any 1's.

[Archaic]

I was worried for a minute there, when I noticed how few minutes were left in the episode. When Haruhi was standing right at the door, I was on the edge of my seat. Even knowing about the Newtype leak, I still suspected some massive troll. Thank Haruhi that it's all over now, and that we still have a few more new episodes left to see.

[ac195]

wtf was up with the credit ending?

... wouldn't it be completely evil if that's all the new content they have for us this season?

[Peanutbutter003]

Phew! :heh:

[SealkidHaruhiism]

ENDLESS EIGHT HAS ENDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAY!!!!!!!!!
Sigh here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GDB]

Inb4 this episode gets tons of 10 ratings and barely any 1's.

Yeah, I'm expecting an inverse poll compared to the last 4-5 weeks.

[Heminga13]

I had thought they might show Haruhi in all her leaving variations, glad I was right. Everything from the start of her leaving to the end of that scene was pure awesome. No episode has ever made me feel this much relief, happiness, excitement, and more. I don't think I would feel the same if I didn't patiently watch every episode each week waiting for a conclusion.

[Sho-tan]

wtf was up with the credit ending?

... wouldn't it be completely evil if that's all the new content they have for us this season?

Pretty sure that was used to fit in the end of endless eight.

[Dr. Casey]

Inb4 this episode gets tons of 10 ratings and barely any 1's.

I actually had a dream about Endless Eight a few nights ago where I voted a 10 on AnimeSuki on general principle.

I don't plan on diverging from that.

[Stardust Romance]

ENDLESS 8: WE WILL NEVER FORGET, YOU BASTARDS.

Aside from that, fck yeah! It's over ;~;

[Heatth]

Finally!!

I liked the epic music in the restaurant.

But I missed the bike race and Yuki weight issue.

[Game8910]

as a stand alone episode its pretty hard to NOT rate it 9/10 or 10/10 as a full experience I honestly cant say I hated it, but I cant say I loved it....for this week I will give the episode 10/10 because i dont remember when was the last time an episode of anything ever has made me to damn nervous....

[Sheba]

Endless Eight. NEVER AGAIN.

[Miyuki-ism]

E8 spoilers

ending spoilersIT'S OVER!!!!11111

[CrowKenobi]

At this moment:

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 190 (78 members and 112 guests)

:D

[Solachinx]

Yeah, I'm expecting an inverse poll compared to the last 4-5 weeks.

Same here. What was the music for those who didn't watch the stream?

[typhonsentra]

Yeah, I'm expecting an inverse poll compared to the last 4-5 weeks.

For me, it averages out to a 4 or 5 this week. Happy to see it go and the ending music was fantastic... but I wouldn't go as far to say that it was a "Good" episode.

[Ice Block]

The ending cafe scene was the most epic thing I've seen in recent memory. Well Played.

I knew the end was coming the moment I noticed the geometric patterns on Yuki's yukata. Ah, damn, 15532... Best music and animation (arguably) among all the E8 episodes.

[CrowKenobi]

For me, it averages out to a 4 or 5 this week. Happy to see it go and the ending music was fantastic... but I wouldn't go as far to say that it was a "Good" episode.Compared to the previous seven, right? ;) :heh:

[M.Marangio]

At this moment:

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 190 (78 members and 112 guests)

:D
Make it 197 199 204 212 and rising... ;)

[Ascaloth]

I think there were some people who predicted that the end of Endless Eight will be met by the fanbase with a "meh" reaction.

EAT YOUR HEART OUT, SUCKERS. :D

[CrowKenobi]

And we break 200 pairs of eyeballs watching us watch Kyon finally figure it out! :D

[wittyusername]

I'd rate it at least eight, personally. The animation was amazing. Because what was animated?

This ending, finally. Also Kyon's deja vu/bad experience with acid.

[Midonin]

Anime as we know it will not be dead now that this has aired. It's a lot more resilient than given credit for, now and in the future.

[Triple_R]

Can't wait to watch this with subs! The horror has ended!

Outstanding news!!! :D

[Soelke]

I have a feeling that this whole event is going to become legendary. Like, months from now, people are going to be saying, "Hey, remember when the Endless Eight finally ended?" And then the other will say, "Yeah, that was epic!"

[Ithekro]

And Kyon finally leaves Hinamizawa....

Haruhi looked pissed about it too. We will actually need subs now.

[Solais]

Heh, it was an interesting experiment. It seems it worked. (Yes, Now I Can Conquer The World!! MUHAHAHAHA!)
So, thanks to being on vacation for a while, I've only seen - I think - 3 Endless Eights, so when this episode's sub is out, I'm gonna marathon 5 Endless Eights. Oh my Goddess.

[Solachinx]

And Kyon finally leaves Hinamizawa....

Haruhi looked pissed about it too. We will actually need subs now.

Hoorah for K4!

[Dakota]

This ending, finally. Also Kyon's deja vu/bad experience with acid.

Why would you strike that out. Acid trips are awesome (Especially Kyon's). >_>

[Dawnbringerz]

I have a feeling that this whole event is going to become legendary. Like, months from now, people are going to be saying, "Hey, remember when the Endless Eight finally ended?" And then the other will say, "Yeah, that was epic!"

And they'll be talking about how that made them watch streaming Anime the first time, because they couldn't wait for the SUB or even the RAW to get released at the library. :heh:

[Sai the Dreamer]

I loved the episode, and really, the entire arc. It annoyed the hell out of me, which probably means it's done its job.

[CrowKenobi]

Now that the monkey is finally off Kyon's back, let's celebrate by watching a video... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p46DYq2_rkc) :heh:

[ac195]

They really did push it to the edge...

Endless Eight arc... I salute you... you gave me yet another glimpse of the ugly underbelly of the anime world (its fans and its makers)... Godspeed, may you rest in peace... your mission has been completed.

