Suzumiya Haruhi Part II

So here it be, the second part of my Haruhi Suzumiya re-watch coverage.  Time for my views on the next 2 episodes in the series, following the DVD order.

First today is The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya II, where Haruhi starts to establish the SOS Brigade within the school, in the most outrageous ways possible… But first, the club needs a computer!  Where best to get a computer?  From the computer club!  How are they going to get one?  Blackmail!

Poik

She got <BEEP>ed

It doesn’t take long for the computer club president to submit after the sexual harassment claim, with photographic “evidence”, and he less than willingly surrenders the newest computer the club obtained.  After setting it up, Haruhi forces Kyon to make the website.  This is important later on, but for now is mere filler stuphs.  However, Yuki gives Kyon a book to borrow, which becomes important veeeery soon.

Then comes Haruhi’s big idea.

This face is never a good sign…

Turns out she had made up a collection of flyers detailing the club’s activities, to find aliens, time travellers and espers and have fun with them!  Classy.  However it turns out that merely handing them out is not enough to attract attention of the Brigade.  Nooo, she has bigger plans, involving big assets.  She’s also got herself a pair of bunny girl costumes, oh my!  The costumes are for Mikuru and herself to wear, of which a certain missus is less than ecstatic about wearing.  That doesn’t stop Haruhi from stripping her on the spot…

Stripperiffic!

Despite Kyon’s best actions (Read: failing miserably upon first try) he can’t prevent her from turning Mikuru in to fanservice bait.  Lo and behold, he charges out of the room to prevent embarrassment for both him and Mikuru.  Some time, a a number of provocative shrieks from Mikuru later, and Haruhi allows Kyon back in.

Wowza!

It were well worth it!  Though, the school staff were none too pleased about the ordeal.  Now, that book Yuki lent Kyon, turns out he hasn’t read it yet.  It’s been a day since she gave it to him, and our silent lady is adamant he takes a peek at it.  Cue a later that day transition, and Kyon it settled at home, flipping through pages of the book.  A note falls out of it, telling him to meet up in the evening in the park.  Rushing as fast as he can to make in time, Yuki has been waiting for him to arrive (which she also did the day before…).  After dragging him into her apartment, she starts spouting some hella confusing shit.  To put it simply, she’s an alien and Haruhi can manipulate the world at her bidding, without her realising so.  She did so 3 years prior to the current events too.

Yer whut…

Dodgy camera angles aside, Kyon isn’t 100% convinced.  Who would be?  By this point, we’re actually onto the next episode, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya III.  The next day, Haruhi is up to no good again, this time rambling about a mysterious transfer student.

It’s still a dangerous expression…

After a bit of waiting, and a random game of Othello (which Yuki amusing takes great interest in), we get properly introduced to our next subordinate, Itsuki Koizumi.

Why hello thar!

A bit more willing than Mikuru was, he joins pretty much immediately, and get’s somewhat bad impressions to Kyon.  He’s the yes man, pretty much, sucking up the Haruhi in any way possible.  And he sounds somewhat gay in the English dub, congrats Johnny Yong Bosch.  That makes ya feel awkward doesn’t it, so let’s add to the awkward factor.

Yeeeees…

Soon, Haruhi organises the first out of school club activity, searching for mysterious stuff in town!  Settling groups by drawing marked toothpicks, Mikuru and Kyon get bunched together.  This is when we get our second revelation, Mikuru is a time traveller from the future!

The expression can make many a man’s heart flutter

Something is starting to come together here… All the things Haruhi wants from life are beginning to bunch themselves together in her presence, and she’s doing it!  Though, she is still unaware, and should remain that way as well.  Again, something happened 3 years ago which is now preventing time travel and further past that point.  Kyon is now starting to believe that maybe there is such thing as aliens, time travellers and espers.  Soon enough, Haruhi orders the groups together and splits them up again, this time Yuki is paired with Kyon.  Miss Suzumiya is not amused.

