Kara Dennison
August 11, 2025 
Nearly 20 years ago, the anime adaptation of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya premiered. And that changed everything. It launched the career of Aya Hirano, it caused a global light novel boom… and, of course, it was popular in its own right. So it’s no surprised that fans would crave more from the SOS Brigade decades later. And thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, we get just that. In song!
Join us as we check out three new videos featuring the SOS Brigade. What makes them good? Do they stand up to the music of the original series? Read (and watch) on and see what you think!
“Invincible(ish) Happiness!”
The first song to drop in the project was “Invincible(ish) Happiness!” featuring Haruhi Suzumiya and the rest of the SOS Brigade. All five voice actors reunite for a song in the style of the original series’s ending themes and other ensemble tunes. Appropriately enough, the teaser for the song premiered on Tanabata: a very important date in the universe of the series.
The perkier, dancier songs from the series were some of the first to make the rounds. Congoers of a certain age will recall “Hare Hare Yukai” flash mobs (this author having been part of some). This first song brings that spirit back, and is a great way to lead off the project. Seeing the Brigade dancing in their clubroom was also hugely nostalgic. And, as always, Kyon and Izumi bringing their most in the background will never not be hilarious.
“Chasing destiny”
One of the standout songs of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is still “God knows…” This iconic piece combines intense vocals with equally intense guitar and emotion. And if that was your favorite tune from the series, you’re in luck: “Chasing destiny” is very much in the same vein.
Once again, Aya Hirano sings her heart out in a song that embodies Haruhi’s ethos. The lyrics challenge the idea that hard work and keeping your head down are the only way to success. “You need a dream to catch or the fun won’t spread,” the lyrics say. It’s also fun to see the original light novels represented during the second verse, as Haruhi paces a hallway displaying Noizi Ito’s original artwork.
“Colorful Starting Line”
This final tune in the project is another Haruhi Suzumiya solo, but it kicks off with a sleeping Mikuru. The time traveler dreams of an idol performance with the SOS Brigade leader taking the lead. She, Mikuru, and Yuki get some adorable rabbit-themed idol outfits, and the boys join them onstage for a dance at the end. This song is much more in the mode of original opening theme “Bouken Desho Desho?” and we could absolutely imagine it being an opening to a new season.
As cute as the animation is, complete with a mo-cap dance, the models for the girls feel a bit off here. Maybe it’s the size or rendering of the heads, but something doesn’t quite fit the way it did for the other videos. Regardless, this is a fun capstone for the project, and a very danceable little song.
Check out the AniTune YouTube channel for more videos!
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