the madness is over
Categories: anime, fanservice, march madness, melancholy of haruhi suzumiya
Tagged: haruhi suzumiya
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Well, the madness is over.
After a month-long slugfest, Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya wins March Madness 2008. Haruhi dispatched Major Mokoto, Wife Material Sayuri, Mako-cakes, and Simon to reach the top, and that’s some pretty damn solid competition. I must say, Haruhi is doing a damn fine job at conquering Pekopon.
Some quickie awards:
Worst Beatdown: Minami-ke disemboweling Otome wa Boku by a 9-to-1 margin. Ouch. (But I’m glad to say I wasn’t completely broken by this contest. I looked at this image, and I thought, “Hey! Kemeko DX!” Maybe there’s hope after all.)
Worst Performance by a #1 Seed: #1 Ouran outed in its first match by Azumanga. Thanks for showing up. I think.
Most Dominating Studio: There were 8 Kyoto Animation series that made the first cut. Out of those 8 series, only one (TSR) was eliminated by a non-Kyoto series. Now that’s a studio.
Least Dominating Studio: Gonzo and Sunrise sent zero series to the Sweet 16. Somehow, I’m not surprised.
Best. Fans. Ever.: Gurren Lagann fans pulled out all the stops in the final round. Tons of well-written, coherent reasons why Kamina and Kittan should have won. But, hey, it just couldn’t top the “We like Haruhi because, uh, we like Haruhi” responses from the Scientology Haruhiism faction.
Most Interesting Contest: Higurashi and Mushishi. Back-and-forth contest with the killer lolis pulling out a last minute win. The Mushishi faction was almost apoplectic at seeing Nii-pah’s soy sauce stand in victory. Oh, well, at least it wasn’t balsamic vinegar.
Mister Irrelevant: Keroro Gunso brings up the rear with 21 votes. Total. OTL. Remind me to blog more about Keroro in the future.
In Most Desperate Need Of A Second Season Because The Fans Have Started To Entertain Themselves, And That’s Not Particularly A Good Thing: Haruhi Suzumiya.
68 Responses to “the madness is over”
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>> In Most Desperate Need Of A Second Season Because The Fans Have Started To Entertain Themselves, And That’s Not Particularly A Good Thing
Why is it not a good thing that the fandom acts for itself?
>>In Most Desperate Need Of A Second Season Because The Fans Have Started To Entertain Themselves, And That’s Not Particularly A Good Thing
We love you too, Jason.
>>But, hey, it just couldn’t top the “We like Haruhi because, uh, we like Haruhi†responses from the Scientology Haruhiism faction.
We love you too, Jason. And do I feel a bit of bitterness there?
I saw this from the beginning, and I’m happy with it.
The fact that Gurren needs explanation of why it is the best automatically disqualifies it. I’m a huge Gurren fan, and that last vote was pretty agonizing, but when it comes down to it, the fact that Haruhi needs no explanation of why it is great makes it great.
Go, Kyou! You have to dominate this poll. I will always root for tsundere with socks that go over their knees. Pretty much the only reason I finished Fate Stay Night.
Just think of it this way – if we don’t get more of the God-Empress soon, what other things besides Kyonko could show up? Best reason for a second season that I can think of.
P.S. Traps all over.
Inevitable for a popularity contest, I suppose. Crying myself to sleep anyway, hooo!
The internet has left me in despair! Tongue in cheek has no effect on Canadians! You don’t deserve This Hour Has 22 Minutes.
“We love you too, Jason. And do I feel a bit of bitterness there?”
It’s because the majority of reasons we kept getting even after Jason made such a strong argument for Gurren Lagann was “I agree with everything you say but I’m going to vote for Haruhi.” It’s like Americans voting for the guy they would rather have a beer with rather than the smarter, more capable person for President. Yes, I am comparing Haruhi to G.W. Bush.
