SRZ (School Rumble Z) Manga discussion

[Yolks]

Hey, this definitely sounds out of place since the anime and the manga ended quite a while ago. This will definitely be a long post as well, so I hope you bear through it. It's mainly my impressions and thoughts of the series, in both the manga and the anime. I could't find many popular forums revolving around School Rumble, at least that weren't active, so I apologize in advance for the sudden wall of text.

Alright, I'll admit at first that I really am not an anime nor a manga fan/reader. I think at most I've really only watched Rurouni Kenshin, Dragonball, DBZ, some Ghibli films, and spurts of other animes that were popular and mainstream. So I'm not too exposed to anime, and when it comes to manga, never really read it at all. Maybe a chapter or a few, but none too much. But, scouring on youtube and finding some clips of School Rumble's comedic moments gave me a few laughs, but what got my attention were clips of Eri and Harima and their implied romance. Being the cheater that I am, I invested some of my time into how the series would end, how the characters would be resolved, etc. I ended up finding that there wasn't really an ending, a proper one, at least in my opinion. Even with School Rumble Z, I still have this half-eaten cookie feeling about the series. I still don't think that I would be very much an anime/manga (sorry to smush those terms together) kind of guy, but watching School Rumble struck a certain tone with me, and I want to sort out my thoughts about it. So I hope that you aren't offended by my long intro, long post, assumptions caused by a lack of understanding, or my tendency to impress my own ideas on this series. And you might even laugh over this overly analytical post (essay???) about a anime mainly about rom-comedy, but yeah.

So through this I'll go through the relationships & characters of Harima, Eri, Yakumo, and Tenma. Along with the unresolved stuff, my thoughts, and what I hope to see if there is a revisit to the series (PLEASE, MY GOD, MY LIFE HAS BEEN CONSUMED BY TRYING TO SORT OUT THIS UNFINISHED SMARGLE) I'll be using both the anime and the manga along with some pieces picked up on various other forums as evidence. I'm still new at this so don't kill me! Bunch of SPOILIERS too, so read at your own risk!

Spoiler for THIS IS EXTREMELY LONG:

Harima
Alright. The guy really at the center of this series in my opinion. It was stated by JK that Tenma is the heroine and ultimately the story would have her star as the heroine, but I do believe due to the circumstances in which Harima is involved with Tenma, this series is almost as much about him as it is about her. Tenma is the anchor that keeps all the characters in place, and without her the story wouldn't exist, in the same sense that the Ring from LotR keeps the plot moving, but Frodo is very much the star, at least one of them. So we know the background of Harima, and his relationship to Tenma one of immense love(infatuation?). Essentially it drives him to reform, establish a new self, and eventually start his love for manga. Although she might not be the cause for all the change, he changes while he is in love with her. In this sense, Tenma is the symbol for his growth, for his high school years. The love for Tenma might be one of actual eros, of physicality, and of whatever it is that guys love to do, but it can also be a symbolic one. He definitely has the tunnel vision that everyone mentions, spurning just about every romantic advance put forth by both Eri and Yakumo. But in a way, you can't blame the guy entirely too much. That kind of love, a symbolic, nostalgic love doesn't really leave a person. And in a way she has sculpted his entire identity, unintentionally of course. Once she leaves, everything that drives him forth is essentially gone. If anyone has read Hamlet, he is Hamlet. He mopes all over, because to him, his purpose in life has disappeared. Everything that he has dedicated his being to for the past years has left with nothing, at least in the sense of tangibility. He has no girlfriend nor wife. The self imposed isolation results in the tunnel vision which is being crushed by reality. The reality that Tenma is in love with Karusuma.

Yakumo
Ah! Onigiri! Well, we have the perfect stereotype of the perfect girl. Moral code, personification of grace, manners etc. Yet, her character is not the simple perfect girl. It is juxtaposed against her lack of confidence. Towards the end of School Rumble, she shows signs of being into Harima, but also of her own faults, caused namely by her relationship with her sister. With the unknown relationship with her parents, Yakumo is shown to have a very strong attachment to her sister Tenma. So much so, that she is almost placed in the role of the older sister, trying to provide for Tenma, taking care of her, and protecting her. And upon her disappearance, she feels very similar to Harima, a bit lost, and lonely. And she has her own ghosts to combat, literally. Within Ch. 276, we can see a personification of Yakumo's anxiety, confidence, and torn feeling in the form of a ghost or her heart. Dealing with problems of self-isolation, connecting with people on a heart to heart level, and with what she really desires is explored a bit within the chapter. And her perfect facade is to cloud a very deep attachment to her sister, a relationship where she plays an older sister, but often feels like a younger one. She feels the need to be protected. The combination of her relationship with her sister, her own insecurities, and with her relationship with Harima leave her very much confused and a little more complicated that first presented.

