Bethel Park #14--Haruhiism

Okay, so I WAS going to write about Fullmetal Alchemist today... but then I watched the third Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya DVD, and changed my mind.

The Melencholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is the most additcting, random, fan-obsessed anime I've ever seen in my life. The entire series is only 14 episosdes long (which will change if they ever release the second seeason) and DOES NOT GO IN ORDER. I repeat, do not watch this series in chronological order!! There are two orders to the show, known as "Haruhi order" and "Kyon order". Haruhi and Kyon are characters on the show, and in the episode previews in Japan, Haruhi would say the chronological episode number, and Kyon would correct her the broadcast episode number. Kyon order is as follows: 11, 1, 2, 7, 3, 9, 8, 10, 14, 4, 13, 12, 5, 6. PLEASE SUPPORT THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE VERSION, and either borrow from the library or buy the DVDs. Don't just watch them online and deny the creators their hard-earned money.

The show centers on Haruhi Suzumiya, as is evident from teh title, but is narrated by Kyon. His real name is unknown; Kyon is his nickname. Haruhi declares on the first day of school that she's "not interested in normal humans" and to let her know if someone is an alien, time traveler, or ESPer. Kyon winds up talking with her because he sits next to her in homeroom, and one of their short conversations sparks an idea. Haruhi creates the SOS Brigade ("Sekai wo Ooini Moriagerutame no Suzumiya Haruhi no Dan" or, the English version, "Spreading Excitement All Over the World with the Haruhi Suzumiya Brigade") a club dedicated to finding aliens, ESPers, and time traverls. (and apparently spreading fun all over the world)

I won't go into more detail for fear of spoilers. A much better summary of the series can be found on wikipedia, but SPOILER WARNING!

Every facet of The Melancholy Haruhi Suzumiya has a huge fanbase, but none moreso than its legendary ending theme song dance. The Hare Hare Yuaki ("Sunny Sunny Happiness") dance is unbelieveable popular. I personally learned it just for Tekko. The original animation can be seen here, the PS2 version here, the live-action concert version (keep watching till the end for Kyon and Koizuki) here, and for good measure, here's a places to help you learn the dance. Pictures. Keep searching youtube for more videos of people doing the dance if you want more.

The thing is so popular, they've even parodied it in another anime! Lucky Star Hare Hare Yukai.