I couldn’t type a response in the original post because I was afraid I would take out my frustration on my new laptop. I blame the current U.S. political climate for my short fuse. At this point, even Gundam 00’s U.S./Union is better than what we have now. And no, Obama will not make it better. I need to join Celestial Being if only for the bridge bunnies…Christine could have hacked into this poll and made Gurren the winner…oh wait…
Gurren was a balls-to-the-wall effort by Gainex with an original world and story and a strong adherence to the drill motif. You’re likely not going to see another work like this with such a forceful style for a while now. We are starting to see a formula that was first developed for Haruhi being reused by Kyoto in Kanon and now Clannad (take a known popular work and draw it well). In terms of merits alone, Gurren should have won, but that is not how the world works.
“The fact that Gurren needs explanation of why it is the best automatically disqualifies it.”
So being able to justify our votes with detailed reasons means it shouldn’t be voted for? Sigh…I’m going to cry myself to sleep as well.
The Gurren Lagann crowd seems to have joined the Higurashi crowd in terms of excessive explainations of why their show should win.
Good job.
Mion and Rena have made food for everyone and Yoko is holding a kissing contest.
But Haruhi’s win is acceptable…and Light got taken out…just as Clannad.
Actually, I would have been happy regardless of which title won; both series had merits that raised them above and beyond shows of their ilk. So, please, no sour-graping at what might have been; as Jason mentioned before, in the end, it all boils down to the enjoyment factor a show generates. And both Gurren Lagann and Haruhi are VERY enjoyable shows.
Banzai Gurren Lagann! Banzai, Suzumiya Haruhi!
I expected this result, and I am rather meh about it.
P.S. Kyou’s thighs ftw! Fuko ftl.
P.P.S. The only time the internet leave me in despair is when the router breaks or I wake up to my sister looking at hardcore yaoi porn on my laptop.
Will it still be Derailed by Darry though if Darry’s not in the banner??
I half expect a Kana Minami banner and a name change reguarding the broken readers. Perhaps Jason might find Kyonko and company of assistance in a Haruhi themed “broken” banner?
>> Will it still be Derailed by Darry though if Darry’s not in the banner??
There are a time when this blog was called “anime on my mind”.
oh jason, what to do. you know that a large amount of those making up the genderbend thread on animesuki are your readers right? there’s references to brokenness, mako cakes and hosaka all over the joint. I even found a link pointing to this very site as a point of reference. YOU DID THIS! YOU!
Ruffles: Actually, I was under the impression that Jason was rather surprised at the turn of events regarding the Genderswap Project. Which is funny, since I’d thought he’d be used to the phenomenon — genderswaps, I mean. It’s a staple of anime fandom for Haruhi-knows how long, (around the time of Ranma, methinks) but among the Haruhiists it’s something that’s only been gaining momentum over the past month or so (the designs that preceded the ones on the false Chara-song covers had no unity in design or aesthetics). Madness, I say.
As for the topic, again I say that it doesn’t matter which of the shows won March Madness, since the contest only proved just how much fun and enjoyable they are (just look at the discussion the faceoff spawned), which is in the end what matters. So, again, raise a cheer for Gurren Lagann and Haruhi, to very VERY enjoyable and memorable shows, will ya?
Some people in this “topic” are taking the whole thing, especially the outcome of teh contest, too seriously.
I think the name of the site now officially needs to be “A melonpan moment with Mikuru” – accept no substitutes! Oh, but I guess I’d also support the title “Meido Service” – we all know where that’s going to go.
This Hour has 22 Minutes is the most horrible thing Canada has unleashed this side of Corner Gas… I feel bad for my country’s poor humor quotient. But then, I’m in Vancouver – we barely count as part of Canada anyways *shrug* so my opinion counts for very little.
“Gurren was a balls-to-the-wall effort by Gainex with an original world and story and a strong adherence to the drill motif. You’re likely not going to see another work like this with such a forceful style for a while now. We are starting to see a formula that was first developed for Haruhi being reused by Kyoto in Kanon and now Clannad (take a known popular work and draw it well). In terms of merits alone, Gurren should have won, but that is not how the world works.”
