Recap: Endless 8 Part 8

This is it. This is the last one. I have reached the last part of the Endless 8, and have seen it through to the end!


It has been 8 circles of hell watching these episodes; but I'm finally done! Let's get this over with!

The usual deal of Kyon watching the game with no interest in it. Haruhi calls him and tells him to come to the station with lots of money and a swimsuit. For the last time, I shall skip the opening and get right to his arrival at the station.

At the pool, Kyon breaks into Ye Olde Butchered English for his final call out of Haruhi for diving into the pool when there are clearly-marked "no diving" sings.
Here's the screencap to prove it.

This time, I'm not even going to show you Kyon's statement about whether it's a communal pool or a public pool. Instead, I will show you this photo of his face when he's about to taste Mikuru's coffee.

 They're at the restaurant again, and they go over the list for the last time. I notice there are a lot of reaction shots from Kyon this time.

"Do a second season," he says. "Everyone will love it," he says.

 They're at the Bon festival again, and Yuki buys her last superhero mask. 9 minutes of anime in just 7 paragraphs. I've been at this for 21 months, and I have officially become a seasoned killer of bad anime. 

 Once again, when queried about the homework; Haruhi says she did hers. Given what I've found out about the ending; I've got quite the rant in mind. I apologize in advance to my few followers and any fans of Haruhi; but I didn't laugh at the ending so much as go blind with rage.

Ten minutes; and we've arrived at the final cicada-catching contest. It's clear Kyoto Animation stopped giving a damn at this point, much like the viewers did. Much of the events of this last part are now done in still frames. These screencaps I'm posting are an accurate summation of watching this episode.

Haruhi wins again, and Kyon gives the Pandora's box analogy for the last time. I can say that was one of the few relevant things said about this arc. I've been waiting for an instance to use my favorite song, and I think now is the time.



We have arrived at the last instance of the part time job in frog costumes. I am just so sick of seeing this image, and Haruhi; that I can't even put in a song that has any connection to frogs at all. Instead, this will have to do.

That night, Kyon picks up the phone with Mikuru on the other end. This time, Kyon lets out a scream, as many of the viewers did.

Kyon rushes to the station to find Mikuru at her biggest state of distress. Congratulations, Haruhi. You have broken a young woman in every sense of the word. Your attempts to bring joy that result in sorrow and anger know no bounds!

I'm skipping her breakdown of "classified information", as the only real highlight of this version is that Kyon snarks that it may consist of things that can't be said on television. That would be pretty funny, if one of the first chronological episodes didn't show Haruhi faking sexual harassment to con the computer club out of a computer. That was not a charming joke; that was a massive dick move. If the teachers found out (humoring the fact that teachers might actually be shown at their school); that would be grounds for possible expulsion (though I'm not sure; given how different the Japanese high school system is from the US, especially regarding how infractions like that are handled).


Anyway, we are on the final repetition of the loop. This would be the point where I'd skip Koizumi's explanation, but the show itself skips it this time. It goes to the point where Koizumi insinuates that Haruhi is doing this because she doesn't want summer vacation to end.

Also, much of the scene is again animated with the camera focused on other parts of the face and body; as well as inanimate objects to save trouble of dubbing over mouth flaps.

We get to Yuki, and this is the 15,532nd repetition of the loop. This time, I will share the outcomes of a few events that I did when working on these recaps. On Part 4 and 5, I did not have Code Red. On Part 5 and 6, I did not mention Azumanga Daioh. On Part 6 and 7,  I did express sympathy for those who watched the arc as it was first airing.

Kyon goes home, and wonders what it must be like for Nagato to experience that loop of time. I don't know about that, but I know that it was not very good for anyone who watched this.

It's all downhill from here. We have reached the stargazing, and Haruhi and Mikuru are already out. Koizumi suggests embracing Haruhi again, and Kyon outright refuses.

