Recap: Endless 8 Part 5

You know how this goes now. Kyon is watching the game on TV, he's not into it, Haruhi calls him and tells him to bring a swimsuit and lots of money to the station.

The last two recaps were my rebuttal to the statements people made about it being clever. Now, the rest of the of the recaps will be analyzing every aspect about this arc, with the screencaps being there to list the cosmetic differences between each episode.

As the theme song begins, I'm also going to be listing my usual routine for doing these Endless 8 recaps as well as elaborating more on the statements I made last time. For starts, I am now realizing the oddity of name-dropping my Reeboks last time, as the first couple shots of the opening are the SOS Brigade stomping their feet, a lot of attention has been devoted to their footwear and feet in this arc; and the manga on which it was based was published in a magazine called The Sneaker!

Also, depending on where I am, I generally follow the rules of wearing shoes (with my sweet kicks) and a shirt (people have been seeing more and commenting on my novelty shirts in town) to enter a public place. Due to the record heat this August, I often write my recaps shirtless. Even though the houses I have lived and visited in Oregon are indeed in the US, many impose a Japanese-esqué "no shoes in the house" rule. It's nothing too much, it's often done for a practical reason of not tracking mud in the house when it starts the usual rainy season. As such, I commonly write recaps barefoot or in socks. If I just have to do something like take out the dogs or the trash, I slip on my Crocs to do it. Look at me, I'm rambling trying to take my mind off this. I get the feeling I could do well at writing my own slice of life series with how much I've indoctrinated myself to the tropes surrounding it.

He reaches the station, and I've entered the next level of hell. Well, if I'm going to be going down there, I might as well enjoy myself doing it.

They're going to the pool, and they're doing more summer vacation-related things as summer is winding down. I think I'm going to do that by enjoying myself as much as I can once I'm finished with this.


They're at the pool, Kyon is exhausted. Haruhi dives in, introduces her two new brigade members, I take a swig of Coke. There's one of my cosmetic changes to my routine: I'm drinking another brand of soda. Now that I've chosen my new major thanks to my old one getting cut from the budget; I will be registering and shopping for back-to-school clothes and supplies (apart from the usual paper, notebooks, writing untensils, I plan on getting a new computer. My old one runs fine, but the disc drive doesn't work anymore and the battery doesn't hold a charge anymore. Besides, I've been wanting one with a bigger hard drive, a faster processor, and a newer operating system for some time). I know I've been rambling a lot about my personal life, but it's become clear that in order to talk about this arc, I must familiarize myself with its idiosyncrasies and follow them. As such, it's one drink after another, changing into fresh underwear and socks for each time I write and post, listening to music, having tabs of anime I actually like open, and making sure I am in a state of mind that's apathetic enough to not care how bad it is; but aware enough to form coherent thought and type paragraph after paragraph of detailed notes and take screencaps you don't have to suffer like me. Wow. My train of thought can go on a long way. The next song I'm putting on will confirm that analogy.

I know the plan, so I'll save you this time, because you know it too. They're at the restaurant too, drinking and talking and acting much happier than I am.

He takes a whisky drink, he takes a vodka drink! He takes a lager drink, he takes a cider drink!

Now they're at the Bon festival (they just cut right to it this time). The usual deal of eating takoyaki and Yuki wanting a superhero mask from all the ones on sale. Being an alien, she doesn't know how to wear it. This time it's on one of the diagonals of her head.

Now they show it from the perspective of the mask, the fish, and the other vendors. I am now able to identify each time an event occurs, like Kyon and Yuki can. I would honestly love it if this anime were about Yuki. Yuki can maintain a serious stature in even the silliest and most mind-numbing situations in the same way that Batman can. Kyoto Animation; if you keep making Haruhi shows and merchandise, I would be willing to watch and pay for an anime called The Fantastic Yuki Nagato. Even the channel where I'm watching this likes Yuki best! (Note: if you feel like wasting a couple hours of your life and pounding your liquor cabinet; I Am Yuki Nagato on YouTube will be waiting for you. She provides the infamous arc, you provide the bottle of Jack.)



Even though I still don't think this arc is clever in the face of overwhelming criticism and fan backlash (a handful of positive thoughts is not consistent with the majority being outraged and disappointed with Kyoto Animation. The positive comments on YouTube videos of this arc are outnumbered by negative ones by almost a 10-to-1 margin.), I will admit that Kyoto Animation at least made it pretty. However, that doesn't change the fact that the script has had minimal changes at best to it.

They're watching fireworks again at the festival, and then they set off some of their own. Kyon asks about the summer homework, Haruhi replies she did hers in 3 days. I just have this feeling that's going to be the catalyst for the loop. I hope I'm there when it's revealed, and I hope I'm pissed off enough to immediately go watch a bunch of Soul Eater and Gurren Lagann.

There's a snail watching that, and he's yawning.

Kyon asks why Haruhi so smart, and says that heaven gave her the best stat values. I'm telling you, it's Hell that she comes from. As a sociopath and a person that knows how to attract people and rally them to her cause; she would make a fantastic vision of the devil if this were a horror anime.

They go cicada-catching, and Haruhi catches the most. I take another big sip of my Coke; because this arc isn't getting any better in the second half. For all intents and purposes, it is indeed getting worse.

At least the insects Yuki catches each time are unique. This time, Yuki has caught a yanbaru long-armed scarab. This arc taught me an astronomer I had never heard of, and a breed of insect that I didn't know about. You get one, Kyoto Animation.

They go to the edge, and Haruhi lets the cicadas go with Kyon giving his Pandora's box analogy. This time they're at a temple with shrines. I occasionally talk with friends online about devices, tropes, and locations used in Super Sentai and Power Rangers. I notice that applies to the whole genre of tokusatsu, and anime in many ways. This arc has taken much-deserved flak for only making cosmetic changes to the same story; but that generally applies to any given form of art. Artists depict the characteristics of their time and place, and use the works that inspired them to create something of their own. This arc may be several levels of Hell; but it is genuinely well-made despite the deficiencies of its script.

Now we're at the frogs in front of the supermarket again! Even Kyon is getting pissed off by this point. His voice actor has a noticeable shift in octave and tone as the scene begins for the 5th time.

Taking off the hot suits; Kyon likens it to Unit-0 getting hit by a laser. Now, I think Gundam 00 is another Gundam anime I will watch when I'm finished with this, and finished with Gundam Wing. I'm getting to a point in Gundam Wing where the characters are developing mental illnesses; as many people who watch this arc do. I write this as a person who has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; and successfully graduated high school with the help of medication, therapy, and a good IEP.

