We are almost at the number one spot, so hang on just for a bit longer folks! In the meantime let’s look at a meme that, unlike all the other memes in this countdown, was actually created for a clear purpose other than for the sake of the lulz, and by the official anime company no less!
At the #2 spot, it’s Hare Hare Yukai.
 Let that simmer in your head for a bit. You see? Even before I describe it most of you already know what it is! However, to those who don’t pay attention to the series let me explain.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is a light novel series about Haruhi Suzumiya, an energetic girl who is always looking for the strange, supernatural and all around weird. She starts her own club and drags along an unsuspecting boy, Kyon, into her schemes as she recruits new members and has various misadventures that defy genre categorization. The SOS Brigade is composed of a fantastic set of characters with their own quirks and personality. The story is simple at its core, but it also manages to dive into many other genres such as science fiction, fantasy, slice of life, comedy, and almost everything in-between. When it was released as a 14 episode anime series, Kyoto Animation decided to air the episodes out of order, creating an experience that would stick to the fans of the show.
 But the one thing that drew the attention of most of the fans had to be the now infamous ending dance sequence, Hare Hare Yukai. Shown during the ending credits of the first season, the audience gets to see the SOS Brigade perform a well animated dance routine that caught the internet by storm. Within many anime fans came a compulsion to study every movement of choreography and eventually be able to perform it during a convention. Many thought it was cute, some thought it was silly, but undeniably this dance was considered a badge of honor within many anime geeks. It said to all geeks out there, “Take a look! I know Haruhi’s ending dance! I’m a fan just like you!” Like wildfire, the choreography of the ending dance spread worldwide to fans everywhere that would perform the dance the second they hear the song and do it in mass gatherings. Kyoto Animation saw the reaction and responded by releasing a full version of the dance to the fans, which allowed them all to learn the official dance to the show. Sure enough, what started as a cute ending sequence to an anime became a worldwide sensation.
And Kyoto Animation wasn’t done! The very next year when they released Lucky Star, they used the same method of creating a catchy dance sequence to reel in the fans, and sure enough it worked. Motteke Sailor Fuku became another dance that was prevalent in the anime community and boosted the popularity of the show, though it would always be under the shadow of Hare Hare Yukai. While the anime itself is memorable all on its own, there’s no denying that the ending dance is what brought most new fans to witness The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Who knows if the fanbase would be half as large had it not been for that ending sequence?
So now that we’ve seen four out of five of the top anime internet memes, you might be wondering what the #1 spot might be? Given the nature of this list, I’m pretty sure you can guess what it is. The answer shall come in due time…
Bringing you the top stories from the past week in case you missed it:
 Imagi Studios Shuts Down LA Office:
According to ANN Imagi Studios, the animation studio responsible for releasing the 3D animated movie adaptations of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2007) and Astro Boy (2009), has formally withdrawn financial support from its US subsidiaries as of Monday. In addition to the restructuring, its LA studio has shut down and 30 employees have been laid off, adding to the 450 former employees that were laid off last December. With the US office closed Imagi still has operations in Hong Kong and Tokyo. Despite these setbacks Imagi Studios will still be moving forward with their theatrical adaptation of Tatsunoko Studio’s Gatchaman, which is slated for a 2011 release.
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Gintama acquired by Sentai Filmworks:
According to Mania.com, Sentai Filmworks has acquired three titles for their April 2010 DVD releases. Among these titles include Gintama, Hidamari Sketch, Le Portraite Petite, and Living For the Day After Tomorrow. The DVD release of Gintama will have the first 13 episodes available, however it is unknown as to how many of the current episodes of the series Sentai Filmworks have been acquired.
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Haruhi Suzumiya Season 2 Licensed?:
A new video on the ASOS (American SOS) Brigade website, the “official unofficial” website for Haruhi Suzumiya, was released dropping various hints about the state of the popular anime’s second season. Though no official release date has been set, the video does establish the formation of a new ASOS Brigade, the new Haruhi being played by fan favorite Cristina Vee. There will be more ASOS Brigade videos released as part of a viral marketing campaign for this second season as more details emerge, but one thing that has been confirmed within the video is that the “contract has been signed”.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRfywEX2LDQ
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Girugamesh reaches Hot Topic’s Featured Artist List
Popular Japanese rock band, girugamesh, has climbed up to Hot Topic’s Featured Artist of the Week on January 19, 2010, according to JapanFiles. Coupled with the release of the band's new album “NOW,” JapanFiles and Hot Topic have teamed up to give away free replicas of girugamesh's 2010 tour poster with the purchase of this new album. Last year, Hot Topic – the nation-wide chain that specializes in music and pop culture based fashion – sold over 4,000 combined units of girugamesh's two prior USA releases - "MUSIC" and " Girugamesh."
