Now that the 2009 rebroadcast/second season is over and the much anticipated “Disappearance” movie has proven to be quite successful, it seems that Haruhi’s popularity continues despite the three year wait for new episodes and the “Endless Eight” fiasco. However, an interesting discussion came up on this AnimeSuki forum post – the fact that “The Disappearance” movie may be the final installment of the title known as “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya”…
Although there hasn’t yet been any official evidence for this (the Japanese quote on the forum post ended up being just a blogger’s speculations), I think there is a possibility. But take note that I said the end of “The Melancholy” of Haruhi Suzumiya series and not necessarily the end of Haruhi anime in general. I’m sure there will be more Haruhi anime after “The Disappearance” movie, but it’s possible that it will be under a different name. Thus, I only put quotes around “The Melancholy,” since “_____ of Haruhi Suzumiya” will most likely still be how future anime series are named.
KyoAni’s plan
The main reason why some fans think this is because, with the release of the movie, it seems like KyoAni/Kadokawa have accomplished all that they had planned for “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” series, perhaps as early as the 2006 airing. I remember hearing a rumor that KyoAni had planned for the 2006 series to be longer, which is why scenes from “Endless Eight” and “The Disappearance” appeared in the original opening and ending. However, some scheduling conflict arose with their release of Kanon 2006 and they had to cut the Haruhi series at 14 episodes.
Ultimatemegax on Cartoon Leap wrote a brilliant post about why KyoAni did what they did with the franchise after that. To summarize what he said and tie it in with the end of “The Melancholy” of Haruhi Suzumiya, KyoAni had plans to animate “The Disappearance” early on, perhaps while the 2006 series was airing, or at least after its success. They knew “The Disappearance” is the most popular novel and thus decided to make it a high-budget film rather than episodes.
Unfortunately, KyoAni ended up letting three years go by without any new Haruhi anime besides some vague hinting at “The Disappearance.”
Remember these images? Can’t believe it’s been over a year and a half since then.
Perhaps they needed all this time to plan things out, or maybe they were waiting for Tanigawa to release volume 10 of the novels to give the franchise a popularity boost. But volume 10 never came and after three years, Haruhi’s popularity was starting to fade. However, they couldn’t release the “Disappearance” movie yet because they needed to animate the three stories that were absent from the 2006 series which occurred chronologically before “The Disappearance” – “Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody,” “Endless Eight,” and “The Sigh.”
These three stories were too short to warrant a whole second season for themselves, so what did KyoAni come up with? A rebroadcast of the original 2006 episodes, in chronological order, with the new stories inserted within. That way, after three years, fans could not only get their memory refreshed for “The Disappearance” (the rebroadcast could attract new fans, too), but also see the new episodes.
Just one problem remained – the original 14 episodes plus “Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody,” “Endless Eight,” and “The Sigh” would still not be enough to cover the typical scheduling block of 24 to 28 episodes, since “BLR” and “E8” are two of the shorter stories. KyoAni didn’t want to make up their own filler episodes nor animate stories that occurred after “The Disappearance” and ruin the rebroadcast’s chronology. I believe you all know what they finally came up with – create an outrageous twist on the plot of “Endless Eight” and turn it into a repetitive, eight-episode story arc. “E8” wasn’t just a shameless troll that KyoAni made because they hate their fans – as I’ve illustrated above, I believe there was at least some logic behind it.
Basically, everything that KyoAni did with Haruhi after the 2006 series was for the sake of “The Disappearance” movie. Now that the movie is done, all their original planning for “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” has been completed. Thus, whenever they do make new Haruhi anime, a new “_____ of Haruhi Suzumiya” title seems likely.
Turning points in the story
Another reason for the end of “The Melancholy” of Haruhi Suzumiya is simply the point in the series where the anime is currently at as far as the original novels. This is my opinion of course, but I feel that “The Sigh” and “The Disappearance” are the first major turning points in the series. Many agree that Haruhi was at her worst in “The Sigh.” However, in the later half of that story, when Kyon finally lashes out at her, she slowly starts to change. Since that incident, in the later novel stories, she’s pretty much stopped doing the kinds of outrageous, oppressive things she did to Mikuru and others in “The Melancholy” and “The Sigh.” She still retains her wild, uninhibited personality, but since “The Sigh,” she’s become less tyrannical and more open to simple fun and normalcy. I guess it took a near mutiny from the person she trusts the most (Kyon) to make her gradually change for the better.
