The new series seems both more rushed and slower paced at the same time. Characters that didn't show up later in the previous series are either briefly introduced or make cameo appearances. But certain scenes are either expanded or weren't part of the first incarnation. Overall, I can't say if this version is better yet, except for the animation, which is very impressive.
KyoAni also manages to fit in jokes relating to their previous series again. In TMoHS, we had Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu and Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid references.
In episode 1 there was an AIR reference:
SpoilerGard™ wrote:A (delivery?) truck painted like the box of juice that Misuzu likes passes by. Of course AIR had it's Kanon reference...
In episode 2 there were at least 3 The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya references I noted:
SpoilerGard™ wrote:1. After Yuuichi introduces himself to the class, Kaori says, "That was a rather normal introduction." Yuuichi responds, "If there are any introductions that aren't normal, I'd like to see them." Of course, since the VA for Yuuichi was also Kyon in TMoHS, he DID see one.
2. After Yuuichi gets lost in the school, he meets up with Kaori. He says Kyon-like, "As I turned around, Misaka Kaori was standing there." To which Kaori asks, "What are you giving a narration for?"
3. Kaori shortly thereafter says, "You were acting suspicious, so I thought you might be a spy from some secret agency." Yuuichi replies, "I'm just an ordinary transfer student." Itsuki, the transfer student in TMoHS, was not ordinary and was from a secret agency.
And finally, I want taiyaki... Uguu~~