Gurren may have been a bigger accomplishment for it’s studio, but that really has nothing to do with the quality of the show. Just because more of the blame for a series’ success lies in the quality of some other non-anime source material doesn’t mean its any less great of a show. (For example, Star Wars was clearly a monumental creative achievement, but overall the Lord of the Rings movies were better.) Basically, the only point you’re making is that Gainax is a better studio.
Grats Haruhi. It was a good match.
I’m glad it’s over, cause I was at Gurren side and whole thing started me feel some anti haruhism. Taking things too seriously :)
No matter which show was dropped when. It shouldn’t change your feelings about that show. Take it easy
@Myssa: i wasnt serious. i just found it funny that the animesuki thread appears to have a lot of readers from this very blog.
How loud would be the cries of despair and anger from both TTGLists and Haruhi-ists if Minami-ke won the whole thing?
Well.. my God(ess) can destroy and re-create the world at any moment like your God (supposedly, unless your God really just sucks). BUT! can your God look as wonderful as mine in a doujinshi? I think not.
Haruhi is absolute. /hail
We’ll all be confused when the second season of Haruhi starts…. ORZ.
Dammit new poll!!! I have to pick between two hot girls who got shafted for screen time yet again…
Sheba: Never happen. It’d be like Naruto and DBZ being declared by all Japanese otaku to be the best thing ever, and more recent series like NGE, Haruhi, GL, or even any of the Gundam series such utter garbage that they’re burning all the DVD’s, cels, and everything else ever produced… only to forever produce more of the first two shows.
It shouldn’t happen… especially if Bandai feels their cash cow will get gored. ;)
I has expected this, while both shows are really the best shows you can watch and compare to other shows in their respective genre’s – I think when you have a huge following for the pre-anime work such as the light novels and the managa for Haurhi you are just going have such a huge fan base compared to a show who which is original content. It won’t all be based on the anime.
If i remember there was a female character poll on this sight few years back which Bell dandy won to the horror of if shana fans and it was so obvious why (melon pan?). Even if people voted on merit shana was still an up and coming tsundere while Belldandy was a battle tested Goddess.
But since we are throwing new blog names out there how about:
Meido Rape on my Mind
Actually, pony Tails turn me on!
Mine is a goddess that wears bunny costumes!
Slogons:
No way there is Kyonko on this sight, none, i won’t except it!
Because Mikuru’s tea is on your mind to!
Powered by Itsuki
Actually, Sunrise did have one entry in the Sweet Sixteen (Cowboy Bebop). (Special dispensation due to BBT?)
I would be shocked if you could find two readers of this blog who knew anything about the Haruhi novels prior to the Haruhi anime.
Or for new blog names:
Ponytails on My Mind
Derailed by Melonpan
The internet has left me in despair! Tongue in cheek has no effect on the French! You don’t deserve… well… you don’t have any TV shows I watch.
The funny part is that everyone seems to be jumping to their own wrong conclusions. It’s like Gundam 00 is happening right here, right now.
Also, Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei makes fun of Kyonko in the most recent episode. Shaft’s been calling out Kyoto lately. But then again, this is like a no-name San Diego defensive back calling out Tom Brady. IIRC, it didn’t go well for San Diego.
If Minami-ke had won?
Considering how broken the readers are? There may have been a collective cheer followed by a lot of denial, followed by a lot more brokeness. Win all around.
*agree with the above statement*
>>Also, Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei makes fun of Kyonko in the most recent episode. Shaft’s been calling out Kyoto lately.
Thanks for the heads up. Although I can already see the Inquisition arguing, NO THAT’S THE GOD-EMPRESS!
But then I’d argue the timing and the events of 2ch and NicoNico as of late.