As for the final torrent of summer events; it just focuses on the SOS Bridgade standing together in the rain. We were hit by a massive rainstorm in the area not too long ago; and it made the front page of both local newspapers. This image is indicative of the emotions people felt as they finished this arc; and the massive disappointment they felt.

We are at the restaurant again, with Haruhi remarking the list is done. Get ready, guys. My biggest rant against this arc is coming.

This time, when Kyon tries to figure out the clue in what Haruhi said for their last activity, he actually starts tripping balls when he tries to stop her from heading out the door. Given the fact that I've been primarily living off Code Red, Cheez-It, and allergy medication to work on this arc; that's how I would feel too.

The lunatic is on the grass...

And if the dam breaks open many years too soon...

Kyon has figured out everything, and the proof that they've gone through the arc tens of thousands of times. Well, that puts him one step ahead of the audience.
Then, as he holds sparks in his hands, the whole thing dawns on him.

Kyon then runs to Haruhi, saying there's still something he wants to do. I can think of many things I want to do now that I'm done with this.

Kyon says that homework is what he wants to do. ... That is all? That is what the key was? I was able to determine this from the start; and that was justification for putting everyone through all this! This is a Monster a Go-Go level copout!

Suddenly there was no loop. No activities to do, no endless summer to be had.

He even starts asking other members of the SOS Brigade to join him. You know, I didn't like it when the original series pulled this stunt with Remote Island Syndrome, but at least that tried to give the fans a legitimate twist! This just makes this arc worse for stretching 2 or 3 episodes' worth of story into an ingratiating 8 episodes!

Kyon suggests they all work on it together; but believe me, this is just scratching the surface on how asinine the ending is. Take a look at what happens next.

Haruhi then berates Kyon for making this decision. You know what Haruhi? Go to Hell! You don't have a right to call Kyon out for this after putting them through all your escapades for your amusement! Everyone is going to need serious therapy as you may very well have psychologically damaged them! It's even made clear you succeeded in doing so to Mikuru! If you claim these are your friends, don't take advantage of their goodwill and respect for you! Fuck you! Kyoto Animation, I'm addressing you as well! You created a series people loved; built their hopes up for a second season, then utterly destroyed them by producing what is by far, one of the worst anime arcs I have ever seen! Yes folks, it's worse than Johto! It's worse than Namek! It's worse than Apis! It's even worse than Bount! Fuck you, Kyoto Animation!

Then, as the credits start to roll, the homework is done and Kyon and Koizumi are back in the club room; playing cards, effectively brushing the events of the arc under the rug in a massive reset button. That's seriously it. The last thing we see is Kyon winning the poker game with a royal flush. I was never a fan of Haruhi Suzumiya before watching this arc; but after, I can say any chance of me liking this franchise has gone right down the drain at 0.5 past light speed.



"Endless 8 Part 8" is fittingly, one of the worst finales to one of the worst anime arcs I've ever seen. Not only do I share the obvious reasons that fans consider it bad; but I'm addressing something I have had a problem with throughout this arc and throughout the main series. I feel it misses the most basic aspects about what makes storytelling work. I should want to get invested in the story and latch onto the characters. Virtually every other anime I have watched has had the characters go on a journey and shown how they grew as people. Why I love Azumanga Daioh so much as a slice-of-life series is that it manages to use more absurd elements of the genre to make a sort of mundane fantastic look at high school life. I loved seeing the principal cast grow over the course of the show; to the point where I loved seeing them graduate and entering the brave new world of adulthood. Here, I feel like I still barely know anything about the SOS Brigade beyond a single trait or two. It really fries me that they actually set up something that could have been used for character development in the very first episode; and they did fuck-all with it in favor of just going through the motions. Even the animators and voice actors were losing interest as it went on. If you don't have any reason to be invested, why should I be? I will consider recapping the Disappearance movie next year, but now, I will get to work on detoxing from this. I have some recaps that I planned to take up all of this month, but now; they will be my new theme. You will have to wait and see later. Bang.

Recap: Endless 8 Part 7

We're on the homestretch now. Just this episode and the next one and I'll be done with the Endless 8!

