Autumn, games and a new year (again) are in store this time around.
Creative Staff
Story: Nagaru Tanigawa
Art: Puyo
Translation/Adaptation: Paul Starr
What They Say
As the midnight chimes of December 31st ring in the New Year, Kyon and the members of the SOS Brigade renew their resolution to keep Haruhi entertained no matter what it takes – lest she unmake the world! Haruhi’s putting her faithful(?) members through their paces, but no matter where she drags them, you can bet there will be no shortage of craziness when Haruhi is at the helm!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Seasons change often in the world of Haruhi Suzumiya-chan (fairly certain the SOS Brigade should have had at least one if not all the members graduate at the rate this has occurred actually) and it is time for them to play with Autumn which allows the girls to show off Autumn colored bikini’s on the color spread page (but really, swimsuits in Autumn?). And as long as the color pages have been used to start a theme –and provide some fanservice- the crew might as well play around with some of the traditions of the Japanese celebration of the season and put their own spin on some of the often engaged in (at least in anime and manga) ways of enjoying the season from roasting sweet potatoes to athletics as they stampede around as only this often Super Deformed cast of characters can.
But as the cast goes about their merry and often mad capped ways one of the regulars waits to pounce in out of the shadows and launch their schemes…and shockingly it isn’t Ryouko doing it…well no, Ryouko is still planning how to return to her original form and get Kyon’s spirit to leave his, but in this case it is Koizumi who is indulging his perchance for putting Haruhi and Kyon in situations to try to get the pair to become a couple and he is willing to go to some pretty great lengths and expense (since the Agency is footing the bill after all) to try to indulge himself…er, get the two to become an official couple so that the instances of Celestial appearance finally abate for good. But Haruhi and Kyon are wise to his tricks and may conspire to avoid the attempts, but if they take these strides together isn’t that a de facto win for Koizumi anyway?
And not to be left behind Yuki’s household goes into full motion as Yuki makes sure to keep Ryouko and Kimidori entertained either out a sense of compassion or realization that if not occupied the pair will get into far more mischief. In the process the group will each make their own doujins, live videogames, play at catburglar and possibly even have to confront just what lengths they are prepared to go to in order to maintain this life they have found even if the cost is their own dreams. With wild adventures, some hints of romance and even some strong drama moments, Haruhi-Chan returns with a collection that has something for almost everyone and an enormous amount for franchise fans.
The seventh volume of Haruhi-chan takes its characters and once again puts them through paces as it sets up gags that can pay off at the end of panels or chapters and even possibly from chapters a couple of volumes ago at times as it energizes the cast as well as fans by altering little things from the franchise or breaking the 4th wall in a no holds barred assault on entertainment. While not all of the little arcs hit as well as others for me the amount of Japanese culture I have been exposed to allow for a fairly decent amount of understanding where a joke is coming from and going to come through. While there weren’t many moments of laugh out loud panels, the overall content had me smiling almost the entire way as it played not only with the cast but also my expectations for some of the payoffs that looked to be coming as they swerved into different areas that were still enjoyable even if not something I adored. With its self deprecating when necessary tone the series gives a new light to the franchise and can help ease the yearning for more Haruhi now that all of the currently written novels having been translated and released in English and with no sign of a new book on the horizon. This volume isn’t the greatest jumping in place for new fans to the franchise but those who know some part of the Haruhi franchise should have no problem finding something here to love.
In Summary
Haruhi and friends return to mess around with many of the popular activities and traditions that have built up in Japan (or at least some of its media anyway) while also poking its cast with some absurd ideas…though some of the cast may be getting wise to some of the tricks being played and are looking to outsmart some of the plans laid out. With some rather common items and relationship stories this volume is fairly accessible to most Haruhi fans though a few jokes have been volumes in the making which shouldn’t seriously damper for those who have yet to uncover this little gem the fun that can be had playing with the familiar cast on a new play ground and discovering there is life beyond just the novels in this corner of the franchise.
Content Grade: B+
Art Grade: A-
Packaging Grade: A-
Text/Translation Grade: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: September 24th, 2013
MSRP:$13.00
