Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu ep.9

May 30, 2006 | 25 Comments

It's through this episode you can see why they did all of those little ads during the Asahina Mikuru film. This episode also feels nicely slice-of-life in comparison to the other hectic episodes. It's probably a turn off for some but I like the change of pace. Having said that, this episode looks as if it was made to cut down some cost before the upcoming big episodes. There are many shots and composition which are clearly designed so that the animators don't have to spend too much budget on details. When that fails, they stick in a stationary scenes like Yuki reading books for around 3 minutes with some background noises. If you think Evangelion episode 24 had too many of these, you'll think the same way with this episode. As a side note, I finally managed to get a high-res version of the episode so the large images are here now.

Revised timeline

The episode begins with Kyon narrating how the cultural festival and all of the chaos that is associated with it is finally over. The end of the cultural festival, however, is followed by the arrival of winter, suggesting that it's near December. After the credit is over, Kyon is seen in the middle of a card game with Itsuki while Mikuru knits something and Yuki reads a book. Kyon makes a comment about how SOS-Dan keeps getting caught up in various incidents. Having said that, they don't actually encounter these extraordinary situations everyday. Kyon is thankful for this because he thinks his body will crumble if these extraordinary events happen everyday. As he looks around his surrounding, Kyon realises that without Haruhi around it's really nice and quiet. He, however, also wonders if it's actually too quiet. As he ponders about this, the camera zooms in on a photos collection taken when the group went on their Island trip together.

Upon reflection, Kyon thinks that it's been about half a year since he met Haruhi and Mikuru. Ever since then, Kyon and the others have been involved in various incidents, some of them were caused by Haruhi while others were not. He thinks that most of these events usually started when Haruhi barged in through the door while the other members are trying to relax like they are now. Kyon's narration, however, stops to a halt when Haruhi barges in through the door as she always does, announcing that she has great news. Kyon immediately bitches about the fact that Haruhi's idea of great news usually is not so great on him and Mikuru. If only Kyon knows what will happen soon. After taking her seat, Haruhi tells the other that the electronic store who became their movie sponsor offered to provide heating. Apparently the guy forgot that he'd put last year unsold unit into storage so he asks Haruhi if SOS-Dan would like the heater since he was planning to throw it away.

Kyon, however, thinks that it's unlikely that an electronic store will ring Haruhi and tells her about this wonderful offer. This means that Haruhi somehow managed to prey the item from the owner. Kyon is even more annoyed when Haruhi tells him that because of this offer, she needs Kyon to go and pick up the heater. Kyon immediately complains about the fact that Haruhi's request means that he has to go up and down the hill that he walks through everyday, then take a train twice while carrying the heater. Haruhi confirms her order and tells Kyon to hurry up or else the guy may change his mind. Besides, she thinks that Kyon has nothing to do anyway. Kyon can't help himself looking exasperated since he believes that those who comes to this room is automatically marked as having free time. Because of this he asks Haruhi why doesn't she go herself. In reply, Haruhi tells him that she has something to do before grinning like a cheshire cat.

Haruhi then argues that Itsuki is Vice Leader while Kyon is just a member. Since she likes the idea of having subordinates working hard while the leaders slack around, Haruhi decides that SOS-Dan has to follow this rule. Kyon eventually gives up and decides to go since the request is quite reasonable and moreoever, he has always wanted a heater for the room. Upon seeing Kyon's reaction, Mikuru immediately tells him that she'll come with him. Unfortunately for the two, Haruhi tells Mikuru that she needs her to stay behind. Mikuru is disappointed but in retaliation decides to put her scarf around Kyon neck. Kyon looks happy with Mikuru's action but the two once again are interrupted by a very jealous Haruhi who orders Kyon to go right away. Once Kyon leaves the room and the school ground, Haruhi reveals that she wanted Kyon out of the way so she can take pictures of Mikuru for Asahina Mikuru no Bouken DVD jacket.

