Novels that the anime is based on Rank Highly on Best Seller List

The first seven Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu novels by Nagaru Tanigawa, on which the new TV series is based, have ranked highly on Amazon Japan’s best seller list.

The books, which were released between June 2003 and August 2005 have been ranked 5-11 for a week now on a list that updates every hour. They are kept out of the top spot only by the pre-order of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and various editions of The Davinci Code.

The novels rank in their release order (from volume 1 in fifth position to volume 7 in eleventh position).

The newest book in the series, The Indignation of Haruhi Suzumiya (Suzumiya Haruhi no Fungai, released on April 28, is not yet ranked in Amazon’s best sellers list.

• The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya ( Suzumiya Haruhi no Y?utsu?)Published on June 6, 2003 (ISBN 4-04-429201-9) Haruhi forms the SOS Brigade.
• The Sighs of Haruhi Suzumiya ( Suzumiya Haruhi no Tameiki?)Published on September 30, 2003 (ISBN 4-04-429202-7) The SOS Brigade films a movie for the school cultural festival.
• The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya (Suzumiya Haruhi no Taikutsu?)Published on December 27, 2003 (ISBN 4-04-429203-5) A collection of short stories.
• The Vanishing of Haruhi Suzumiya (Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu?)Published on July 31, 2004 (ISBN 4-04-429204-3) Haruhi vanishes one day, and it seems like she was never there. Confronted by a “normal” school life, how does Kyon react?
• The Rampage of Haruhi Suzumiya (Suzumiya Haruhi no Bousou?)Published on September 30, 2004 (ISBN 4-04-429205-1) A collection of short stories, taking place in summer, autumn, and winter.
• The Agitation of Haruhi Suzumiya (Suzumiya Haruhi no Douyou?)Published on March 31, 2005 (ISBN 4-04-429206-X) A collection of short stories.
• The Intrigues of Haruhi Suzumiya (Suzumiya Haruhi no Inbou?)Published on August 31, 2005 (ISBN 4-04-429207-8) Mikuru from eight days later shows up before Kyon, and she was sent back in time by Kyon himself. Why?
• The Indignation of Haruhi Suzumiya (Suzumiya Haruhi no Fungai?)Published on May 1, 2006 (ISBN 4-04-429208-6)

Please note: Suzumiya Haruhi no Fungai was previously translated in this article as The Resentment of Suzumiya Haruhi but has been changed to The Indignation of Haruhi Suzumiya, we feel this is a more appropriate translation.

SOS Brigade members

Haruhi Suzumiya

Haruhi Suzumiya is a girl in her first year of high school, as well as the title character and main focus of the anime series. She is characterized by her classmates as: eccentric, beautiful and explosive. She is very athletic, and her grades are described as “better than others”. Her social life is non-existent - she detests small talk and is viewed by others in her class as a deviant. She appears to be interested only in aliens, people with supernatural powers (espers), time travelers and sliders (dimensional travellers), with no desire to mingle with normal humans, even going so far as to found the SOS brigade to try to meet and play with them.Before she formed the SOS Brigade, she joined every single club in her high school to find out if they were worth her time or not. Incidentally, she ended up quiting every single one only after a couple of days because they weren’t interesting enough for her. However, many of the clubs wanted her to stay, especially the athletic clubs since she is a natural at sports and physical activities.Haruhi is regarded by several groups as the cause of an incident approximately 3 years ago before she entered high school. These groups believe that there was a crack in the space-time continuum which is related to Haruhi. They also believe that Haruhi gifted selected lifeforms, the ‘Espers’, with supernatural powers to control ‘closed space’. They also believe that Haruhi is the first technological singularity to be spontaneously born in the universe. Haruhi drew the attention of these groups; the data entity aliens, a future human civilization with advanced time traveling technology, and a group of ‘Espers’ who spontaneously developed powers during the incident. They were drawn to Haruhi, respectively; by an off-the-scale data spike, inability to time travel to any date before the incident, and an inherent knowledge of the origin of their new powers.

Kyon

Kyon is one of Haruhi’s companions, and the second founding member of the SOS Brigade. His name since then has become intricately entangled with Haruhi’s. Cynical and sarcastic, Kyon is the sole voice of reason in the SOS Brigade, sometimes having to take charge if Haruhi gets too much out of hand and unreasonable. He is the only “normal” human in the SOS Brigade.The name Kyon is actually a nickname bestowed upon him by his aunt. His sister is responsible for spreading its use to his schoolmates, much to the chagrin of Kyon, who misses being called Onii-chan, meaning “older brother”. His real name remains unknown.Although the title of the series implies that Haruhi Suzumiya is the main character, the story is actually told from Kyon’s point of view.