>>The funny part is that everyone seems to be jumping to their own wrong conclusions.
Maybe if you explained yourself better…
>> You don’t deserve… well… you don’t have any TV shows I watch.
Titles. Now!
Even tho I am enjoying
…minami-ke possibly could’ve actually won my votes over everyone if i saw this video sooner
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm2581932
http://myspace.com/mrmanga (i put it on my page)
KyoAni’s the master right now. That’s why everyone is waiting to see Clannad’s extra episode to see an annousment for their next project.
I vote TSR for needing a new season!
About your current poll, it was really already decided before you put it up.
Kyou and Tomoyo were without a doubt going to be in the top two due to your going on about thigh meats, elections, Kyou’s Thighs get their own posting, staring at Tomoyo, seductive lollipop poses etc… Kotomi-“chan” was guaranteed a decent placing just by adding the “chan” suffix. There are a lot of Fuko fangirls but thank god they were pushed down by “Bozo here’s a starfish”, making fun of people’s cooking and very low thigh meat scores comments kept Fuko’s popularity to a minimum. I don’t know if Sunohara entering the Emo Facial Contortion Pantheon is a good or bad thing.
Hurrah for Haruhi! And thanks for taking the time to set up all the March madness.
Now onto a much easier choice in the polls. Go go Kotomi-chan!
About your current poll… No Mei option? Tomoya as an option? Ryou only got like 1% of the vote (what, 3-5 votes total), 4% LESS than Sunohara? What?
There is a bittter tastte in my mouth from losing to Haruhi-God but it’ll pass. Both shows were extraordinary and deserve some respect. Anyway on towards the future.
ZSZS attacks many shows, so it’s not like they just have there reticle on Kyo-Ani. Beside, what is Kyo-Ani gonna respond with? A well animated drama/harem? Yea, im sure Shaft and Shinbo are scared… pfff
Even after all the posts that I agreed with about how great GL was, why it had amazing characters, great writing & plot, galaxy throwing GAR robots and just plain awesome .. you know what, I would still look forward to a new Haruhi episode more. Its a plain, simple enjoyment thing. In my gut I know I’d just want to see more Kyon(ko), Yuki & Haruhi so thats where my vote went.
I shudder to think of what would happen if they gave Haruhi gaint robots to play with. She already wanted to launch the Gundam. And I wouldn’t want the fate of the Galaxy resting on Haruhi’s head anymore than it aready is. The collateral damage would be epic. Compromise perhaps. Give the SOS-dan a squad of M9s from Mithril and allow Tessa to be Haruhi’s plaything from time to time. Yuki could probably craft Lamba Driver equivalents for the entire SOS Brigade. (A four bot team…means that Mikuru gets shore duty, or rides tandem with someone….)
If Kemeko DX was the first thing you noticed in that photo, you are broken. And in an entirely new way. Trying to use your noticing of Kemeko as evidence of non-brokeness…I am very concerned.
Viva Oharuhi-sama! orz orz orz
I’m happy of course, but one can’t simply ignore over 400 votes saying TTGL is best, either. Personally, I would have been satisfied even if Haruhi had finished her run as #2. Ever since the elite eight had been decided, I stopped caring who really won. Each of them, as far as I was concerned, would have been a worthy victor. Well, can’t speak for one of them as I haven’t seen it, actually – that would be Death Note. And, though I voted for Ouran, I am amused by its sudden fall. But at least it made little bit easier to vote for Fumoffu against Azumanga.
Someone suggested on 4chan that ZSZS was actually outing Haruhi, not Kyonko, and had a picture comparison as a proof. I didn’t save it though as I don’t habitually collect images (unless they are good wallpaper or vectortracing material).
Well, SHAFT tends to keep current on many things with the SZS shows, trends and all, since they’re perfect fodder for the Pink Supervisor to despair over, most of them being utterly vapid or otherwise bereft of value. ;) But man, they had a brilliant episode that parodied NGE AND derailing… and I couldn’t have been happier, since it introduced Kiri’s teasing shotacon side.