Mikuru is shocked to hear this because she thought Haruhi had already given up on the idea. But as it turns out, Haruhi only pretended to give up because back then Kyon was being annoying about it. But now that he's gone, there's no one that stands between Haruhi and her coveted DVD Jacket. Mikuru tries to ask Itsuki for protection but unfortunately for her, Itsuki doesn't swing that way. Meanwhile, Kyon is seen walking down the hill while mentioning the fact that the first time he went up and down these hills to go to school he got tired of it. After half a year, however, he quickly became used to it. Kyon suddenly stops in his track and wonders what Haruhi is doing at the moment inside the club room. He hopes that Haruhi is not bored and starts using Mikuru as her plaything. Unfortunately for Kyon, that is exactly what is happening inside the club room. In fact, Haruhi asks Itsuki's co-operation to hold the Mirror. She then orders Mikuru to strike sexier smile.

After getting some good shots with Mikuru's maid costume, Haruhi orders the other girl to change into her playboy bunny suit. Mikuru tries her best to resist and Itsuki, who doesn't get excited seeing girl stripping another girl, decides to sip his tea outside the room. Yuki, who enjoys seeing a bunch of text instead of another biological interface, prefers to look into the locker. Haruhi, on the other hand, enjoys stripping Mikuru down and makes comment about how Mikuru's bazoomas has now grown even bigger! She thinks Mikuru now looks like a dynamite. Despite being able to hear the girls' moan and scream from outside the room, Itsuki, indicates that he's far more concerned with the fact that his tea has gotten cold. Eventually, Mikuru ends up wearing her bunny suit despite the fact that she feels cold and embarassed about it. Haruhi, however, tells the girl that she needs to be more confident about herself since Haruhi chose her as the school's mascot.

While Haruhi changes Mikuru's outfit into a nurse one, Kyon misses all of the excitement and ends up sitting alone waiting for the train. Inside the club room, Haruhi asks Mikuru to now change into a froggie costume but Mikuru reminds Haruhi that neither the nurse and the froggie costume were in the movie. Because of this, she wonders if the pictures are really for the DVD cover. Haruhi tells Mikuru that's the truth but she just got an idea not too long ago that they have enough pictures to put a picturebook. Because of this Haruhi asks Koizumi "Yes, Mam" Itsuki what he thinks of her idea. Of course Itsuki thinks it's a wonderful idea. Haruhi, however, has a better idea. Since they're going to release a DVD, they should tack in some special bonus footage. And oh, Kyon eventually manages to get into a train and heads towards his destination. Too bad for him because Haruhi is in the middle of playing 'strip them all' with Mikuru while singing Hare Hare Yukai.

A few minutes later, Kyon arrives at the electronic store and is given the heater that the owner promised to Haruhi. He asks Kyon if the girls are doing well so Kyon remarks that one of them is doing well and cause problem for everyone else. Kyon also asks the owner if the commercial helped his business a little bit. Unfortunately for the guy, nothing seems to have changed. Upon hearing this Kyon realises that a commercial placed inside a student film screened at school's cultural festival doesn't have that many audiences. In fact, Kyon was surprised that this guy sponsored the whole film. The owner then tells Kyon if they really are making a sequel as Haruhi told him over the phone. Kyon has no choice but to tell the owner that if Haruhi said that then it's most likely true. The store owner informs Kyon that Haruhi has actually asked him to sponsor the next film as well and the heater is actually an advanced payment for it. So that's how Haruhi got the heater.

Meanwhile, it's obvious that Yuki is the only person left inside the club room because everyone else is still busy shooting extra footage for the DVD. While she's reading the book, various voices come out from outside the door either reciting spelling technique or quotes from various anime series such as Rose of Versailles and The Glass Mask. Back to Kyon, he's now looking like a tired, middle-age salariman on his way back from work. He eventually gets off the train and meets Taniguchi and Kunikuda who are on their way home. Taniguchi immediately makes fun of the fact that Kyon is probably carrying the item based on Haruhi's order. Kyon laments the fact that after only half a year, his classmates already able to tell his position in SOS-Dan. Kunikuda finds it hard to believe that Kyon is going back all the way to school but nevertheless asks Kyon to do his best. Kyon then continues his journey while praying that it won't rain anytime soon.