If “The Sigh” is a turning point for Haruhi’s character development, then “The Disappearance” is a turning point for Kyon’s. I won’t spoil much for those who haven’t read it, but thanks to the events in that story, Kyon finally realizes how much he’s enjoyed being with the SOS Brigade, despite all his complaints. “The Disappearance” could also be a turning point for Yuki, though I won’t say why because that would spoil a lot.
Even though “The Melancholy” was the title for the first novel volume only, it’s the name that’s been assigned to the anime up until now. I would say it fits because all the stories that have been animated so far were basically establishing the general plot and characters. The stories after this point (after “The Disappearance”) start going in a slightly different direction as more plot is revealed and new characters are introduced. Therefore, “The Melancholy” is a fitting title for the anime series up until now, while a new title would be appropriate for whatever new Haruhi anime will be coming.
Conclusion
I’ve heard rumors that “The Disappearance” is possibly KyoAni’s last Haruhi anime. I have not seen any evidence to back this up nor do I feel KyoAni would ever give up their cash cow. We’ll see more Haruhi anime some day, but probably not for a while (another three years?) now that “The Disappearance” has proven to be a hit. This successful theatrical release has created an interesting stage in the franchise – when will new TV episodes air? Will KyoAni continue to call it “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya,” or from here on will they call it something else, like “The Intrigues of Haruhi Suzumiya,” after the next major volume, to mark this big turning point both for the story and the franchise itself? Whatever happens, I’ll be following it all the way.
Looking forward to more Haruhiism in years to come.
hmm I stopped watching the second season about halfway through endless eight, + the episodes were pretty much the same as the stories in the LNs
and its been a while since I read the light novels so I forgot most of it, perhaps its time to get myself back up to date xO
@ Prooof
Yeah, not much is different in the anime adaptations of the novels except that there’s voices, movement, etc., of course. I read the novels twice already but after a year or so, I feel like I need another rereading to refresh my memory of all the many details. I’ve been rereading via the official English releases but they’re taking so long >_< It's not necessary to watch all the E8 episodes; just watch the last one ;)
I partially disagree. I would say you have to watch maybe three episodes of the E8 portion. The first episode, as well as POSSIBLY the second episode, and then DEFINITELY the last. If you only watch the last episode, it won’t completely make sense. I say three episodes because if you only watch two episodes, including the last one, while in the middle of the series at that point, and while watching it without stop, then it sort of feels weird. I’ve watched all of the episodes of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, so I know what I’m talking about.
I agree with you here. After this point all the problem within SOS Bridge is settled. The next one is, as you know, the problem from outside force. So, it would be appropriate to start with a new name. If I have to choose now it would be “The Dissociation”
The problem is, of course, vol.10 isn’t out yet, and I’m guessing that it’s hard for KyoAni to plan things if they don’t know how that will end.
I’m still looking forward to see Sasaki on screen, and to see how she fair against Haruhi for the anime fandom. (On this, maybe I should start reading all those threads on animesuki first. *shiver*
yea I read the Endless Eight already before the anime so it was really annoying when they kept replaying the same chapter.
I had the baka-tsuki translations but they are on my pc which is currently on its way to Taiwan :| and I think they took down the translations from the site so looks like I’ll have to wait
I already reread the chapters where yuki was featured more
she’s like my all time favorite female anime character x] http://gallery.minitokyo.net/view/434929
haruhi is great too but I just fall for quiet/cool yet frigging awesome characters
like hibari kyoya (if you watch/read reborn)
@ Hypernova
Even without volume 10, KyoAni still has plenty of novel material to make at least another anime season. But I think they want to drag Haruhi on for as long as they can, and perhaps they are a little cautious about how to pace the anime without knowing how the series will end.
@ Prooof
The Baka-Tsuki translations are still available on HaruhiSuzumiya.net.
@Yumeka
The translations were removed from HaruhiSuzumiya.net as well, actually… :\
@ Roflman
Oh really? That’s too bad :/ They should at least only remove the ones that have been published in the U.S. so far and not all of them. Well, I have them all saved on my computer so I can send them to anyone who wants them.