Eri
Presented as a pretentious character who's charms are stemming from a self-indulgent personality, Eri is a bit of a handful. Sassy, demanding, and proud, she is a very rough character in both personality and action. But she is similar to Yakumo in the sense that she has her own insecurities, partially stemming from her relationship with her parents, and from how people perceive her as a shallow popular girl. Cynicism that developed as a way to ward off people who were phony around her eventually makes her fierce, proud, and a bit close-minded. But she is very multi-faceted, with her attempts to be with Harima, conflicting emotions of desire of dependence and independence, and of self-isolation as a from of protection. As the story develops, we find that she is far more than she seems. Her relationship with Harima definitely fleshes out her more sensitive side, but, also further confuses her on her own perspective of herself as portrayed in the Worker-san arc. Her pride plays a double edged sword, being that it prevents her from pursuing or at least providing progress in the relationship, but it also fuels her stubbornness to stick with it. Her will seems the be her most prized trait, and for good reason.

Yakumo and Harima
One of, I believe of the only two plausible relationships within the series. After beginning to develop feelings while serving as Harima's assistant, Yakumo begins to become more and more involved with Harima, both on a professional and a more personal level. At least from her side. But, throughout the manga/anime Harima doesn't show clear affection for Yakumo, in the romantic sense. He refers to her as little sister, and doesn't take very much notice towards her. This is could of course be caused by his tunnel vision for Tenma, yet I personally believe that this relationship pairing is unlikely to happen. Reason being is due to both their own internal problems. Harima is established as in love with Tenma, and nothing can really alter that. Tenma is his first love, unrequited as it is, and you can't erase that. This is established in the scene when Tenma leaves to America and Harima talks about trying to win her back within Ch. 267-268. But, in a way, he understands the futility of chasing after her, and in his Harima way says goodbye to her along with a piece of himself. And upon her leave Yakumo is equally as affected by a certain melancholy. With the arrival of the ghost as mentioned before, I feel that Yakumo is not necessarily over herself. What I mean is that, before she can devote herself to another person she has to be willing to accept her own faults. And within the same chapter, you see that she does come to terms with her flaws and begins her own growth. But, ultimately I feel that the relationship is one-sided. And Yakumo's shy personality of TLC won't really break through Harima's tunnel vision. Yakumo admits that a strong willed person is the only possibility for Harima to snap out of his infatuation, within School Rumble Z, that is if you take it as canon. Although Yakumo is in love with Harima, I feel that Harima is Yakumo's Tenma if that makes sense. Harima serves as Yakumo's first romance, even though it is unreturned. I feel that Yakumo's relationship with Harima is one that is also symbolic, and very self-reflective. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that, due to Yakumo's gentle personality, Harima is unlikely to lean towards her. However, her relationship to Harima and his relationships provide her a means of reflection and hopefully eventual catharsis. She is a character that deserves to be happy (she better be 4real) , but I believe being with Harima is not necessarily the best outcome in the same sense of having a Harima/Tenma pairing.

