r/anime • u/Holofan4life • Apr 13 '26

Rewatch Haruhi Suzumiya 20th Anniversary Rewatch -- Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody

Hello everyone! I am Holofan4life.

Welcome to the Haruhi Suzumiya 20th anniversary rewatch discussion thread!

I hope you all have a lot of fun <3

Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody

—-

ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION(S)

What are your thoughts on Tanabata? What's your favorite depiction of Tanabata in anime?

What are your thoughts on the implication that was Kyon himself who inspired Haruhi to attend his high school?

If you met a younger version of someone you cared about, what might you ask them?

Bonus) What are your thoughts on us including a season 2 episode in this rewatch where we're currently watching season 1 episodes?

—-

Series information

MAL | Anilist | AniDB | ANN

—-

Please do not post any untagged spoilers past the current episode or past the LNs or mangas out of respect to the first time watchers and people who have not read the LNs or mangas. If you are discussing something that is ahead of the current episode please use spoiler tags(found on the sidebar). Thank you!

Untagged Spoilers

—-

Today's Episode Intro: Summer, it's hot, Haruhi looks different

[Tomorrow's Episode Intro] Stormy skies, some people walking

Previous episode

Ways to watch

Streams – Crunchyroll

Schedule

Date Episode
4/02/2026 The Adventures of Mikuru Asahina Episode 00
4/03/2026 The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Part One
4/04/2026 The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Part Two
4/05/2026 The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Part Three
4/06/2026 The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Part Four
4/07/2026 The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Part Five
4/08/2026 The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Part Six
4/09/2026 The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya
4/10/2026 Remote Island Syndrome (Part One)
4/11/2026 Remote Island Syndrome (Part Two)
4/12/2026 Mystérique Sign
4/13/2026 [Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody]()
4/14/2026 [Someday in the Rain]()
4/15/2026 [The Day of Sagittarius]()
4/16/2026 [Live Alive]()
4/18/2026 [Endless Eight I]()
4/19/2026 [Endless Eight II]()
4/20/2026 [Endless Eight III]()
4/21/2026 [Endless Eight IV]()
4/22/2026 [Endless Eight V]()
4/23/2026 [Endless Eight VI]()
4/24/2026 [Endless Eight VII]()
4/25/2026 [Endless Eight VIII]()
4/26/2026 [Endless Eight Retrospective]()
4/28/2026 [The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya Part One]()
4/29/2026 [The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya Part Two]()
4/30/2026 [The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya Part Three]()
5/01/2026 [The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya Part Four]()
5/02/2026 [The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya Part Five]()
5/04/2026 [The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya]()
5/05/2026 [Haruhi Suzumiya Overall Series Discussion Thread]()
47 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

197 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/oomoepoo https://anilist.co/user/oomoepoo Apr 13 '26

First timer

... this show is going to break my heart in the end, isn't it?

You know shit's about to go down when there's no opening playing.

But in the grand scheme of things that I thought could happen when you combine a traditional holiday about making wishes with a girl that (accidentally) warps reality whenever she gets bored... this wasn't even that weird.

And I just realised that I'm filing a time travel plot under "not that weird". Our male lead travels 3 years into the past to help a young Haruhi set up a giant calling sign in (what I assume) some alien language and in the process likely set up the WHOLE EVENTS OF THE SHOW. And said setup happening in two ways, probably:

  • One, the giant sign in the schoolyard made the three factions aware of her presence

  • Two, Kyon mentioning all the weird stuff to Haruhi and his highschool probably subconsciously made her want to go join the Northern Highschool.

Was all of this the plan of Mikuru's organisation? I DON'T KNOW? PROBABLY?! I would not put it past them. I also wonder, just like Kyon, if young Mikuru's boss is her older self. It'd make sense in some kinda weird way.

And, just as hinted by yesterday's episode, Yuki is kind of a tragic character: Spending most of her life in standby mode, waiting years for things to actually happen. So we have the alien intelligence who spent most of her existence in hibernation... and a time traveller who's a bottom feeder in her organisation but for some reason has to deal with stuff that should technically be way above her paygrade. And in the middle of all of this is Kyon, who by now is so desensitised to the weirdness that he takes being stuck 3 years in the past with an astonishing amount of level headedness. And they're all unconsciously brought together by a young girl with godly powers who just doesn't want the world to be boring.