You can feel the death-wish being placed upon the poor toothpick…

While the second “search” bares no real plot importance, it does add to increase Yuki’s character development a touch, as Kyon gets a library card for her so she can borrow her precious reading material at any time.  In conclusion, no mysteries are discovered, and the meet-up ends up being a waste.  That won’t stop Haruhi in the future though.

So Kyon, after joining the dots together, comes to realise that each member of the group is not the ordinary bunch.  Yuki Nagato is an alien, Mikuru Asahina is from the future, all that is left is the enigmatic Itsuki.  When the end of the next school day
comes, he goes up to the mysterious transfer student and asks “what’s your story then?”.

Gads, that’s disturbing…

There’s only one piece missing from the puzzle, and Kyon finds it first try.  Itsuki is an esper.  Koizumi then proceeds a massive infodump, granted not as big nor as confusing as Nagato’s previous endeavor.  He is part of a group known simply as The Organisation (kudos for originality Mr Tanigawa…), who have also shown interest in Miss Suzumiya.  Now she’s god, cor blimey!  Turns out, 3 years ago (whodathunkit) Itsuki and a number of other individuals suddenly obtained strange powers, and The Organisation was formed to discover why.  All leads point to Haruhi.  If you haven’t sensed a pattern by now, you should have.  Haruhi, recreating the world at whim, 3 years ago.  Yeah, looks like a pattern.

Now a plot string has started to form, and it’s an interesting one at that.  What started out as a somewhat eccentric school-life comedy has turned to a sci-fi phenomena packed with aliens, time travellers and espers.  You wouldn’t have really thought it during the first couple of episodes would you?

So that brings a close to this segment, hopefully you’re enjoying my ramblings as I point out things at random and make witty commentary on it (or less than witty, if you lack my sense of humour).

Suzumiya Haruhi Part I

Well, I got my hands on the complete collection for the first series of Haruhi Suzumiya (about damn time it made it to the UK at long last!), so I’ve gotten the chance to watch it again (though, this is actually my 3rd run).  You notice many things when you re-watch things.  I’ve spotted a few new instances I either wasn’t aware of during earlier runs or wasn’t attentive enough before.  A little extra examining leads to nice little discoveries, dontcha think?

I’m going by DVD order for this (so episode 11 is episode 00, but otherwise it’s chronological order), so there won’t be any needless confusions… Well, that doesn’t mean it still isn’t a bit jumbled…

So then, episode 00, The Adventures of Mikuru Asahina .  Mi-mi-miracle Miku-run-run!

How cute

This episode is infamous.  Not only does the questionable quality make it stand out, but the completely incoherent mess of a plot line gives it the “sore thumb” sticking out effect.  It’s brilliantly done though, it must’ve taken MORE effort to make it look bad than it does to make it look good, something to be praised for I think.

There is one final thing that makes this episode iconic.  I think you know what I mean.

Mikuru Beam!!

Egads has that become memetic, almost as much as some angry short bloke shouting out some power level, I can’t quite recall how high it was… Over some number… Eh, mustn’t be too important.

The acting in this episode is fab too.  By fab I mean fabulously bad.  Nobody is acting properly, sometimes botching their lines or doing something unintended.  Granted, it’s all on purpose, to enforce the worse-than-B-movie feel.  At the same time, we also have overacting, in the form of Itsuki Koizumi.

It’s a nose

Everything about this episode is sheer brilliance.  I am very much satisfied with the way it turned out, more-so than a certain endless collection of episodes in series 2… Nonetheless, that is behind us now (and inevitably ahead as well, once the DVD gets licensed in the west… Dear lord, 2 entire discs of the same thing…).

Sorry, couldn’t resist

As with all good things, this comes to a close.  My thoughts of the episode are this: -
Win.
It’s by far the tackiest thing I’ve ever seen from an anime that was intentionally done, nothing beats that I’m afraid.  I’d easily place this in my “top 10 anime episodes I’d re-watch over again” just for the novelty of it.  Some may hate it because of that, but I freaking love it.