It's the usual business with Kyon watching the game and getting a call from Haruhi.

Haruhi tells him to meet at the station with a swimsuit and lots of money.

Kyon could telegraph the whole thing, just like the audience can. To anyone who watched these episodes when they were originally coming out: you have my sympathy.

There is a bit of a silence with the TV going after Kyon hangs up.

As per usual, I'm skipping the theme song; and putting on something else.




Once again, they're headed to the pool. Haruhi makes her spiel about how they need to do more summer-related things. I know the feeling. My brother is going back to school, and I'm going back near the end of September. 

They're at the pool again, and I'm omitting the Haruhi ass shot the scene opens on for the same reason I'm going to have to dial back the profanity and dirty jokes: if I'm going back to school and potentially getting a job on their paper; I'm going to have to be more careful about this sort of thing.

This time, I'm skipping Kyon's redundant statement and instead focusing on this great laugh he makes.

Great job, Haruhi. You have broken him, as you have a great many people with this arc.

Now, everything goes black and white.

They're at the restaurant again. It's the same plan as before.

Kyon gets woken up on the next day, and this time, he has his hand down his pants. Charming. He's gotten so despondent; he's resorted to playing pocket pool in his sleep.

It's the Yukata shopping again. This time, the store they went to is called Endless. I think I've found a store with worse service than Safeway.

Located in the Shinjuku district, next to the Hello Kitty love hotel!

Of course, they're dazzling, and Kyon loves Mikuru's best. Ooh! I am just slaughtering the first 9 minutes. This next song proves that this arc cannot conquer me.


They're at the Bon festival. Yuki is looking at the masks.

She buys another superhero mask; and wears it in an odd fashion. 10 minutes, only 1 1/2 more episodes to go. 

 They're doing fireworks again. I imagine that it would go this way.




 Kyon posits the homework question again, and Haruhi says it can be done in three days. This time, he replies with "three days?!" in Engrish. I will admit that's actually pretty funny.

Even so, we've entered the next level of Hell, despite Kyon's claims that Haruhi was given her skills from heaven. This next song will further my belief that Haruhi is very much the Antichrist in human form.


The next day is bug-catching, and Haruhi wins again.



After the Pandora's box analogy, it's them working as frogs again! You know what? I haven't tried to tie a frog-related song to this scene, why do so now? I'm just going to go through more of my classic rock tracks. 

After once again finding out the pay is the suits; Kyon makes a wonderful pout. I am finding his increasing indifference parallel with mine delicious. That is why I find Kyon a more appealing character than Haruhi.

Then, it's the phone call again, and it's both hands in the pants this time. This time, he sounds really pissed off when he answers; as most of the fanbase was when they watched this arc. I think this was the point in Groundhog Day where Bill Murray's character threw the clock out the window after waking up to "I Got You Babe" for the umpteenth time.



He heads to the station, and Mikuru is a sobbing wreck again. Patience, Steven, you're almost done. 


 As it's time for Koizumi's explanation; this is usually the time where both the non-Haruhi SOS Brigade members and the audience have grown depressed from the antics they've been put through.

No, this explanation does not make any more sense on the sixth explanation. Nor does Mikuru's grief chance the fact that they are being treated like the playthings of a sociopathic, demonic teenage girl. If this were a different kind of anime; she would make a fantastic villain.

Now we are on the 15,527th repetition of the loop. It gets to Yuki's listing of each outcome of events. I mean it: when I get to the final part, I will list the outcomes of each thing I did to write about this arc.



It's stargazing time again, and Haruhi still wants to see martians. I think this next MST3K clip should be an apt description of this arc.

Now they're at the batting center again. I will finish this. Right away.


This time, it just focuses on the sky as Kyon describes the events. Even the animators are losing interest by this point.

Back at the restaurant, Kyon STILL doesn't do anything to stop Haruhi! He just sits there having a trip!