After once again finding out the pay is the suits, they don't show Kyon's face till the scene is almost over, with him just having his arms crossed and his expression in a fantastic pout. It's every bit as good as one you can find in most anime. I've often had trouble gauging emotions; but a great thing about anime is that the range of expression is only limited by how the animators are willing to draw a face. They can be distorted to proportions of Tex Avery and Looney Tunes levels of eye-popping and huge mouths. The face fault is one of the definitive tropes of anime; meaning that even a Western anime parody whose research is minimal will include it; for better or worse.

Once again, Kyon is woken up by a phone call from Mikuru in the middle of the night. Another little thing that I will mention: I have gotten varying amounts of sleep working on writing these recaps of both success and duration. One thing I've noticed upon starting college and writing this blog: it has a way of changing your sleep schedule. Often, you get less sleep than you like or you did when you were younger. Sometimes, many times, you might not sleep at all. Many fiction make this a key part of the story; whether it's a single plot point or reference in an episode or the entire plot of an episode or movie.

"Is your fridge running?" "Why? Are you taking a survey?"

After Koizumi finishes, Kyon rushes to the station on his bike. Once again, Mikuru is heartbroken that she can't return to the future. Her hair is a mess, she's dressed in a manner that the proverbial fashion police would see as a moving violation, and she's rambling and crying her eyes out. This is the exact same way that some of the transients in town behave. Despite all the suggestions I've made to watch this drunk or stoned; the arc itself does create similar effects to alcohol or heavy drugs.

Now it's gotten to the part with Koizumi's explanation of how they're repeating the loop. This screencap shows a clock at the station at around 1:53AM, another reference to the loop repeating. Also, since I have used all the pop singles from the Back to the Future movies, I shall now use Alan Silvestri's iconic theme; as this could be the time where someone, somewhere tries to hang a clock, hits their head, and comes up with the idea for the flux capacitor.

 Koizumi again reveals that Mikuru realized what was going on. This is quite possibly one of the few types of torture that the government still allows under the Geneva conventions.


Now, I'm not kidding; Koizumi actually holds up his watch to confirm that they are indeed another cycle of the loop. It focuses on it for almost a full 20 seconds before it cuts to another angle. God, this anime may not use actual products (I've noticed they tweak real ones enough so they won't get sued); but this is the same way Michael Bay films a car or product that pays to have a spot in one of his movies.



It's August 17 to 31 repeating again. (sighs) I've got over 3000 songs, I've listened to a third of them in the writing process of this arc. Here's another; given that I've effectively turned my experience into my own little version of AMV Hell.



Kyon and Koizumi tell two bystanders that they're in the middle of a never-ending, endless summer. They laugh it off, something I know I cannot do easily.


All time is lost on September 1. I know I've lost a whole month on something that's only a little over 2 hours long. I am going to be in a state between joy, sorrow, and anger once this over. Here's a song that will exemplify that.



Kyon again asks who would believe that. I'm noticing that every time Koizumi explains the theory, Kyon goes back and forth between believing it or not believing it. It tends to happen when I'm watching this in hot August weather; subsisting off a diet of Mountain Dew Code Red and Benadryl. I knew this arc was shit before I started watching it, so I'm making the most of it.



Mikuru once again brings up her classified information bit. You know, this anime is ostensibly a comedy! Torturing your cast and your viewers isn't funny! It's sad and cruel! Making them cross the despair event horizon every time the loop starts over? This is just something that a sociopath would enjoy! Haruhi Suzumiya may be the biggest unintentional villain protagonist in the last 20 years of anime!



As Kyon grabs another drink, Koizumi goes into another ramble about the portion of time that has been ripped away. I'm also a bit of a Doctor Who fan, or Whovian. GIven that the newly-cast 12th Doctor, Peter Capaldi, is an older fellow who is well-known for his profane roles in other British television shows; I can only imagine the rant he would give upon witnessing this. I'll be looking forward to seeing what he brings to one of the most iconic science fiction franchises on TV. I imagine his doctor will tread the line on his age: he may be a curmudgeon that wants to return the days of his youth, or an adolescent trapped in an adult's body; with interests and behavior to match.


The way Koizumi moves and speaks, he seems very drunk or high. I know the Remote Island Syndrome implied teen drinking, but at least Superbad very realistically captured the average high school senior's intent to get wasted on liquor and beer and satisfy the animalistic desires of their raging hormones. It is a tradition that has dated far back as Ancient Egypt; as civilization was beginning to take form.


The usual bullplop with no one else knowing what's going on but them, as is the usual reaction for watching this. So many things I could do if I had the time and money. Instead, I'm watching a shitty arc on an anime that I don't like all that much. Thank goodness I have my second viewing of Durarara to look forward to. And I think I'll start its predecessor, Baccano as well.

Koizumi again points out that Haruhi is behind the suffering of them all. It's typical that a sociopath like her would enjoy the suffering of her peers. I hesitate to call them friends. Sure, they hang out with each other and do things they may enjoy; but the fact they're not enjoying it once they learn about the loop doesn't make it look that convincing. Or, perhaps it proves the maxim that "misery loves company."

Koizumi and Kyon then talk about Haruhi's desire not to let summer end and wonder if she feels regret. As I explained before, sociopaths generally aren't capable of feeling regret. They can understand how it might apply to someone, but they won't care or exploit others' feeling it in a way that benefits them (Note: When I started college, I took Psychology as an elective. I did OK in it, but I didn't continue because of not testing well and my own problems making the unit on suicide hard to swallow. The professor even said to go take a walk out the door if you can't handle it. Sure enough, I lasted roughly 4 minutes before I packed my backpack and spent the rest of class at one of the campus coffeehouses; nursing a mocha frappé and watching old episodes of Digimon. I'm adding that to the list of beverages to drink and anime to watch as my reward for doing this.).


Koizumi then says there's a desire to not let summer end. We all have that desire; but there is a limit to how much time and money you have in a given summer to do all the things you like, see all the people you like, and see all the movies you like. I managed to see most of the big tentpoles I wanted to; and change my mind about ones I didn't. As a huge mecha anime fan, I will try to find a theater that's showing Pacific Rim to make up for spurning it and dooming it to tanking against Grown-Ups 2. If there's any consolation, it has proven to be much bigger internationally, especially in countries like China and Japan where robots have an even bigger scientific and cultural presence than here. Seriously, every anime I've watched in the 14 years I've been watching it has had some sort of robot in it; even mundane fantastic high school slice of life anime Nichijou: My Ordinary Life (high school age girl Nano; who has a key in her back like a big wind-up toy and extremities that pop off and can be replaced with others; like those SH Figuarts hyper-articulated action figures.). I'm going to watch that again when I'm done too; and I recommend it. It's a much better slice of life anime, and better anime.

Once again, I lost my train of thought. That tends to happen when I've had a liter of Code Red and a couple Benadryl. Since I'm still feeling crappy, here's a song to reflect my general state of mind.