[Uvthenfuv]

And they'll be talking about how that made them watch streaming Anime the first time, because they couldn't wait for the SUB or even the RAW to get released at the library. :heh:

Actually.... this was the first time I've seen streaming anime...

[Xiomay]

Hmm, I'm refreshing and I find it peculiar that the polls aren't being bombarded with 10s and 9s yet...

But what a joyous day it is today for this nightmare to be over. I wasn't banking on it, since I wouldn't have put it past Kadokawa to make 8 repetitions instead, but I'm pleased that they didn't. :)

This episode fells like a true prize, considering through all the previous E8 I've endured, I've watched them, no fast forwarding either.

Kinda gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside. :D

[baltakatei]

Now that the monkey is finally off Kyon's back, let's celebrate by watching a video... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p46DYq2_rkc) :heh:

I second this motion!

[Solachinx]

Now that the monkey is finally off Kyon's back, let's celebrate by watching a video... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p46DYq2_rkc) :heh:

I <3 you *hums le curry song*

[Ice Block]

Now that the monkey is finally off Kyon's back, let's celebrate by watching a video... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p46DYq2_rkc) :heh:
Thirded! I've only known this for 30 something minutes, but it's damn hilarious (especially when played before viewing an Endless 8 episode ;)).

[vb4]

Yay, finally it ended...
Only one question:
What did Haruhi say to Kyon after he suggested doing homework?
Need translation!

[Roger Rambo]

Huh. So it's over.

I guess Crazy Eddie won.

[Dakota]

Yay, finally it ended...
Only one question:
What did Haruhi say to Kyon after he suggested doing homework?
Need translation!

Patience, young padawan.

[Triple_R]

Hmm, I'm refreshing and I find it peculiar that the polls aren't being bombarded with 10s and 9s yet...

Well, last I checked, it already has 27 10s... that's pretty good for something that hasn't even been subbed yet.

Speaking personally, I'm not going to rate an episode until I watch it in a way that my English-speaking self can understand.

It's a fairly safe bet I'll give this at least a 8 simply for ending Endless Eight, but beyond that... the quality of the episode taken on its own merits will be important.

The best thing about this all is that I no longer think that KyoAni/Kadokawa was trolling us. I think that they simply had a very bad arc concept that they though would go over much better than it did.

If the next few episodes are good (or better) episodes, then the Haruhi franchise is alive and well! :)

[Heminga13]

Yay, finally it ended...
Only one question:
What did Haruhi say to Kyon after he suggested doing homework?
Need translation!

Well, if it's like the novel, it's basically her yelling at him for deciding things himself. Her last line should be along the lines of 'Count me in!' as she agrees to the plan.

[Roger Rambo]

If the next few episodes are good (or better) episodes, then the Haruhi franchise is alive and well! :)Considering the quality of at least half the E8 episodes and Bamboo leaf, I wouldn't hold my breath.

[SidVicious]

The poll needs another option: epic! :D


Yeah...just kidding. :)

[GDB]

In tribute of Endless Eight ending, and actually ending strong, I gave this an Eight. Endlessly.

[vb4]

Well, if it's like the novel, it's basically her yelling at him for deciding things himself. Her last line should be along the lines of 'Count me in!' as she agrees to the plan.

Thx^^

Already forgot what she said in the novel and I didn't want to bother searching that part, especially because I didn't know if it even was the same.

[Roger Rambo]

So E8's over. That's great.

So what do we spend the next 5 episodes of the season covering?

[Solachinx]

So E8's over. That's great.

So what do we spend the next 5 episodes of the season covering?

Sigh and maybe a sports day episode

[Triple_R]

Considering the quality of at least half the E8 episodes and Bamboo leaf, I wouldn't hold my breath.

You could be right, Roger, but for now I'm going to bask in the glory of the Long Nightmare of Haruhi Suzumiya coming to an end, and try to think mainly happy thoughts. :D ;)

[Ice Block]

So E8's over. That's great.

So what do we spend the next 5 episodes of the season covering?
*sigh*
Include one anime-original story written by Tanigawa please. :)

[Ithekro]

Well, either we get Sigh, some sort of Anime only story, or we get to see a singing Combat Waitress/Bunny Girl sing a song really badly...much like what happened in April of 2006....

[Xiomay]

Well, last I checked, it already has 27 10s... that's pretty good for something that hasn't even been subbed yet.

Speaking personally, I'm not going to rate an episode until I watch it in a way that my English-speaking self can understand.

It's a fairly safe bet I'll give this at least a 8 simply for ending Endless Eight, but beyond that... the quality of the episode taken on its own merits will be important.

The best thing about this all is that I no longer think that KyoAni/Kadokawa was trolling us. I think that they simply had a very bad arc concept that they though would go over much better than it did.

If the next few episodes are good (or better) episodes, then the Haruhi franchise is alive and well! :)

Ah well, now all of the votes are coming in. :heh: At the time I wrote the post, there were only 9 votes in total.

But again, I'm glad it's finally over. All I'm awaiting now though, is for someone to make an "I survived Endless Eight" T-shirt.

[Dakota]

Well, either we get Sigh, some sort of Anime only story, or we get to see a singing Combat Waitress/Bunny Girl sing a song really badly...much like what happened in April of 2006....

Or Disappearance.

</hopeful>

[Solachinx]

All I'm awaiting now though, is for someone to make an "I survived Endless Eight" T-shirt.

I can see it now; it'll have pictures of Koizumi in a speedo on the back :D

[Little Buster]

I can see it now; it'll have pictures of Koizumi in a speedo on the back :D

I would buy that and were it EVERYWHERE!