Between the legs of a maniac Kyon’s fate lies

Now, onto episode 01, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya I, the first chronological episode in the series.  As per the original broadcast, this is shown second on the DVD.  In this episode, we get properly introduced to several of the main characters.  First up is Kyon (not Kyown, stupid English dub…), our deadpan snarker.  The cynic.  In many ways, he’s kinda like me, except a bit less eccentric than I am, as those who know me well understand how high I can be at times.

Shortly in, we get introduced the Haruhi Suzumiya, who is well off her top.  However, for the first half of the episode she’s the sanest she’ll ever be throughout the series, as she’s truly bonkers from here on.  Now, as I was watching this, I noticed something new.  Something familiar, something the fans came up with…

So THAT’S where Kyonko’s design came from!

Seriously, it’s tooooo similar.  Take note of the girls that show in that snapshot, the animators had the consistency to actually create the entire class and use them in suitable moments.  I never really noticed the background characters, but they really do reappear quite a lot during classroom sequences.  Anyway, Kyon eventually makes it past Haruhi’s AT field and manages to make small conversation.  Everyone else is astonished, including a certain blue haired female.

I DON’T TRUST YOU!

Before long, Haruhi snatches Kyon to make him help make a club of her own, as every other one is boring to her.

RAPE FACE!

It isn’t long before she usurps the old literature club’s room, currently in the hands of Yuki Nagato.

The bespectacled beauty

Then pinches the second year Mikuru Asahina and proceeds to fondle her.

Grope

And then come up with a wacky name for the club.

SOS Brigade for us normal folks

All in quick-fire procession.  Lovely.  It’s quite a packed first (cough) episode, with a good deal going on.  It’s an entire chapter of the novel in one episode (I wish the same could be said for certain endless collection of episodes in series 2…).  In fact, most of the series follow this pattern (unlike a certain endless collection of episodes in series 2…) and they’re all well put together (unlike a certain endless… you get the idea…).

Next up, episodes 02 and 03!

Drawings? In my blog? It’s more likely that you think

Yeah, I’ve been drawing recently.  Can you guess what?  Manga styled stuff, wouldya think?

I’m far from pro, but I’m certainly not too bad.  My sketches aren’t garbage.  They are still pretty rudimentary though.  Even so, it’s got me thinking.  What sort of stuff should I be looking at in the future?  I currently have the pens, pencils, paper and rubbers, I also have a scanner in my current home (I’ll be moving out eventually, so I’ll need to secure a scanner of my own at that point…).  I started thinking of the more technical stuff I’d need to be using once I step beyond the experimentation and learning stages, when I’m actually confident to share my stuff.

Drawing stuff down is fine, and scanning them in is also not an issue, it’s editing them I’m more concerned about.  Sketches aren’t final works, by no means.  I currently have a MacBook Pro, a suitable graphics computer (as I’m doing a Visual Communications course at college), but I reckon I’d need a tablet at some point too.  I’ve used one before, it was hella hard to get my head around.  I’m certain though, that if I keep on trucking, it’ll eventually click and I’ll be using it like it’s a knife and fork.  I just have to make sure I don’t give up :/

Software also comes to mind.  I lack it right now, plain and simple.  I have GIMP, but I find it utterly useless as a whole.  I use Photoshop and Illustrator at college, but that’s the thing, at college.  The programs aren’t on MY computer.  Eventually, I hope to get an Adobe Design Premium student deal.  Though, that’s £300-ish for CS5, and I’ll need to wait until I’m doing my HND course come september (as the student deal requires 2 years minimum on a course).  Manga Studio from SmithMicro is an option too.  In fact, I can get a tablet, Manga Studio and a “For Dummies” book on Amazon for about £80.  The thing is, I’m not really making full on manga (and if I were, it’d probably be 4 panel stuff at first).  So, back to Adobe.  I won’t be able to use it commercially (though when I’m in work, I’d have likely be able to purchase a full proper license), which I believe also includes selling commissions (if I ever get that far).  Still, as a side thing on top of my courses, it should be fine.  Slapping stuff onto DeviantART without commissions is hardly breaking Adobe tight contracts.

