Second volumes of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Go West!

After finishing the sophomore installments of these two series, I find myself sufficiently satisfied with one and sadly disappointed in the other. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya vol. 2 continues to foster my pre-established affection for the franchise, while Go West! vol. 2 frustrates my formerly optimistic expectations. I've got quite a bit to say about tMoHS and a little bit about Go West!, so here we go.

The manga adaptation of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya currently being released in English by Yen Press is only one component of an insanely popular franchise. It all began in 2003 with the publication of the first in a series of light novels by Nagaru Tanigawa. The light novel series is still going strong, but now there's also an anime production, a manga adaptation, and a passionately devoted fanbase both in Japan and across the globe that's growing bigger all the time. It's actually quite the popular phenomenon and it's taking otaku nation by storm; anybody identifying themselves as part of that nation had better be prepared to either join it or fight it, because there just ain't no ignoring it.

I myself first got hooked on Haruhi through the anime series. Source material aside, it's just a really well produced show distributed by Bandai Entertainment. The animation is high quality, the art is solid and detailed, and the voice acting is amazing (I cannot recommend the subbed version over the dubbed one strongly enough). Plus, the story is really bizarre and fun. I had a real bitch of a time trying to effectively summarize the plot - it's definitely not a twenty-words-or-less premise - so I'll just give the (slightly edited) Wikipedia version:

A high school girl named Haruhi Suzumiya is obsessed with the supernatural and forms the SOS Brigade to investigate mysterious happenings. Narrated by her classmate Kyon, who had given up his belief in the supernatural before meeting her, the story follows as Haruhi and those around her are drawn into surreal situations and a world full of fantasies... Haruhi recruits three additional members into her club, without realizing they are the very beings she is seeking. Among them are Yuki Nagato, a silent bibliophile who is actually an artificial human created by the extraterrestrial Integrated Data Entity; shy and timid Mikuru Asahina who is also a time traveler; and the easygoing Itsuki Koizumi who is actually one of many espers in an organization known as The Agency. Each of the members, except Kyon, are secret agents who were sent to observe Haruhi because she herself has unique powers of which she is unaware. It turns out she may actually control the universe, able to destroy and recreate it at will when she becomes too dissatisfied with it. In order to prevent this, the members of Haruhi's club spend their time attempting to keep their god-like leader entertained, hold her powers in check, and maintain the illusion of a normal life.

This story is just really weird and fun and different. I love how it tackles elements of fantasy through the lens of Kyon's thoroughly-grounded-in-the-real-world skepticism. The manga thus far follows the storyline pretty faithfully, so if you liked the anime you'll probably like this as well. However, I can understand how the manga would appeal less to those unfamiliar with the story and characters, as it's noticeably inferior to the animated version in terms of art and execution. I can't speak for the light novels as I haven't read any, but I would definitely recommend the anime over the manga for people new to the story. Yet as an illustration of something I already know and love, the manga's working pretty well for me so far. I'm looking forward to volume three, which comes out in June.

I only wish I could feel as happy about the (relatively) new series by Yu Yagami being published by CMX. Unfortunately, Go West! is not looking very promising after volume two. I picked up the first issue in the bookstore in January because I was intrigued by the cover art and synopsis, and because I'm always on the lookout for titles to diversify my shoujo-heavy collection. And so, ever the optimist, I hoped the potential I saw in its art and story would outweigh my qualms about its less than tasteful execution. Unfortunately, after reading the second volume I don't thing that's going to happen. It's a shame, really, because I did so want to like this series; I had a good feeling about it from the beginning, which I tried to hold on to for as long as possible, but I think now it's time to let go.

Go West! takes place against the backdrop of the quintessential stereotype of the American Old West (you know, tumbleweeds, saloons, cowboys, the whole shebang) and tells the story of an East Asian girl (presumably Japanese, although it's not specified) named Naomi who embarks on an epic westward journey in search of her missing family. Along the way she meets some very, ah, interesting characters who seem to think they're related to Naomi. Hilarity (and confusion and explosions) ensue.

My main problem with this series was that it was supposed to be a comedy and I didn't really find it that funny. Maybe it's just not my particular brand of humor, but I really disliked the hyperbolically exaggerated, overly simplistic, blatantly stereotypical way this series depicts the American West and, to a certain extent, its various ethnic groups. I know the author's going for comic effect, but it just didn't work for me. The oh-so-hilarious antics of the red, white, and black (as viewed by the bemused, level-headed Asian protagonist) probably appeal a lot more to Japanese audiences. Plus, I just didn't particularly enjoy the tone of the series: too heavy on the slapstick and explosions, too light on the family storyline (which is swiss-cheesy enough already.) So it is with the bitterness of disappointed hopes that I officially discontinue my patronage of this series.