Spoilers ahead!
Prologue summary: It starts by our narrator talking about how long he believed in Santa Claus, which is never, and how he knew that the ones he has seen in person were fakes. The narrator also talks about other fictional elements (aka aliens, espers, time travelers, etc.) and how much he wanted them to exist, but realized that they did not. Our narrator states that he would like to be in a world where such beings existed, but still admits that it is impossible, thinking that the year 1999 was his last hope for anything like that to occur. After graduating middle school and entering high school he puts those fantasies to the back of his mind until he met a certain someone.
Chapter 1 summary: Our currently nameless narrator is entering high school, and he complains that his school is located at the top of a large hill and how the hike will be each day. He notes during the commencement ceremony the bright hope and anxiety with the other students in contrast to his own gloomy demeanor. In homeroom later, the teacher, Okabe, introduces himself, and has the students introduce themselves, they do so, talking about themselves, telling bad jokes that killed the excitement, until he hears the name and speech that he will never forget, "Haruhi Suzumiya. From East Middle. I have no interest in ordinary humans. If there are any aliens, time travelers, sliders, or espers here, come join me.That is all." The narrator is perplexed and hopes that their meeting was only a coincidence. He observes Haruhi, and finds that she's quiet and seemingly harmless. In his stated stupidity, our narrator decides to talk to Haruhi and asks if she meant what she said, but she won't talk to him unless he's an alien or some other aforementioned being. He wonders if he should have spoken to her at all, and is seemingly right after nothing else happens for the rest of the week. Haruhi is apparently in a foul mood all the time from the narrator's perspective, noting a conversation between her and another student.
Later, during lunch, he eats with a couple of classmates, Kunikida- a classmate from middle school; and Taniguchi, from East Middle, and the topic of Haruhi comes up. Taniguchi states that he and Haruhi were in the same class throughout and tells of strange incidents that she conducted, specifically one in which she drew graffiti on school grounds. They also discuss her love life, she never turned down anyone, but always dumped them after a certain period of time, up to a week and as little as five minutes. They then discuss the other girls in class, notably Ryoko Asakura, who has great looks and a personality to match, according to Taniguchi. As time passes, the still nameless narrator decides to observe Haruhi's eccentricities, changing hair styles, number of hair ribbons based on day, changing into gym clothes with boys still present in the classroom, and leaving the classroom the very second the bell rings, apparanlty she joined every club after school each day.
Sometime later, after Golden Week (a Japanese Holiday), we finally learn our narrator's nickname, "Kyon", a name he does not like. He comes into class and talks to Haruhi regarding her hair and if she changes it for aliens, and she actually gives a serious answer! They talk for a bit and Haruhi asks if she had seen him before, a very long time ago, Kyon denies this, and the conversation ends. The next day, Haruhi comes in with her hair cut, Kyon asks why, but is told that it is none of his business.
Later they have a conversation regarding her love life and other rumors, she states that they are probably true and that there are no interesting men around to go out with. Later on (apparently I like using that a lot) Taniguchi and Kunikida talk to Kyon about Haruhi and how they're able to hold a normal conversation, Kunikida notes that Kyon was into strange girls. Ryoko comes up and is glad that Haruhi made a friend. In another conversation with Haruhi, she can't stand the fact the every single club is boring, Kyon responds by saying that humans have to settle for what's in front of them, he also notes various inventions and innovations made by people who wanted to do so. During the afternoon period, Haruhi has an idea of her own: To make her own club.
Review/Analysis: First, sorry for the wall of text, this was not easy to summarize without losing some of the context here. Anywho, this is only chapter one, but a lot happened, we meet our main character and eponymous character, both of whom share virtually the same interests. One of whom becomes jaded over time due to realizations that those phenomena can't exist (Kyon); the other, Haruhi, is irritated since there is no one interesting in the world and wants to search them out. More or less, they are two sides of the same coin. So far, these two seem to mesh well together despite their different outlooks. Kyon apparently had a thing for strange girls during middle school, so that might have something to do with his interest in Haruhi, it also helps his interest in her in that she has the same interests that he at least had. He is also the narrator in this chapter, and series for that matter, so we see everything from his perspective in the story.
Haruhi as a character stands out in that until the end of the chapter, she seems very irritable, mainly due to the lack of interesting people, clubs, etc. But, she opens up to Kyon for whatever reason, we don't really know at this point. My best guess is that he brought the theme of aliens and other phenomena when asking about her various hair styles. Also, he may resemble someone she had met in the past, which may have piqued her interest as well; I have read most of the series as released here in the states, so I do know what happens, but I won't say anything here about future events. Her bad mood virtually vanished when she came up with the idea to make a club, after Kyon indirectly suggested it to her during his speech about normal people accepting whatever their circumstances were and that changes and inventions and discoveries were made by those who wanted something different, noting that they were all geniuses who wanted something different. I could go on and debate his point, show where he is right and wrong on his point, but that's for another post.