Same general outline of Koizumi trying to keep cheerful, Haruhi not being aware of what she's doing because she's pretty much a little girl trapped in a teenager's body; using her honed otherworldly powers to make life a living Hell for those who cross her, no matter the slight's actual weight. She's like the anime version of Sabrina if they managed to strip her of every sympathetic quality that made her such an effective change from the way she was in Pokémon Red and Blue. ... Hey, if I'm going to suffer, I might as well be comfortable. Here's a song that gives me a much better mood about this whole thing.




Yuki remembers everything. We have reached the 15,521st time. I know Yuki lists the outcome of each event in the loop, but I will be skipping this scene since you and I know how it goes. I will go over my recaps and list the outcome of each event I did to get through this tripe. Next scene!

 Of course, Kyon is aware and stops her.

Go past this part! In fact, never play this again!

 I haven't mentioned this in the other recaps, but I need to now that I'm in the second half and I'm trying to come up with things to make light of. Kyon deduces that the loop has gone on for the equivalent of 595 years; and uses the calculator on his phone to run the numbers. They are indeed correct. Time for another Groundhog Day comparison. By the time Bill Murray's character loses the will to live and attempts suicide in various ways, only to wake up the next morning to "I Got You Babe", he has been trapped in the loop for the equivalent of a year. I will tell you other aspects of the movie this arc is not paying homage to so much as brazenly stealing from it as I go through the second half; as they are relevant to the story. Also, here's "I Got You Babe" again. It's that movie and my usage of this song that Cher still drives a Rolls-Royce despite not touring or recording as much as she used to.

Stargazing time again; Haruhi wants to see Martians and UFOs, but Kyon does not.  Time for another MST3K clip of one of my favorite episodes.



Mikuru is looking over the balcony. She's picture-perfect, but she's trapped by a sociopathic "friend" and her beauty being exploited for the amusement of said sociopath.



Haruhi then does something else: she tells of how people on Mars live underground; but how commune of Earth will help make the place a destination popular for settling and tourism. That people will enthusiastically greet people on vacation with "Welcome to Mars!" Well, Haruhi, you don't know how right you are.



They only tell us that it's stargazing again at Yuki's apartment after the usual nonsense takes place. Of course, you've indoctrinated yourself to this formula; like you have with the formulas of many anime and TV shows much better than this. The way an artist interprets a formula reflects how they see the world. I get the feeling that the creator really hated working on this anime and the fans the original series got; so he wanted to give them a way of telling them that they were not well for being entertained by the show: by lampshading all the tropes it employed and cramming everything the viewer liked and hated into one package. It worked, given how many fans not only hated the arc, but vowed to never watch the anime again; and sold and/or destroyed all their Haruhi Suzumiya merchandise. It tends to be a common reaction whenever a fan is disappointed with an entry; so much that it irreparably damages their view of the franchise and they regret they ever enjoyed it. As an outsider who didn't like the original series and got sick of seeing her everywhere BEFORE I even watched it, I have no fandom of it to ruin. Before I do another run through of the events; here's a clip from a much funnier show to highlight my analogy.


Haruhi and Mikuru fall asleep again, and Koizumi and Kyon wonder just what it is she wants to do. To further my belief that Haruhi a sociopath; I shall forgo their banter and play a clip from my favorite movie.


Yuki looks forlornly at a plane in the sky. I wish I could see my family in other states more often. If I was rich, I'd hire a pilot and buy a plane to go see my family and see the world. I one day want to learn enough Japanese to hold a conservation and visit there.
 Sorry. One of the reasons I started this blog was to break the "weaboo" stereotype that many Western anime fans are often perceived as. I wanted to prove that we are not all Pocky-eating, Calpis-guzzling people who only want to watch subtitled versions of anime so we can proclaim our phrases for our favorite anime in the original Japanese and dismiss any non-Japanese animation as crap.

In fact, I much prefer the soft drinks and snacks that are sold readily at most stores in town; am willing to crack jokes at the expense at any target, even myself in my recaps; and while I share many time-tested favorites of many fans my age (I typically target 13-25-year-old fans; though I appreciate younger and older ones); I believe that a person is allowed to hold whatever view they want on an anime. By criticizing ones perceived as bad and praising ones perceived as good; you will earn the respect of your peers with similar views. However, I believe it is only then; when you can comfortably admit to liking an anime many don't like and hating one many love, that your status is truly confirmed as an unconventional, but confident and respected fan. In spite of what some may think, simply saying "this is good, that is bad, here is why" is not the same as taking the time to explain why you like or don't like something; and making arguments that are about genuine flaws or qualities of an anime as opposed to savaging something simply because you hate it for being that way that people will respect you. Trashing something based simply on your personal preferences will only make people angry at you and cost you many fans.


When a critic is deliberately going against the grain to shock and provoke; much of the value of the criticism is undermined by the critic's personal issues with the work cloud their judgment. While I still do not believe this is a good anime; I have chosen a target that is generally regarded as bad by the majority. I have found very few supporters of this arc, so I'm going to wrap up this episode real quick and get done with the last 3 or so episodes.

It's the general outline of them going fishing, going to the movies, and Kyon not stopping Haruhi from repeating the loop. I'm not even going to bother showing Kyon with his homework this time, as it's clear he has once again crossed the despair event horizon.

"Endless 8 Part 5" is where the premise begins to fall apart. You may very well not be able to tell what you're witnessing as you go through it. We still have 3 episodes to go, as well. I will try to get through them as soon as I can, so I will be able to get back to writing about anime I actually like or have other things to criticize. See you space cowboy.

Recap: Endless 8 Part 4

I can telegraph this start now. Kyon is watching a ball game he's not interested in. I've reached the halfway point of this, and the channel uploader said that we're free to skip to Part 8. I appreciate the offer, but I intend to see this through. I made it through Bakugan and Code Geass R2, I can make it through this.

It's mentioned that there are cheers on the field. When I started watching this episode; I noticed a person that didn't think this arc was as bad as people said; that they actually enjoyed seeing all the little details in each episode, despite the fact that it was the same exact outline every time. I told the person to talk to their doctor and get the dosage of whatever they're taking raised. I know I'll need to.


So, Haruhi calls Kyon, tells him to come to the station; and asks him to bring a swimsuit and lots of money.

A person on the copy I'm using to write this episode has told me, in response to my quip, that this arc is clever and has great details; not mind-numbingly awful and unappreciated by stupid people. Ok, time for another reason why I consider Azumanga Daioh a better anime: each episode was never the same thing twice. It had so many memorable scenes, each unique in their own way. Making cosmetic changes to the episodes and keeping the plot largely the same is not the same as coming up with new ideas or implementing old ones in new ways. I also found Azumanga Daioh a lot funnier, since there was never an episode that I didn't laugh once. I have watched all of the original series and three of the Endless 8, and I have not even smiled. Even though the uploader gives you the chance to skip to episode 8, I intend to see this through.