[Proto]

I thought next week was the director's cut version of E8, which would include the scenes that were skipped from the novels?

Source: moonphase (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBlack_c omedy&ei=ExV7Sv3lE5DUMqWLuf4C&usg=AFQjCNF8WzqVHI6VSxtW20uG-aSHZwWqJA&sig2=1WaVrlgcBYrj54NTemsmKQ)

[Game8910]

next week is the recap episode of Endless Eight

also now that its over...I have this weird feeling...could it be that....I liked it after all?

[-Sho-]

Who bet that this one is the GOOD ?

Me i bet !


And if not

.
.
.
.

Then .... Shit !

[chikorita157]

Yes! It's finally over! Endless Eight is not endless after all.

I'll give it a 7/10 since the ending was predictable and the same content excep ending.

[relentlessflame]

The best thing about this all is that I no longer think that KyoAni/Kadokawa was trolling us. I think that they simply had a very bad arc concept that they though would go over much better than it did.

If the next few episodes are good (or better) episodes, then the Haruhi franchise is alive and well! :)Amazing. How many weeks have I been trying to say "this isn't the end of the world", and "it's a setback, not a death knell", and "the franchise will be fine", and so on and so on, and you (and others) kept on arguing and arguing and arguing... And now it's like happy smiles, and positive forward thinking, and "everythin's comin' up roses". What, did you not actually believe that this day would come or something? :heh:

Personally, I still think causing controversy was always the plan, and it worked out just as intended. The fanbase is just too extreme and emotional, and couldn't just take it as it came in confidence that it was all part of the plan. The real show here has been the fan reactions, and it's sort of too bad that people who are waiting for the DVDs won't get the "real experience" in that regard. The "I Survived" idea is right on -- being here for this event (and still being here now that it's over) was the point. Once things have fully calmed down, I hope that some of you will go back and read some of your old posts on the subject, especially some of the crazy theories as to "what went wrong". It's good reading! :heh:

[Triple_R]

I thought next week was the director's cut version of E8, which would include the scenes that were skipped from the novels?

Source: moonphase (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBlack_c omedy&ei=ExV7Sv3lE5DUMqWLuf4C&usg=AFQjCNF8WzqVHI6VSxtW20uG-aSHZwWqJA&sig2=1WaVrlgcBYrj54NTemsmKQ)

Ha ha ha ha... !

Oooooo... Very clever and evil, Proto! ;) :D :heh:

[-Sho-]

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-08-05/haruhi-endless-eight-arc-confirmed-to-end

Just watch the news and i was right ! Hurray its the end ... but will he be worth watching ...

[Miyuki-ism]

I can happily say I've watched every E8

[Triple_R]

Amazing. How many weeks have I been trying to say "this isn't the end of the world", and "it's a setback, not a death knell", and "the franchise will be fine", and so on and so on, and you (and others) kept on arguing and arguing and arguing... And now it's like happy smiles, and positive forward thinking, and "everythin's comin' up roses". What, did you not actually believe that this day would come or something? :heh:

I still think that the Endless Eight DVDs may very well not sell well.

I still think that this arc approach was a horrible mistake - even on this thread I earlier called it a very bad arc concept.

I still think that Endless Eight has done real damage to this franchise.

But amongst those of us who were critical of Endless Eight, there was almost always sincere doubt and debate over just why KyoAni and/or Kadokawa was doing this. Several theories were bandied about - some of them quite troubling.

The Newtype Article, combined with Endless Eight ending, puts an end to the more troubling theories (imo), and hence means that the anime is salvageable.

If not for the Newtype Article (which in my view indicates that KyoAni is well aware of the damage that they have done, and are owning up to it by promoting the end of the arc), I'd be far less happy on this thread than what I am.


Personally, I still think causing controversy was always the plan, and it worked out just as intended. The fanbase is just too extreme and emotional, and couldn't just take it as it came in confidence that it was all part of the plan.

There's nothing extreme whatsoever about getting pissed off over being fed the same basic narrative this many times. Really, relentlessflame, it's weird to you for people to get upset over the plot being completely halted for a full eight episodes? That's actually a hard thing for you to understand, and sympathize with?


The real show here has been the fan reactions,

Which is exactly why Endless Eight was a failure. When meta-commentary overtakes discussion on the actual content of the shows, that's almost never a good sign.


...and it's sort of too bad that people who are waiting for the DVDs won't get the "real experience" in that regard. The "I Survived" idea is right on -- being here for this event (and still being here now that it's over) was the point. Once things have fully calmed down, I hope that some of you will go back and read some of your old posts on the subject, especially some of the crazy theories and explanations to try to rationalize the situation. It's good reading! :heh:

Those "crazy theories and explanations" existed because of how secretive KyoAni and/or Kadokawa were until the very end. It's not the fan's fault that these companies aren't more transparent, which naturally leads to increased fan speculation. Not all of us have your unshakable faith in KyoAni and/or Kadokawa.

[dkellis]

Amazing. How many weeks have I been trying to say "this isn't the end of the world", and "it's a setback, not a death knell", and "the franchise will be fine", and so on and so on, and you (and others) kept on arguing and arguing and arguing... And now it's like happy smiles, and positive forward thinking, and "everythin's comin' up roses". What, did you not actually believe that this day would come or something? :heh:

Personally I think you should receive some sort of commendation or something for having moderated eight threads like this without snapping and eating someone.

That we know of.

[bladeofdarkness]

hallelujah :D

[mokuseimaru]

Glad it's ended. But don't forget that we have been betrayed and fucked with for the past two months. Don't let your glee get ahead of your reason. We don't even know if we'll see Disappearance for another three years or not.

[Roger Rambo]

*snip*
Again. We wait until we see DVD sales figures.

Cause I'm not quite sure how they'll sell considering that over half of them are still essentially the same episode.