Thanks for the link. I agree that Haruhi will be given another set of episodes. Even the most hated arc in the series sold almost 12,000 DVD sets per volume in a period where anime fans moved to BR. Then this financial success of the movie is absolutely overwelming for only a 24 screen release. I’ve got a sinking suspicion we’ll be hearing something about the series at the live event on April 4th.
I really have too much time of my life devoted to Haruhi now. I’ve been thinking about a new set of episodes and the most likely situation I’ve come up with would go as follows:
“The Intrigues of Haruhi Suzumiya”
1. Charmed at First Sight LOVER
2. Snow Mountain Syndrome (First Part)
3. Snow Mountain Syndrome (Second part)
4. Where did the Cat go?
5. The Intrigues of Haruhi Suzumiya Part I
6. The Melancholy of Mikuru Asahina
7. The Intrigues of Haruhi Suzumiya Part II
8. The Intrigues of Haruhi Suzumiya Part III
9. The Intrigues of Haruhi Suzumiya Part IV
10. The Intrigues of Haruhi Suzumiya Part V
11.The Intrigues of Haruhi Suzumiya Part VI
12. The Intrigues of Haruhi Suzumiya Part VII (Since it’s the longest book, it should be the longest arc)
13. Editor in Chief Straight Ahead! (First Part)
14. Editor in Chief Straight Ahead (Final Part)
And “The Dissociation of Haruhi Suzumiya”
1. Wandering Shadow (First Part)
2. Wandering Shadow (Second Part)
3. The Dissociation of Haruhi Suzumiya Part I
4. The Dissociation of Haruhi Suzumiya Part II
5. The Dissociation of Haruhi Suzumiya Part III
6. The Dissociation of Haruhi Suzumiya Part IV
7. The Dissociation of Haruhi Suzumiya Part V
8. The Dissociation of Haruhi Suzumiya Part VI
9. The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya Part I
10. The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya Part II
11. The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya Part III
12. The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya Part IV
13. The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya Part V
14. The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya Part VI
Of course this all hinges on the facts that 1. They keep the 14 episode theme and 2. Tanagawa finally releases the tenth novel! The real problems in the set of episodes are the two stories in Indignation because they are longer than the other short stories, but not long enough to put three episodes into, plus they fall right in the middle of this chronological timeline. I would love to see an episode open with alpha-1, go to OP, then start Beta-1. That would keep in tune with the whole timeline gimmick they started with and keep the new fans in suspense. Sorry to take up so much space!
@ ultimatemegax
It would be awesome if the new anime episodes came out like your lists there. Guess only time will tell. I remember when “Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody” first aired, everyone started making up their own supposed episode lists of how the rest of the rebroadcast would air. This is before they knew about the “Disappearance” movie and the “E8” fiasco, of course ;) (I have one of those old lists on a previous post. We were so naive XD)
Do you know what the hold up is with volume 10? I’ve heard lots of rumors but I don’t know what’s true. Can’t believe it’s been delayed for two and a half years. I think the time we get new Haruhi anime is related to when/if Tanigawa releases volume 10. The longer he takes, the longer KyoAni will take to get new anime. Hopefully we’ll see one or the other (or both?) sometime this year.
The only thing that’s come out (that I know of) is that in the Sneaker edition of August 09, Tanigawa was “readying” the novel for publication. Whether or not that means it’s finished and being edited or finished planning and is writing it I do not know at all. I’ve been Googling about every other day or so the Japanese name of the novel to see if anything’s popped up, and nothing much has come up recently. This week a few people on 2ch have mentioned it coming out in the summer (and I only have given the slightest bit of validity to it since Newtype for March came out this week, but I do feel it is speculation at best). As for why it’s so late, nothing has been said and with the Japanese culture the way it is, I don’t expect we’ll ever know the real reason why it’s so late.
