User blog comment:Ultraprime2/Fairy Tail Wiki - The Second Anime Debate/@comment-24546844-20160613021143/@comment-4829046-20160613134801

I didn't complete the video yet so I might just be repeating things, but I must state why I totally agree with you. :D

Haruhi has little emphasis on the usual anime high school faff that has been known to turn people away from the genre(unless it is Toradora or something, but that is debatable >_>), plus the way it handles themes and characters is unbelievable. A friend of mine has successfully brought in many people into the anime community simply by telling them to try it out at random. The movie especially is undoubtedly one of the greatest productions not to be done by Ghibli or other well known original film studios. The Endless eight is pretty much the biggest turn off but if you can get through it(or skip it) then it is an experience like never before.

There are plenty of series that aren't too tropey and thus can bring in skeptical watchers into TV anime, but most of the immediate ones(eg; Death Note, FMA, Code Geass, AoT) tend to be rather gory+depressing or relatively repetitive for those still judging anime. Haruhi on the other hand is different. It starts off like a very relatable drama and then shifts into a bubbly, thematic, and constantly evolving narrative with a very carefully planned structure that doesn't so much as restrict you into a particular mood, but constantly arouse your curiosity. You want to see these characters, you want to see what crazy thing happens next etc. and the desire is extremely pure.

I personally enjoy Angel Beats! more(watched it thrice in short time span after all XD), but I understand that very few people see that series the same as I do. Heck, I even have friends that love it but don't understand it and vice versa. Haruhi though, does not try to restrict itself as much as the other. That technically boils down to Haruhi being an LN adaptation without a conclusion whereas Angel Beats! basically became a demo for a game.... Still hey, if we are ignoring the other media, then Haruhi ticks more boxes despite the lack of a conclusion. It tackles the themes of other renown masterpieces, but never fails to have that balance of normalcy(Angel Beats has dark humour after all) thanks to excellent characterization. It has wider appeal basically. Not to say that it can draw in practically anyone, but it is easier to get into. Even if you aren't in it for spectacular themes, concepts and storytelling, you'd still be enchanted by the visuals, music and liveliness without being driven out of your comfort zone too much. The DUB being great is also a big factor.

Aaaaaaaand I basically went full fanboy..... <_< >_> I still thank Ultra and a certain someone for getting me curious about the series. :)