Kyon once again looks at his homework; but has become too sad to do it. I just have the feeling that's going to be the key; and I hope I'm good and pissed off when I find out if it is.

"Endless 8 Part 7" is one of the deepest levels of Hell I've likened this arc to. This is one of the most massive screw-overs for an anime second season since Code Geass R2; but at least R2 had other things to criticize! As soon as this is posted, I'm compiling the events of these recaps for the final Endless 8 recap! Don't miss it!

Recap: Endless 8 Part 6

We're winding down, but this is how it goes: Kyon is watching a game he doesn't care about. Haruhi calls him and tells him to come to the station with a swimsuit and lots of money. Kyon wonders how he knew about this. I skip the theme song and put on music I like.

At the station, Haruhi says they're going to the public pool. At the pool, Haruhi ignores clearly-marked "No Diving" signs as Kyon gets the strange feeling again.
Kyon claims it's more of a communal pool.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Haruhi decides to play water polo, and hurls a beach ball at Mikuru. This time, Kyon screams! It is a great scream, and others watching this agree. It's a natural reaction to watching this
arc, too.

Haruhi tells of the plan at the restaurant over drink, I take a big swig of mine.

Kyon talks to Yuki as she walks home. Wow. I have gotten so good at seeing all the details coming that I managed to recap the first 7 1/2 minutes in a little under six paragraphs.  We only have a little over 2 episodes left, so I will get through this as quickly as I can.

They shop for Yukatas, and Kyon loves Mikuru's best. This is beyond tedious. It's almost as grating as the complete version of Trapped in the Closet. This next song is more tolerable.



It's the Bon festival again, Kyon realizes he's been there before.

Yuki buys another superhero mask, and this time she moves it to the side of her head after correctly getting it on her face. I wonder what her view is on the sinister purpose behind aglets.

 Haruhi gives Kyon a piece of takoyaki, and they decide to set off fireworks again. I have blown through the first 10 minutes of your 6th go-round, Kyoto Animation. Your cruel mistreatment of your fans cannot win!


 So, they do the fireworks. Kyon asks about the summer homework; and Haruhi says she did hers in 3 days. I've had a good lunch and another liter of Code Red; I can get through this real fast. 


 Now it's gotten to the part with the cicada-catching again. Now, many viewers, myself included, have expressed sympathy for fans disappointed with the Endless 8 who watched these episodes as they air. I'm not the only one that hated the show this time; this arc singlehandedly ignited a backlash against Haruhi Suzumiya and the moe character type as a whole. Even the Disappearance movie couldn't keep the franchise afloat for a third season.

 Haruhi won again, Kyon makes the Pandora's box analogy again. Incredible. I watched Elfen Lied a while ago, and I'm about halfway through it. And you know what? An anime about a diclonus and a look at the human condition had more jokes in it than an anime about Haruhi Suzumiya? Do you understand this?! I find superpowered young women ripping each other apart and making people that cross them explode funnier than the antics of a high school-aged god figure! You have done something seriously wrong with this arc, Kyoto Animation! Bravo!

It's these damn frogs again! This is seriously getting on my nerves! This next song is from a much funnier use of a frog puppet.



 Kyon again compares the work to a mecha series. Word of advice to you, and all budding filmmakers: don't reference a good work in your shitty work. Remember when Laserblast took a shot at Star Wars? Star Wars became one of the most beloved films of all time and people only really know about Laserblast from the MST3K version. How about when Warriors of Virtue took a shot at Power Rangers? Power Rangers is celebrating its 20th season, and nobody really knows about Warriors of Virtue (ironically, that joke also served to pinpoint the film as one of the most blatant Power Rangers knockoffs in cinematic history). Even now, Sony tried to sell their Playstation Vita by claiming it has more than just Mario games; conveniently ignoring that Super Mario 3D Land has sold over 6 million copies, over a third of the 3DS' user base, and has outsold the entire catalog of Vita games (not one of which has broken 1 million units).

