Episode 11. The Day Of Sagittarius

The computer club (episode three) wants revenge and challenges Haruhi and the other members of the SOS Brigade to a computer game match. They place four of their laptops as a bet and want their stolen computer back if they win. Not to be out done, Haruhi puts Mikuru and Nagato as collateral. They play a game the computer club made themselves called The Day of Sagittarius III. The computer club cheats but Nagato sees through it and turns the tables on them.

Trivia:
- The president of the Computer Society pretends to be Leader Desslok (Desslar) from Star Blazers (Space Crusier Yamato)
- The book Yuki is reading at the end is “2001: A Space Odyssey” by Arthur C. Clarke. The left-hand page is actually a composite of pages 64 and 65 of the Roc paperback edition
- On the cover of the fictional game “The Day of Sagittarius III” is picture of a young Captain Avatar (Captain Okita) from Star Blazers (Space Cruiser Yamato)
- One of the Nekoman (the muscular one in front) in Mikuru’s spaceship is a homage to the character Kinnikuman. The distinctive characteristic is the symbol on its forehead.
- the Computer Club President screams “Glory to the Computer Club!” as he is being shot down by Yuki. This is homage to the original Mobile Suit Gundam, as many Zeon officers from said anime would shout “Glory to the Principality of Zeon!” as they would be shot down. Those officers also tended to be battleship captains.
- When the SOS Brigade having a tough time in their battle against the Computer Club, Haruhi orders Kyon to launch in the ******, to which Kyon replies “I’m launching!”. This is a tribute to Mobile Suit Gundam, where the censored word is the main robot, Gundam (The word Gundam is trademarked), while “I’m launching!” is one of the most famous quotes from the show, said by main character Amuro.
- Haruhi says “Shining light on darkness and vanquishing evil is the duty of warrior of justice” is a reference to Sailor Moon.
- the background music that accompanied their battle was adapted from the first movement of the 7th symphony of Shostakovich in the beginning; and changed to the finale of the last movement of the 4th symphony of Tchaikovsky near the end. The symphony of Shostakovich was composed in 1941 and was dedicated to the Leningrad during its defense in World War II.
- Koizumi’s fleet’s entire crew all have the henohenomohe(ji) face (a face usually drawn by Japaneseschool children using hiragana).
- In the episode 12 preview, the dialouge Haruhi and Kyon said respectively, “Previews are useless! Listen to my song!!” and “BOMBER!!!” is a direct homage of the dialouge said in Macross 7