 BasouKazuma: Hey LosingOrbit, how's the life? Have there been any recent traumatic events?
LosingOrbit: Everything is cool on my side of the US. Studying to gain my GED and looking for work in the process...no one will hire me, though.
BasouKazuma: So you don't go to school? That ruins some questions, what happened?
LosingOrbit: It's a long story, but let's just say trouble seemed to follow me a lot...
BasouKazuma: Well school sucks anyways, I'm basically a college drop out lol.
What's it been like to be a moderator on these here forums?
LosingOrbit: I'll be honest, it hasn't been a walk through a field of sunshine and flowers. Some of the users are difficult, and I seem to run into porn a lot...but other than that, it's been a very...interesting experience. =)
BasouKazuma: So would you say you have a good relationship with the users or bad, in general?
LosingOrbit: Hmm, though there had been some rowdy persons, I don't hold grudges against users. So I say our relationships are fine. But for the love of God enough with the porn!
BasouKazuma: Enough about the porn! What do you do for fun?
LosingOrbit: I take boxing, of course. You stay fit and you get to beat the crap out of random objects...or people. I also love walking, reading, and cooking. Well, at least try to cook.
BasouKazuma: So you learn how to make boxes? How's that working out for you?
LosingOrbit: Boxing, BK. And with my training I could probably take out a guy your size...and your cat, too. >=)
BasouKazuma: :O
Yea I was just messing with ya, don't hurt me. What type of shows do you currently watch on TV?
LosingOrbit: Don't worry, I won't hurt you...maybe. But anyway...I usually watch documentaries. I also like Man Vs Wild. The things that guy does is just too strange.
BasouKazuma: Hmmmm, if you had no water for days, would you drink your own filtered urine?
LosingOrbit: If it was my own.
BasouKazuma: You heard it here first people! jk
LosingOrbit: How could you trick me like that?
BasouKazuma: Hey hey, who's interviewing who? But I trick because I can! Now, are there any upcoming movies that you are looking forward to?
LosingOrbit: Should have read the other interviews first. Now I regret doing this...but anyway, I want to see the movie Avatar: The Last Air bender. The cartoon was cool, so why not the movie?
BasouKazuma: Idk, M. Night Shyamalan has been on a losing streak.
LosingOrbit: I wouldn't judge him just yet. I'd like to see what he can do with this one.
BasouKazuma: We can only hope it's good. Have you seen any movies recently that you really enjoyed
LosingOrbit: Honestly, no. I haven't watched any movies in the past year...because I had no money. =(
BasouKazuma: Oh welllz, is there any series/movie that's currently on the site that you would recommend to others?
LosingOrbit: Though it isn't as popular as Naruto, Saiyuki has been a great series for me. The characters are colorful and easy to relate with. Though the animation may not be up to par, it's defiantly something to check out.
BasouKazuma: Who is your favorite user on the site?
LosingOrbit: Don't make me choose.
BasouKazuma: You have to!
LosingOrbit: Crap...well, there was one user, but he's no longer here. Ok, I just have to give a shout out to KinkyHamster. I loved reading his thread posts, no matter how perverted and off topic they were, and of course mystic17, Skittles, Cecil, Okazu, and Wraithverge. They're awesome!
BasouKazuma: Pshhh, snuck all those people in. Well, have you ever had a crunchy roll?
LosingOrbit: No, I've never had a crunchy roll. In fact, I have no idea what it is.
BasouKazuma: Then your assignment is to go to a Sushi restaurant and eat one.
LosingOrbit: Unfortunately, there are no Sushi restaurants in DC that I know of. Maybe in Chinatown, but I will try one just for you.
BasouKazuma: Woot! Well thanks for your time, I hope the interview hasn't been too stressful. Do you have any closing comments you would like to make?
LosingOrbit: Of course it hasn't been stressful, and thanks for having me. As for a closing comment:
Mods aren't here to sugercoat everything for you. If we weren't harsh and upheld our policy then we wouldn't be doing our jobs, we wouldn't deserve our titles, and the website would be in complete disorder. Whether we like each other or not, it's all about respect. Show it, and don't be afraid to contact us. Let's work together as a community. I know that was corny, but you get my point.
Did you know that Go Nagai created Mazinger Z in order to relieve himself from the stress of writing Devilman. Ironically, it was Mazinger Z that became more popular in the long run.
Naruto Shippuden ©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN All Rights Reserved., Hanamaru Kindergarten © YUTO/SQUARE ENIX, HANAMARU KINDERGARTEN COMMITTEE, Gintama ©HIDEAKI SORACHI/SHUEISHA・TV TOKYO・DENTSU・SUNRISE, Soranowoto © Paradores/Aniplex/ 1121, Chu-Bra © Yumi NakataEFUTABASHA^CHU-BRA Partnership
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