Every time a Haruhi character single comes out, I feel the need to review it. It’s almost like a tradition, one that I’m slowly starting to dislike. That said, I hope that the eighth and ninth volumes, Kyon and Itsuki respectively, will be the last ones because (i) the character pool is starting to look VERY thin if Lantis decides to publish a tenth volume (would Shimasen sing old samurai songs?) and (ii) Kyon’s sister underwhelmed me. Also, I enjoyed the Haruhi drama CD even though I couldn’t understand much of the spoken dialogue.
Vol. 6 - Kyon’s Sister [Sayaka Aoki] LACM-4341 (lyrics)
1. Imouto Wasurecha Oshiokiyo (3:37) - 2/5
2. Hare Hare Yukai ~ Ver. Kyon no Imouto (3:42) - 3/5
3. Imouto Wasurecha Oshiokiyo (off vocal) - not rated
4. Hare Hare Yukai ~ Ver. Kyon no Imouto (off vocal) - not rated
Okay, how can I say this in a kind manner…hearing Kyon’s sister’s voice is fine in small doses, like 20 seconds worth, but is not particularly bearable over the course of a song. (Thank God I never had an annoying little sister!) I wasn’t foreseeing spectacular out of this character in terms of singing and so, in that sense, I guess it met my already not-so-great expectations. I managed to get used to her version of “Hare Hare” after about three listens so the single wasn’t entirely bad. I sure Sayaka-san has a nice voice (e.g. Lisianthus in SHUFFLE!) but it just seems that this role came out not as well as it could have.
Vol. 7 - Emiri Kimidori [Shiratori Yuri] LACM-4342 (lyrics)
1. fixed mind (5:04) - 4/5
2. Hare Hare Yukai ~ Ver. Kimidori Emiri (4:50) - 4/5
3. fixed mind (off vocal)
4. Hare Hare Yukai ~ Ver. Kimidori Emiri (off vocal)
“fixed mind” is a slow ballad with a steady electronic beat under Shiratori-san’s vocals and sparkle sounds. Emiri’s version of “Hare Hare” is more than a minute longer than previous character versions of the ending theme as it is played at a slower pace. If only she had appeared more often in the series…*sigh*
Released on the same day as the aforementioned singles was the first Haruhi drama CD, “Sound Around”. The story, as far as I can tell, takes place after the rock concert and involves Haruhi trying to form an SOS Dan band. They sound bad at first, of course, and become gradually better as the CD goes on. Their only song, “First Goodbye”, that is reworked many different ways including a club mix, a slow jazz tune, Mikuru singing nervously, and Kyon & Itsuki attempting to rap (see clip below), before Haruhi decides to provide the vocals herself and produces what is the final track on the disc. It has many of the same elements you’d find a normal band formation story — holding an audition and going to a recording studio — except that Haruhi is involved, exuding her usual level of enthusiasm while voicing her frustrated criticisms. Oh yeah, and Itsuki and Nagato fight a “sound worm”, which I’m guessing is similar to the cave cricket from “Mysterique Sign”.
Kyon and Itsuki Try to Rap:
The characters singles for Itsuki and Kyon will come out on February 21st, in case you were wondering. Hopefully, neither of the voice actors will try to lay down some dope rhymes.
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lol rapping :D
If only Emiri appears more often in the series…yeah…
“fix mind” is so tranquil. Well…in the anime she is already a very calm person, so that doesn’t surprise me. Compared to Yuki and Ryouko, she does a better job of showing the Humanoid Interface’s ability to be emotionless…
Kyon’s sister is unbearable…in her Hare Hare Yukai there is a part in which she is waking Kyon…I am really appreciative that I don’t have a little, energetic sister = =”
somehow, Nagato looks a bit gar in this when it focuses on her, and Haruhi is just too cute!!