For the lists, we were only naive due to our ignorance about why things happened the way they did. All the clues were there, but no one connected them until afterwards (and that post was the culmination of about a month’s thinking back and forth with a friend who hasn’t read any of the novels). I don’t think anyone gave true credit to the phrase “re-airing” until I kept mentioning it on the Animesuki forums and in that post. I don’t want to say that I approve of what they did, but I do understand why they did it. They gambled on the fans in Japan and won. They won absolutely huge now that the movie is such a success and looks to be a blockbuster in Japan. I’m absolutely serious when I say that I am waiting to order my copy of the movie before I post any news about when it’s coming out just so I’ve got my copy secured. I cannot wait for Intrigues. It is my favorite novel and my two favorite characters are featured a lot in it. (Koizumi and Tsuruya-san)
@ ultimatemegax
Yes, it really was a gamble. With the three year wait and “E8,” they could have lost many fans. But looking at the sales of the “E8” DVDs and the success of the movie, Haruhi fans (at least the hardcore ones) are a forgiving bunch.
After seeing your avatars, I had a feeling Itsuki is your favorite. He doesn’t get nearly as much love as the other characters so it’s nice to know he’s someone’s favorite.
Koizumi is my 2nd favorite.
It’s just Kyon if first due to being a sarcastic bum.
Neh, they still could’ve made just a 7-episode mini-season… The Endless Eight was soooo terrible. (Still watched it twice because I’m pretty hardcore -_-) And I’ve read the light novels 4 times and printed out personal copies.
We can’t get the movie here can we? Not till the DVD… >=(
@ Loser
Yeah, I don’t think they had to make “E8” eight episodes long – maybe just four episodes, making the rebroadcast 24 episodes, which is still a standard number. Guess they wanted to make it eight to go with the eight in the story’s title.
And wow, you actually printed out the novels? That must’ve taken a lot of time (not to mention printer paper).
So far no one’s uploaded a camera rip, so unless a U.S. release comes out soon, we probably won’t be seeing the movie here until many months from now.
good luck for me because i am from a spanish speaking country and if baka tsuki removed haruhi in english i can read haruhi in my native language :)
Mostly, I feel that, Kyoani will make another season.” The Intrigues of Haruhi Suzumiya ” Well, I know that, Haruhi anime hasn’t ended, because, there were no news about this.
I think, they might release a season 3 like around 2011.
Also, I don’t think that, kyoani will animate, The Dissociation and The Surprise.
Many good points in this article, never really thought of a logical reasoning for Endless Eight before.
I wonder if its a good idea to continue Haruhi as a series. This bears similarity to several other franchises which just never seem to end (the Call of Duty video game series comes to mind), and I never have a good feeling when money-making gets in the way of aesthetics. Granted, this is Kyoani we’re talking about, but cashcows always seems to run dry one way or another.
Personally, I would definitely welcome more haruhi, but the quality of the series in the long run worries me despite there still being novels to work with. A quality series like this should end at its peak of popularity; definitely I would rather end my meal with a fantastic main course than sour it with a bad desert.
If Kyoani can pull it off in the coming years however, all the better for them and their fans (including me). Here’s hoping they’ll do just fine.
I realize it’s already been a few years since this comment has been posted, but I still want to give my opinion on the matter. I see why you say that it would be better if Kyoani were not to make any new episodes, but I feel that it would not make any difference, assuming they do a good job with making the episodes, and don’t get too full of themselves. There have been anime shows in the past where they would be on for as long as, and its one in particular that I’m talking about which I will mention in a minute, 17 years, and still be virtually at its peak the entire time. The one I’m talking about is an anime show called Meitantei Conan, Japanese name. It only stayed on for this long in Japan, though. It was on for about a year or so in the U.k., under a different name. The name was Case Closed. The show is up to its 694th episode, which will be airing on the 20th of April this year, which, by the way, is tomorrow. And then, on April 27 of this year, they will be coming out with episode 695. This is all going on over a period of 17 years starting on January 8th 1996. I’m not trying to be crude or anything by saying this, I just wanted to state my opinion on the matter.