So, in conclusion.  Computer, check, other hardware, not check, software, not check.  Eehhh…

Ah well, I’ll wait until I actually progress (and earn money for myself…) before I jump into this.  It’s better to have some idea of what to expect rather than be utter clueless, which is why I started thinking about this in the first place.

BlazBlue

Started getting back into it earlier on today, and I somehow got better at using my arcade stick after not using it for a few weeks… Odd…

Anyway, I’m a Ragna/Noel player, better at using Ragna though.  I’m not nearly an expert by any means, but I at least try putting up a fight.  I’m rather interested in playing as either Hakumen or Rachel, but I doubt that’ll happen anytime soon.  Nu also interests me, and I may give Lambda (or Lamb-chan :3) a go come Continuum Shift, but it’s not a huge priority.  Best to stick to what you’re good at until you gain enough confidence to venture out.

Speaking of CT, I got charged for it today, despite the fact it’s on import pre-order… Huh…

Now, what else is there to discuss… Ah yes, my progression with the game.  With Ragna, I can perform 2 combos, with a few minor variations of the second.  Yes, not particularly impressive.  I can however carry on another small combo onto another, sometimes.  Big emphasis on sometimes, it works better when the opponent is trapped in a corner due to pushback.  I’ve not yet got the timing to eliminate the frames between moves yet, so the pushback is currently inevitable (doesn’t help that the frame gap is pretty tight too).  Though I am proud of the fact I’m capable of performing an aerial combo with him now, I don’t get it off all the time but it’s a nice 8 hit aerial which looks reasonably impressive for the scrub levels I’m at.

Noel… Isn’t so great.  Besides a couple Chain Revolver “easy combos”, I don’t really know any regular, non-drive related combos… Considering she’s something of a juggler, it’s probably going to take a little while.  Still, her drive does allow for some really easy combos if given the opportunity.  I mostly like her for her character (lolwoobie), and the fact she’s far more dangerous than she first appears (at least story wise).

I’m gradually getting better at fighting games, and I’m steadily improving with the arcade stick.  Dunno how ready I am to fare against real opponents though (especially considering my online nerves are pretty dire).  If I keep on trucking, I’m sure something will work out.

Long post is long, my longest yet I believe o_O

Sin and Punishment Successor of the Skies

European release date was today, so I snagged it earlier on.  Made it through the first 4 stages (there’s a stage 0, so I’m on stage 4, rather than 5) and enjoying it a lot!  definitely worth a look if you’re into shoot em ups.

Treasure are known for their shooters, so it’s no surprise.  They’ve successfully managed to create another great addition to their library.  It plays smoothly and precisely, and the pointer controls (which I initially had doubts with, as I intended to go old school with it control wise) are very well handled.  Though, it’s not exactly perfect.  The automatic lock on is a hindrance rather than a help, sticking to one enemy at a time rather than let you aim at will.  It can’t be turned off either which is something of a bummer.  I’ve died thanks to it, because it decided to lock onto an enemy far away than the one nearby kicking my face in.  It’s not enough to completely ruin the game, as you can change it’s target with a tap of a button (that is, if the enemy you want to shoot can actually be locked onto).

The music is awesome too, as expected.  The graphics are hit and miss though.  During cutscenes the character models look a bit iffy up close, but when you’re actually playing the game it’s not a worry.  It’s clear and colourful with the array of shots being fired at you, and by you, which makes it look pretty.  Enemy models, especially the bosses, look nice as they fly past so the up close models are forgiven.

Overall, it’s a very worthy purchase, especially if you like shooters.

And yes, I will get round to making the blog look a bit better.  Give it time