Even Kyon is catching on! I cannot believe people can call ANYTHING about this smart! They also praised its unique method of time travel! Here's an idea! Go watch Groundhog Day! It's one of the greatest comedies of all time with that same premise, and this is clearly trying to be that, and failing miserably!

Kyon wonders how he knew about the bike. I wonder how anyone can like this when I've heard scads of others say they hate it; often to the point where they vowed to never watch the series again. Since these recaps are doing well, I may also recap the movie, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya sometime, but not this year.


Kyon mentions summer is almost over. I know,  and I'm getting ready to go back to school.

I am really starting to hate this theme song. Here's a better song to mark me entering the next level of Hell.



Kyon arrives at the station, only this time he's wearing a hat. I am still wearing my dirty and worn-out Pokémon BW Ash hat writing this. I will be bringing up a lot how cosmetic changes to the same story are not the same as writing new scripts to go with those changes.

 Haruhi tells her to show some motivation. I have something else I can show you, Haruhi.



Once again, they're going to the pool. It simply boggles the mind how people could enjoy this arc. Someone told me to watch the original series in broadcast order, skip this arc, then watch the movie, and it will be mind-blowing. Instead, I got 3 episodes in on broadcast before I gave up and watched chronological order instead, I'm doing this arc as a kindness so others won't have to suffer through it, and I doubt I will have anything nice to say about the movie when the time comes.




 The only factor I am lending praise to is the attention to detail. I cannot praise the story or the characters in any way.


They have reached the pool. Even the women in swimsuits give me no comfort riding this crazy train.


Of course, Kyon and Koizumi point out how abnormal Haruhi is.

Koizumi once again brings up his paranoia. I know, I get that feeling a lot.



Kyon once again brings up his quote that it would be better to call it a communal pool than a public pool. Synonyms, Kyon. And here's a quote from that, and by proxy, a rebuttal to those claiming I'm not smart enough to follow this when they admit to liking it.




Kyon looks at Yuki again, and gets the strange feeling again.

Kyon, much like the audience, knows this is when the two new brigade members show up. Too bad they're not a galactic woman on a Vespa with a bass guitar and a robot with a TV for a head.



Kyon asks if he's gained precognitive powers. No, you've merely caught on that Haruhi is putting everyone through this nonsense to dick with them. One of the people that I argued with claimed that this arc shows different outcomes of the same event and how time travel could work. No, it shows people TALKING about those things, while only making cosmetic changes and slight rewrites while keeping the same general plot outline. They're not the same thing!

They're at the restaurant, and Haruhi has the list of what they're doing for the next two weeks. I know what I will be doing: watching Azumanga Daioh and FLCL again. Those people that thought this arc was clever are thankfully outnumbered  threefold, myself included, by those that agree it's a piece of shit.

I notice that apart from the clothes, another one of the cosmetic change is the beverages they order. If you like this arc, and Haruhi Suzumiya, I simply cannot convince you you're wrong. Me, I am getting increasingly apathetic toward her; taking this arc with one drink after another and writing it under a bad case of hay fever.

Mikuru wants to go goldfish scooping again. Saw that coming from Kansas. I also notice that Kyon is possibly looking for a way out. I think that Haruhi may very well be the anime version of the Master from Manos. The way this arc is shaping up, it does feel as good as watching a movie filmed out of pocket by a fertilizer salesman. 



 Haruhi again asks where a Bon festival or fireworks show is occurring. Yuki is just casually drinking her drink. I think Yuki may be my favorite female here. Much like Rei from Evangelion, she has silver hair, a neutral look, and a wonderfully stoic attitude towards Haruhi's shenanigans.

Seriously, go check her example at TV Tropes' Rei Ayanami Expy page. A fun fact: Hideki Anno created Rei as a satire of the anime fandom's ideal woman; in order to make a statement at what their culture is like. It didn't go as planned, as the fandom loved Rei; and her image unintentionally created the moe character type. It helped that Rei had plenty of scenes that were intentionally sexy. I even included her in my Top 13 anime women.

They start tomorrow, and Haruhi says not to forget the goldfish scooping. I will honestly be trying to forget a lot of this bilge, by finishing Escaflowne and Evangelion and watching Cowboy Bebop and Outlaw Star again.

Once again, Kyon will pay. So will I. I'm going to need so much to drink to get through the remaining 4 2/3 episodes. 


 Kyon talks to Yuki again. It's clear Kyon knows what's going on, but is trying to get the others to admit it on their own. In response to that person calling me stupid for not enjoying this arc: stupid people generally don't have the writing proficiency, initiative, or analytical skills to write paragraph after paragraph of detailed notes on it and explain why this was a horrible idea to make.




Kyon asks himself why she talked to Yuki. I don't know. Why am I so excited for Pokémon Origins when I still enjoy the current Pokémon anime and don't find it as bad as people say? Why is it so hard to watch One Piece with my computer battery and internet connection problems? Why does YouTube constantly change its interface instead of picking one and sticking with it for a while? Why are there people that enjoy this arc? Why am I watching and writing about it when I could be doing anything else, including watching an anime I actually like? Why is water wet? Who knows?! 

Thankfully, it just cuts to the next morning with Kyon going to see Haruhi.

It's the Yukata shopping again.

You know how this goes: they're beautiful, and Kyon loves Mikuru's best.



They're at the Bon festival again.

Kyon realizes he's been there before. I notice that since my brother is seeing his father in North Dakota, I've been feeling like that too; and not just because I'm dealing with what will likely be another addition to my worst anime list.

It's the masks again, and Yuki wants one. The usual: toku heroes, video game characters, and ones of traditional Japanese icons. Next!

Haruhi has the takoyaki, Mikuru has another candy apple, and Yuki is wearing the mask on the opposite side of her head. ... I'm sorry! I simply do not believe slight cosmetic changes to the art while barely touching the script are sufficient justification for calling this arc "clever" or "interesting!" Here are words I would use to describe it! "Infuriating!" "Bewildering!" "Cretinous!" "Hapless!" "Inscrutable!" And I'M stupid for not liking it? Don't even bother! English was my best subject throughout school and continues to be so in college! I have written articles outside this blog that got printed in the newspapers of my high school and both the colleges I've attended! I will be going back to continue my education with a major in journalism, so I may one day get a job in writing about this sort of thing when the day comes that I finally have to give this blog up! Do not start with me, you  will not win!

It's OK. It wasn't meant for you.

(sighs) OK. So, we have now reached the halfway point of this episode, and this arc. You can do it, Steven. You've made it through Digimon: The Movie, you've made it through A Double Dilemma. You can make it through this.

There's the summer homework question again. I have a feeling that it's going to be the catalyst. Then again, I have not been in a state of what one would deem well in some time.