John Smith
John Smith is a fake name used by Kyon in a time travel. He once travelled back to three years ago and met Haruhi at that time. He told Haruhi his name is “John Smith” in order to hide his identity. (”John Smith” seems to be a reference to John Smith of Jamestown, but in the novel he is incorrectly credited as the first person who discovered the Americas.)

Yuki Nagato

The only member of the club not recruited by Haruhi, Yuki Nagato was originally the lone remaining member of the Literary Club, but became a part of the SOS Brigade when Haruhi forcibly took over the club room. Yuki is short, succinct, emotionless, seeming to avoid speaking at all, though she will give a concise answer when need be. In addition to a love of books and knowledge, she also enjoys working with computer software.Yuki is in fact not a human, but a “humanoid interface” sent by the galaxy-wide group of information synthesis thought-entities to investigate the cause of the “explosion of information” three years ago which far exceeded anything they have ever observed. She is capable of manipulating data, which can have an effect upon the physical world itself. She used to wear glasses, but she lost them in an incident involving classmate Ryoko Asakura.

Mikuru Asahina

Mikuru Asahina is Haruhi’s senpai and a time-traveller. She was “voluntarily arrested” by Haruhi, who was searching for potential members, and caught Mikuru daydreaming in a second-year classroom. Mikuru was forced to leave the Calligraphy Club to join the SOS Brigade instead.The primary reasons for Haruhi wanting Mikuru to join were her moé appeal, lolita-like face and large bust. Haruhi believes that a mascot-like “loli character” needs to be around for anything extraordinary to happen.Mikuru’s character is cute and she has a childish naïveté when compared to the rest.The future human society had sent Mikuru to investigate the cause of the turmoil in the space-time continuum three years ago which prevents them from time traveling any further back than that point.

Mikuru Asahina (big)
An older Mikuru Asahina, from farther into the future. Referred to as Asahina-san (big) by Kyon, in order to diferentiate between the older and younger versions. The younger Asahina is referred to as Asahina-san (small) ( Asahina-san (Sh?)?) when the older Mikuru is around.

Mikuru Asahina (Mikuru) (Asahina Mikuru (Mikiru)?)
In the 7th novel of the series, Mikuru was being sent back to 2 weeks ago by Kyon to save herself. When she was looking for a place to stay, Kyon told Tsuruya that this Mikuru is the long lost twin sister of the Mikuru of that time plane.

Itsuki Koizumi

Itsuki Koizumi is a “mysterious transfer student” with supernatural powers and a membership in a secret association known simply as “The Agency” (Lit. “The Organization”) which consists of special humans (espers) who gained unique ESP-like powers three years ago, that have been actively protecting humanity by fighting the “Divine Ones”. He has a constant smile and seems to accept any and all of Haruhi’s quirks without flinching or even seeming to doubt Haruhi’s actions, apparently because he is trying to keep Haruhi entertained so she doesn’t get bored and perhaps destroy the universe. Itsuki often gives long detailed explanations, along with exaggerated hand movements, as seen in the movie created by the club. He also has a habit of bringing different kinds of board games into the clubroom, although it is often pointed out by Kyon that he’s no good at them.Itsuki was sent to observe and protect Haruhi by “The Agency”. Haruhi got him to join the SOS Brigade because he qualifies as a “mysterious transfer student” by her standards.

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Once again my review, it’s been a while!
This time it is sport Anime… with romance of course.

Directed by Hiroshi Fukutomi
Studio Comet
Broadcasted in TV Tokyo
Original run 6 July 2005 – 28 December 2005
No. of episodes 26

This series ended in 26th episodes. It was a year old aniways but worth to review for the one who haven’t watch this. It is a story of a country boy who begin his highschool life in Tokyo at her auntie’s dorm. It is quite good actually, unless you are started to pissed off by the heroines. Oh, well… here it is:

Plot
The plot is based on a young man, Yamato Akitsuki, who moves from his rural home in Hiroshima prefecture to live at his aunt’s apartment building/indoor bath complex in Tokyo and attend the local athletics-orientated high school. Before arriving at his new home he walks past his new school and sees a young girl practicing high jump at the track field.
He falls in love with her at first sight and does not expect to see her again. However, he soon discovers she is Suzuka Asahina, one of the occupants of his aunt’s apartment. Because of Suzuka, Yamato discovers that he has the potential to become an impressive track star and joins the team in hopes of impressing her. However, Suzuka is rather ambivalent with her feelings and wavers from liking him and disliking him.
The story evolves around these two main characters and their friends.

