HoloX’s Hakui Koyori Covers “Koi no Mikuru Densetsu” from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

There’s a lot that’s memorable about 2006’s The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya anime adaptation, and on the list must surely be its very first episode, “The Adventures of Mikuru Asahina Episode 00.” Taking the form of the SOS Brigade’s self-shot culture festival movie, the amusing episode even featured a bespoke, in-universe opening song, “Koi no Mikuru Densetsu,” which has recently been covered by Hololive VTuber Hakui Koyori.

One of the strengths of “The Adventures of Mikuru Asahina Episode 00” was that it actually felt like an amateur work, with Yuuko Gotou‘s in-character (as Mikuru) performance of the opening song also reflecting that. This cover has better production values than the SOS Brigade’s version, but Hakui’s performance pays homage to the original by replicating its charming non-professional singer feel, to the point where the cover also kicks off with a slightly fumbled opening verse. 

Hakui, the “brains of the operation” of Hololive’s sixth generation, holoX, previously released a cover of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya‘s “God Knows” in August. Both cover videos feature illustrations by Kurot, with “Koi no Mikuru Densetsu” depicting Hakui in a maid outfit and twin-tailed hairstyle based on Mikuru’s look in the SOS Brigade’s film.

The original full version of “Koi no Mikuru Densetsu” was released on June 21, 2006 as part of the Suzumiya Haruhi no Tsumeawase ~TV Anime “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” insert song collection. MONACA’s Satoru Kousaki composed the song, while the series director of the anime’s first season, the controversial Yutaka Yamamoto, wrote the lyrics. 

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is based on the KADOKAWA Sneaker Bunko light novel series written by Nagaru Tanigawa and illustrated by Noizi Itou, which began in 2003. In 2009, the original 14 episodes of the Kyoto Animation-produced anime were rebroadcast with a new set of episodes, including the infamous “Endless Eight” arc. A movie titled The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya followed in 2010.

Crunchyroll describes the series as:

Kyon is a cynical and sarcastic teenager. The first day of his first year of high school is filled with hopes of a normal school experience—hopes that are immediately dashed after meeting the beautiful and eccentric Haruhi Suzumiya. Haruhi is athletic, brilliant, and completely bored with life. At Kyon’s accidental suggestion, she decides to create her own club dedicated to finding and observing life’s oddities—like the aliens, espers, and time travelers she believes walk among normal people.

Source: Koyori ch. Hakui Koyori – holoX – YouTube channel