Keep in mind, I'm approaching all of this as someone who only watched this and the series. I have no familiarity with things like the light novels whatsoever.

Didn't think it was a masterpiece (outside of one scene, which was so good I have to talk about it in length), but if it's any consolation, out of the gate, Disappearance is a movie I can see myself revisiting.

Oh yeah, and spoilers.

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, the highly acclaimed 2010 anime film, closes off the series on an unsurprisingly offbeat note, which brings back more of the supernatural elements that were more present in the show's earlier episodes. Though the thing to keep in mind is this film didn't offer as many plot-based payoffs as much as I would've expected (any more of closed space, the shinjin celestials, the origins of Haruhi's abilities, Itsuki's organization, etc.). But the thing is, kinda like EVA, I think there's something still profound to be admired in how all of that isn't AS end-all, be-all important as you'd think it is. By the end of it, none of that truly matters that much. And that's a compliment.

Because once more: Kyon is the single most important character throughout all of this. Haruhi Suzumiya wouldn't be Haruhi Suzumiya without him, and this movie fully embraces it.

Because goddamn, if that introspection scene with him towards the end isn't anything short of moving.

It's the single best scene in the entire film, even somehow in spite of the fact I couldn't fully relate to it (I'll explain in a bit). If he couldn't stand the old world so much, why the hell did he still press that enter key? All signs, at the obvious level, point to him resenting it. Who does he have to kid? Haruhi is a pushy, smug, obnoxious, annoying little brat. Everyone knows that, and the dumb SOS Brigade club had him watch her push everyone around, all with a forced halo on her head at all times that you can't do anything about. It was as if all my feelings towards her were finally being lashed out in a way not seen since the Sigh arc. It's so simple. And so effectively well conveyed.

And yet...as he digs deeper and deeper into himself, against all odds, he can't let go of that little spark inside him that admits that, well...he didn't fully hate it. He still had some fun. All the crazy, out-of-the-ordinary shenanigans he experienced, for someone who's always been content with his average, normal life, is something even he can't deny as something to look back on and embrace a little. This isn't resenting contentedness, it's simply learning to celebrate the extraordinary. It's the world he calls home, no matter what. Warts and all, it'll always fit him like a glove when the feeling hits. As messy and undoubtedly imperfect as his old life so obviously was...it's also so obvious to him that that doesn't mean it was 100% bad either. That inner voice in him that simply can't hate it, no matter what. That voice that's always there, that just needed to be heard and loved more. By the time it was taken away from him, sure he could adapt and get used to it, but you found that golden opportunity lying there, awaiting a response.

And so, mustering up his final ounces of confidence that grow stronger and stronger: he fully accepts and embraces himself. This is his choice, and he's not going to beat himself up over it anymore. He'll take it, and that's more than OK for him. The simple choice to return home: and he's gonna damn well take that shot.

And as corny as it sounds, the more I type this down, the more I realize this is simply, truly, about accepting home. And it's reminding me of this Butch Walker song I love: "I finally found the difference between going back and going home." It's more than simply returning to the old world as it is in a literal, physical sense; it's the feeling and honest sense of self that comes with it. And I gotta say, I didn't expect to hear that message in an anime like this, let alone on first few impressions.

God if this scene doesn't get more profound the more I think on it! I had to rewatch it just for this review, and like with any great rewatch, you pick up on the neat new details you didn't catch or think too much on the first time around. An appreciation that only grows.

However, this otherwise masterful scene has a little downside (keyword: little. Don't get it twisted). Which is I can't help but feel the overall series could've greatly benefited by making Haruhi at least somewhat more overtly likable. I mentioned this before in my review of the series, but sadly, I straight-up couldn't stand Haruhi for a good 80% of the time. And given how this scene, the arguable climax of the film, hinges on him embracing Haruhi as a part of his life...idk, but just imagine how much more powerful it would be if she was simply a loud, still eccentric girl who didn't constantly dick Mikuru around, act all snobby, high, mighty, and self-centered. This ultimately comes down to personal taste, but Haruhi makes me want to flick her hard on the forehead whenever her stupid face shows up.

Yet with that being said, what I deeply respect as always is that the writers know. No shish she's supposed to be a grade-A nag. And it takes real guts for a guy like Kyon to find some inherent good qualities in her. Her unbreakable spirit, her dashes of energy, the whole outgoing, "who cares" attitude you can't help but respect a little. I guess an easier solution would've been to give Haruhi more sympathetic moments akin to her baseball flashback, and grass scene from "Live Again," so there's a more even mix of the intentionally annoying, and fleshed out enough to sympathize with, to ensure audiences like me can grasp Kyon's decision as the every-man even powerfully. Still, this is Kyon's moment. You believe every last word that comes out of his mouth when he's declaring his acceptance of himself and his true life.

Yeah, this review turned into more of a "one ____ scene" type of essay, didn't it? I couldn't help it. Maybe someday I'll do a more thorough review, (hell, I barely mentioned Yuki, who's arguably the 2nd most important character in this. Let the record show, she's beautiful here), but at the moment, I feel pretty confident in this being me laying out my, I guess, "preliminary" thoughts. Overall, Disappearance was a satisfying final chapter to the Haruhi Suzumiya series, and was consistently engaging, offering enough stakes and fun character dynamics that leave you fulfilled. It's also paced damn effortlessly, with nearly every slower-paced scene never creeping on overstaying its welcome. 2 hours and 40 minutes never felt like a breeze, nor very well spent, even as I paused it one or two times to get my head together. Closing off with a hauntingly beautiful acapella song.

I'll be revisiting that scene whenever I need it.

Future Mikuru shows up. Me and Kyon's wishes were granted!

Song of the day: "Chapter 13" by +44.