The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Volume 4 (Limited Edition) [DVD]

If you're an Anime Otaku (and you understand what an Anime Otaku is) then this series is for you. This review concerns Volume 4 of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.BLUF: Worth every pennyDetails: If you're reading this - then you already know the story behind this anime. (If not, I won't spoil the series here.) Watching this series in Broadcast Order is essential to appreciating it. Volume 4 of the Limited Edition box set includes a second DVD with the final installment of the series in Broadcast Order (sorry Dub Fans, it's Subtitled Only). It also includes a CD with Music from the series that is actually an imported version of a CD sold on the open market in Japan - and if you like the music in this show, you'll want this CD. Finally, there's beautifully drawn insert that has the show's characters in various poses on both sides that's printed on plastic (the pencil board mentioned in the description and it's actually very nice) and other goodies in the box.So is it worth paying extra for this version versus the Regular Edition. ABSOLUTELY. It's actually a great value:-Same DVD you get with the regular edition (price varies - but $20.00 as of this writing)-Final Vol. of the series in Broadcast Order (not available anywhere else - even Japan)-"Suzumiya Haruhi no Tsumeawase" (about $25 from Amazon Japan depending on the Dollar/Yen rate)-Other goodies thrown in for good measureThe CD contains the following songs from the series:-God Knows-Lost My Music-Koi no Mikuru Densetsu (The Mikuru Legend of Love)The first two songs on this CD are perhaps the most powerful of this season of the series. Taking care to not spoil anything - read the English Translation of the Japanese Lyrics in the insert AFTER viewing it during the Broadcast Version, it's actually key to the story and why they show the full song in the series. Watching the English Dub in Broadcast Order just won't have the same effect.Finally, if you haven't watched this series yet - there's enough depth to this show that you'll get something different out of every viewing.This series has my strongest recommendation.

Huh...Lucky Star is in the works? That's amazing! Kudos to KyoAni and Bandai! But this is about the last entry to the Limited Edition.To reiterate my previous reviews, packaging is as always in good form. The First Volume now has a snug four DVD cases inside of it on top of the music CDs and other memorabilia that could be stuffed without breaking it, which is a good thin when one must sink in about twice the standard edition price.It was a bit of a surprise that the bonus item was another pillow case, though the sleepover theme was more appropriate than the third volume (Yuki looks in particular divine). Of the four bonus items, the first, brigade leader armband, is the favorite. Great practicality and easily compliments the school uniform should anyone want to cosplay as Haruhi.Now on to the DVDs. I rather liked the English version of "God Knows," and a thumbs up to Wendee Lee for singing both. "Live Alive" is the crutch episode of the three. Being also the first to watch, how the song goes set the mood for watching the following two. And to that, "The Day of Sagittarius" is a favorite for reviewing again and again. Ah, that Yuki. Finally, "Someday in the Rain," probably the most dull episode of the bunch. What was the reasoning for this ending? I can't tell (Really, I can't. Go read the novels if you can).Subtitles for the most part is "good." Always with the yellow! Also something to note which I did not add in the other reviews, there are occasional text that hold significant meaning for the viewer to catch. Sometimes it's not translated into English for risk of cluttering up the screen, and that is understandable. A bonus feature that could be very handy would like those translator notes found in some manga when a cultural disconnect requires explanation to the audience.Who's up for a second season?

While this is the most expensive of the four volumes as of the time this review is written, you clearly weren't going to only get 3 of the DVDs and ignore the 4th one, right? Unlike a lot of anime releases, Bandai actually decided to give you a bunch of cool stuff with your order. First of all, that isn't a mini-pillow in the picture as I originally though, but rather a pillow case. That in and of itself was worth about $10, it's really entertaining just to look at. The CD "God knows/Lost my Music" is also some of my favorite Japanese music to date.And of course, we can't forget about the anime itself. The conclusion to the first season of Haruhi is simply awesome. While it does leave a few plot holes, I would definitely recommend the whole series to anyone with even a small interest in anime. The broadcast is definitely the way to watch in my opinion, since the first episode basically explains all the characters in the whole anime, and the last broadcast episode is also the natural climax of the storyline.

(This review is for the 4 individual volumes as a whole)The selling point for these DVDs is having to pay only a fraction for the set (Volumes 1, 2, 3 & 4) than what the single package costs AND coming with awesome keepsakes (including CDs!). There is extra content but it's not that entertaining (behind the scenes live-action/American S.O.S. Brigade fan thing). There's about 3 episodes per disc, with the second disc containing the original broadcast order in Japanese with English subtitles.Also note - this is only season 1 - there is a season 2 that happens simultaneously among these episodes that you should also check out (just mind the infamous 'Endless Eight' section :P)

I know that this is a pretty popular show but I just don't get it. To me it was just an annoying girl whining about how bored she was and doing stupid things/torturing people for fun. Not knocking anyone who likes this but its not for me. I give it a three because Kyon cracks me up.

After many adventures and many more misadventures the SOS Brigade return once more for the last volume of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.What Kyon thinks will be a normal school culture festival turns out to be pretty bizarre. For starters, Haruhi's surreal movie has just been released, Yuki becomes a freakily accurate fortune teller, Mikuru is working at the cosplay cafe and Itsuki is in a play. and to top that all off, Haruhi and Yuki join a rock band, which to Kyon's surprise aren't half bad.The wierdness and the laughs continue in the second episode on this disc, 'The day of Sagittarius'. The computer club has made their own war video game and they have chalenged the SOS brigade to an all out battle. Being the arrogant character she is, Haruhi can't turn down this challenge. This battle is hilariously and imaginatively captured by the creators and it makes for one of the finest MoHS in the series. Fans of videogames will really enjoy the parodies that this episode creates. For example Haruhi although being the team leader, always charges into the frontline and keeps acting like a Noob. The final episode of this disc and the series, does little to tie up loose ends of bring any closure - A final defiant disregard of sticking to the stereotypes.The animation continues to be be simply superb, with the epic battle scenes during the second episode looking absoluteley gorgeous, bright and beautiful. If theres one thing no one will be able to forget, it's the exquisite artwork (or maybe the ridiculously catchy ending theme song). The music and voice acting are all spot on. I absolutely love the English Voice actor for Kyon, Crispin Freeman, who has voiced Itachi in Naruto, Arucard in Hellsing and Togusa in Stand alone complex. I particularly love his nonplussed commentary throughout the series. Haruhi is voiced by anime veteran Wendee Lee who has provided her voice for many famous roles such as Akira, Ninja Scroll and Bleach. Another one of my favourites is Johnny Yong Bosch's voice of the character Itsuki - Anything with Bosch in is bound to good. Other voice actors here are Stephanie Sheh and Michelle Ruff who work together to create a brilliant all star voice over for this series.Like the previous DVD volumes, this final installment also contains a plethora of special features, including making of featurettes, ASOS Brigade shorts, beez entertainment trailers and more, making this set well worth the money.Haruhi Suzumiya is a crazy anime that doesn't take itself too seriously yet does not go over the top. It is a series that will appeal to many people but, will have more of an impact on fans of the anime and videogame world. However, there is so much packed into this series that most people are bound to find something that tickles their funny bone. Whether it be the craziness of the characters or the frequent parodies the many references to anime and other areas of Japanese culture.This anime is definetly one not to miss, and should be on any anime fans shelf. Furthermore, if you enjoy this anime, then you'll be glad to know that this is not the end of Haruhi Suzumiya. In fact there is a sequel series currently being made (at the time of writing this) and there are mangas and the original novels to be released over here. So be prepared to be seeing more of Haruhi and the SOS Brigade in the future...