Eri and Harima
This one is the one I am biased to. For this I will assume that the so-called marriage of Harima and Eri at the end of SRZ is non-applicable as a piece of evidence due to the fact that it is kinda awkward and seems misplaced with very little background. But, this relationship is hinted at several times throughout the manga. With the various arcs, we delve into the psyche of both Harima, and of Eri as similar characters who progressively grow as a means to find what they seek. Not to mention that many of their interactions with one another seem very natural and smooth. Eri definitely shows interest (in the form of embarrassment around Harima) but really seems more or less like a crush. But, as the story progresses, we find that Eri develops genuine affection towards Harima. Evidenced through the various misunderstandings and his brief moments of kindness. For example during ep. 8 in season 1, Harima provides an umbrella after Eri's dad calls a raincheck on their dinner. And during the festival, both Harima and Eri show an interesting sensitivity to one another, by insuring the other's well-being (when Eri jumps after Harima's cap, and when Harima vows to win the race). Though many of those actions tend to leave both characters questioning their intent during said event, many of the events are initiated naturally. The umbrella, the dance, etc. And many of the actions are seemingly unnecessary even from the viewpoint of a very good friend. Maybe it is to blame on Harima's closeted good nature. But, I believe that Worker-san arc might have differed if Harima felt differently about Eri. There are specific moments when he is with her when is essentially dumbfounded due to her hidden but authentic character. Such as the dance festival, where both mutually agree to dance, without hesitation. But, the most prominent example is the Worker-san arc, where her personality causes an almost instinctive reaction from Harima. One where he is being earnest and authentic in return. Of course he an instance of surprise at her persona, prompting an almost self-scolding for being nice to her. We have the Kyoto arc, a series of misunderstandings which only fuel Eri's desire to be with Harima. Through the Kyoto arc, Eri is developed as a character along with her feelings towards him. And upon returning to school, the creation of the scrapbook also points out that although Harima himself isn't interested in Eri, he does notice her in Ch. 197, by calling her cute. But, I believe the most important moment is in Ch. 271-272 where Harima is injured and Eri comes to give him first aid. It is during this moment when Eri bares her insecurities onto Harima, about why she is a particular way, why she is saddened by how people perceive her. And it is during this moment where Harima has a change of heart both in his character, and his views on Eri's character. Having his eyes opened during a depression in the same way that he opened her eyes when she was in a rut during the Worker-san arc. I this, I feel is one of the pivotal pieces that sway Harima towards Eri. In subsequent chapters with Eri leaving, Harima is asked to help her stay by Max, another character who is in love with Eri. Even when presented marriage as a means to get her to stay, he accepts it fully. Although this is under the pretense that it is a faux marriage, it is something I believe tunnel-visioned Harima would be very hesitant to do. It is not clear whether he does it out of friendship or whatever else there is, but in my honest opinion it is something that seems almost unnecessary, even in the case of friendship. And if we are taking SRZ as canon, then the conversation between Yakumo and Harima in Ch. 9, Yakumo does concede that Eri's raw will is what will break through Harima's tunnel vision. And there is proof in Ch. 272 from Harima that Eri is able to get through to him. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, there is a subconscious feeling that Harima has for Eri, which is implied through his reactions toward Eri's emotions. Mainly from the fact that Harima has brief moments of observing Eri in the entirety of her being, without her sass or her walls. Through the various arcs mentioned, this Eri is slowly revealed to both the reader and Harima. And one particular moment that I remember was during the Lion Dance, in ep. 22 season 2, during which Harima has to do the Lion Dance with Eri. When she is interacting with the children, Harima has a brief moment where he stares at Eri. Whether it is through admiration or some other pretext, he does notice her. The only possible way that Eri could end up with Harima is if Eri truly, deeply, loves him. Within Ch. 5 of SRZ, years afterward Eri is still looking for him, by becoming a stewardess, which establishes that she does care deeply for Harima, even past high school. But, I guess what I am trying to say in all is Eri and Harima seem the most likely and plausible due to the depth of Eri's devotion as well as her ability to demonstrate her affections raw, and in a manner that gets through to Harima. Yakumo admits as mentioned before that Harima's still in love with Tenma, but if a love that was immense and unwavering passed by, it might change things. And the image of that love was in the form of Eri. The foundation for the chemistry is there, for both of them but is hindered by tunnel vision, and by a fear of rejection. Ultimately I find this the best romance since it is raw, natural, complex, and true. The characters might not be instantaneously be a pair, but their interactions show a mixture of progress, growth, and authenticity. And Ch. 280 is my concluding piece of evidence for this expose. Harima cares for Eri, and although it might be friendly at this point, this chapter begins to show a gradual change in his character, her character, and them as a whole.

Conclusions
Sorry for the extensive writing, but its something that has been on my mind for a while. I just really had to express it. I guess the fact that School Rumble is really like high school. Plenty of misunderstandings, but also a mixture of nostalgia and comedy. I guess what I remember is the scene where Harima is trying to fix Tenma's air conditioner only to overhear her insult him. His supervisor asks him why he is crying only to come hastily to the conclusion that it is all adolescence. And that's what School Rumble feels like, adolescence. Confusing, complicated, overdone, raw, unfiltered, and through all that echoes a certain fundamental part of a person. But yeah, sorry if I sound like a fool trying to write an analysis about something that seems transparent.

What I hope for!
I really hope that JK returns to the series to give it a proper ending. I hope he doesn't drag it on and make it about their children, or other school members. I really feel that School Rumble is a reminiscence to high school and I would hope that JK gives it closure, the kind that is needed of all stories. But in doing so I hope he includes these things!
-Tying up all the loose relationships
-Explaining how those things move to the way they are (like developing the characters into a couple and show how they get together rather than just saying so)
-Solve Yakumo's self-crisis (and I hope he introduces a romance for her since I believe Eri and Harima end up with one another)
-Provide closure (for the sake of my sanity.)
-Happy ending (sounds cheese yah, but I kind of want one due to the general nature of the series)

I hope we can discuss and that what I meant to say came across clear! Sorry if I sound repetitive and whatnot. Thanks for reading, that is if you did.