Of course, Haruhi says she did hers in three days. I notice that Kyon looks angry when Haruhi answers that; rather than merely surprised when she answered before. I will admit that Kyoto Animation at least made sure the arc was well-drawn and well-animated even if the story wouldn't pass for a hentai, much less a high school slice of life anime.

Haruhi again mentions that if you get that out of the way, you can have fun. I agree. Once I'm finished with this, I'm going to spend the next few weeks and months on writing recaps about anime I enjoy, or at least have something unique to criticize.

Kyon asks why heaven is so unfair. Somehow, I get the feeling Kyon means the other place; the one I've been likening this experience to.

The next day, it's cicada catching time again. Also, it's time for me to have another large drink of Pepsi. Wow. I've been drinking so many of their products through this arc that I may consider buying stock in the company when I'm finished.

Kyon once again uses the Pandora's box comparison. I think it's fitting, given how many people wanted to storm Kyoto Animation for this.

Once again, they're wearing frog suits for their part time jobs. I know the music I choose for when this scene comes up in this arc is often tenuously-related at best, but not a lot of people have written songs about frogs.

Kyon likens taking off his hot mask to Gundam Virtue taking off its armor. I know what I'm about to type is a stereotypical statement; but I find the various anime of Gundam to be smarter than this. Don't get me wrong, I like slice of life anime fine, but let me put it this way: making statements about the premise in universe without actually showing how they could be implemented is not actually smart, but merely TRYING to be. I've been watching Gundam Wing in between watching this to write about it, and it has shown the horrors of war, the extreme things the characters are willing to do to accomplish their goals, the power struggles on both sides; and clashing ideals all around. That actually IS smart. Let me tell you, once I'm done with this, it will be some time before I watch and write a recap on Disappearance, and I will definitely look into watching other Gundam series when I'm done with Gundam Wing (with the possible exception of SEED Destiny, which I've heard is the nadir of the franchise; though I may look into it if there's material for recaps).

Once again, the pay is the suits. This time, Kyon looks somewhere in between mad as Hell at Haruhi and about to die of a heatstroke. Combining the two emotions he went through in previous episodes. THAT'S sound justification for calling this arc clever? Perhaps if they were to talk more about the stuff they're going through and show more acknowledgement of the fact they're in this loop, then THAT would be clever. That's how Groundhog Day did it, and this arc is clearly aspiring to be that.

Once again, the phone rings with Kyon in bed. You know what would be clever? Not answering it, putting it on vibrate, waiting out the ringing, or throwing the damn thing out the window! In Groundhog Day, when Bill Murray's character got sick of waking up to "I Got You Babe", each time the loop repeated, he did something different to the clock each time once he caught on!

He does reject the call, but it ends up ringing again. It's become clear the cell phone is standing in for the clock, so I'm moving "I Got You Babe" to here instead of the end of the recap like I've been doing.


Of course, it's Mikuru again. I'm putting my Reebok-clad foot down right now. This arc is not clever. You consider it clever. You believe it's clever. Saying otherwise is just whatever substance you're consuming while you're watching it talking.

Mikuru is having another complete emotional breakdown. I am trying to maintain my composure, but it hasn't been easy. It feels like I've entered some sort of dream that I can't wake up from.

Koizumi tells Kyon to come right away.

At the station, Mikuru is now haggard as a vagrant, with her hair a mess and her state of dress far more sloppy. She says she still can't go back to the future. OK, here's the last big Back to the Future song I have to pair this scene with.




They skipped Koizumi's explanation this time, and Kyon again thinks what Koizumi said is crazy. I agree. Regarding explanations about time travel, Koizumi's theory is  a load of bunk. Even if I was to consider what he said credible, his delivery would still make it impossible to swallow. Koizumi is no Emmett "Doc" Brown.

The others have also caught on to what's going on. Time to get right to it. I am going to get through this all. Now is not the time that everyone loses all hope. That comes later.


To top it off, Koizumi knows what everyone else already does: this whole mess is Haruhi's fault. Kyon's expression is one that the fans as a whole made (in spite of my mention of these people that praised this arc, they are few and far in between. The general consensus is that most people hate it.).

Kyon asks again if Haruhi regrets something. No, I'm quite certain sociopaths aren't capable of feeling regret. They definitely can't feel empathy, as Haruhi has proven.

Kyon then asks what to do. Well, in Groundhog Day, Bill Murray's character eventually becomes suicidal from repeating the loop, killing himself in multiple ways each time it resets (Note: In my life, I have suffered from depression at times, and have had occasions where I've attempted suicide; and have been hospitalized for the condition. I am currently seeing a therapist and am taking medication for the condition. If you suffer from depression, I encourage you to seek help from friends, family, and trained professionals.).

Kyon remarks that Koizumi seems very cheerful. I get the feeling he's trying to hide his pain.

Kyon asks if other people in the world feel this. Although Koizumi denies it, I believe that yes; there are people that feel like this. I'm feeling it right now, having indoctrinated myself to a routine to get through this arc; damn near living it vicariously through my real life actions taken to recap this arc.

They also say that Haruhi doesn't feel this at all, and it would be bad if she did. Since she's a sociopath, I think that she would indeed cause the apocalypse if she found it funny. She's Harley Quinn without the clown makeup, pure and simple.

Once again, Yuki's the one to talk to about the whole thing. Why is Haruhi the title character? I get the feeling I'd actually like this franchise if Yuki was the female lead. Even better, I love characters like Kyon, so I would definitely love an anime and media franchise called The Amazing Kyon.

Anyway, Yuki says that the loop has now repeated for 15,513 times. I also notice in this screencap that a cicada appears to be dying at Kyon's feet. This may represent his statement about cicadas not living long earlier, but I think it's because Kyoto Animation made it this way so it would be easier to dub this scene for foreign markets; like how Death Note often focused on L's feet or other inanimate objects to make foreign dubs easier. Another fun fact: in Full Metal Panic, L can be seen riding on a bicycle, as Kyoto Animation was one of the studios considered to adapt Death Note into an anime. They ultimately weren't chosen.

And the whole scene where Yuki explains the times each outcome happened is shot like this, either with the camera focused on something else or pulled away so we can't see their faces; so there are no mouth flaps to write dialogue around.

Now comes the statement which was the catalyst for most of my ranting in this recap. It's the part where Yuki says each time something did or didn't happen in the loop. This was the biggest way they justified this arc as interesting. However they said they showed it. ... No. No. No!


What they showed is a general role rehearsal of the same outline of events, with just minor changes to the clothes they wore and the objects they interacted with! Yuki is merely TELLING us each time an event did or didn't happen! There is a difference! There is a reason that the most important rule of making a visual form of art is "show, don't tell!"