Yamato Akitsuki
Voiced by: Daisuke Nakamura
The main protagonist of the story. He moved from his home in rural Hiroshima to his aunt’s dormitory in Tokyo to change himself. While checking out his new high school, he sees a beautiful high jumper practicing and it was love at first sight. By chance she happens to be his next door neighbor, Suzuka Asahina. Yamato is clumsy with a carefree attitude which often gets himself in comprising situations. When need arises, he can become focused and determined. He is exceedingly clueless when it comes to girls and their feelings. Although not the best in academics, he discovered to be a naturally gifted sprinter. During his senior year of high school, he becomes the well liked and respected track captain. Even though he did not achieve his goal of becoming first in the 100 metres, he was scouted and recommend to attend Tokyo University.

Suzuka Asahina
Voiced by: Kanako Mitsuhashi
A talented female high jump from Yokohama that was scouted by many famous high schools because of her skill. While in Tokyo, she lives in Ayano’s dormitory next door to Yamato. She is a serious athlete that puts a lot of pressure on her self to perform so she does not disappoint others. At first she mostly has a cold attitude toward Yamato, but according to her sister, Suzuka only shows her arrogant and somewhat moody attitude to someone she likes. [2] Because of her past with Kazuki, she was reluctant to express her feeling toward Yamato and ended up trying to push him away. After awhile she finally admits to herself and to Yamato that she has liked him since the first time they met and they begin dating. Their relationship was rocky from the start because of Yamato’s carelessness and Suzuka guarded attitude to her thoughts and feelings. She decides to take the study abroad offer by Sasoka, claiming the training standards are higher and she will benefit more, but Yui believes that Suzuka has another reason. Before leaving for the United States, for reasons only known to her, she decides to break up with Yamato. After the time-skip, Suzuka moved back into her room next door to Yamato. Her feelings toward Yamato so far have remains as ambiguous as ever.

Honoka Sakurai
Voiced by: Yumiko Hosono
Meet Yamato from an incident that happened in their childhood at her family’s shrine that he often go to when visiting his aunt. Ever since, Honaka has had a crush on him, but was too shy to talk to him. Much to her shock, Yamato entered her high school and even is part of her class. Seeing her opportunity she begins to talk with him and they become friends. When Yamato joins the track team, she decides to become the manager so they do not grow apart. After a little while she finally confesses her feelings to Yamato and they begin to date. The relationship lasts less then a month because of Yamato’s carelessness and Honoka’s own insecurities. After realizing her mistake she claims that she wants to confess again when she gains more confidence. When she learns that Yamato and Suzuka are dating she decides to quit being the track manager and take up an offer made by the modelling agency of her best friend, Nana. After a modeling shoot she happens to run into Yamato again after he has broken up with Suzuka. She clearly still harbors feelings for him, but being a popular model she has become more confident and now can openly talk with him. Recently she surprised Yamato by asking if they should be a couple again. In shock, Yamato accidentally took it as a joke. To hide her feelings, she promptly claimed she was just teasing him.

Miki Hashiba
Voiced by: Seika Hosokawa
A cheerful, upbeat sprinter of the track team and Suzuka’s best friend. Becomes a good friend of Yamato’s and often tries to help clear any misunderstandings between him and Suzuka. She often snipes at Yasunobu due to their clashing personalities. Early in the series, she has expressed interest in Yamato [3] and often tells Suzuka she treats him too harshly. She is notable for wearing very skimpy, albeit (according to her) standard-issue, track apparel.

Yasunobu Hattori
Voiced by: Takanori Ohyama
Has been friends with Yamato since they were kids. He is a ladies man that according to Yamato prefers perverted stuff over eating.[4] He dreams of dating all the girls in the world and the legalization of polygyny in Japan. Yasunobu is often giving relationship advice to Yamato, with rather amusing results due to the latter’s being clueless and tendency to screw up. Even though he sometimes gets Yamato in bad situations, he usually has Yamato’s best interests in mind. Much to Yamato and Miki’s surprise, it is revealed that Yasunobu has been a straight “A” student during high school.

Yuuka Saotome
Voiced by: Masami Suzuki
A boisterous busybody college student from rural Akita that lives in Ayano’s dormitory. She only goes on dates with men so that they will buy her stuff. She likes to drink which she usually ends up in Yamato’s room with her best friend Megumi. She likes to take pictures of Yamato in compromising positions so she can blackmail him later. Even though she considers her relationship with Yamato to be “Master and Slave” [5] he is the only one she revealed that she changed her looks and goes on dates with multiple guys to forget about her rejection from high school. Also, she has admitted that she worries about him.