Mmm…. Kiri teasing shotas.
Hmm… I wonder if I’d rather get another season of FMP or Haruhi…
I’m thinking FMP because eventually they’re going to confess their love for each other…
My congrats and best wishes to all the top shows, particularly TTGL and SHnY. TTGL was great for the way it was on fire 90% of the time, charging in with its heart on its sleeve. SHnY was great for the wry, the sly, and the cheesecake… pie? Ironically, AoMM was probably a major contributing factor to why I enjoyed SHnY as much as I did and why I voted for it. I looked forward to your posts almost as much as I did the episodes, for the humor, the insight, and the amazing discussions in the comments, as the community mined for the depth and quality that perhaps weren’t immediately visible to the naked eye. My deepest heartfelt appreciation and praise for both shows, for being so much fun to watch and making it such a hard decision. And hats off to Jason, perhaps the Kamina to our collective ADHD, slightly scary, slightly off Simon.
w00t Haruhiism triumphs over the Spirals!
The Spirals may be absurdly overpowered, but they are still no match for a “god” who can control the fate of the world.
When I voted earlier on, Gurren Lagann was actually having quite a good lead, so I thought that Haruhi probably would lose out. But I’m glad Haruhi won in the end XD
I love Gurren Lagann, but I just happen to love Haruhi even more :D
FMP will probably never be fully animated. There’s just too many novels compared to Haruhi. Consider, you’ve got the Gonzo episodes, Fumoffu, and the Second Raid. The Second Raid is based of the novel End of Day by Day. You know how many come after that? You’ve got A Dancing Very Merry Christmas, Continuing on My Own, Burning One Force, and Nick of Time (which isn’t completed yet I think, and it’s supposed to be the end of series, I believe).
If Kyoto goes balls to the wall and does nothing but FMP for a couple of seasons, maybe. But because of the cultural juggernaut of Haruhi, it ain’t gonna happen. And believe me, I’d take more Sousuke over more Haruhi ANYTIME. Haruhi is a great show, it’s existence just happens to be terribly inconvenient to anybody who likes FMP more. Which I do.
March Madness, I’m mixed on. Liked everything in the Elite 8 cept Death Note, would have taken Black Lagoon instead. The final result was disappointing but not surprising. Men with burning spirit aren’t as common as snarky guys apparently.
And honestly, I think the god of Tsundere ain’t Haruhi. Not by a long shot. I give that one to Ryoko from Tenchi Muyo! Ok series, but she carried the damn show for me. She’s the Steve Smith of anime.
Am I the only one who thought that Jason was just being a bit tongue in cheek? I mean he’s already said in previous posts that he didn’t mind who won because he loves both of the shows.
BTW this blog is still called Anime on my Mind in my bookmarks :X
Ah, you kids bum me out! Like a Bad Sandwich.
I still don’t quite see why people gush over Haruhi so much, but maybe that’s because I’m old, tired, and too jaded to be won over by simple moe or distractingly fun qualities. While entertaining on simple and sometimes subtle levels, it didn’t “speak” to me the way it seemed to with others, and so I find myself in the awkward position of the “outsider.” That is, rating Haruhi “pretty good” as opposed to “best thing EVAR.” And I liked God Knows, but never felt the urge to gush over it (am more of an 80’s music kinda guy…).
One day, though, you too will be so old, cynical, and tired with pop culture nonsense that it takes an honest-to-goodness jolt of heart and soul to make you give a toss about anime again. I’m pretty sure Gurren Lagann’s biggest fans were people who were jaded with anime in general. And GL clicked for them in all the right ways because it was both nostalgic in its spirit, but a breath of fresh air for the heart.
T hough part of the reason I watched it was to keep up with watercooler chat, Haruhi kept me amused through its run. It was fun, I’ll admit.
