But let's move beyond that. This entry is about a show I finished watching this weekend at the suggestion of a friend a week or two ago. I suppose it filled the void/quota of Japanimation that I wasn't meeting after the new FMA ended. The show is The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Now, obviously, this'll probably have spoilers. If you're already familiar or don't care, then you're probably good.
Now what and why am I writing here? It'll mostly be a conglomeration of thoughts about the series. I tend to do this about most shows I finish watching, too. I seem to have some mental need to unwind after becoming mentally and emotionally involved in something. So this post is for me more than anyone else. That doesn't mean I won't make it readable, though. I just get pretty bummed when I think about whatever just ended, and this is often enough the best way to get past that: to reflect, appreciate, conclude.
I think there's two primary elements I need to address about the series. The first involves the interesting story and lives that the characters lead, and the second is about the powerful philosophical concepts it touches on. The second will likely include all the similarities I saw from this series and other shows.
I generally get a little depressed after watching a good show like this because, in getting caught up in it, I get sad that my life isn't as interesting. It's embarrassing for me to admit that I have fleeting wishes to exist in Haruhi's subconsciously-created world, Amestris, Spira, whatever. It's probably not that unusual, but it feels dastardly feminine and against a lot of my cold, hard, rational beliefs. I've always been steadfast against staying ignorant of the matrix, for example. Now what does it say if I get lost in thoughts of turn-based battle systems, having prosthetic limbs, or running around in some "SOS Brigade"? That's a joke, of course, but there are lots of reasons that make each appealing, be it cute girls, adventure, or purpose.
We all want that nice story, that perfect series of events that makes for a great memory. We want a murder mystery on an secluded island in a storm that ends with a twist. We want to walk home in the rain with someone special and have to share an umbrella. What's interesting about this series is that all of these things can and do come to fruition, but for a better reason than just that the writers know it'll be touching, emotional, interesting. It's grounded in the story that these things happen because the "architect" wants them to. Yeah, it gets a little meta.
So everyone wants those perfect moments and events in their lives, but they don't always happen. Plus, it's certainly not with the frequency of a TV show/anime. Plus plus, we don't have a high school girl who can make them happen. Still, some of the point of the show (to me) might have been the encouragement to try. It's good to avoid the boredom. Later, though, this proves to be two-pronged. An appreciation of those around you, the life you lead, is better than a "grand upheaval". I'm having a hard time pinning down just what that could represent outside the series, though.
...We probably all have our own boredom bubbles, I think. Perhaps the cautionary message is just not to withdraw and forget what we have.
So that first and second "elements" idea has really bled together. The big thing I wanted to get across is how this series is quite similar to Evangelion, FLCL, and Inception. Evangelion because of the odd combination of fan-service and crazy philosophical nonsense. FLCL because half the time you don't know what the fuck is going on. The recent movie Inception because of the central character's ability to manipulate the world around her, alongside the uncertainty of the nature of this ability and reality itself.
The way the show is sequenced and presented, the usual cute love story, the utterly hilarious elements and cultural references, and the accuracy of computer usage and video gameplay make this a total and complete winner for me. When I start buying DVDs of my favorite series, this will be one of them.
Heh, now this is sounding like a review. More like unbridled praise. What's cool is that there's another season to watch, too. Hopefully after writing this, I can approach it with less focus on unattainable longing and listless post-depression. Well, that makes it sound really bad.
Thanks for sticking it out while I made sense of this show. Analyzing things like this helps me to both appreciate and properly place them in my mind, as opposed to letting them run amuck and making me confused and distracted. It doesn't mean those sentiments go away, but that they are in check. I'm always happy to watch something that makes me go through this, because it means it truly engaged me. I just have to hope I can keep mounting these mental obstacles.