At least assuming we're still going with 14 new episodes this season...

[Midonin]

betrayed
That's a bit of a harsh word. What is it with treating a TV show like a matter of life and death?

[Ithekro]

However, would that ending have worked without so many episodes of the same plot, over and over again? Would the feeling of relief have been as great? Would the "epic" nature have seemed over the top if this had been the third episode..or even the first episode of Endless Eight?

[Triple_R]

However, would that ending have worked without so many episodes of the same plot, over and over again? Would the feeling of relief have been as great? Would the "epic" nature have seemed over the top if this had been the third episode..or even the first episode of Endless Eight?

It's a good feeling, but it's not worth the cost.

I would have definitely and gladly taken 3 or 4 episodes of Endless Eight (which would have still had a bit of a feeling of relief to its end), and 5 or 4 new content episodes, instead of what we did get.

I find it amazing how some people here seem to think that KyoAni can do no wrong. Is it so hard to believe that a company can screw-up some times?

[bladeofdarkness]

not kyoani
kodokawa ordered this many eps like that

[Triple_R]

not kyoani
kodokawa ordered this many eps like that

Ok, fair enough. Maybe KyoAni is innocent here, and Kadokawa alone is at fault.

[topboy]

Many 10/10 here proof that there still too many love haruhi, kyoani (me too,10 for them)

Hail Haruhi !
Hail KyoAni !

[Vexx]

Seems to be a surge of "Stockholm Syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome)" votes today :)

[Orin GA]

For the people saying this episode epic ending "saves this arc" its no wonder Kyoto/Kadokawa feels it can pull this kind of BS for 8 episodes. Haruhi could have teamed up with Zombie Michael Jackson to defeat Sephiroth for all I care. Chocolate covered @!$% is still @!$%

[typhonsentra]

Seems to be a surge of "Stockholm Syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome)" votes today :)

Pretty much, yeah. When you actually break the episode down is was pretty poorly executed from a directorial standpoint. They jumped around so rapidly that on it's own, the plot in this episode wouldn't make much sense. At this point the transition is complete, KyoAni has successfully conditioned the fanbase to accept anything they're given regardless of quality. "New Haruhi is New Haruhi!", if you will.

[Sute443]

Let me get this straight: Kadokawa orders eight episodes of a single short story, causing weeks of raging, and all is forgiven just because KyoAni manages to make the ending feel epic? Sure, not everyone is acting that way, but it seems to be the dominant opinion in this thread.

This looks to be an example of the human tendency to think things weren't really as bad as they were in hindsight. Sure, the ending was better than I thought they could have made it, but I still would rather have had Disappearance.

[zato_1one]

This is what I call the magic of Haruhi. As expect, when this arc end. Most fans will forget the past, move forward and become happy once again. Because these repetitive episodes make fans feel so much nervous whether it will end. And boom! It likes coming out of the prison. It makes fans feel so overjoy and excite like never before because it's FINALLY END, YAY! And people will praise this is the work of art. This is genius. But for those who still can't forget the past. I'm glad that you don't let this joyful feeling get ahead of your reason. :eyespin:

Sorry, I may sound like sarcastic but I actually think that they're very clever. They really know how to make fun and take advantage of fans. And also because this is Haruhi. No other series can get away with this, I'm sure. :eyespin:

[OverMaster]

Not enough payoff short of Haruhi herself coming out of the screen and begging forgiveness might have saved this arc at this point, so... sorry, Charlie, but no cigar from me, at least.

I mean, those 10s. What's wrong with you people.

[Dakota]

For the people saying this episode epic ending "saves this arc" its no wonder Kyoto/Kadokawa feels it can pull this kind of BS for 8 episodes. Haruhi could have teamed up with Zombie Michael Jackson to defeat Sephiroth for all I care. Chocolate covered @!$% is still @!$%

Then according to KyoAni/Kadokawa you're a lost cause, and they subtract one from the DVD sales. :)

And also, yeah, this wasn't Disappearance, nor could it even come close to whatever epicness is in Disappearance. Looking back on the past eight weeks, all the rage and emotion from the fanbase was the entertaining part. Watching the chatroom on justin.tv was so entertaining. It satisfied my week.

I think it was definitely an artsy-fartsy move by KyoAni as well as an attempt to render entertainment into a medium that is created by the fanbase.

Additionally.

However, would that ending have worked without so many episodes of the same plot, over and over again? Would the feeling of relief have been as great? Would the "epic" nature have seemed over the top if this had been the third episode..or even the first episode of Endless Eight?

If it was any less than 3 episodes, it would not have the same effect. It would have been a regular story arc. The number 8 is pretty fucking important, apperently.

[Kaisos Erranon]

Didn't someone say Endless Eight will never end?


The red truth is actually a lie! Repeat it!


>_>

Welp, I'm glad this is over. Now I just need to wait for subs.

For next episode, looking at the DVD numbers, we either have:

a) Sports Day, or
b) Sighs I

I'd be more happy with the former, myself, and Sighs does NOT need 5 episodes to tell its shitty little story. :heh:

I fully expect Disappearance within a year... this season seems more designed to draw interest than anything else.

[Jenni]

Now we get four Endless Eight clip shows! :D

[Triple_R]

Then according to KyoAni/Kadokawa you're a lost cause, and they subtract one from the DVD sales. :)

He wasn't necessarily a lost cause before Endless Eight. In other words, he's a costumer that KyoAni/Kadokawa lost because of Endless Eight.

[Kaiba]

Not enough payoff short of Haruhi herself coming out of the screen and begging forgiveness might have saved this arc at this point, so... sorry, Charlie, but no cigar from me, at least.

I mean, those 10s. What's wrong with you people.

