Yutaka Yamamoto, the director of the first season of Haruhi who left Kyoani in 2007, voiced his thoughts on the current Endless Eight arc during an Otakon panel.
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To tell you the truth… I knew this was gonna happen a year ago.
Not to make self-excuses or anything… the concept of this idea was floating around when I was still at Kyoto Animation, and I was against it. I said, “Two episodes is the most you can do.” But, as a person who left Kyoto Animation of his own volition, I can’t help but feel somewhat responsible for the way Haruhi is now. So, I’d like to say, as a member of the SOS Brigade Committee, I apologize.