This episode was directed by Hiroyuki Takahashi, the same guy who did K-ON! earlier this year. If you’ve seen K-ON! (and you should, it’s a great anime), you’ll definitely recognize the similar art style used this episode – particularly the faces. I also noticed during the short train scene that the girls standing beside Kyon are wearing the same school uniforms Haruhi will wear in the Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya. Nice cameo. This episode is the beginning of the Sigh of Suzumiya story arc. After the SOS Brigade pretty much pwned everyone in the sports festival, Haruhi is on to preparing for the school’s annual cultural festival. And her pet project will be to film a movie with herself as the director of course. The movie of course will be the Adventures of Asahina Mikuru episode 00 – the first Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi episode aired. Haruhi drags Kyon and Mikuru to a local strip mall to get free stuff for the movie and poor Mikuru has no idea what’s install for her.