Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekisou review

Language: Japanese
Run time: Combined - 3 hr 15 min (2 DVD)
Video format: NTSC
Screen format: 4:3, 16:9
Release date: 27 July 2007
DVD Region: 2
(pics of my DVD coming soon)

On the 18th of March this year (that's roughly.....4 months ago?), a concert featuring the Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu (The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi) voice actors was staged. The Haruhi anime was a big smash hit last year, and it was no surprise that eventually something like this happened. Simply put, it is THE event for all anime fans (especially for the Suzumiya fans) to go to.

Unfortunately for non Japanese (like me), getting to Japan is no easy job. And most likely, you've missed out on this event. But no fret, as Lantis has released this on DVD. Woot. But there's a slight catch - this is an R2 DVD which means you need an R2 DVD player (or a region free one, whichever works for you).

The first DVD introduces all the seiyuus (well at least the main ones) from the anime (and I think the author of the light novel). Following that was talk with all the seiyuus. (Note to self: Shiraishi's Wa Wa Wasuremono is STILL the win - this is before he sung the longer ver on Lucky Star mind you).

Wa Wa Wa Wasuremono....Whoaaaaaaaa!! XD

Towards the end of the DVD, the SOS-dan seiyuus did a skit made of absolute win. Even if you don't understand Japanese, the skit is still hilarious.

Sugita Tomokazu (Kyon) with the Othello board XD

L-R: Sugita Tomokazu, Ono Daisuke, Chihara Minori, Yuko Goto, Hirano Aya, during the hilarious skit.

Obviously, DVD 1 won't mean much if you don't understand a shred of Japanese. No there are no subs you can stop dreaming now :D

The second DVD is where the fun begins. It's the concert where the seiyuus sings some songs from the anime or their character CD. It was a wonderful performance from all the seiyuus who performed. Quite a lot of the songs are from the character CDs so you are more likely to have heard them for the first time unless you've been buying them.

Some shots from DVD2:

Yuko Goto starts the concert with Koi no Mikuru Densetsu.
Chihara Minori's performance during "SELECT?" The fans are going wild. Damn I wish I was there. =_=
Matsuoka Yuki (Tsuruya-san)'s performance. My fav song of the lot :p
Hirano Aya and her live band performing "Lost My Music".
Chihara Minori, Hirano Aya and Yuko Goto during the Hare Hare Yukai performance. The most lively song of them all.

The DVD ends with a backstage visit of the seiyuu's at the end of the concert. And the fans absolutely loved the concert judging by the reactions.

Is this a worthy buy? Yes. If you are a Haruhi fan it is a crime if you don't have this in your collection. If you like anime music in general this DVD is great too. Nevertheless this DVD rocks!! Woohoo!

You can buy the DVD from Play-Asia or YesAsia. Thanks for reading and good night :)