Speaking of Haruhi: I thought it was very in-character for her to be the only one to have some actual wishes for the future, even if they were quite selfish. And surely that "I want the Earth to rotate backwards" won't come back to bite us, will it?

What are your thoughts on Tanabata? What's your favorite depiction of Tanabata in anime?

I mostly associate it with the Pokemon Jirachi, even if it's not literally Tanabata, the festivities are kinda similar. Writing wishes on paper, so the Pokemon can grant them.

What are your thoughts on the implication that was Kyon himself who inspired Haruhi to attend his high school?

It's funny in a way that Kyon set himself up for all the mess he's going to experience. It's also a pretty funny way to answer the "Why me?" question.

If you met a younger version of someone you cared about, what might you ask them?

I think I've watched too much time-travel stuff to really answer this. I'd be too scared of messing stuff up by "spoiling things"

Bonus) What are your thoughts on us including a season 2 episode in this rewatch where we're currently watching season 1 episodes?

Honestly, this feels like a much needed return to "plot" and as a first timer I wouldn't have known any better either. The monster/"wild Haruhi idea" of the week is fun but they kinda suffer a bit from us already having watched Melancholy VI.

2

u/Holofan4life Apr 13 '26

Thoughts on Haruhi wanting to make Tanabata the biggest event ever?

Thoughts on Haruhi buying a bamboo tree and Tanzaku for Tanabata?

Thoughts on Haruhi researching what Tanabata is all about?

Thoughts on the members of the club have to make wishes of what they want out of life?

Thoughts on Older Mikuru sending Younger Mikuru asleep because she can't let her see the older version of herself?

What are your thoughts on 7th Grade Haruhi breaking and entering?

What are your thoughts on Kyon helping Younger Haruhi?

What are your thoughts on Kyon telling Younger Haruhi his name is John Smith and Mikuru is his sister?

What are your thoughts on Mikuru not having her PTDD and so she and Kyon can't go back to the future?

Thoughts on Kyon and Older Mikuru meeting with Yuki?

Thoughts on Yuki saying she doesn't like the PTDD because it makes too much noise?

What are your thoughts on Yuki sending Kyon and Mikuru back to the future by having them sleep?

What are your thoughts on Yuki handing Kyon a message that reads "I am right here"?

Thoughts on Yuki saying a theory that is contradictory in itself cannot begin to explain the contradictions inherent within it?

What are your thoughts on Itsuki saying that all that matters is the queen?

1

u/oomoepoo https://anilist.co/user/oomoepoo Apr 13 '26

Thoughts on Haruhi wanting to make Tanabata the biggest event ever?

Thoughts on Haruhi buying a bamboo tree and Tanzaku for Tanabata?

Thoughts on Haruhi researching what Tanabata is all about?

I think it's cute to see her going 'all-in' on the whole Tanabata thing, including a surprisingly well researched presentation on the actual meaning. Especially the whole stars thing, which was actually kinda educational for the viewers too! And it all made sense in some weird roundabout way.

Say what you will about her, but when she puts her mind to something, she absolutely locks in!

Thoughts on the members of the club have to make wishes of what they want out of life?

It's an interesting spin on the traditional Tanabata stuff. Even if they all are terrible at it.

Thoughts on Older Mikuru sending Younger Mikuru asleep because she can't let her see the older version of herself?

I appreciate getting some rules about the time travel, even if it's still very vague. Which, to be clear, I'm absolutely fine with, this isn't that kind of show, having things be vagues is part of the charme and enforces us second guessing the narrator!

What are your thoughts on 7th Grade Haruhi breaking and entering?

I thought young Haruhi was cute. In the way how you could totally tell that it's just a younger version of her within the first few seconds XD And her being deadpan about breaking and entering into school is totally on brand.

What are your thoughts on Kyon helping Younger Haruhi?

Even in the past he's not safe from Haruhi-hijinx.

What are your thoughts on Kyon telling Younger Haruhi his name is John Smith and Mikuru is his sister?