Of course, Kyon stops her! When you actually watch this, and take the time to look at the premise; the argument that this arc is clever completely falls apart! Even Kyon realizes it! That does it! I'm getting through this right now!

Kyon buys a drink to reflect on what she said. I am taking a huge swig of my drink right now.

Kyon then asks what it's like to experience that frame of time over and over. Well, when there are people that actually like this arc in the face of scads of hate for it; I think it's horrendous!

Time for stargazing again. Haruhi still wonders if there's Martians. She wants to look for UFOs. 


Haruhi and Mikuru fall asleep, Koizumi suggests embracing her, and Kyon says no. I would have been far less receptive to the idea, and told him to fuck off and die. 



It's the batting center again. Yuki knew about the loop, and didn't say anything because she could only observe.

Kyon runs through all the events, ending on seeing movies. You know what this needs? Joel, Mike, Servo, and Crow mocking it. I know I've linked to a lot of MST3K jokes and episodes to get through this, and will be watching them to detox from it.

Space has warped, and time is now bendable!

They're back at the restaurant, finished with their list. Now Haruhi is wearing a red shirt and overalls. Sadly, I think even Bob Hoskins makes a better Mario than her.

She asks if there's anything else they want to do. They say nothing, and Haruhi says they're finished.

Kyon of course says that Haruhi still isn't satisfied. She never will be. Even if she did invoke her ability to end all life as we know it, I doubt it would satisfy her.

Kyon knows that if she leaves, the loop will start again. Yet, he doesn't lift a finger to stop her from walking out the door. As she does, the effects once again get trippy. 



 No, all Kyon does is have a flashback and wonder if there's a clue in what she said. No! You think? And here's another bombshell: The Dark Knight was a really popular movie!

Once again, Kyon has not started his homework on the last day of summer.

Rather than get in bed, Kyon has drawn a plane in his notebook, like the one in the movie they saw.

"Endless 8 Part 4" is the worst one of these episodes I've dealt with so far. Fitting, as one of the first things you learn about Japanese culture is that the number 4 is a bad omen. The story outline has become absolutely banal as it enters the second half. In spite of what this arc's defenders say, minor tweaks to the animation is not the same as actually trying to rewrite the story or write a new one from scratch. However, I wish to thank the people who posited this belief to me, one of which outright called me stupid for not being entertained by the suffering of characters not named Haruhi. Without them, I would not have had the confidence to continue watching this arc and pick apart their arguments and this episode in response. Now I can continue with this, thanks to their misguided enjoyment. See you space cowboy.

Future Diary First Impressions

I am taking a break my Endless 8 marathon to bring you my first impressions of Future Diary. Even though many have praised the series, it is that time again. Time to prove that I have an opinion of my own. I must warn you: my reaction is not as good as my peers, and I have often been looked at askew for going against the grain. Still, I feel I need to speak my piece, no matter what others may think.

First 5 and a half minutes, and I'm totally lost. The opening scene has this Yuki kid OD-ing on cyanide, and this Yuno girl looking him over. The theme song feels like some sort of maniacal Hans Zimmer piece, and there is an alarming amount of black, white, and red.

Other people apparently don't care about Yuki's diary. Hmm.

He goes home. He apparently has a link to a god named Deus ex Machina. Just so you know, a clip of this, under its original title Mirai Nikki was labeled a clip that got people to watch. The clip was, for me, one that made me NEVER want to watch, since I had no idea what was going on, the clip explained nothing, and it didn't give me any desire to find out. I'm still having these sort of feelings watching this on a whim.

Deus then takes control of Yuki's phone, saying that he can give Yuki the ability to see the future. Six minutes. Not a shred of explanation or backstory as to how Yuki knows a deity.

Now we're on the streets? There's a woman there? And she's dead. What was the point of that?

Seven minutes. Now Yuki has a day plan on his phone that he didn't type. What?

He just brushes this off before going to play darts.

Now he's having breakfast while a news report of the murder is on TV.

He looks at his phone again, and he appears to be catching on.

Wait, no, he calls it a freaky coincidence. Yuki, you're an idiot.

Now he's seeing people that his phone said he would. Yuki is surprised at this.

At school, he has a math pop quiz with the answers. You know, most schools in the US have banned text messaging because of this sort of thing, under penalty of your phone being confiscated.

He then catches on that it's not a coincidence. No, you think?

One of Yuki's classmates says he aced the test.

The rest of the day goes about with every event playing out exactly how his phone says it would. I'm personally surprised his phone is functioning this well at texting when I can't even get a message through when mine falls below a certain number of minutes.

There were detectives asking about the serial killer? You know, I want to know what's going on with them. I like crime-related anime like Death Note and Detective Conan. Why not make tracking the serial killer the story instead of this dog piss about a kid's omnipotent outbox?

Then, Yuki finds out Deus is real. Most of us already knew that. He reveals that if Yuki's phone breaks, so does he, and life as we know it. ... That's nuts! You're telling me that this schlub and his 7-Eleven phone have humanity in hand?! That's even more nonsensical than Haruhi Suzumiya and her antics I'm in the middle of recapping! (sigh) Ten. Minutes. In.

Yuki is amazed at this. Not me. I find this to be a ludicrous element to make an anime about, which is saying something given what the genre lends itself to.

Apparently, everyone at school is not happy with Yuki, and it turns out he and Yuno got the top scores on the test. Yuki even got a perfect score!

Yuki continues rattling off the contents of his journal. I'm surprised he's managing to keep up the details of his life so well when I had to delete my Twitter account because of excessive spam from mail-order brides.

Yuki says he'll have a way to coast through life if he keeps his phone in good condition. Funny, as I've gone through several phones in the past 7 years, and I've ended up with mouth-breathing stalkers, people asking me for fungi, and telemarketers telling me the warranty on my vehicle is expiring even though I have never owned or driven a car, or even had a license as of this writing.

Oh, and apparently the episode title is "Sign Up." So far, I'd rather decline. There is not a smidgen of explanation or context for what's happened so far.

There's another test, and Yuki is the only one doing well from getting the answers from his phone. Our hero, ladies and gentlemen!

All of a sudden, Yuno shoots a mean look at Yuki, which Yuki says is weird. No, weird is when you arrive somewhere 10 minutes early. This is a Philip K. Dick fever dream!

Yuki then starts describing Yuno in a way that's very creepy.

Later that day, Yuki has arrived at Dead End, and says to himself, "What the Hell is going on?" That's a question that many people have asked while watching this. I've been asking it for the past 13 minutes.

Yuno then approaches Yuki, saying she knows he's at Dead End. She's the killer! Alarmingly, many fans have cited her as one of the key factors of watching this anime; seeing her as a veritable young woman. Well, I'm just seeing a sadistic psycho bitch. Nevertheless, Yuki is running for his life.

As he runs home, he thinks there must be an explanation. If only we were that lucky. 14 minutes, and I feel like I'm watching the pitches for at least 7 different anime.

