Reviews Kanon (Anime Review)

Well, since it seems to be the style, I figured I might as well make this topic.

Anyway, we've seen Kanon a little bit on BJP, but not much. Many of you are probably wondering, "What is Kanon?"

There's a short answer and a long answer to that. The short answer is that it's an awesome anime series and that you'd love every minute of it if you saw it. But that doesn't make you want to see it, right?

The longer answer is to describe the series a little.

I should say now that Kanon is a shoujo series. It's very light on combat, very heavy on emotions and feelings. Humour isn't a large part of the series. It's not a series for all tastes, but definately if you like this kind of anime, you'll love Kanon.

Kanon is a shorter series, it's only 13 episodes long, plus there's a short extra called "Kazahana" (Translates to "Wind Flower") However, the lack of length does not rob the series of its greatness. While I do believe it could be lengthened a bit without hurting it, I don't think it could make a full 26 episodes without seeming stretched out.

In any case, Kanon doesn't disappoint. With character designs by Key, which is known for its beautiful designs, Kanon is a visual feast. However, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so of course, I've brought a few images of a few of the main characters. These are screenshots from the original game, at that, and the anime stays pretty close in terms of look.

Kawasumi Mai
Minase Nayuki
Sawatari Makoto
Tsukimiya Ayu
Misaka Shiori

In terms of music, Kanon has some of the best. Although I'll admit the opening and ending themes, (Florescense, and Flower, respectively) are a bit of an acquired taste, however Kanon's background music is absolutely stellar. Every piece sounds beautiful and is cut in perfectly, adding up to an absolutely amazing experience. And if that weren't all, Kanon is also the origin of the song "Last Regrets." If you've heard this song, you know how beautiful it is- it's even more beautiful when it's played in context. It really has to be seen (and heard) to be believed.

Lastly, story. I'm not saying a thing about the story itself. Kanon is chock full of emotion, deeper meanings, and most definately it's a series that you'll have to watch twice- Not that that's a chore! The story is written so intricately, so beautifully, there are little things you wouldn't even notice in the first viewing, that you notice the second time around, and make perfect sense. The story is woven so flawlessly, you're left in the dark about what will happen right up to the very climax of each story arc, yet it's handled so beautifully that you can't but relish every moment of it.

All of this together ties in, to make one of, if not the most beautiful series I have ever seen. Truly, its creators must have wept while they made it.

Also, it's more proof that hentai games make the best series. (The anime is, by the way, rated PG-13, so no worries about that)

Anyway, I suppose the last thing I'll do is to leave you with a few articles written about the series. I strongly suggest you acquire it as soon as you can, and watch it, even if you're not sure you'll like it.

http://www.point-blank.cc/reviews/index.php?action=view&ident=167 - This one views it as a more average series. Certainly it's a valid point of view, although it seems to me the author prefers a different genre of anime.

http://www.mayday-anime.com/article.php?id=6 - This one is much in the same vein as mine. I found this before I saw the series and put off reading it until after I'd seen it, and it does contain some minor spoilers, so you may wish to hold off on reading it at first.

 

My God, you make me want to watch this so badly. There is a DVD out right? I gotta get my butt to Suncoast and buy buy buy!

 

Kanon is unlicensed, but it is fansubbed.

And you know what that means...

 

Do I want to say no DVD for me?

 

More like free downloads, if you go to the right places.

Either way, I'm going to buy Kanon the day it's released in North America, just so I can say I own it. (Plus I want to see how the "official" translators do with it)

 

Yes, I must thank you for that link. Why, do you think the translators are gonna do a crappy job or something?

 

Naruto, One Piece, Tokyo Mew Mew, good job translating?

Yeah.

Translators have often ruined great anime when they translate for commercial reasons. I'm looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time, because as much as I would like to see it licensed and becoming popular, I worry that it will lose all that makes it great, due to a crappy translation.

Ahh well, we'll see what happens sooner or later.

 

Its unlicensed? Who's the kids running the fansubs then? This might be worth a gan-deer.

There's a Hentai series involved with this as well? Explain this one as well. oO;

~W

 

Elite-Fansubs, I believe. In any case they do an astounding job with Kanon. If quality of the fansubs is your concern, it's among the best work I've seen.

Both Kanon and Air originated as hentai games released by Visual Arts/Key. Both later released non-hentai versions of the games, and still later, anime series, after proving to be very popular.

Look it up on wikipedia.

 

Besides it being beautiful storyline what is it about?

I was reading your review and I found it to lack the detail of the show.

 

In a series as short as Kanon, it's very difficult to give elements of the story without giving spoilers. :/

In any case, it focuses on several high-school aged students, the main character being Aizawa Yuuichi. He returns to a city he hadn't visited in seven years, and he has no memory of any of the events which happened then. As he meets these young women, he finds out a great deal about himself, and about them, as he helps them through their various issues.

Kinda a crappy summary, but it's the best I can give without spoiling. :/

 

Works for me though.