Once again, the pay is the suits. This time, Kyon cannot even emote at this development. If I didn't before, if I were Kyon, this would be the point where I tried to strangle Haruhi; kind of like how Shinji tried to strangle Asuka in End of Evangelion. Yes, I'm definitely finishing Evangelion and watching End of Evangelion when I'm done. I've only been able to see it on YouTube and other video-sharing sites since DVDs are incredibly rare and expensive.  A used copy on Amazon goes for $250; and that's a LOW price.


 Time for the phone call in the middle of the night. And for "I Got You Babe".


Mikuru breaks down, Koizumi finishes the call and says to come to the station. Next!

Once again, Mikuru cannot return to the future. The viewers share your feelings, Mikuru.

The time has come for Koizumi's explanation of the loop again. I'm sparing you so you won't have to put up with this nonsense.



Once again, Kyon cannot believe Koizumi can say something like that with a smile on his face. I get the feeling he's simply trying to hide his pain.

It gets to Mikuru's part of the explanation. It feels like I'm watching her having a mental breakdown after being abused by Haruhi.

The loop resets on September 1; and they're the only ones that know it. I have gotten a lot better at keeping track of the details.

Haruhi is fully aware of what's going on, fully aware that she's torturing her acquaintances; exploiting their goodwill for her amusement. I simply cannot suspend disbelief enough to call them "friends". I have lived through a boy who's always 10 coming across mystical creatures, a rubber man who wants to be king of the pirates; and my favorite anime is one that ends with planets being used as weapons, and I cannot comprehend why they put up with Haruhi for all the hateful and near-criminal actions she commits.

Although Koizumi believes she feels regret; I am adamant in my belief that Haruhi is instead toying with them because she finds it amusing. It's like the Star Trek episode "The Squire of Gothos"; in which an omnipotent count plays with the Enterprise crew as living toys. Sadly, I don't think Haruhi has any parents to tell her off and make her apologize for what she did; though I think if she had her own deities/higher powers to report to, that would be funny. That if there were other spiritual bodies acting as her mother and father that made her apologize for everything she did.

No, Koizumi instead reaffirms that it's just remnants of the memories from before. Yeah, right! And I'm Johnny Yong Bosch, one of my favorite Power Rangers turned one of my favorite anime voice actors! Time for another liter of Code Red!

Kyon again asks if Haruhi senses any of this. She probably does, and is now using that to fulfill her desires.

Once again, it's Yuki who knows everything. I am so disappointed that Haruhi Suzumiya got the media franchise named for her, then ran it to the ground with this arc. The Spectacular Yuki Nagato is one that I would have been more interested in.
Now, we have reached the 15,524th repetition of the loop; and the next level of Hell. Time for what my heavy metal albums think of the place.


Yuki begins listing the outcome of each event; and Kyon stops her. I take another dose of Zyrtec. Kyon wonders how it must feel to repeat that loop. Very nice, I've managed to blow through most of the episode. I only have a little over 2 episodes to get through, I intend to get through this.

It's time for stargazing again, and Haruhi wants to look for UFOs.


 Haruhi and Mikuru are out, as Kyon asks what Haruhi wants to do. I was saving this for the end of the arc, but I think it calls for the song sooner.

 They go goby fishing again, and we even get the old cliché of someone catching a boot.

They went to the beach, and to the movies.

So, now they're back at the restaurant. They're finished with their list. You know this is where everything goes to pants again.

Once again, when Haruhi asks if there's anything else, no one says anything. Once again, when she heads out the door, Kyon does nothing to stop her. This is highly preventable, and yet you continue to do nothing.

Once again, Kyon has grown so despondent that he can't do his homework, and just lies in bed.


"Endless 8 Part 6" reaches another level of banality for an already intolerable arc. It becomes increasingly clear that the characters are aware of what's going on, yet have become the poster children for bystander syndrome (a trait which I don't believe in, by the way). I am getting through this slag and that's all there is to it! I will be finished soon and ready to move on! See you space cowboy!

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.