Haruhi Endless Eight Part II Schedule Mystery

As those familiar with the light novels expected, the latest episode of Haruhi that aired earlier today was indeed a continuation of the previous episode‘s Endless Eight story arc.

Defying what was originally thought by many to be the new season’s broadcast order, the episode also began to explain the strange calmness and normality found in the first Endless Eight episode story, nothing new to fans of the novels, but went on to reveal what may be a puzzle even to them…

Stop here if you do not wish to see spoilers, although the major spoilers only start near the end of the post immediately after the screencaps.

The episode is officially named エンドレスエイト　/ Endless Eight, exactly the same as the previous episode, so it will probably come to be referred to as “Endless Eight Part II” or simply ‘Episode 13″ to avoid confusion.

It of course begins identically to the first Endless Eight (save Kyon revealing quite a bit more skin this time), which is sure to terribly confuse anyone that has not seen the episode or is totally unfamiliar with the story.

As the sort of commentary from our post on the previous episode would likely make little to no sense given the episode’s plot on top of spoiling the episode terribly, it’s recommended one watch the episode before reading too much on it.

Screens from the episode follow:

Major spoilers below.

The major surprise here is really that the Endless Eight arc is obviously going to be continued on in the third episode, which will also be named “Endless Eight” and feature the brigade re-living the same 2 week period of their summer for what will be the 15,499th time.

The multiple expected airing orders that circulated widely online mostly assumed Endless Eight to finish in 1 episode, with the rest nearly all agreeing on a 2-parter being the maximum.

It was obvious that the story would go on for at least a second episode following last week’s show, but continuing on for a third episode has a good chance of upsetting the theorized schedule – after next week’s episodes there will only be 1 more new episode until the original season’s Episode 00 (The Adventures of Mikuru Asahina) should air, but certainly the Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya arc will not be shoehorned into just one episode?

Perhaps not, and the Sigh arc (mostly expected to be the 2nd season’s second largest story arc) will be moved ahead to after the 4 remaining episodes from the 1st season that are yet to air in this rebroadcast.

Maybe we will see Endless Eight Part IV filling in for July 09’s episode then?