Anywho (another word I like), back to the novel, I'd like to learn Kyon's real name, but to save everyone the trouble, it does not happen...ever...oh, well. But I digress, the story itself flows very well so far, it seems to follow a natural progression, which I like to see. Character development wise, it is only the first chapter, but Haruhi has developed a bit as a character, she is no longer in that permanent foul mood at least. My final thought on chapter 1 is that it was very well done, establishes the main characters, and establishes a theme the will be further fleshed out in future chapters,and servers as an interest grabber. Tanigawa Nagaru-sensei is taking the story in a nice direction and I look forward to what chapter 2 has to offer us.
One last note: Noizi Ito's illustrations are very well done. They do well in showing us the mood for certain situations.
Spoilers Ahead!
Chapter 3 synopsis: After class assignments have been determined, seat assignments are next and will take place the next day. Tenma, of course, is anxious, as she wants to be close to Karasuma. Later, at home, Yakumo doesn't quite understand her sister's anxiety, stating that seat assignments are based on luck.
Afterward, Tenma decides to show off her (lack of) psychic power. The next day, at school, she contemplates the best possible seats within Karasuma's vicinity (from most preferred to least: behind him, next to him, diagonal behind, diagonal in front, directly in front). However, he is seated in the back corner, thus, sadly for Tenma, limiting her options. She can only draw one lot in order to obtain her desired seat (in front), and she does, lot 6, in fact, but she finds someone else sitting there. The unnamed student tells her that she drew lot 9 as shown my a marking showing such, and she is assigned to the front and center seat, much to her dismay. Fortunately for Tenma, the unnamed student asks to switch seats with her, citing poor eyesight. Tenma is overjoyed at being seated by Karasuma.
In a bonus segment, Harima managed to convince the faculty to let him advance to the second year. Not only that, he was also placed in class 2-C, same as Tenma. During seat assignments, he notices Tenma in the front row, and he asks another student to switch with him, citing his own poor eyesight, but is shocked to find the student who switched with her. He quickly changes his mind, noting his sunglasses, and decides not to switch, and returns to his original seat, next to Tenma in fact. He promises himself that he would not cause anymore trouble.
Chapter 4 synopsis: After the class and seating assignment ordeals, Tenma goes to the library to read up on love, ranging from romance novels, to love psychology, to...The Art of War by Sun Tzu (misread by Tenma as Sonko). After reading a passage of knowing one's self (from aforementioned title), she describes herself, average/normal in looks and style, below average/substandard in everything else. Although she feels down, Tenma decides not to give up. While reading further, she has trouble understanding one phrase, and asks someone for help, that person being Karasuma of all people, shocking her. She then decides to ask his help on pronouncing the word "beloved", but her answer comes from someone else, frustrating her. She picks up another book and asks him a question regarding what a beekeeper's extractor is for, hoping to hear him say "honey", but she shows him the wrong piece of equipment in the book, and Karasuma answers "Chaff", sending Tenma into a mental abyss of despair.
Review/Analysis: Short form review: gag manga, it does have a subtle plot, however, I do like the direction. Long form: Kobayashi-sensei in chapter 3 further establishes Tenma's character, she tries to use psychic powers on cards, which isn't successful, but she can bend spoons. He also demonstrates the Tenma is a very lucky person as shown in the seat switch with the unknown student. Kobayashi might be setting up future plot lines with the characters in their current seats. Harima didn't make an appearance outside of the bonus page, but he somehow managed to get promoted to the 2nd year. This segment is all comedy in showing his seating ordeal, with him ending up next to Tenma after his own switching antics, which I found interesting. Chapter four appears to be designed to give Tenma additional characteristics, for instance, we now know she is not athletic or academically proficient, in addition to her determination already established. There are a few comedic moments here, all of which are interesting, showing the wrong book chapter to Karasuma, or misreading the kanji for Sun Tzu (Chinese pronunciation) as Sonko (Japanese pronunciation) thus showing why she thought The Art of War was written by a woman (ko indicates a female Japanese name). The downside of this chapter is that it does not accomplish anything other than providing additional characteristics for Tenma, and reinforcing her determination, the situation, while realistic, seems very gaggy. The same goes for chapter 3, involving both Harima and Tenma with the seat assignment gag, but the upside is that it appears to be a set up for future plots and gags (they aren't always bad). I do look forward to more, but I would like to see something more plot oriented, as opposed to gag oriented; ideally, I would like to see a reversal where the gags are secondary to the plot, but as I mentioned earlier, I do like the direction so far. Let's see what happens in chapters 5 & 6.
Until then, God bless.
Alright, before I get on with the review, a few notes- I'll give a synopsis of each chapter, then I'll give my thoughts after that point; also, there will be spoilers, so read with caution. By the way, all names will be in Japanese name order, family name then given name.
