Review By Jong Chung
The Haruhi Suzumiya series should be familiar to most anime and manga fans. At various anime conventions, one can often see a large group of amateur performers that would bust out a (roughly) 4 minute dance with accompanying music playing in the background somewhere. In cosplay, more often than not. Even if one is not a fan of this particular series, it is hard not to be affected by its very existence, as it has become such a huge name within the anime and manga world.
While there are many factors that contribute to its success, the most significant one would be because of how simply great the source material is. I would hope most fans of the series are aware by now that the series they love (and worship!) first came in the form of light novels. Surprising? It should not be, if you have been keeping up with the previous reviews. Many light novel series have spawned or influenced manga, anime, and even spin off series. (As is the case with the Haruhi Suzumiya series.) I may very well be mistaken, but The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (the title of the first novel in the series, and the name of the anime as well) is the most popular of light novel-turned-anime series over here in the West. I hesitate to say the same for Japan, as there are just so many great light novels to compare with, but it certainly does have its loyal followers on the other side of the globe as well.
Make no mistake, readers. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is a novel like any other. Like all things, it has a place it begins – and ends. In the case of this volume, most of the novel is spent covering the formation of (strange) bonds. The protagonist, who goes by the nickname “Kyon,” is caught unawares when he is whirled up into the life of (surprise!) Haruhi Suzumiya. More introductions follow, however, as three more members are drawn together to form a brigade of supernaturals. (To Haruhi's ignorance.) This should all sound familiar to most who are up to date with the anime and manga world. However, and thankfully, there is action and development to be had. It just so happens that perhaps to the surprise of those that are not familiar with the novels already, the story progression happens in a slightly linear sequence of having every major character introduced before any real plot begins. Perhaps it is done to a fault if only analyzed in a very economical manner, but it does not detriment the story in any significant manner. What keeps me engaged to light novels happens to be the fresh writing not often found in western literature, and one that caters to the tastes of the typical anime/manga fan. Which I happen to be. With that having been said, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya does a good job of getting that done. If anything, I would say the best part of the series happens to be the sarcastic and charming nature of Kyon's narrative. It is a style that keeps things brisk and thankfully in this case, without an issue in pace or limitation in perspective.
Do I recommend this book? Certainly. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. This may come as a surprise, but I do not believe most fans will find it as thrilling as the anime was. This is also a rare case that I place equal weight on both the novel and its anime adaptation. This, coupled with the fact that it lacks the kind of action found in most “shonen” series, it is no surprise the Haruhi Suzumiya novels may find a much smaller, dedicated audience in the west. I may be wrong (and I do pray that I am) but that is the impression I have of the audience around me. Still, in the end, if you are a fan of the Haruhi Suzumiya series then by all means–go buy the source material!
© 2010 Linda Thai
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