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The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Episodes 17, 18 & 19 (Patreon)

Published:
2023-08-16 04:00:05
Edited:
2025-07-31 19:29:02
Imported:
2023-08
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Content

Heather, Nick and Matt discuss the final episodes in the "Endless Eight" arc of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, episodes 17, 18 & 19. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is available to stream on Crunchyroll. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @getplayedpod. Join us on our Discord server here: https://discord.gg/getplayed Wanna leave us a voicemail? Call 616-2-PLAYED (616-275-2933) or write us an email at getplayedpod@gmail.com

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Comments

David Mucci

3 quick thoughts: 1. I want a Mad Libs of Asahina’s “classified information” monologue. 2. Chlorine only has a smell when it reacts to urine. Haruhi getting to the public pool and commenting on the smell of chlorine, then jumping in and saying it feels so warm, increasingly grossed me out throughout this arc. 3. The final joke of the arc is perfect.

Lark

Heather and Matt (and Nick) are cool. I can’t believe we made it here, what a journey, at the end I disliked it as much as I did when it first aired. Insane. When I first watched this I was in high school, now I’ve been practicing law for almost a decade. Woof. While I have your attention, I wanted to mention that the new Adult Swim Superman show is anime as hell. I’m not really a Superman guy and have superhero fatigue like everyone else, but this show has everything: faux anime OP, Clark Kent magical girl transforming into Superman, the occasional chibi expressions, anime-ass fight scenes, and a Jimmy Olson character that’s actually like-able. It’s basically a rom-com that quickly disposes of the most boring Superman tropes and I think that’s cool. Love the show.

Keirik

I watched this as it aired and oh boy oh man oh jeez was it a draining experience. But ngl it really did make that last part that much more satisfying. The nightmare was over and I could finally move on with my life. ofc the second season of my favorite show being a nightmare is in itself a nightmare but I'm over it now I think (maybe)

Dean Lowdon Clear

So glad these episodes are over, I was just bored in the end. I’m not sure how to rate this series, it’s full of great ideas and genuinely funny, but I’d never want to watch 8 of the 28 episodes ever again. That’s more than a quarter of the episodes that I dislike…

Rob Kirwan

So, I 100% was drained by the end of this. Totally did other things while the episodes were on. There weren’t enough changes to have me invested fully. I’m not all that sold on Melancholy. It’s definitely made better watching it along with you three but not a show for me if I were to just watch it alone

Zach Folkman

There is something about these episodes that reminds me of the slow burn horror movies that I like. Each episode builds this weird boring tension and when Kyon finally breaks the loop it feels like a real relief. Don't get me wrong, I'll probably never watch all of these again, but I liked them and I'm glad I watched.

Dean Lowdon Clear

Ivana Trump is buried on one of Donald Trump’s golf courses, the accusation is that it entitled him to tax breaks because he can claim the land is a cemetery…

Buddy Jones

Endless Eight was so infuriating to me both in the past and now. For me it was all about the wastefulness of such incredible animation. I wanted more stories with the SOS brigade and this Season 2 gave us the same one for more than half of the season. That being said I do wonder would the Get Anime’d crew want to see an Endless Eight situation happen to an episode of Evangelion? And what episode would you want to see animated 8 times and why?

Transfem Surge!

IM FREE (again)! Watched it back in the day, watched it again back in the day because I pranked a friend into watching em without show context other than "she's god". But of course, karma came for me and now I've had to watch the Endless Eight for a third time. To my father thank you, to my mother farewell and to all the children, congratulations.