QFT, though Haruhi begging might change my mind....
I mean, yay for this stupid arc being over, but this episdoe was just okay, and you guys are treating it like Clannad AS 18. I guess if you've been shown junk for seven straight episodes, a mediocre eigth one can garner ridiculous amounts of praise, and KyoAni wasn't wrong in estimating their fanbases.

[-Sho-]

It was Kadokawa or Kyoani who ordered 8 episodes ?
I saw a news before , Kadokawa who apologise and said that it should be around 2 episodes and it was Kyoani who kept with more .

[Stardust Romance]

Let me get this straight: Kadokawa orders eight episodes of a single short story, causing weeks of raging, and all is forgiven just because KyoAni manages to make the ending feel epic? Sure, not everyone is acting that way, but it seems to be the dominant opinion in this thread.

This looks to be an example of the human tendency to think things weren't really as bad as they were in hindsight. Sure, the ending was better than I thought they could have made it, but I still would rather have had Disappearance.

I think alot of people are just caught up in the spur of the moment :)

But I won't forgive them that easily. I'm not going to ass-kiss them and be carried away to call the arc great just because of the arc's ending, nope. I still think the arc had a great idea but was presented badly.

If they had made it shorter, then maybe I could forgive them alittle.

[Rice_slayer]

I was sealing concrete, on my cellphone when I heard the news, I almost jizzed in my pants! Seriously, Hearing that the arc FINALLY ended made my dad, or maybe it was the sealent fumes, either way Im happy!

[Jarmel]

Absolutely amazing how people are giving this a ten. Corporate tools will be corporate tools. I thought this was a bad idea around the third episode and I still do. How in God's name do they expect to sell the DVDs? I can promise you that no USA company is even remotely happy about this as how on Earth would they market this? So sine KyoAni can expect no international sales, all that's left is some pissed off otakus in Japan that had to suffer through this. I fully expect and hope somebody loses lots of money off of this.

[Miyuki-ism]

I'm just thinking of it like this, compared to the other E8 episodes, this is a 10, and the K-ON! one is a 9, compared to the others.

[Sheba]

Let me get this straight: Kadokawa orders eight episodes of a single short story, causing weeks of raging, and all is forgiven just because KyoAni manages to make the ending feel epic? Sure, not everyone is acting that way, but it seems to be the dominant opinion in this thread.

This looks to be an example of the human tendency to think things weren't really as bad as they were in hindsight. Sure, the ending was better than I thought they could have made it, but I still would rather have had Disappearance.

To me, it is a feeling of "Wooooow, about f*cking time.", similar to how I felt when I got back in France, after two months in a climate I could not stand (hint: tropical climate).

[Sute443]

I fully expect Disappearance within a year... this season seems more designed to draw interest than anything else.

The pessimism has grown weak in this one.

It was Kadokawa or Kyoani who ordered 8 episodes ?
I saw a news before , Kadokawa who apologise and said that it should be around 2 episodes and it was Kyoani who kept with more .

Kadokawa pays KyoAni to do what Kadokawa says.

To me, it is a feeling of "Wooooow, about f*cking time.", similar to how I felt when I got back in France, after two months in a climate I could not stand (hint: tropical climate).

So it's not forgiveness in your case? Good. They haven't earned it.

[Dakota]

He wasn't necessarily a lost cause before Endless Eight. In other words, he's a costumer that KyoAni/Kadokawa lost because of Endless Eight.

This is what I meant to say. I just tried to use the phrase "lost cause" because I think it sounds cool.

[Kaisos Erranon]

Look, just try to forget about the past two months and look ahead, guys.

Even if it IS Sighs, at least it's not Endless Eight.

...You can tell they've done their job when I'm using phrases like that.


The new meme is now "At least it's not Endless Eight!"

[quigonkenny]

I was sealing concrete, on my cellphone when I heard the news, I almost jizzed in my pants! Seriously, Hearing that the arc FINALLY ended made my dad, or maybe it was the sealent fumes, either way Im happy!
And so the birth of a new internet meme: "Where were you when you heard Endless Eight ended?" ^_^

Need subs.

[Triple_R]

This is what I meant to say. I just tried to use the phrase "lost cause" because I think it sounds cool.

It does sound cool. :)

[Jarmel]

Forgot to mention, they better animate every single chapter after this and not rush even one of them as they have no excuse after this.

[Kaioshin Sama]

Hmmmm....while I see no real reason to be out and out praising them for finally ending an unpopular arc, I also see no reason to hold on to any discontent. I won't be forgetting how lazy the last episodes have been and will still be taking it into account when we all do the overall impressions, but I kind of expect the next episodes to actually be good (and by that I mean I hope they will be), not just average but good by contrast with Endless Eight. I say take it as it comes.

[Sheba]

So it's not forgiveness in your case? Good. They haven't earned it.

Mind you, Endless Eight WAS my favorite short story. However, stretching it for eight episodes was one of the worst ideas ever. In fact, IF they had fun stretching it by spicing the things up, like having Kyon declaring his love to Itsuki, kidnapping Mikuru, stealing a car to pull a Thelma & Louise, or teach Yuki the recipe of curry, it would have been entertaining. Ending is good, but it does not erase six weeks of chores (watching a Endless Eight episode YET AGAIN!)

I am not forgiving Blizzard for neglecting Diablo and Starcraft for so long while churning out more updates for World of Warcrap. Even with the announcement, I am not forgetting.

With Munto TV and Endless Eight, they screwed up big time imo. While the ending of Endless Eight is good, it does not mean I forget what was before. Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody showed Haruhi back on its track, however Endless Eight was, in my opinion, a distasteful derailment.

EDIT: At some point I expected them to stretch it to the whole month of August, so to speak.

