A new illustration and a trailer for Kyoto Animation‘s The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya anime have been released to commemorate its 20th anniversary. The former was drawn by the light novels’ illustrator Noizi Ito.
©2007、2008、2009 谷川 流・いとうのいぢ/SOS団 ©Nagaru Tanigawa, Noizi Ito/KADOKAWA
Other recent 20th anniversary announcements include a music box, the start of pre-orders for a Haruhi Suzumiya anniversary version figure, and an exhibition in Tokyo.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is based on the light novel series written by Nagaru Tanigawa, with the premise involving an eccentric teenage girl who unknowingly possesses reality-affecting powers that draw the attention of other extraordinary beings. The anime started with a 2006 TV series directed by Tatsuya Ishihara (Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to be Loved, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S, Amagi Brilliant Park) and character designs by the late Shoko Ikeda (Sound! Euphonium). A second series featuring the original 14 episodes with new ones, including those comprising the “Endless Eight” arc, began airing in 2009. 2010 saw the release of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya anime movie.
The 2006 anime’s credits list the titular character Haruhi as “super director” and Suzumiya Haruhi to Yukai na Nakamtachi (Haruhi Suzumiya and Her Happy Friends) as the series composers.
The Haruhi Suzumiya light novel series began in 2003 and has 13 volumes as of 2024. The books are published under the Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko label/imprint. Yen Press describes the synopsis of the first volume, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, as such:
When Haruhi Suzumiya introduces herself to Kyon by asking if he’s an alien, time traveler, or psychic, he knows his chances for a normal high school experience are ruined. Bold Haruhi takes a shine to him, and uses the force of her irrepressible personality to draft him into her club to find paranormal beings. Kyon soon discovers what she’s looking for: Haruhi herself has the power to destroy and create entire universes at her whim. But if she knew about her ability, it could spell disaster for everyone.
Outside the main light novel series, there are Haruhi Suzumiya manga — including the spin-off The Disappearance of Yuki Nagato, which has a Satelight-produced anime — and video games.
As part of the 20th anniversary commemorations, a rebroadcast of the 2006 episodes started in Japan on March 30, while the 2009 version and the movie came to Netflix Japan on April 1.
Source: @haruhi_official