BruceWayneBrady

I've never been so happy to see homework. This series of episodes reminded me of when I first saw A Nightmare on Elm Street 4. There's a sequence where Freddy traps 2 characters in a time loop. It makes them and the viewer feel like they're losing their minds. I fell asleep watching Endless Eight #7 and rewatched it JUST IN CASE something happened. It did not. This video clip of Riki-Oh, that ends every EVO tournament, is how I felt after Endless Eight. https://youtu.be/nelGOD16DVg?t=8

Spayde

(Non-watcher here) So I did some research on why maybe the loop completed a seemingly random 15,532 times and this is either an insane coincidence or it's completely intentional and therefore, genius. Doing the math, the amount of days that loop comes out to in years about 42 and change. And if you've watched/read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, you'll know the number 42 is "the meaning of life, the universe, and everything" 42 also has a lot of biblical significance and pops up a lot in fiction, including a little show called Lost (maybe Matt's heard of it). Here's a link to a Buzzfeed article with a handful of examples. Some of these are a little silly, but some can't be ignored. https://www.buzzfeed.com/australianredcrossbloodservice/definitive-proof-number-42-actually-is-the-answer-to-life What do you guys think? Do am I stretching here or is it possible this was done on purpose?

The Mountain That Abides

I didn't watch Haruhi until about 4 years after it came out, so by that time the essential gimmick of the Endless Eight had been spoiled to me. The discourse over this episode in the almost 20 years (JESUS) since it aired has been fascinating to me, because I don't necessarily think anyone is wrong about it. I admire what Kyoto Animation did here. This is a big swing at an idea that would justifiably be considered absolutely bonkers by most. And that idea of the audience getting to experience just a fraction of the unimaginable existential hell Nagato is going through is fantastic, from my perspective. But I also can't judge the people who were turned off from the show by this during the first run. And I cannot see myself watching all 8 of the Endless Eight for a third time. It's a big ask. Either way, that summer vacation does look amazing and I would love to do it once. ONCE.

Mirror B

Man, I understand why the boys were frustrated at the ending of Endless Eight but I felt so absolutely vindicated. From episode 3 my wife and I had latched on to our theories. She was adamant that Kyon needed to tell Haruhi that he loved her. But that seemed too obvious, too easy to me. I thought back to what Haruhi said when they were doing fireworks, how you "have to get the boring stuff out of the way so you can have fun," and I told her "wouldn't it be hilarious if all he has to do to escape the loop is his homework but the fucker is so lazy it takes him 500 years?" When we got to the eighth episode and he stood up and yelled that he wanted to do his homework, I can't tell y'all how much I laughed. My wife groaned, and I had a shit eating grin a mile wide. 10/10

Anor Mal Scarecrow

After finishing EE8, I think the problem with the Endless Eight episodes is that they went the exact wrong amount of weird - it was either too long and weird or not long and weird enough. I would have loved to see some "Too Many Cooks" energy in this series of episodes. Personally, I think they were too tame. Time travel stories are weird! Endless Eight wasn't weird, it was just lightly meta and boring.

Matthew Siegel

I want to thank you for covering Haruhi so that I could finally understand the hype I witnessed in 2007. At that time I was a nerdy college freshman lurking on the same nerdy forums I was on since middle school, and Haruhi hit the posters hard. However, as Heather noted actually watching anime in real time was rough, and I was already spending my time tracking down Gurren Lagan* episodes, so I experienced Haruhi solely second hand through fevered threads and theorizing on nerd forums. Not an ideal way to understand what was going on! For years I have had the impression that Haruhi spent 8 weeks airing the same exact episode with minor "spot the difference" tweaks, and I was baffled why anyone would keep up with such a troll on the audience. It's only now that I realize how much of an undertaking it was to create eight different episodes using the same base template. I've already found YouTube compilations showing all episodes side by side (by side by side etc) and they're mesmerizing to chill to. Thanks for covering this show so I could finally clear up a longstanding personal mystery. *As a PS, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is my #1 hope that gets covered by you guys. Perfect season length, Gainax/Evangelion connection, and my favorite anime hands down.

MK

I'm glad I watched this and enjoyed the experience overall, but I wonder if I could have done it without the podcast. I can't wait to see what they follow this madness with next week.

Nix Null

I think Heather hits it on the head when she said that the solution was to do anything at all. I've always interpreted a major theme of this show (and the novels) as self-actualization. Haruhi herself is literally so self-actualized that she's god, and everyone else basically just goes along with everything. Yet in both the Season 1 Melancholy arc, and in Endless Eight, the solution is that Kyon asserts himself. In a way I think this is a very standard teenage story of self-actualization.