But Gurren Lagann did something Haruhi never did–stir some feelings out from my shriveled, blackened heart. And for that, I’m proud to have voted for the power of fighting spirit on this one. Too bad my heart’s gone back to “shriveled and blackened” again.
Shriveled and blackened like a Bad Sandwich.
I need to go have another GL marathon over the weekend. Seriously.
As Itsuki would say to Kyon…”This event is inevitable unless you kiss Haruhi again…” ^^
No surprise over the win. ^^
Well, now that Clannad is getting another 26? eps or so, what will the haruhists do?
WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW?!
As for me, i’m gonna rejoice in knowing there’s more delicious kyou and tomoyo thigh meat on the way!
She’s happy as always. She gets to play with Kyonko for a while yet.
Besides Kyou is more or less Haruhi (with a little Konata) mixed with Kagami’s looks. She just needs to start dressing Kotomi up like Mikuru or Yuki and everything comes full circle.
I’d buy that for a dollar!
…if I had one…stupid layoff and economic downturn.
>> Well, now that Clannad is getting another 26? eps or so, what will the haruhists do?
Clannad will be for fall. It’s not unlikely to have Haruhi around late spring, early summer.
I’d be more worried for FMP fans.
>> As for me, i’m gonna rejoice in knowing there’s more delicious kyou and tomoyo thigh meat on the way!
Moar liek, moar Nagisa.
>>Clannad will be for fall. It’s not unlikely to have Haruhi around late spring, early summer.
Hooray for another one cour of FAIL.
Sure, Vol. 4 is a great story and all, but if they split it up through magical episode shuffling it’ll lose ALL impact.
God, the only way I can see this working is if they animate 24 episodes…
People on AS go on and on about how a longer season will “ruin the feel” of Haruhi, but I think the EXACT OPPOSITE.
As for me, i’m gonna rejoice in knowing there’s more delicious kyou and tomoyo thigh meat on the way!
Prepare to be bitterly disappointed.
Anyhow, there’s been no date announce but fall seems the earliest plausible date for After Story. That should leave room for Haruhi S2 in summer, unless there’s a last minute breakdown in contract negotiations between Kadokawa and Kyoto Animation.
>>unless there’s a last minute breakdown in contract negotiations between Kadokawa and Kyoto Animation.
I’ve heard rumors that it’s Aya Hirano that’s causing trouble for the project, not Kadokawa and KyoAni.
Figures… I wish Haruhi was voiced by someone less convinced she’s the Japanese Avril Lavigne…
>> Figures… I wish Haruhi was voiced by someone less convinced she’s the Japanese Avril Lavigne…
Megumi Toyoguchi ;3
Considering the role of Haruhi in Book 4 she might not get paid as much, being absent for a couple of episodes. Would make Nagato’s “no talking” episode seem minor in comparison.
She does seem to be doing a lot recently. Maybe it is something simple, like finding free time outside one of her other contracts. Things like that have delayed projects before (Indiana Jones ring a bell).
O-M-G, what an evil title for the post.
Here I was wondering what the date for the second season would be. >_<
Maybe if these dime a dozen VA’s weren’t constantly surrounded by agents, fans, and record execs telling them they’re the greatest while secretly plotting who to replace her with, it wouldn’t be so hard? She’s probably already far removed from the live show where she appeared overwhelmed and broke down from the response, to someone who is used to it and probably expects it.
At the same time, they’ve got to know they’ve got everyone by the balls on this one, after all, who else is gonna do it? That role MADE her and probably visa versa.
Is Yue Horie available? hehe.
Aww, missed the finals due to vacation. Still, glad to see that a good slug fest happened. Both series are still the best of the best in my book, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
…
Except…Kyon-ko….gender-blending……mind shutting down…
I like the title “Anime on my Mind” better … irrelevant to the topic ..sure. Haruhi is better than GL but it’s hard to compare the two… Apples to Oranges ya know.