The Rewatching and Second Blogathon of Haruhi Suzumiya continues. Previous post on this episode was pretty skimpy as I was actively trying to limit the number of screencaps and had not converted to Yukiism at the time. Headline image celebrates the debut of the bunny girl costume and Kyon’s thought that he’d like to see Yuki in one too. Nothing to add on episode shuffling as the only difference between the anime broadcast (Ep 2 to 3) and the chronological order (I to II) is that the former is preceded by The Adventures of Mikuru Asahina.
Onward to some creditless Yuki screencaps from the OP:
Yuki’s eye blink reminded me a lot of Rei Ayanami’s eyeblink in the Evangelion OP. Would have been an even louder echo if the image of Yuki seated, reading her book by the window was reflected in that eye.
Interesting choice of line from MoHS VI, instead of, say “Sleeping Beauty” - I really like this line as it’s unusually proactive (to ask Kyon out) and individual (expressing her own suggestion) and funny (the library being the most fun thing to Yuki and her child-like assumption that Kyon will also enjoy it as much as her).
Interesting how this scene follows the drawing of the knife (by Ryoko). It suggests to me that Yuki was suddenly sensed her backup’s attack on Kyon and her alarm as she dropped a precious book in her rush to intervene.
Sadly, this is the only time we saw Yuki in bloomers. In Boredom, she was always in her tracksuit (which was quite cute as well) but would have liked more Yuki custome variety in the anime itself, e.g. that cheerleader custome. :)
As it turns out, Yuki is more than capable of taking care of herself and those around her. Not that she would mind Haruhi’s antics anyway.
This scene bothered me a bit when I first saw it - is it a Japanese thing that you can tell a computer’s specs just by looking at the casing or is it just Haruhi is really l33t? [ Side note: I just installed a 1 GB RAM module (photo, 200-pin DDR SO-DIMM by Transcend via Orca Logic for GBP 73.50 - half of HP/Compaq's price, OEM direct purchase 4tw! Yuki wallpaper 4tw!) to help out the basic built-in RAM of 256 MB. ]
Also the anime makes Kyon less culpable than in the novel where he had been briefed on the plan by Haruhi before hand and was the camera man.
And despite all my panning of Mikuru for being a flower vase (i.e. good to look at but basically quite useless), I wondered how she could tell Yuki’s real identity just by looking at her. Perhaps it’s that earpiece attachment we saw in Boredom (when she, Yuki and Itsuki detected the creation of closed space)?
As one of my colleagues once said: “If it’s isn’t on the internet, it can’t be important.” LOL
Yuki’s look seems to have softened considerably compared to MoHS I. Other second round impressions: Tiny hands, very short skirt. -_-;;
Kyon, giver of false hope. Haha.
Kyon and Mikuru’s gasps of horror at Haruhi locking the door was still funny second-time round.
“Definitely best dressed evil feudal lord,” was what I thought. Liked how Kyon’s vision immediately centred on her breasts and hips. Could have done with a close-up on her fopping bunny ears.
“What about Nagato?” indeed. Thus the headline image.
Yuki would fit right into the Civil Service. “This problem is outside of my job scope. I am already doing you a favour by pointing it to you.”
Kyon definitely still equal potato at this stage. Quite a contrast with MoHS VI.
Oooh. Haruhi pout and frown cute. Very cute.
I like Kyon’s thinking here. :P
And this emphasizes how Mikuru’s futile resistance only increases Haruhi’s fun.
Kyon and Haruhi have definitely gone down different paths in their development with respect to wanting adventures with aliens, time travellers and ESPers. Oddly enough, what actually happens is a blending of both worldviews to co-exist within one narrative.
The rest of the Yuki screencaps that I missed out last time round. Damn, Kyon is such a lucky guy - Mikuru and even Yuki make tea for him!
I was never able to understand the meaning of the falling book in the opening… thanks for pointing that out. Didn’t quite grasp the significance of “mata toshokan ni” either, even after seeing the relevant episode. I mean, asking someone out in the middle of such a dire emergency? “Oh, and Kyon, if the universe as we know it doesn’t cease to exist, I’d like to visit the library with you again.”
I think the reason that Mikuru recognizes Yuki is that all three have been briefed on their mission - observe Haruhi - and were told of their rivals who are also on the scene. Likely they had sort of a ‘we’ll just avoid each other’ sort of truce. This plan was ruined by Kyon, who gave Haruhi the idea for the club, and thus forced all the others together. Note Mikuru instantly caves after seeing Yuki - she must figure if Yuki is already breaking the ‘treaty’, then it’s null and void.