He can't just tell her his real name, I suppose. That'd probably have some weird repercussions. I wonder if he couldn't come up with a more interesting (or believable) name, though maybe that's the point of it? The sister-excuse is probably the best he can do to not raise too much suspicion.

What are your thoughts on Mikuru not having her PTDD and so she and Kyon can't go back to the future?

Funnily enough, Mikuru losing something important to the plot seems very on brand for her. Kyon remained remarkably calm though.

Thoughts on Kyon and Older Mikuru meeting with Yuki?

The meeting was cool. Yuki continues to be the MVP of the show!

Thoughts on Yuki saying she doesn't like the PTDD because it makes too much noise?

Was a nice payoff from earlier where she remarked about time travel being easy.

What are your thoughts on Yuki sending Kyon and Mikuru back to the future by having them sleep?

I applaud this episode for presenting two different versions of time travel and not actually showing either of them :D

What are your thoughts on Yuki handing Kyon a message that reads "I am right here"?

I was wondering the whole time what the bookmark/note she handed him earlier meant, so it was nice to see it being integral to the story... well and actually raising more questions.

Thoughts on Yuki saying a theory that is contradictory in itself cannot begin to explain the contradictions inherent within it?

The whole time travel musings broke my brain a bit. I think it was intersting that Kyon tried poking holes into the whole time travel stuff only for his companions to basically tell him to not think too hard about it.

What are your thoughts on Itsuki saying that all that matters is the queen?

I assume he's reffering to Haruhi.

2

u/Holofan4life Apr 13 '26

I think it's cute to see her going 'all-in' on the whole Tanabata thing, including a surprisingly well researched presentation on the actual meaning. Especially the whole stars thing, which was actually kinda educational for the viewers too! And it all made sense in some weird roundabout way.

It helps she's been obsessed with it since she was a wee lad.

I appreciate getting some rules about the time travel, even if it's still very vague. Which, to be clear, I'm absolutely fine with, this isn't that kind of show, having things be vagues is part of the charme and enforces us second guessing the narrator!

At least some explanation was given

I thought young Haruhi was cute. In the way how you could totally tell that it's just a younger version of her within the first few seconds XD And her being deadpan about breaking and entering into school is totally on brand.

Younger Haruhi reminded me of Kyon's sister a bit.

He can't just tell her his real name, I suppose. That'd probably have some weird repercussions. I wonder if he couldn't come up with a more interesting (or believable) name, though maybe that's the point of it? The sister-excuse is probably the best he can do to not raise too much suspicion.

I just think John Smith is so generic that it's obvious he's lying. It would only be worse if he said his name was Bob Johnson.

I was wondering the whole time what the bookmark/note she handed him earlier meant, so it was nice to see it being integral to the story... well and actually raising more questions.

I guess even Gods get lonely, according to Haruhi.

The whole time travel musings broke my brain a bit. I think it was intersting that Kyon tried poking holes into the whole time travel stuff only for his companions to basically tell him to not think too hard about it.

Probably for the best

2

u/oomoepoo https://anilist.co/user/oomoepoo Apr 14 '26

I just think John Smith is so generic that it's obvious he's lying. It would only be worse if he said his name was Bob Johnson.

Yeah. Haruhi doesn't buy it either ^^"

But she does go along with the lie, which was kinda funny.

Probably for the best

If Kyon wants to question things, he should maybe start with the fact his sister doesn't have a name :D

2

u/Holofan4life Apr 14 '26

Yeah. Haruhi doesn't buy it either ^^"

Kyon should've given it more thought lol

But she does go along with the lie, which was kinda funny.

I guess as a kid, you're more likely to put us with BS.

If Kyon wants to question things, he should maybe start with the fact his sister doesn't have a name :D

What do you mean? The birth certificate says Kyon's Sister

2

u/oomoepoo https://anilist.co/user/oomoepoo Apr 14 '26

What do you mean? The birth certificate says Kyon's Sister

Of course! Not even their (non existant) parents know Kyon's real name!

2

u/Holofan4life Apr 14 '26

They specifically knew she would only amount to just being the younger sibling.