Slightly different from your ordinary school life.

I always have a hard time trying to describe this series to others. It is very different from many other similarly sounding school life series, but its strongest appeal is also the different angle in seeing ordinary events. It's similar yet different, ordinary and extraordinary. An unusual series, in other words. But don't be deterred by the confusing bits, this is one of the best animated series ever and definitely worth watching.

Really, this series is worth watching over and over simply for the high animation quality. Kyoto Animation did an awesome job animating the novels (most of volumes 1-3 and some of the later volumes). In fact, most of anime is much more superior compare to the novel series, faithfully recreating the most memorable scenes (Haruhi's ever changing hairstyle was great), and adding interesting reinterpretation to others (Nagato's guitar was priceless). I recommend just reading volume 1 of the novel, and leave the rest to the anime.

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