I want to know Kyon’s thoughts when he sees Itsuki in a bunnysuit.
Skane: Probably the same as when he saw the Hard Gay cosplayer in the festival ep.
Although I do wonder why Yuki’s skirt IS so short…. and why Zyl would focus on that fact - it’s like something an AoMM reader would notice, really. :D
Still… out of all the characters in the club, I suspect part of Yuki’s appeal IS the fact that she’s still mysterious after all those episodes, even after revealing what she was - Mikuru’s mystery is more in where she comes from, rather than ‘who she is’. Even after all those episodes, we barely know anything about Yuki, which combined with her megane/non-megane appeal and quiet nature seems to make her more attractive to many fans (myself included) than Mikuru, whose more obvious charms take a second place to those of Mysterious Book Girl Alien.
Haesslich: Her mystery appeal is a factor, but Yuki is awesome becasue of her I33t computer gaming skills and data manipulation talents. Before Zyl condems Yuki to a life of paper pushing for Singapore I would have her fix the bloody programs DHS and DOD release every fiscal year with so called “improvements.” Well back to the books.
Crusader: She has skillz, yes - but that’s just one side of her. She’s omnicompetent, or seemingly so, but I suspect her mysterious nature draws in more fans than Mikuru’s ample charms or Haruhi’s godlike powers and moe-inducing frown.
And some may like her because she’s loli. :D
Sorry, going completely off topic here, but I just had to ask…Is buying your RAM via the internet much cheaper than just going down to Sim Lim Square? I would think it would be cheaper there, and getting warranty replacements would be much easier.
Haesslich
And some may like her because she’s loli
3 years old is toddler-con, my friend.
The problem with this Yuki-centric post is that it still isn’t enough Yuki.
I often wonder if I’ll ever be sated.
Oddly enough, I spotted something on Danbooro that’s somewhat related to the topic: Yuki. I think a bored person wanted to improve on the ‘optical-mouse waving’ GIF that’s been floating around the net…
http://danbooru.donmai.us/post/view/54594
andrew, in that context, I think it was: “Please come back to our world. I’d like to go to the library with you again.”
Sean G, the mutual avoidance theory does make sense. Observe Haruhi from a distance but do not get directly involved as it’s too risky. SOS-Dan then changes everything as Her will cannot be defied.
re: the mystery factor in Yuki’s appeal, it does allow fans to read a lot of our own wishes and fantasies into her than Mikuru or Haruhi. The ‘looks lolicious but behaves very mature’ aspect helps too. :P
bakavic, I would go down to Sim Lim Sq if I could but I’d first have to take a 13 hours flight from the UK. In any case, the hardwarezone quote for the same thing was still SGD 2 more expensive than my online purchase. ;)
flower vase seems to be a more meaningful term than moe :P
anyway, there’s also a yuki waving mouse animated gif here. I forgot if my friend actually compiled that himself.
Yeah, thanks for pointing out the eyes blinking, for me its actually, for me its yuki in witch hat eyes blinking ( wind) = bliss.
oooops, i forgot to post the link:
http://pimpro.uberitz.net/?act=3
anyway, your blog now has a pretty nice transition interface when the blog reply is posting.
my apologies….i realised the link doesnt go to the direct thread… its under:
PimpRO General> Updates 11th July 2006
I’m very sure its obvious who is me ;)
[quote]
I would go down to Sim Lim Sq if I could but I’d first have to take a 13 hours flight from the UK.
[/quote]
Haha - I always thought you were based in S’pore, along with Stripey - my mistake ;) (Or you’re in UK for studies or something? I keep having this idea that you have to be S’porean…)
[quote]
In any case, the hardwarezone quote for the same thing was still SGD 2 more expensive than my online purchase. ;)
[/quote]
Comparing dollar-to-dollar (rather, dollar-to-pound) is no fair! *Grumbles about poor SGD value* If you convert GBP to SGD, it will be cheaper here…
Anyways, back to topic - crimson, yup, I also felt that Yuki conveys tons of emotions through her eyes and facial expressions - Rei is the truly emotionless one, now when you compare them side by side.
I think the K2 add-on provides the comment transition - I gotta test it on my blog one of these days - AJAX 4tw.
crimson, there are also a couple of shopped gifs out there with Yuki waving other things like PSP controller I think…
bakavic, yeah I am from Sg, now in London for postgrad. re: memory module: GBP 73.50 x 2.9 = SGD 213.15 which is less than the Sim Lim quote of SGD 215. And the former is inclusive of 17.5% Value Added Tax and P&P. :)