Wow. Nice review. Back in 1999 I was crying a lot, when Makoto disappeared. Don't want to think what will happen when I watch it :)
I was so depressed... Well maybe I should go for it.
Kanon tv Review
When his parents are transferred overseas, Yuuichi Aizawa is forced to move in with his cousin, Nayuki, whom he hasn't seen for 7 years. All his memories of the time he had spent there in the past have faded, but with a series of encounters starting on the first day, his memories slowly start returning... along with the reason he lost them in the first place.
Synopsis: shadowfoxza.
Story & Characters
To start off this is a review for the anime Kanon (2006), a remake of the 2002 thirteen episode series that in turn was based off the original game by Key. Kanon 2006 follows the same storyline as the 1999 series, however it is now 24 episodes long and has much more opportunity to explore each arc of the story, giving a much deeper understanding as well as creating a much stronger connection with each character. For those who are already familiar with the original Kanon be ready for a much more tear jerking ride as Kanon 2006 (like the original) is made from a puzzle piece plot where the story is built on recollections and memories, however if you do know the ending of each arc the recollections become cruel, but in the most beautiful of ways.
To those watching Kanon for the first time my suggestion is to sit through it, you might create enough questions for yourself to go insane, however by the end they are all answered and the impossible eventually makes sense.
The big improvement seen in the characters of Kanon is the amount of life each shows, with everyone having a solid and rich personality. The best example of this is the playfully cynical attitude of the main protagonist as he delivers the harsh truth to all who surround him. The little characteristics that make each character unique have been emphasised to the point where if you hear 'uguu' anywhere in life you will only have one thought. The characters are presented in an ultimately realistic fashion so that even with the many twists of magic scattered throughout it seems natural that such magic's should exist. One thing to notice is that there is a girl to a story arc theme happening and generally speaking once that arc finishes that girls existence will almost vanish from the rest of the anime.
Rating:
Art
Why was Kanon remade in 2006? The most important aspect was the art. In short the original series had crap art. Kanon 2006 has added depth to its characters and its surroundings with its beautiful soft animation using rich colours, beautifully ambient environments and working cleverly with light. While adding depth to everything the characters have also been animated to look slightly older than in the original. Although the art is greatly improved from the original it has the common fault that the animation is most beautiful when it needs to be and may become plain in the less important parts, however the timing of this imperfection is made so as to not take away from how stunning the series is as a whole, an example is that if the scene has you by the heartstrings and 2cm from the screen, art is guaranteed to be is gorgeous.
Rating:
Sound
Not deja vu, the music will sound very familiar to some. None the less the music is just as beautiful as the rest and creates that final depth that will make your body tingle or will fill you with warmth in the appropriate places. In many scenes you may ask whether something incredibly sad or incredibly beautiful is happening, it is the music that has the final say in this decision. The music is mostly gentle orchestral with plently or piano influence although a light electrical feel is also present in some pieces.
The opening theme 'Last Regrets' is the same song that played towards the end of the original series while the ending theme 'Kaze no Tadori Tsuku Basho' (Where The Wind Reaches) is the song that finished off the original series, although each was only played once in the last episode. Regardless the songs are relevant and a great addition to the series.
Rating:
Presentation
Kanon is often seen as the sister anime to AIR as they both originated from the same company, so if you enjoyed one you should enjoy the other. Everything about Kanon 2006 is soft, beautiful and pure, emphasised by the ongoing theme of pure, white snow. If you have seen the original and are thinking "I know what'll happen. What's the point?" you are so very wrong, you'll probably enjoy this more than someone watching it for the first time.
A lovely comedy with multiple tear jerking events, Kanon is guaranteed to satisfy those who are after something romantic and innocent. As said before this isn't to be taken as reality as it is in fact shrouded with fantasy, only presented in a casual fashion so as to seem realistic. There's enough light comedy that it isn't overwhelmingly emotional so in the end you have a well-rounded anime. The ending effect of Kanon is satisfaction and a longing for just a few more scenes of the girls as their faces light up from seeing their favourite foods.
Rating:
Final Verdict
8.1667 (good)
Reviewed by littlejonny100, Apr 13, 2007
Comments
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info-0 Apr 13, 2007
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MapleRose Retired Moderator Apr 16, 2007
nice review :)
would you recommend watching the original first? or go straight to the remake?
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littlejonny100 Retired Moderator Apr 16, 2007
To be honest I'm not sure, I'd say go straight to the remake. I saw the original 3 or 4 years ago so there was a big break between when I saw the two. I do believe seeing the original first will enhance how you perceive the remake however at the same time if you watched them too close together it would probably seem redundant.
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shadowfoxza Apr 16, 2007
I like the review ... one thing I would like to note though is that the remake didn't seem quite as emotional as the original ... I can only point at the directing of the series as a cause.
That said, I still think the remake was brilliant ... so I wasn't disappointed.
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FX18 Apr 16, 2007
I think the point of "not being as emotional as the 'original' (granted it was not really original, both were adaptation of KEY)as many ppl claiming, is mostly due to the direction of approach. In the 2002 version the tear factor comes as a quick immediate impact, while the 2006 version goes with the slower consistent approach. Personally, i think the latter approach fits the theme of "Kanon", a repeating melody that gradually reach its warm, touching climax, better than the solely huge tear bomb.
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shadowfoxza Apr 17, 2007
thats true ... but even so, those scenes which were the most emotional in the original (and by original I mean the first anime adaptation) that appeared in the remake just seemed incomplete. I would like to quote specific scenes here, but I'm trying to avoid a spoiler factor here.
In any case, if you're watching the remake first its bound to have a much greater impact than it would have had if you'd seen the 2002 version.
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kanon14 Apr 21, 2007
great review.......I touched with ur review....I just watched Kanon completely.I felt sorrow when little Ayu-Ayu fell from the tree....looking at ur review remind me so many sorrow and happiness when watching it.
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JetKrazy Jun 20, 2007
I think you need to get some facts straight
The first Kanon anime was made in 2002. You're probably thinking of the game, which was published in 1999.
Now, the remake wasn't all about the art, it was part storyline too.
nonetheless, great review here!
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vatican92 Oct 07, 2007
Very nice and detailed review
I'll keep the facts in mindWell i wouldn't say that the first Kanon's art was crap but it wasn't too admirable :sweat:
Oh, so the creators of Kanon are the creators of AIR?
That's awesome
I totally loved AIR -
SchRita Jan 15, 2010
Thanks for the review!
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