The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Nagaru Tanigawa (translated by MX Media LLC) Little, Brown and Company 2009



This is the original novel of one of the most famous Japanese animes. Kyon is a first-year boy student of an ordinary public high school. Indeed, “Kyon” is a nickname and no one is seen to call him in his real name. On the first day of his high school life, Kyon meets a very cute but extraordinary girl in his class room. Her name is Haruhi Suzumiya. What he hears first from her is "I have no interest in ordinary humans. If there are any aliens, time travelers, sliders or espers here, come join me." Kyon happens to be the only one that Haruhi opens her mind to.

One day she comes up with an idea that she will make a club to find out aliens, time travelers, sliders and espers. Then, she gathers three more people for the club: Yuki Nagato, a girl belonging to literature club, Mikuru Asahina, a second-year girl student, and Itsuki Koizumi, a mysterious transfer student. This is when S.O.S Brigade is born. Later, Kyon comes to know that these three are really an alien, a time traveler, and an esper. Each of the three people has their own view of Haruhi Suzumiya, but they agree that she has an ability to change the world as she likes. Now an ordinary boy, Kyon begins to encounter unbelievable phenomena.


Probably almost all the people have an experience to be bored with a daily life and hope for an extraordinary world. However, as they grow older, they realize that they have to be satisfied with what they have and can have in reality. Kyon is not an exception. On the other hand, this is not the case with Haruhi. She never gives up and tries to enjoy herself. She reminds us of what we have forgotten.

One of the attractions of the novel is a number of interesting similes. This sometimes renders the writing a little redundant on the one hand but fascinating on the other hand. Another attraction is the way in which the relationship between Kyon and Haruhi is described. They never directly express their affection toward each other. They know they are something special, more than just a classmate. However, Haruhi does not know what to do. Kyon is never aware of his feeling toward Haruhi.

Since this is a novel, Kyon’s monologue is more amply expressed than in the anime. What he thinks of Haruhi is grasped better. Also depicted more in detail is a picture of Haruhi through the eyes of Kyon. She shows various emotions and expressions. Vivid figure of Haruhi emerges out of the text. Also, easier to understand are the explanation of kind of sci-fi organizations of Nagato and Koizumi and the concept of time travel.

Incidentally there are two English versions of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. The cover picture and four pages of color pictures of the Japanese counterpart are faithfully reproduced in the hardcover version. I recommend that you buy the hardcover version although it is a little bit more expensive than the paperback one.