Ahh endless eight was torture! But I love Haruhi. Nice to know there’s another anime nut running around the YMCA besides me :D
In my opinion the Endless eight were not pointless, if you notice in the episodes, you constantly see Nagato becoming more and more depressed, and or bored. Eluding to things that are going to happen in the future (i.e what happens in “The dissaperence). I will admit it was kind of frustrating to watch over and over, but it all ties together in the end making it worth it.
the E8 was just for fans to feel nagato’s pain and the constant repeats made you really feel relieved when it was over.
im not a hardcore fan but im hooked watched all episodes and the disapearance. it’s time for new a haruhi novel or sumtin i miss her :(
I know this post is a couple of years old, but I still want to state my opinion. I know what you mean. HARUHI ROCKS!!!!!!!! KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON HARUHI!!!!! Lol. XD
Yikes! I think I’d like Endless 8 even less if I believed it was just Kyoto Animation having to fill 26 episodes without including any material beyond Disappearance. I’d rather think they tried to be clever and failed than that they actually thought that would be a good way to keep an audience entertained. Even mindless filler they made up would have been better.
Surprisingly, the BDs/DVDs of the Endless Eight episodes (which only include like, two episodes per disc) sold fairly well in Japan. Still lots of dedicated fans out there! Luckily all 14 new episodes were released in one box set here in the US. Even though I like E8, even I would be a bit irritated having to purchase it on individual releases XD
I just got around to watching the movie.
I have to say I was blown away by it. The first words spoken by Kyon in the movie have become a favorite quote of mine.
I have one question, which I wonder if anyone can answer?
When Kyon finds himself back in time again, to the point 3 years previously where he helped Haruhi Suzumiya draw the hieroglyph on the school field. He sits for a while with the adult version of Mikuru Asahina. She leans on him, and then moves her lips to say something, but the words are not heard.
Does anyone have any idea what she actually says?
“”wo towa” “wo” is conjegative. “towa” refers to forever. It could be anything like “I could stay like this forever”. Make with it what you want.”
Hey, it’s been quite some time since anyone has posted here and I was wondering. What ever happened to Haruhi? All the information here is literally the most up to date info I can find, and this is from 2-3 years ago. I’m dying to know, I came into the Haruhi series rather late so I’m trying to catch up with everything. I’ve already gotten around to watching up to the Disappearance movie. Has anything been said about whether or not there will ever be more? D:
There has not been anymore Haruhi anime since Disappearance, however the novel series is still ongoing. So far there have been 11 novel volumes released (the anime, including the movie, only cover 1-4 and some of 5 and 6). Official English versions of the novels are currently being released too, with volume 9 scheduled for release later this year.
Hope this info helps!
THANKS A BUNCH!! I may not usually read the novels for any anime, but I would rather read the novels and at least get further along with it, then watch the anime, the anime stops before the novel stop, and be left unsatisified.
It’s strange but I get the feeling I’ve seen an episode where Kyon gets a christmas present for Haruhi, mittens or something, but she thinks there for Mikuru and gets jealous. At the end it gets straitened out and he gives her the present and confesses his love for her.
Am I getting my anime’s crossed or did I see something I wasn’t supposed too?
(This was a year ago and i thought it was the last episode or OVA.)
There hasn’t been any such story in the anime or novels so you must be mixing it up with another anime ;)
Thanks for reading though =D
First off, great article. I finally know the method behind KyoAni’s madness: endless 8. And while I’m sad to see that the Melancholy end like… that, it is good to know that the cash cow is still alive.
Wow, you must be a time traveler or something: “We’ll see more Haruhi anime some day, but probably not for a while (another three years?)”, and here we are 3 years later with news of The Disappearance of Yuki Nagato. Although, I was hoping for more Haruhi-based story, Yuki’s awesome too. Seems like your predictions did come true, or did you know the whole time? ;)
Hi everyone!
um, actually, i just finished watch this haruhi series with chronological order 1[the melancholy of haruhi I] – 28[someday in the rain] (and actually this is my first time watch this anime), and right now, i’m really confused and feels empty, because i really surprised about how it ends and i think it’s just too fast and really give me nothing to understand.
as for me, i imagine the end of this series will describe a lot about the true of haruhi power or more description about the three faction, and so on. But it ends with just another normal day (aw c’mon!)
So, now, i want some of your opinion about this anime ends and maybe someone with a generous heart explaining to me about the true ending (somewhat like that, lol)
Thank you!
P.S: Really surprised that this post was originally around 2010, and now is 2014. Really hoping about the third season of this series…..
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHEN AND IF MORE WILL BE OUT SEEING HOW ITS 2015…AND SEASON 3 IS…STILL…ON ITS WAY… im getting kinda unfaithful but can someone please tell me there will be more