Megumi Matsumoto
Voiced by: Hatsumi Miura
A soft-spoken, bespectacled college student who also lives in Ayano’s dormitory. She is often seen trying to reign in Yuuka when she is drunk. Ironically, Megumi gets drunk easily, and in that state is even wilder than Yuuka, often berating Yamato on how all men are perverts, accusing Yamato of starting at her chest, flashing him, and then slapping him for looking. She has expressed the desire to become married.[6]

Souichi Miyamoto
Voiced by: Takeshi Maeda
One of the members of the track team and later become captain after Kinugasu graduates. After hearing about Yamato performance in physical tests, he actively persuades Yamato to join the track team. When Yamato came to him to help with making better times, he analyzed that data and found that was reaching his top speed too early and then made a training program for him. He believes Yamato has the potential to surpass Kazuki’s skill. Before graduating he chose Yamato to become the next track captain.

Ayano Fujikawa
Voiced by: Yuki Kaida
Yamato’s aunt, who is the landlady of the women’s dormitory and public bathhouse. She lets Yamato stay rent free and pays him for cleaning. She often cooks meals for her nephew and Suzuka. Even thought she wears a wedding band, the circumstances of her husband so far have not been revealed.

Miho Fujikawa
Voiced by: Satomi Akesaka
Ayano’s daughter and Yamato’s younger cousin by two years. She is very attached and protective of Yamato to the point of being jealous of Suzuka. Occasionally she reminds Yamato of his childhood promise to marry her to cheer him up or as joke. During the time skip, she became a high school student, moved into the Suzuka’s old room, and became the track manager. Because of Suzuka moving back, she was forced to give up her room and move back with her mother.

Kazuki Tsuda
When Suzuka and Souichi were in middle school, Kazuki was their track captain, and was ranked first in the 100 meter. The similarities between him and Yamato are striking (and somewhat eerie) resemblance in terms of looks, character and running skill. In practices, he and Suzuka would fight because she wanted practices to be serious and he wanted them to be fun. Before the national tournament be confessed to her and told her not to answer until he had won. Tragically on the day of the tournament when running home to get his spikes that he forgot, he was hit and killed by driver that fell asleep.

Nana Shiaka
Voiced by: Michie KitauraA
popular singing idol who has been Honoka’s best friend since middle school. Most are surprised to discover this because it is unexpected that someone as timid as Honoka would have such glamourous acquaintances. Even though Nana famous, she considers Honoka to be her only friend because she treats her normally. Because of this she is very protective of her.KinugasuThe track captain when Yamato first joined the team. He competes in shot put and is often seen putting Yamato in a headlock or making him do extra training. He has high expectations for Yamato, so much that during actual tournaments he can not watch Yamato run and often resorts to hiding behind a tree. Even though he has graduated he still comes to check on the track team, much to Yamato’s displeasure.

Kinji Kobayakawa
A hard working sprinter of the track team who is on an athletic scholarship. He even though he is quite talented sprinter, he still is not as fast as Yamato in the 100 meters. He dislikes Yamato because he outperforms him in track and Honoka, the girl he likes, only has eyes for Yamato. He, like Yamato, in his senior year at high school was scouted by the Universities.

Arima Emerson
He is ranked first nationally in the 100 meter sprint and goes to Toudo University High School. In middle school he was always beaten by Kazuki which is still a touchy subject for him. He has his group of fans that follow him to the tournaments. Like Suzuka, he took up the offer to study abroad in United States.

Yui Amami
One of the girls in the group date that Yasunobu tricked Yamato into going on. She took a liking to him and her feelings only grew when Yamato began working at her family’s cafe, which was the only place of employment that Yamato could find that allow him to work one day a week. After Yamato and Suzuka broke up, she visited Yamato to try and cheer him up. Seeing the state he was in, she tried to comfort him both physically and emotionally, but he ends up rejecting her feelings.

Suzune Asahina
Suzuka’s older sister by one year. According to her younger sister, Suzune is slightly dim-witted. Every time she meets Yamato, she has the family dog “Muku” attack him. She is the only character that has an easy time reading Suzuka’s thoughts.SasokaA salesman for the sports equipment company “Adriex”. One of his jobs is to recruit Japan’s top student athletes to study abroad and train in the United States which all expenses are paid by his company. He also happens to be Yuuka’s crush from high school, but much to her displeasure he still treats her like a younger sister.

Tsuyoshi Kusakabe

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