[Rice_slayer]

And so the birth of a new internet meme: "Where were you when you heard Endless Eight ended?" ^_^

Need subs.

Exactly, just like, where were you when Haruhi Season 2 FINALLY aired :P. I was in my Math 30 class "taking notes" and watching to see if the episode was going to air :P.

[Rungelunge]

My 10 is for Kyoani, Kadokawa can burn in hell.

[Ithekro]

Actually for international sales, the typical number of episodes on a disc is four, with sometimes five for odd numbered series. A logical move for Endless Eight would be to place BLR and the first four E8 on one disc and then the remaining four E8 on a second...both discs sell. The first one because if BLR and the start of the arc (this could work even without BLR) and the second for the end of the arc. While not easy money, the two important episodes are on the two discs, meaning you need to get both.

This is harder with Japanese discs as they put two episodes per disc. This means people could easily skip out on two of the discs inthe middle and still get the beginning and ending discs. Oddly, this might be why some of the episodes were better than others...so they could distribute them across the four discs to encourage sales.

[Triple_R]

Hmmmm....while I see no real reason to be out and out praising them for finally ending an unpopular arc, I also see no reason to hold on to any discontent. I won't be forgetting how lazy the last episodes have been and will still be taking it into account when we all do the overall impressions, but I kind of expect the next episodes to actually be good (and by that I mean I hope they will be), not just average but good by contrast with Endless Eight. I say take it as it comes.

I more or less agree with this.

I intend on making a YouTube video to commemorate the ending of Endless Eight, and I'm going to closely watch how the Haruhi DVDs for this year do... but I probably would have done the latter anyway.

But I'm going to try to look at the rest of this year's Haruhi with out any consideration of or for Endless Eight. Actually, it'll be nice to be free of the "Episode is great on its own merits, but it's part of an arc that never should have gone this long to begin with" voting conundrum that I faced a couple times.

[Kaiba]

You know, in retrospect, maybe I should have given this episode a 10 as I define 10s (of which I've only handed out three ever) as awe-inspiring, incredibly amazing episodes that will drastically change your viewpoint of others or life in a way that you will never forget. And this episode did do that, just not in the usual manner. :heh:

[TakariCritic]

After coming down from my high, I confess I voted ten out of pure relief. I admit that the feeling we all had when it ended couldn't have been recreated any other way, but to me, it wasn't worth the two months of trolling Kadokawa put us through. I will never admit that their decision was good, wise, or logical. It wasn't. This episode, by itself, was actually well done so I do not regret my 10, but I'll be damned before I buy their DVD's.

[Le Zeep]

I only have one thing to say in the words of Fujin, JOY.

[Roger Rambo]

The pessimism has grown weak in this one.

Well Kaisos is a manic depressive when it comes to this arc... one minute he thinks it's quality, then the next minute he thinks it's ruined forever.

OTOH, I'm much more stable. I've pretty much maintained my constant level of "blah" ever since it became clear what was going on with E8.

Actually for international sales, the typical number of episodes on a disc is four, with sometimes five for odd numbered series. A logical move for Endless Eight would be to place BLR and the first four E8 on one disc and then the remaining four E8 on a second...both discs sell. The first one because if BLR and the start of the arc (this could work even without BLR) and the second for the end of the arc. While not easy money, the two important episodes are on the two discs, meaning you need to get both.
This is the exact marketing scheme that will keep me from buying any DVD's. Endless 8 and Bamboo leaf aren't good enough to justify me buying 2 full priced DVD's for it. I may just for go anything with E8 on it.

This will also be bad for new fans who get introduced to the show who buy it on DVD, because after they finish with the 1st volumes of loops they'll wonder what's going on. A quick google search reveals that the entire second disk will be more E8, so they get turned off the series and don't buy anymore DVD's.

[Kaisos Erranon]

Well Kaisos is a manic depressive when it comes to this arc... one minute he thinks it's quality, then the next minute he thinks it's ruined forever.

It largely depends on what side of the bed I get up on that morning.

A quick google search reveals that the entire second disk will be more E8, so they get turned off the series and don't buy anymore DVD's.

Yeah, I agree, that's going to be a problem...

[relentlessflame]

If not for the Newtype Article (which in my view indicates that KyoAni is well aware of the damage that they have done, and are owning up to it by promoting the end of the arc), I'd be far less happy on this thread than what I am.The Newtype article doesn't really suggest anything of the sort. Of course people will be curious to know when Endless Eight will end -- that was part of the game they've been playing all along. Reporting on this is pretty natural. It's certainly not some sort of "mea culpa", any more than their blog post about it was. Of course they know, but why apologize? This is exactly what they wanted to accomplish -- they created drama. And then they advertised the fact that it was over so that everyone who ducked out for a while until it was over would know it's okay to come back. "Just as planned" indeed.

There's nothing extreme whatsoever about getting pissed off over being fed the same basic narrative this many times. Really, relentlessflame, it's weird to you for people to get upset over the plot being completely halted for a full eight episodes? That's actually a hard thing for you to understand, and sympathize with?What's weird is that they do this without realizing that their reaction is the joke. You've been manipulated all this time to be pissed off because you take the show too personally.

Which is exactly why Endless Eight was a failure. When meta-commentary overtakes discussion on the actual content of the shows, that's almost never a good sign. Has this ever not been the case with Haruhi, either directly or indirectly? How many pages and pages of discussion were there about episode order? How about that Ontology thread? Or the genderbending thread, which is probably one of the largest threads on this board? Haruhi is meta; it's a phenomenon. The content is almost just a formality at this point (especially given that, other than the delivery of this arc, there hasn't been any new content for years).