[Solafighter]

Yolks(i guess, you are new on this forum, so) welcome to the Animesuki Forums.

This School Rumble part is not realy active, but also not inactive. Once here and then someone is posting some new informations about JK's doings and developments of his new manga.


You wrote a massive wall of text. Its a very good summerize of the whole image of SR. I agree with the most parts, how you see things. For me, as an Eri-chan fanatic, i can pretty much see the ending.

I was a bit thinking about your personal conclusion.
If JK would ever return to continue SR, it would ruin the whole series. The only problem he faced after SR is, that cause of all chapters after 281 and SRZ brought him more haters, than fans. With that, JK had some real problem to continue his career, with SR on his shoulders.
Im still big fan of his and will always be. The ending of SR? One of the best, i have ever seen for an anime, with some expections.

If you would have to put SR into one word, it would be 'Missunderstandings'.

HK, its your turn, now.

[Yolks]

Thanks! I wasn't expecting a reply that quickly!

Well, in regards to the revisiting of SR, I agree that it would only worsen the series itself. Last thing I want is a SR GT. But, I do believe a revisit in order to clarify, tie up, and organize the misunderstandings within the series could be more proper. As mentioned before, the reasons why SRZ and Ch. 281 and onward were so bad were mainly because of a lack of plot. That is in vein of having an underdeveloped one. Most of the conclusions that JK arrives at are in my view, under explained. I guess I just really want a clear cut piece of proof that Eri and Harima end up with one another, that all the characters end up in the places they end up. Actual proof, not implications, misunderstandings, or imagined realities. But I definitely agree, having another 100 chapters devoted to Harima chasing after Tenma again would be marring the series.

I guess after reading and watching the anime, I feel that SR and SRZ are imcomplete, with various holes like swiss cheese. After Ch. 281, the plot to me felt it either jumped the gun too early leaving all the characters half complete, or just took a sharp turn which did not fall in with the feel of SR. I hope not for a continuation but rather a resolution to the series, which at this moment feels bare and incomplete due to the fact that all the characters seemed to be going somewhere but JK doesn't show how they get there. I did very much enjoy the series nonetheless, I just wanted a resolution rather than an abrupt ending which seemed premature and partially awkward. After reading I just felt this lack of contentness that's all. I hope you get what I mean, and I don't sound like a whining fan.

[Solafighter]

The only job, i could see JK doing about SR is to animate the 3rd season and the rest of the manga, that has been left out. Wouldnt be something new, but would widen the timespan on SR marathons.

[Yolks]

Ah! That would be great. But you wouldn't want a different ending? Or an ending with more elaboration? Because I really just felt that the series just ended half-heartedly. I'm not really specifying a continuation, but rather a resolution as you put in your previous post as
"The things we need in SR are the final pairings and Harima gets rid of his "Tunnel of Vision" with Tenma since that's over."

As to me this feels incomplete due to the fact that there are "the many unanswered stuff he needs to put a dot on" as you said.

[Solafighter]

An alternative ending would be interesting. But i was talking about to animate the 3rd season, that comes between the 2nd season and the 3rd (season) OVA's.

[Yolks]

Agreed. Having the animation of the rest of the manga would be nice. I actually don't mind the ending, though I do feel that it is premature. After Ch. 281, it's as if the entire cast of characters and their relationships before 281 is scrapped. JK ends the series in 2 chapters when it seemed far from it. Most of SRZ is filler with 4-5 chapters that deal with plot. I am ok with the way it ends, I just wished that it didn't end so quickly or feel rushed. Resolving plot lines in 2 chapters doesn't really seem feasible. And alluding to pairings but never exactly explaining them leaves you with a taste of a half-done rushed ending to a series with a full and good cast. Something just feels skipped that's all. But, that is my opinion. So alternate ending? Not necessarily, but ending it in the fashion that JK did is akin to having a fairy tale with a happily ever after without the saving the princess part. JK did a good job though. His characters are very memorable and it just bothers me to see them kind of unresolved in their stories even at the end of the series.

But, a question if I could ask you Sola? You said that you really liked the ending to the anime, but with some exceptions. Could I ask you what those exceptions are? And could I ask you of your impressions of the ending of the series? Including SRZ?

[Solafighter]

Yolks, you mean this?

Originally Posted by Solafighter

(...)The ending of SR? One of the best, i have ever seen for an anime, with some expections.(...)