Yuno corners Yuki in the elevator, and it turns out she has a cell phone as well. You have got to be kidding me. These phones can tell the future and they all look like cheap Tracfones? My old Motorola Atrix is more advanced than that! People on the bus with their iPhones and Droids are more advanced than that! Hell, even the damn Transponder Snails from One Piece are more advanced than that!

So, she leaps onto Yuki and... kisses him? Damn it! If you want to set up a dystopian fight to the death, don't include scenes and tone shifts like this! You have to keep your outlook consistent from scene to scene! You can't have scenes like this when you want to portray a world without hope! IT DOESN'T WORK!

It turns out she's not the killer, but it's someone else known as "the Third." It's a woman. I'm calling it now. They say it's a man, but one of the detectives had a look in her eye and the same pink hair.

Yuno is apparently keeping tabs on Yuki. So, we're just up to stalking. We haven't gotten to the psychosis, bloodshed, and disregard for shoes yet.

Yuki is surprised at this, but Yuno has updates on him every 10 minutes. 15 minutes, and I feel like I've attended a test screening for a movie that hasn't gotten advice from audiences on how it could be fixed. Let me tell you, I could probably talk about my ideas until my voice gave out.

Yuno says it's a love diary. Yuki then says all this makes her a crazy stalker. Hey! Don't point out the discomfort of the premise and its sociopathic heroine! That's my job!

Yuno then mentions a survival game that they're part of. 16 minutes and we're just now getting to this? You know, it's never a good idea to advertise that aspect so heavily when it doesn't even show up for most of the first episode!

Yuki wonders when this will start making sense. I think it's sometime around when Hell freezes over. Yuno then mentions that it's a fight to the death. I know Battle Royale is popular, but this goes beyond merely ripping it off. This runs headlong into directly stealing from it!

Now they're on the roof, partly to run, but mostly so Yuno can watch the sunset. Yuki thinks he's dead if he follows Yuno. In Deadman Wonderland, which has a similar premise; I could get behind Ganta for his incarceration of a crime he didn't commit, and behind Shiro for her childlike optimism to offset her fighting prowess. I want them to succeed whenever I watch/read that. Here, I've got a dillweed and a psychotic wench that will probably get repetitive strain injury and enormous cell phone bills more than any glorious title or skill to survive. They are simply not likable or interesting people. I'm personally surprised that people find Yuno more appealing than Yuki. I don't find either of them to be appealing in any way.

So, Yuno plans to confront him as Yuki looks at his darts. That's not a him, it's a her!

Yuno asks Yuki if he's feeling lucky. ... You know, it's times like these I wish there was a statute of limitations on how many times media can reference classic Clint Eastwood movies. Yuno Gasai is not Dirty Harry, as much as she'd like to be.

The Third reaches the roof, and we get a flashback that says a Future Diary is both a weapon and an Achilles heel. So, there's one piece of backstory after 18 minutes of anime. I'll take what I can get at this point.

So, Yuki throws a dart into the Third's phone, which, by their cockamamie rules, will kill him. The Third then shrivels into himself like a black hole. I admit that's actually a pretty creative way to die.

Of course, Yuno is disappointed that there was no blood. The friend who convinced me to watch this anime is convinced that Yuno isn't a sadist. I disagree, given that she seems to enjoy screwing with Yuki and is excited at the prospect of grisly death.

Yuki then demands to know what's going on. That's a demand I've been making for this whole episode, and it's effectively fallen on deaf ears.

Now, we get to this part. That clip I mentioned? I'm just now finding out it's from this very episode, the very first episode. Generally, when your first episode is this hard to follow and tells you next to nothing about what's going on; it's not likely to make people want to keep watching. I'm personally surprised that this scene got so many new viewers when it should have, by all means; alienated them instead.

Deus then explains the concept of the Future Diary further, or at least tries to. I cannot comprehend a thing Deus is saying. It's a bunch of pretentious, faux-Shakespearean jargon and didactic, proselytizing rhetoric. I am personally surprised that people accuse the Star Wars prequels and The Matrix sequels of this dialogue when this is far more guilty of it, and people have said nothing about it; even praising it.

Deus says the winner of his contest will take his place. Yuki tries to comprehend what's going on, knowing he had no real hand in his victory. Yuno then says she will protect Yuki. That's it. I'm done with this.

I really did not enjoy this. I found this to be a nihilistic and incoherent mess. Even in moments where this anime tries to go for sick humor, Future Diary is spectacularly joyless. Even though Deadman Wonderland has a similar premise (and even has its manga published in the same magazine as this), the difference is that Deadman Wonderland has a much better grasp of when to go for broke on depicting a situation without hope; and when to lighten the mood. This is helped by the fact that Ganta is given more solid characterization as being framed for the mass murder of his middle school class, and I like it when he rises to the occasion with the odds stacked against him. Yuki is so standard that you could swap him for any given shonen protagonist and it wouldn't affect the story at all.

Now, what of Yuno? People who enjoy this anime have put her on a huge pedestal. I'm sorry, I simply cannot stand by her as a female lead. Back with Deadman Wonderland, Shiro may also be very powerful and psycho, but she has a wonderful optimism to balance it out. She's revealed to have spent much of her life in the prison a test subject; and saved Ganta from a mad dog by doing an imitation of their favorite superhero, Aceman. Even after she broke his favorite toy of Aceman, after she saved Ganta, they fixed it and bonded over pudding. In key moments, she pulls off similar deeds for Ganta with the same presence. Yuno mood swings so much that I'm not convinced she wants to protect Yuki so much as kill him herself, and wear his skin as a dress.

With taking a relatively simple premise and making it so convoluted and giving it such a winded narrative, then giving little to no subtlety, context or explanations on top of all this;  you have a gargantuan sci-fi abhorrence that I will not willingly watch again. I'm going back to the Endless 8 after this. I also think I'll watch From Up on Poppy Hill again to wash my hands of this disappointment of quantum proportions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX6FsTIq6ls

Recap: Endless 8 Part 3

Endless 8 Part 3. And here my troubles begin.

Once again, Kyon is watching a ball game. It's clear I'm going to need a beverage stronger than my usual poison for watching this anime.

Now, Kyon is anticipating Haruhi's shenanigans. Still, that won't be enough. I might not survive with Haruhi. I'd have a better chance with one of the Diclonus from Elfen Lied (I had a dream where I dated one once.).

The phone rings, and Haruhi is on the other end again.

There's a man answering...

They're meeting at the station again.


 She again says to bring a swimsuit and lots of money. I notice that the game mentions that a player got sent to Cuba. I just thought of something: my attempt to understand this arc has pretty much become The Bay of Pigs of Haruhi Suzumiya.