Garren Glore

This arc is pretty much the anime equivalent of one of those avante garde art films that are made to induce madness. The ending to this arc is underwhelming, but the real purpose of this arc is to set up for the motivations for a certain character in the movie, and that's where they truly knock it out of the park

Rachael

I wish I had been watching this when it first aired. I know my feelings would have been much different. I really loved this arc just because of the audacity and incredible effort the studio put in to create this. This is a work of art that will last in everyone's minds forever. Art makes you feel things and, oh boy, this arc certainly did that. I was so pleased with the ending of it. A huge part of Japanese summer vacation is studying with your friends. It was the perfect ending and I was so happy for everyone that they got to experience something new. Also props to Kyon for finally doing something himself. I guess the 15,532nd time is the charm.

Kevin Ela

Re: Vinland Saga: there isn’t much at all known about the real Thorfinn so it’s not a real story, 90% is made up. The berserker mushroom bit is actually historically accurate. Season 2 has ended, it is my favorite show and manga. Truly a main character to shape your life by.

Kevin Ela

This shit ruled I wish it was twice as long. Endless 16 baby!

Grant Prusi

The ending to the arc is objectively disappointing, but that’s what elevates it to Andy Kaufman-level humor to me. This was my first time watching it, and I couldn’t help but notice the English translation of the “Super Driver!” lyrics (on Crunchyroll anyway) state what needs to happen to break this cycle: “Oh my boy, you need to be decisive. I won’t deal with any lies in this small world.” Haruhi needed Kyon to take action and be honest about what he wanted to do on the last day of summer vacation. Kyon is the only one that doesn’t take any initiative during the loops. Mikuru says she wants to try goldfish scooping, Koizumi volunteers to find a bon festival happening, and even Yuki chooses to buy a mask. Haruhi isn’t satisfied until she knows every member of her brigade has made the most of their summer. Those are just my thoughts, anyway. Blue Talk Forever!

AstroLad

I genuinely enjoyed the entire arc. Most of the episode elements were slice-of-life fun and relaxing, with a sing-songy flow, but the puzzle box aspect meant I was watching closely too. You all mentioned that there were theories about Kyon having some control over the universe, and by the end that definitely felt like that was the case. It always felt odd that Kyon kept referencing "one thing lingering in my mind" and it was just homework. Everyone blames Haruhi, but maybe he was the one unwittingly holding it up all along?

Zeon Liberation

Based on Nick and Matts’ love for this Slam Dunk movie they need to watch “Ping Pong The Animation” It’s amazing. Fantastic story and beautiful animation. I cannot recommend it enough. Please watch it

Gerry Canavan

I watched Haruhi season one in the gap when season two wasn't widely available in the US, so I've wanted to watch this for years and now I finally have. Thank you Get Anime! Knowing a bit about how it would develop from TV Tropes and other commentary, I loved it; I'm in the "impossible work of art" camp. The ending actually worked for me thematically: homework is something you do where you sacrifice pleasure in the present for uncertain rewards in a future that isn't promised to any of us, which fits with what is happening in the time loop reasonably well. It works for Haruhi's character development too: it's another moment in her arc where she gives up control and learns that life is best in community, rather than just burning off her homework alone.

Gerry Canavan

I wondered if any of you have bounced off the fan theory that it's actually Kyon, not Haruhi, who is "God" -- that this whole thing rests on Kyon's refusal to take responsibility for the future, and only ends when he finally does, would seem to point to that maybe.

Sewing Savage

After all the anticipation for season 2, watching endless 8 in 3 parts on youtube was such a huge letdown. I didnt even finish watching the season.

Michael Pemulis

I'm sorry, but I just don't believe that anybody's having good Pizza Hut, in 2023.

William

There's something to the fact that the loop restarts if Haruhi is left alone for a couple days at the end. She doesn't need a perfect Summer. She needs to be distracted from thinking of why her Summer wasn't perfect.

Rin Manzano

Going through all this for the first time, this was the best arc to do chores with. I’ve gotten so much cleaning and laundry done in the hour I had these episodes playing.

