Guillotine

Finally those of us on this side of the world will get to read the novels that The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was based on. The first light novel is set to release in the U.S. April, 2009. I suspect the other  novels will release one by one in set intervals (probably one every 4 months).

The first light novel basically covers most of what was in the anime series. Although Several episodes (The Adventures of Mikaru Asahina, Live Alive, The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya, Remote Island Syndrome, The Day Of Saggtarius, and Someday in the Rain) are all taken from other novels in the series. Basically The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya Parts 1-6 are covered in the first novel.

For those hoping for something they didn’t get out of the anime you’ll have to wait for the second novel which really answers a lot of questions as it tells the story of how The Adventures Of Mikaru Asahina was made. Really is quite interesting to get the “behind the scenes” view of what went on. A lot of things folks have puzzled over from the anime are explained as well (Like why Nagato suddenly attacked Asahina).

If you liked the anime then these books are a must read. Even if you aren’t usually a reader these are worth it just to get the rest of the story.

Still not much on the net about the much rumored second season of Haruhi. It has according to several sources been confirmed in Newtype magazine that it is definitely in the works, and will be based for the most part on Volume 4 of the light novel series “The Dissapearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya”, but nothing official that I’ve found about when it will air in Japan. Hopefully we won’t have to wait 2 years after it airs to get a US DVD release. Aside from the few hints here and there and Newtype’s confirmation (Which I have not personally seen) the second season of Haruhi seems to be the best kept secret in Japan right now.

To pre-order the first volume of the manga from Amazon.com click here

Update: Looks like I’m the one who jumped the gun on this one… Vol 1 of the Manga released on Oct 28. The light novel will not be coming until April, 2009. Whoops.

Update 2: According to Little Brown Books website the first volume is scheduled to release July 5, 2009 now rather than the originally expected april date.