Those "crazy theories and explanations" existed because of how secretive KyoAni and/or Kadokawa were until the very end. It's not the fan's fault that these companies aren't more transparent, which naturally leads to increased fan speculation. Not all of us have your unshakable faith in KyoAni and/or Kadokawa.What I've had faith in is the fact that Haruhi fans are dedicated enough that, once the filler arc was over, people would come back. And because of that, the sales of this particular set of DVDs that people are so worried about are actually pretty unimportant over the long term, because there's a lot more to go. Kadokawa and Kyoto Animation simply realized this, and took advantage of this "trick" as a way of prolonging this season in anticipation of a future season three.

The thought of someone seriously buying 4 dvd's of this arc makes my brain hurt.I'm going to buy them, but it's actually not because I'm such a huge Haruhi fan, or because I'm such a huge fan of this story arc (though I've always said they're not worth all the rage they get either). Buying R2 DVDs at those prices is about collecting, not really about the content. That won't make sense to most people around here, but just think about it -- this is the Internet. If all I cared about was the content, I could easily get it. If anything, I'll just laugh when the sales come through not nearly as devastated as people think they "rightfully should be", and it becomes yet another case of "those otaku" being idiots/retarded/brain-dead/stupid/etc. etc. etc. That alone is nearly reason enough to buy it. If you can't be accepted, at least be incomprehensible to those on the outside. :heh:

[Roger Rambo]

I'm going to buy them, but it's actually not because I'm such a huge Haruhi fan, or because I'm such a huge fan of this story arc (though I've always said they're not worth all the rage they get either). Buying R2 DVDs at those prices is about collecting, not really about the content. That won't make sense to most people around here, but just think about it -- this is the Internet. If all I cared about was the content, I could easily get it. If anything, I'll just laugh when the sales come through not nearly as devastated as people think they "rightfully should be", and it becomes yet another case of "those otaku" being idiots/retarded/brain-dead/stupid/etc. etc. etc. That alone is nearly reason enough to buy it. If you can't be accepted, at least be incomprehensible. :heh:
Seems somewhat tacky to buy something purely because allot of people hate it.

[relentlessflame]

Seems somewhat tacky to buy something purely because allot of people hate it.Yes, I know -- I buy anime all the time.

(Of course, that's not the only reason, but still...)

[GMT]

Time for the wrap-up. This episode, by itself, would get a 7/10. It felt . . . rushed. Sure, I know they did it so they could give Kyon more time to roll the hallucinogeneriffic stock footage and think of something to say to Haruhi. The yukatas from the short story were a nice touch, and the animation and humor are as good as anything we've seen from this arc. Sugita's voicing of Kyon was made of win as well, and saves this episode from being given a 6. But, choosing to start from the beginning as they did, they really had to rush through this episode to get to the non-"EPIC KYON FAIL" ending. And, admittedly, the "EPIC KYON WIN" ending was epic. I was at the edge of my seat when Haruhi was just about to walk out the door.

In a way, it's good they had other Endless Eight episodes to drag things out enough that the viewers wouldn't mind the rushed feel of this episode, simply because it meant that the arc was finally ending. Most of this episode's impact didn't come so much from the episode itself, but from the one SOL and the six EPIC KYON FAILs that came before it. Which brings me to my actual rating, as now, I intend to rate the whole arc. Do we have a masterful stroke of marketing genius on our hands, or a prime example of corporate buffoonery? Devout Haruhiists all over the world are screaming like schoolgirls right now, and snarky Haruhiists are preparing offerings to apologize for their wavering faith. And it did sorely test the faith of the Haruhiists. Eight was probably as many episodes as they could wring out of this arc without ensuring a mass-desertion of the core fanbase, and while ensuring that the casual viewer wouldn't have missed too much if they came back to Haruhi after a couple weeks of watching baseball highlights.

So, does the multiple E8 concept work? Absolutely. The emotional payoff outweighed Kyon's humdrum solution to the problem. They could've trimmed a couple episodes from the arc without sacrificing the emotional high that came after the carefully cultured sense of despair, and would've avoided a lot of the growing indifference and arc-fatigue that probably robbed the arc of a lot some of its impact. As a marketing stunt, how well it does will depend on what they do with the rest of the season. If they handle that very well, those people who went out and smashed their collections of Haruhi merchandise may well sheepishly go back and buy replacements . . . effectively meaning the merchandisers get paid twice. Yet, arc-fatigue may keep more than a few people from coming back.

So, the follow-up. Endless Eight was a good marketing idea, and a bold artistic gamble. But there is definitely such a thing as too much of a good thing. So my score for the whole arc is 5/10.

[typhonsentra]

No I understand collecting for the sake of completion just fine. That's actually part of what upsets me about this whole thing. I mean, I don't think I'd ever get any kind of enjoyments from the middle two discs (2 and 3 of this arc) whatsoever, if I were to buy them they'd sit there and collect dust, I'd be buying them just to have them and that's like, $140+ down the drain for something I don't like nor desire, but if I wouldn't want to skip them and just buy the first and the last only. So if anything it just makes me give up on buying any of them. I just kind of view this whole season as being similar to Minami-ke Okawari (Well, I gave up on that one after one episode), it's killed a lot of my enthusiasm for the whole franchise. I still watched Okaeri but then again, I watch a lot of things.

[Kaisos Erranon]

I just kind of view this whole season as Minami-ke Okawari all over again. :(

Should pick up again with the next few eps.

Even if they're crap.

[Voitan]

This is a mediocre episode.

I don't see how this episode is perfect, considering there are MUCH better episodes in the series by several magnitudes more than this arc's ending episode.

[Kikuchi]

I'm glad it finally ended.

This last episode wasn't particulary good, though. Nothing horrible, but it wasn't as memorable as, say, the second of the arc, which I just found spot on, ending aside.