Chapter 1: It all begins with one phrase: "Love...what a weird word!" It is here that we are introduced to our main character, Tsukamoto Tenma, a second year high school student, a young lady in love. She hopes to be in the same class as her love interest, Karasuma Oji. And, in fact, they are in the same class, 2-C. But her hopes are apparently dashed when Karasuma says he will be transferring out in two days, leaving Tenma devastated. She will not give up, however; but she does not know what to do. That is, until she decides to simply write exactly how she feels. Now, she has some trouble at first, but eventually writes her note, or rather, book, much to her dismay. She then rewrites it, this time as a scroll, and places it into Karasuma's locker. He reads it, and reads it, and reads it some more; he then rereads it, finding that the person who wrote it didn't write their name on it, again leaving her devastated. But, her depression is assuaged when she finds out that Karasuma is going to delay his transfer for one year.
Chapter 2: This one begins the same way, but with a slightly modified phrase: "Love...what a weird friggin' word." We meet our other main character, who just finished beating up a bunch of hoodlum. His name is Harima Kenji, a delinquent who goes to the same school as Tenma, and is in love with her as well. He, like Tenma with Karasuma, hopes to be in the same class as her, but he is told by an unknown student that he is in 2-D, but it's actually someone else whose name sounds very similar to his own. Harima punches out the unknown student, looks again for his name, and finds that it isn't with any second year classes. Harima wonders why, but is told by a teacher that he was held back as a first year student, and he remembers, disdainfully.
Thoughts: The short form of this review would simply state that these first two chapters served to establish the two main characters as well as establishing a contrast between them, and was done very well. I will give you a deeper version...right now! In chapter 1 we were introduced to Tsukamoto Tenma, a nice, determined girl, but seemingly nervous and forgetful, as seen with her note to Karasuma, first a book, then a very long scroll. That note, though, changed Karasuma's mind on transferring right away. We were also introduced to Tenma's younger sister, Yakumo, and that's really it, although, it is shown that she doesn't quite understand her sister's anxiety, but is supportive of her older sister.
In chapter 2, we are introduced to Harima Kenji, who is, fo all intents and purposes, a delinquent. We first see him after beating up some guys in some alleyway, he shows up to school in a not-school-approved t-shirt under is unbuttoned uniform coat, and punches out a couple of people. Kobayashi Jin-sensei did a very good job establishing these two characters, along with their contrasting characteristics. However, they do have a common trait, love, Tenma with Karasuma and Harima with Tenma. This would suggest a common theme that should continue throughout the series, but otherwise, no additional plot lines are formed here, though, but oh well, it's only the beginning. Now, I've read several volumes ahead, so I know much of what happens, but I (try to) look at this as though I'm reading it for the first time. One last point on the characters, I'll say it flat out, they're funny, the situations seem logical (maybe), which amplifies the hilarity. I look forward to more laughs.
The artwork in these first two chapters is nothing really remarkable, it could be better, but this is Kobayashi Jin-sensei's first go at a manga, so I'll cut him some slack. I can tell you though, from reading further, it becomes much better. But looking at it from a first time reader's perspective, it's not bad, but leaves a little to be desired.
That's all for the first two chapters of School Rumble. I'll post the review for the next two chapters tomorrow. Until then, God bless.
Seriously... There's a lot out there to write about, but where to begin. As you may or may not have seen at the top of the web page that I, or rather we, as a group, are going to write about a whole bunch of stuff. I could talk about the NFL Draft's first round and give some interesting points. You know what, that's where I'll start:
#1: Eight of the first ten picks were on either offensive line or defensive line.
#2: No running backs were selected in the first round, a (potentially) telling sign that the NFL is more of a passing league.
#3: In spite of that, however, only one quarterback (E.J. Manuel) was selected (#16 overall by the Buffalo Bills). This does seem to indicate the lack of quarterback depth when compared to the last two drafts, although I did think that Geno Smith (QB from West Virginia) would have been taken as well by some team in need of a quarterback, but I digress.
#4: Only three wide receivers (Tavon Austin at #8 by St. Louis, DeAndre Hopkins at #27 by Houston, and Cordarrelle Patterson at #29 by Minnesota) and one tight end (Tyler Eifert at #21 by Cincinnati), but then again, that is not much different when compared to the last two drafts.
That's really all I have to say on the draft at this time. I might go into the drafts of a few teams once everything is over, but that will come later.
In the meantime, enjoy this and what I put up here in the future!
Prologue summary: It starts by our narrator talking about how long he believed in Santa Claus, which is never, and how he knew that the ones he has seen in person were fakes. The narrator also talks about other fictional elements (aka aliens, espers, time travelers, etc.) and how much he wanted them to exist, but realized that they did not. Our narrator states that he would like to be in a world where such beings existed, but still admits that it is impossible, thinking that the year 1999 was his last hope for anything like that to occur. After graduating middle school and entering high school he puts those fantasies to the back of his mind until he met a certain someone.