What i meant with this is, that i have seen plenty of animes with a bad ending(open ending, where the pairing reset and such) and pointless endings. The exceptions are those, who have an realy great and realy ending, ending. As example, 'Cowboy Bebop'.
If you have seen this series, you know what i mean with a realy good ending.

[Yolks]

Ah, it is true, School Rumble does have an ending. I still felt that it left a lot unanswered in regards to many of the characters and their stories. I would have liked to hear the rest of their stories. But I can't complain too much I guess.

Thank you for answering Sola.

[kenjiharima]

Btw you can search youtube for the summaries of the SR chapters leading to the final Sangaki anime OVA, problem is that there is no one that translated/ fan subbed them.

[Solafighter]

Yea, no wonder, less and less people are reading his mangas and almost none of them is translating his work anymore.

kuso-- that pisses me off.

[yakumo-chan]

ah... School RUmble, I miss this series.,
This Anime will be one of my treasures in my memories...

And yes I agree that this series shouldnt be touch anymore, we should leave it at be and stay it in our memories,

@Yolks - You should try one piece too, its a great Anime... you wont regret it I promise you,,

[kenjiharima]

Epic beginning and Epic fail ending. Ouch.

Probably it's Jin Kobayashi's way of having everything for Japan. Problem is less people support him now, because of the fail end.

Well at least we're still getting Yakumo, Eri and Mikoto fan arts and a few Harima's here and there.

[Yolks]

It is a bummer that JK is not getting his stuff translated. Sometimes funding and support suck like that. And it sucks that the third semester wasn't animated.

You know? JK kind of reminds me of Karusuma. Well mainly in Ch. 238. It's after Karusuma leaves a cliffhanger for his manga due to him leaving to America. And Harima tells him that ending it all of a sudden wouldn't satisfy anyone. Although I agree that altering the SR formula would screw it up, I do think that JK has ironically done the sudden ending. The series had a lot of lovable quirks and a memorable cast, but that abrupt finishing leaves you with a sort of confused feel. There is just all the pairings that are left unanswered. And even worse, those unfinished stories for each of the characters. It is sad to see JK losing support, when you can see that he has created some great stuff. It is also sad to see one of his works feel incomplete with its own sudden ending.

[Marty17]

I dunno why, but I'm still (theoretically speaking) holding my breath for a 3rd season to be animated. My collection of SR just feels incomplete & that's just not right.

[yakumo-chan]

Originally Posted by Marty17

My collection of SR just feels incomplete & that's just not right.

I was also planning to have a collection of SR, although i've just thought I would only do this if JK continues SR...

Im now collecting One Piece!

[Yolks]

Yeah, the anime seems a little incomplete. I wish they finished animating the entire manga . I hope that they do finish it, but it seems improbable. The manga seems partially incomplete because of the characters and their unanswered endings. I wonder if JK has something up his sleeve.

[yakumo-chan]

Originally Posted by Yolks

Yeah, the anime seems a little incomplete. I wish they finished animating the entire manga . I hope that they do finish it, but it seems improbable. The manga seems partially incomplete because of the characters and their unanswered endings. I wonder if JK has something up his sleeve.

lol,, there's a low chance that it will have a continuation though,,

When I read your first post I remember back then how I found out school rumble,,

I think I found this anime around 2007, the first episode that I watched was when harima was in the Hospital because he was hit by a truck,
then I find this anime kinda funny and makes me want to watch it more, afterwards I watch it everyday in the television.. 1 episode/day.. then when I finished the anime and Manga thats the time I look in google if there is a contuation for school rumble, and thats where I found Animesuki FOrums, talking about if there will be a contiuation going and hoping for JK to continue SR.

Its funny though,, I never usually hang out on forums until I found out School Rumble
This is my first forum, because of school rumble

[Yolks]

Aha, I know how you feel. This is the first anime that really got me into reading the entire manga. And one that got me to post on a forum. It is definitely a memorable show. Yeah I got into the reading the manga and posting on forums to see if there would be a an answer to the questions leftover.

[Marty17]

Well, since we're on the topic of reminiscing of how we discovered School Rumble, I might as well share my experience.

It began during the latter half of 2007 where I was reading some comic strips at "Ctrl Alt Del.com", & there was an advert banner with School Rumble commercial on it, in that short 30secs of clips I found it pretty amusing.

So I went to the (Funimation) website to see more preview clips. The bow & arrow scene had got me hooked. Now over here in the UK, the R2 version of SR Vol1 was due to be released in January, & each volume was to be released in 2-3 months of each other.

So to kill some time, I seeked the manga, & that's how it all began...well, I still don't have the full (anime) series, because for some reason the R2 DVD's only got released up to Vol3.