6/10 for this episode, I'll refrain from giving any score for the whole arc, which I found utterly stupid.

[relentlessflame]

No I understand collecting for the sake of completion just fine. That's actually part of what upsets me about this whole thing. I mean, I don't think I'd ever get any kind of enjoyments from the middle two discs (2 and 3 of this arc) whatsoever, if I were to buy them they'd sit there and collect dust, I'd be buying them just to have them and that's like, $140+ down the drain for something I don't like nor desire, but if I wouldn't want to skip them and just buy the first and the last only. So if anything it just makes me give up on buying any of them.Well, for what it's worth, they've marketed it in such a way that even "self-respecting" collectors can duck out with them being technically "filler" volumes (5.1, 5.999, etc.), and pick up again when the next season rolls around.

(Though I suppose I should say that I'm not really collecting for the sake of completion either, but that is part of it. When you've already come this far, what's a little bit further... :heh: )

[Heminga13]

This is a mediocre episode.

I don't see how this episode is perfect, considering there are MUCH better episodes in the series by several magnitudes more than this arc's ending episode.

Everyone differs on what makes them like an episode.

For me, I was anxiously watching the whole thing, wondering if this time would be the time the loop would end. Now, I was 100% sure it would end this episode going in anyway, but as soon as the episode started a sneaky 1% transferred over to me thinking it wouldn't. After worrying the whole time and finally seeing Kyon break the loop, I was genuinely happy and relieved. For me, the emotional investment I have in an episode is the biggest factor that determines what makes an episode great. And this episode delivered that in spades. ...or should I say a royal flush?

[Kaioshin Sama]

The Newtype article doesn't really suggest anything of the sort. Of course people will be curious to know when Endless Eight will end -- that was part of the game they've been playing all along. Reporting on this is pretty natural. It's certainly not some sort of "mea culpa", any more than their blog post about it was. Of course they know, but why apologize? This is exactly what they wanted to accomplish -- they created drama. And then they advertised the fact that it was over so that everyone who ducked out for a while until it was over would know it's okay to come back. "Just as planned" indeed.

What's weird is that they do this without realizing that their reaction is the joke. You've been manipulated all this time to be pissed off because you take the show too personally.

Has this ever not been the case with Haruhi, either directly or indirectly? How many pages and pages of discussion were there about episode order? How about that Ontology thread? Or the genderbending thread, which is probably one of the largest threads on this board? Haruhi is meta; it's a phenomenon. The content is almost just a formality at this point (especially given that, other than the delivery of this arc, there hasn't been any new content for years).

What I've had faith in is the fact that Haruhi fans are dedicated enough that, once the filler arc was over, people would come back. And because of that, the sales of this particular set of DVDs that people are so worried about are actually pretty unimportant over the long term, because there's a lot more to go. Kadokawa and Kyoto Animation simply realized this, and took advantage of this "trick" as a way of prolonging this season in anticipation of a future season three.

I'm going to buy them, but it's actually not because I'm such a huge Haruhi fan, or because I'm such a huge fan of this story arc (though I've always said they're not worth all the rage they get either). Buying R2 DVDs at those prices is about collecting, not really about the content. That won't make sense to most people around here, but just think about it -- this is the Internet. If all I cared about was the content, I could easily get it. If anything, I'll just laugh when the sales come through not nearly as devastated as people think they "rightfully should be", and it becomes yet another case of "those otaku" being idiots/retarded/brain-dead/stupid/etc. etc. etc. That alone is nearly reason enough to buy it. If you can't be accepted, at least be incomprehensible to those on the outside. :heh:

So I've got a question. Why have you turned the defence of this whole arc into such a cause to the point where you have tried to (in my eyes) shape the form of the discussion that has been taken up on it? To get people to in your words "come back to Haruhi"? Is it because you geniunely liked it (or needed to like it) and wanted other people to like it any way you could find how, or was it just because you wanted to take up another side of things and be an "outsider"? The way you are putting things it's always seemed like the latter.

To me it's not THAT important that people understand, appreciate/dislike, praise/dismiss what really come down to theories on this arc (although I've always liked people to try and see things my way), or why the DVD's will sell anyway, though I have brought up the whole DVD issue myself. It'd be nice if people prepared themselves to avoid pointless raging, but still I think people need to make up their own minds about all of this in a neutral sense. Some people take content into account, others don't, and some people are less forgiving then others, while some people just prefer to ride the roller coaster the way it was designed. As long as their reflections aren't borne out of ignorance or come from some form of thought then I don't think there's any wrong way to think about this arc that can't be understood and accepted by others.

To state my opinion and theory on all of this, I think it was designed to be meta-referential, but that it was executed quite poorly and came off as gimmicky instead. Kadokawa/Kyoani obviously felt that they needed to make use of an 8 gimmick because of the stories title, but didn't really bother to think if the arc actually warranted 8 episodes or whether perhaps that was going overboard. In other words they seem to have developed tunnel vision in getting towards that magic 8 number and failed to see the drawbacks of the idea. They expected fans to go "Oh 8 episodes for endless 8, I get it, very clever", and maybe a lot of the Japanese fans did, but elsewhere not so much.

Then again all of this comes from somebody who doesn't feel obligated to appreciate everything Haruhi and Kyoani throws at us so I might be out of the loop so to speak. :uhoh:

[bayoab]

It was Kadokawa or Kyoani who ordered 8 episodes ?
I saw a news before , Kadokawa who apologise and said that it should be around 2 episodes and it was Kyoani who kept with more .Kadokawa and Kyoani are both on the production committee. Someone from one of those two staffs came up with this idea and somehow the committee passed it.

As for the apology and the 2 episode thing, that was Yamamoto Yutaka who was formerly with Kyoani. In response, Kyoani basically said "He has nothing to do with us now."