What started as a case of menial procrastination on the day before Uni goes back, has turned itself into a mini-marathon. Innocently, I thought I would take a peak at the first few minutes of the first episode of Suzumiya Haruhi. Being one of my favourite shows I thought I would re-live the infamous scene at the start
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After now having re-watched the first 6 episodes, finishing the first arc, I can conclude that this show, which I already noted to many friends was my all-time favourite anime, is well deserving of that title.
The way my 5-tier ranking system (S,A,B,C,D) is setup, allows for most of my anime to be grouped together in large groups, which prevents me from performing the tedious (and sometimes gut-wrenching task) of placing individual anime 1-point above or below each other. The downside to this is then some anime will inevitably be grouped with others slightly better or worse(subjectively) than others. It is at times like this where I feel that fact is most evident.
How this all relates to Suzumiya Haruhi? Well, while Haruhi is classed as S-rank it holds as much weight as any other title in the same tier. However, I use it as my go-to answer when asked the question "So, what's your favourite anime?" This series, is befitting of all the praise I can possibly hope to place on it. It was one of the first anime I watched, probably 4th or 5th, and it shaped how I viewed anime to this day. At the age of 18, it may have even shaped the way I viewed the world.
With the popularity of anything also come notoriety. For as many who like something, you can often find just as many who dislike it. Haruhi's groundbreaking (I use that term seriously) impact on the anime industry has spawned countless copies and clones all grasping to capture that essence which saw Haruhi become an international success. Coupled with the scandals surrounding Hirano Aya (Haruhi's seiyuu) there are few anime to date with so much controversy surrounding them.
Regardless of all this, anime is fiction and is there to be enjoyed. This is a show I never regret watching and, I fear, one that I may never grow tired of.
Ranking: S
Should anime fans watch it: You haven't already?!?
Should non-anime fans watch it: There is a lot to like, although the pacing and style may throw some people off.
tl;dr: OMG besssst animez 3VA!!!!