Robert Carlson

I LOVED Endless Eight when it first aired and still do, probably because I was perfectly positioned to not be infuriated by it. I loved the first season, but didn't feel a need to see more Haruhi since I didn't know there were light novels. I watch the new episodes in the re-broadcast because why not, and my reaction to the second one was, "Eh, slice of life, pretty boring." Then comes next week, which had the interesting time loop but was also befuddling in how much of the same ground it covered. Then comes the third week, and I am shocked. By the fourth week, it had sunk in just how insane it is to reanimate virtually the same script that many times. From then on it was just a chill 25 minutes of my week that summer, savoring the subtle changes in episode direction each time, until that last bit of tension at the very end (the nagging sensation of, "Is it really going to end? What if it KEEPS GOING?") followed by a strong finish (even though a Royal Flush is a 1 in ~650,000 chance, not 1 in 15,532, I think it's a great image). It probably helps that I assumed very early on that it was going to be eight episodes. ("It's right there in the title!")

Andy Hunter

Nice conversation. I feel like a lot of your sentiments (or at least mine) sort of boil down to, "Just because something had a lot of work put into it, it doesn't make it good." I suppose the Endless Eight arc also brings up a good discussion on art made to entertain versus art made for its own sake. While Endless Eight would make for a somewhat interesting (if baffling) art piece, it sort of fails in terms of being entertainment.

Joe M

At the end of this arc I'm reminded of my thoughts from after Twin Peaks: The Return: what a ridiculous, nothing-burger slog of a plot that is so masterfully and beautifully played out to make an excellent and similar point. In Twin Peaks case, you can't return to what was, you can't recapture the magic that used to be there, you need to move on and seek something new. For Endless Eight, you can't let your life stagnate, repeating the same actions won't make a fulfilling life. It may also be a direct commentary on being a follow-up season in the way The Return was.

Robot House

Not gonna lie if Kyon had said he loved Haruhi and took her on a date I think I would have lost it. Heather is right these episodes do make me hate her( well hate her more). She doesn't deserve a reward for all this

Luke Lamar

First time watching this along with the pod, really enjoyed this arc as a piece of art. There was a moment in one of the middle ones where there's like two sets of Kyon and Koizumi at the midnight meeting that was really funny. General question: Does Koizumi's line of "lacking something for the role" when it comes to romancing Haruhi seem to be confirming a queer coding of the character or am I reading too much into it? Also, Matt, if you love the look of Jujutsu, you should watch the first season outro (at least the one that starts by like episode 3). It's a certified banger of a song and the stylization of the characters is really cool

FuryGarruk

The most frustrating part of this arc was that they NEVER said “ah, you get how this scene plays out, moving on to the next one.” Even epsiode 8 is like 80% the exact same thing and they don’t short cut anything. What a bunch of chads.

jess

This is my first time watching this show. I moved across the country over the last few weeks and ended up with a backlog of episodes of Get Anime’d, starting with Endless Eight part 2. Once I finally moved into my new apartment, I found out that the truck with my things wasn’t going to arrive for another week or more. At the same time, my girlfriend went out of town. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week, I got off of work, sat in the only place I have to sit (a $50 Target bean bag chair), and watched two episodes of Endless Eight. Watching these so close together alone in an empty apartment during my only down time over the last few weeks made me feel like I was in a time loop myself, and if it had been any longer, I may have gone fully mad. Thanks for recommending this show and taking me on this ride - 10/10

Enrique

My partner watched one episode w me a couple weeks back and then as I was watching p7 they were getting home from work and asked “didn’t you watch this one already?”, prompting me to explain how I’ve basically watched the same episode 6x prior. They asked why I would keep watching after telling them how they were all basically the same and the only thing I could think to say in the moment was something like “but their outfits are different every time”. I felt like like Smithers and Malibu Stacy (with new hat). Also: at the end of p8 I said out loud to nobody “THAT’S how they resolved this?!” 10/10

Kevin Thomas Shane

I disagree that Kyon is passive. He's in a really high stakes situation and he's the perfect guy for the job. He does take action and stand up to Haruhi from time to time in the way that the others can't or won't. The homework ending is perfect IMO. Haruhi craves excitement and is (probably) in love with Kyon. Any teen who has been in love can tell you that the most exciting part is before you ask the person out. That period where you have to tell people, "Hahah no! We just hang out a lot." From that perspective, almost nothing is more exciting than going to your crush's house to do homework. If he said he loved her, he risks ending the chase, and thus, ending her excitement. Or worse, he risks hurting her by effectively lying to her. P.S. The visual of the takoyaki becoming a cicada and then finally, a firework is so great.