Unfortunately, as soon as he said this, the rain pours rather heavily. Kyon tells himself that he never wants to be in that room more than he is now. He especially longs for Mikuru's tea as soon as possible to warm his body and soul. Inside the club room, Yuki is startled when Tsuruya suddenly opens the door and asks if Mikuru is around. Because of this Yuki points out that everyone has gone downstairs. Tsuruya eventually finds Mikuru in the middle of being photographed by Haruhi. Because of this, she decides to join in her classmates' photo shoot. Meanwhile, Kyon manages to go all the way back to school and now finds himself wet from the rain. Tsuruya, who happens to pass by, decides to give her handkerchief so Kyon can dry himself. She also tells Kyon to return it when he returns the scarf to Mikuru. Kyon then makes his way back to the club room only to find Yuki in it because everyone else is in the gym shooting additional footage for the DVD.

While Haruhi teaches Mikuru the finer point of stick throwing, Kyon is worried about them. However, since he's tired and wet, he decides to remain in the room and turn on the heater to warm himself. Kyon is eventually falls asleep due to his fatigue. A few minutes later, Kyon is awake and is surprised to see Haruhi's face so close to his own. Haruhi is clearly embarassed to be caught red-handed by Kyon but Kyon is too tired and actually thinks that Haruhi tried to draw something on his face. Haruhi informs him that everyone else has gone home but she stayed behind because it looks like Kyon is not waking up anytime soon and she can't leave without locking the door. She then asks Kyon to return her cardigan, which Kyon realises is located on his shoulder. He's even more surprised to find another cardigan on him and wonders who could possibly put it on his shoulder. Haruhi then asks him to go home and when Kyon tells her that he has no umbrella, she points out that she has one. Because of this, the two end up walking together in the rain.

Impression:

Despite its slice-of-life theme, the episode actually has a rather nice pace and doesn't feel slow at all. The only problem that I have with the episode is the repeated use of long shot and static scenes. I am not a big fan of such scenes (although too many close ups are not good either) since you can barely see the detail of the show. But I supposed that is the intention of the animators: so they didn't have to draw too many scenes in great details. Despite my objection, I have to admit that it's an effective cost-saving measure and doesn't really detract the quality that much. I am also quite impressed with the background music, especially the piece that plays once Kyon returns to the club room and turns on the heater. The story itself is pretty simple and when one thinks about it, was only about Haruhi trying to take a picture of Mikuru, Kyon taking a heater, and Haruhi placing cardigan on Kyon. It feels so simple but it's nice to see everyone just doing normal activities.

I was rather amused to see how annoyed everyone looks when Haruhi suddenly appeared at the start of the episode. It looks as if they had the realisation that the calm and peace that they had not too long ago is suddenly robbed once Haruhi arrives. I also can't help but feeling sorry for the electrical store owner, who doesn't seem to get any benefit from having his store advertise in the film. I think it shows how grim reality can be when contrasted to the extraordinary life that Haruhi and her friends lead. The part where Haruhi got caught red-handed while covering Kyon with her cardigan was such a nice scene. It really shows that despite what she says, she actually cares a lot for Kyon. One thing that of interest to me was how Mikuru and Kyon are noticeably closer after the filming of Asahina Mikuru no Bouken, suggesting that all of those longing and shy looks Mikuru shown in the film was actually reserved for Kyon instead of her acting as her character.

On next week's episode: Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu 4! aka Haruhi's episode 4 or Kyon's episode 10. *sigh* the timeline really needs a rework. Because the likelihood KyoAni is going to put something between this episode and its continuation is quite high.

© memento 2003