Kyon is aware of what will happen next. So am I: I am about to continue watching an arc that will make the Johto arc of Pokémon, the Namek saga of Dragon Ball Z, the Apis arc of One Piece and the Bount arc of Bleach all look like Sunday afternoon picnics.

Kyon is at the station again, and he's once again told he's late.


 They're again making a beeline for the pool. Haruhi says they will never get back the time they lost. That's a surprisingly accurate statement for those who watch this arc.

This theme song is already wearing thin. I'm listening to a lot of other music to help write these recaps.

They have reached the pool, and Kyon is tired out. 4 minutes into episode 3. Pull it together, Steven.

At least Haruhi is relatively pretty, despite her status as a psychotic wench.

She dives in with a massive splash.

This is what people who worked on this arc did when they read the feedback it got.

 She loves the water. I notice the focus has changed on the picture. I don't know if that's me or the anime. I'll believe either one at this point.

Kyon asks what's wrong with Koizumi. Koizumi just brushes it off.

The rest of their visit to the pool is done in still frames. Just as well, my screencaps replicate the feeling of this.

Kyon once again says this is more of a communal pool than a public pool. I already explained that those are effectively synonyms, making your statement as redundant as this cockamamie season.

As Kyon looks at Yuki, he gets the strange feeling again. It's perfectly normal for a boy your age, Kyon. Just make sure nobody calls attention to your pants when it happens.

Haruhi introduces her brigade members again. OK. In Azumanga Daioh, when I watched it, we get to see the characters grow more and show their traits in ways that endear you to them and make it so you really feel for them when the series ends; and stay with you. Here, it feels like I barely know anything about the SOS Brigade, and that they haven't really developed that much. When I finished the original series, they left so little an impression on me that I forgot about the series, and could only remember a couple actions that really set me off.

Now, they're back at the restaurant. OK, time for a good drink and some tunes to go with it.

The plan is the same.

Once again, Haruhi calls and wakes Kyon.

They're going shopping for Yukatas again.


They're stunning, and Kyon likes this again. You know, this seems like a pitch for a paper doll dress-up book for this anime, and they decided to make an arc out of it. If you want to make a dress-up game, make a dress-up game. Don't screw over your fans by giving them this!

Kyon still likes Mikuru. His face is one I won't be making for some time. Now you got me doing it, you piece of crap.

So, they go to the Bon festival.

We're going to party, Karamu, fiesta forever! Come on and sing along, all night long!

Yuki is looking at the masks again. More tokusatsu superheroes, this time there are Shines and Bob-ombs from Mario.

I'm not sure what it is this time. At least she's wearing it on her face now.

Now, it's time for fireworks again.



Then, they're going to catch cicadas again. When Kyon asks about the homework, Haruhi again mentions she did it already. I still think it's the key.

After that, Kyon says he continues to have no idea what's going on. I'm used to that feeling, since I still have 5 1/2 episodes of this to go through; and the whole thing feels like an out of body experience.

Kyon feels like he's dying of a heatstroke. If only I were so lucky.

The pay is the suits again, and this time, Kyon looks like he's having an aneurysm.

Mommy, why are there midi-chlorians in my spaghetti?

Exhausted, all he can do is ribbit. Here's the screencap to prove it. 

 That night, Kyon answers his phone with a resounding "dammit."


It's Mikuru, saying that something terrible has happened. Koizumi then says to come over.


Mikuru still can't return to the future.



Koizumi says they're still in the loop of time. He describes it as an endless summer.

Koizumi is still trying to convince Kyon that this is real. Of course, Kyon doesn't. Given all the bullshit they go through, this is still not going to be an easy task.

Mikuru is still claiming her excuse is "classified information." Of course it is. 5 1/3 episodes to go.

Koizumi tells of how the world reverts back to August 17 after two weeks, and that Haruhi is the key. He thinks that there's something she regrets.

Kyon says the situation is hopeless on a galactic scale. He then remarks on how happy Koizumi is, and Koizumi says he's solved it. He claims that the feelings of despair are from when the loop reset. I don't think that's it. I doubt he's solved this whole thing this early.

Koizumi says the reason they feel this is because they're in Haruhi's inner circle. If that's the case, I'd make tracks for Siberia.

Kyon then asks if Haruhi knows she's doing this. Koizumi says she doesn't, and it would be bad if she did. Why? The original series said that if Haruhi is unhappy, she'll end all life as we know it. I'm sorry. Even with that on the table, I still find her to be an insufferable trollop. I would actually find death and utter nothingness to be preferable to being with her. I am personally surprised that people call Ferris Bueller sociopathic when Haruhi is even worse about manipulating the goodwill of people around her and conning people to get her way.







They're stargazing again, and Haruhi once again wants to look for UFOs.



Haruhi and Mikuru are passed out on the balcony again.

 Kyon and Koizumi wonder what Haruhi wants to do. Koizumi again suggests embracing Haruhi. This time, Kyon doesn't assault him. They just kind of talk about the idea of who would do it before they again run through a torrent of events.

Once again, the batting center, fireworks show, and goby fishing happen again.


They have their tests of courage and watch some movies. By the way, all this happens in still frames. They went to the beach and went bowling.

YEAH! YEAH! OH YEAH! WHAT CONDITION MY CONDITION WAS IN!

Even after all they did, Kyon knows this won't satisfy Haruhi. Not much can. I get the feeling she enjoys dickering with them because of her own lack of confidence. This whole thing is just an act. She may have the qualities of a god, but she's absolutely insane, and I would have taken the opportunity to get out of dodge a long time ago.

They're back at the restaurant. Once again, Haruhi asks if there's anything else they want to do. Well, I don't know, how about: watch a different anime, learn a second language, read to children, help out at a homeless shelter, get Star Trek Into Darkness on iTunes, go see how cheese is made, and press the stop button, to name a few.

Kyon knows Haruhi still isn't satisfied. Conveniently, this screencap portrays her with a very smug look on her face. OK, I'm convinced. Haruhi is not a fun-loving, eager, manic pixie dream girl. She's a sadistic, mentally unstable sociopath who enjoys the suffering of those around her and everyone only lets her do what she wants because they truly are afraid of what she'll do if they don't.

As Haruhi leaves, Kyon gets the feeling again. It's probably because most people involved with this are thoroughly hazy. At least I hope they are. Also, I notice the music seems to be turning into a Philip Glass melody.

Once again, it's August 31, and Kyon hasn't even started his homework.

This time, he just falls over his bed, feeling even more depressed than before; as am I.


"Endless 8" is where the whole premise of this arc really starts to wear thin. It's clear that this wasn't a compelling enough story for 2 episodes, let alone 8. Even more, some people even admit to liking this arc, even suggesting its premise was clever  and the details were fun despite the fact that it's been so roundly criticized; and got defensive when I called them on it. We will talk about that next time.