Ben Mitchell

Really enjoyed this episode. I watched all of Endless 8 over the space of three days - I commuted three hours up for a work trip, stayed the night, commuted three hours back the next evening. And once I realised what was going on I wouldn't shut up about it. It's so punk rock. I love how ridiculous this is, for all the reasons Heather has pointed out from a production standpoint. I am an illustrator and have to spend a lot of time drawing things I don't want to draw, and when working in comics I can sometimes struggle to draw the same characters over and over while still making it dynamic. With that in mind, this whole shit is a masterpiece. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it would be to make this as an 8 issue comic series, let alone a full blown animation to this standard. I really enjoyed hearing Heather talking about drawing - and how frustrating it can be - and would LOVE to see some drawings from the gang. Please draw us a picture Wiger

LS

Made the mistake of getting high and watching all 8 episodes in a row. The thing that kept me sane throughout was my guess at what was going on: this was about the unrequited love triangle between Kyon, Haruhi and Yuki. Yuki is the only one who can change the scenario but doesn't because she wants to see if Kyon will choose her instead of Haruhi. Kyon does love Haruhi (across 8 episodes, we never see Kyon's face when Koizumi taunts that he'll tell Haruhi he loves her instead but Koizumi backing off tells us what Kyon feels). Maybe he loves Yuki too (he keeps chasing after her not because she can help but because part of him knows he wants to say something to her). Haruhi accepts Kyon's homework gambit because it's the only scenario where she gets to spend another day with Kyon and it's clear that her subconscious will not force Kyon to love her. And isn't it just like Kyon to choose the only option that leaves everyone unsatisfied. But thinking about it was way more fun than watching it and Groundhog Day lets us have all the fun speculative conversations about the time loop while also being really entertaining. I agree with Heather that it killed enthusiasm for Haruhi, at least because it did for me.

Guel Jeturk's Mullet

Perhaps this whole arc is best thought of as an elaborate PSA against procrastination.

Nicholas Jetter

Around episode 2 or 3 I thought the resolution could have something to do with Kyon's homework but even having predicted what would break the loop, I found it very unsatisfying. I know it's not the season finale, but compared to the season 1 finale it completely falls flat. All I can say is thanks to the Trifoce of Friendship for putting me through this hell!

Rory McDaid

Great to hear Heather is on the Vinland Saga train. I adore the show. The recent 2nd season was a big shift but only elevated the series in my mind. A really beautiful story beneath some of the typical Viking stuff, and Thorfinn’s development over both seasons has been a joy to experience. Really one of my favourite series’ in the past few years.

Chris Cooke

First time watching Suzumiya has been with the pod. Ran ahead during season one when you weren't sure if S2 was going to happen on the show, Endless Eight nearly killed me. I powered through all 8 episodes on a Saturday completely gobsmacked at what it was doing and also the anti-clinatic solution to the puzzle. I promise you though the Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya movie absolutely makes up for it though and is the Yin to this Yang.

Patrick M.

I suspected the homework was part of the reason for the time loop, but my original theory was that Haruhi was actually lying about finishing her homework. I thought the time loop was her subconsciously rewinding summer vacation to avoid having to ask Kyon or anyone else for help.

Sarah Batista-Pereira

Probably too late comment but I have always believed that the reason why the homework works is yes 1. Because it is Kyon actually putting forward an activity (because IIRC everyone else does one thing that is something they like) but also 2. Because Haruhi knew Kyon had certainly not done it and did not want him to fail. (Which also ties into future novel content where Haruhi is very anxious for Kyon to improve his grades.)