Nice graphic!
Canaan with synesthesia activated.
The third protagonist, Osawa Maria.
Minorikawa, a reporter willing to risk his live for the truth.
Maria reflects on her encounter with Alphard and Canaan.
Canaan tv Review
Story & Characters
Adapted from "428: Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de," a visual novel exculsive for the Wii (and later PS3 and PSP), Canaan is one of the newest project developed by Type-Moon, who is famous for their previous works. To those who don't know, both "Shibuya" and "Canaan" are not entirely Type-Moon's original works although their scenarios were written by Type-Moon co-founders Nasu Kinoko and Takeuchi Takashi. The story of "Shibuya" involves a terrorist attack while "Canaan" takes place two years later, making the latter some sort of a sequel to "Shibuya" with some of its characters appeared and referred here.
The story of Canaan centers on three women and how they are connected together to an upcoming anti-terrorism summit in Shanghai, China. One of them is Canaan, a Middle Eastern assassin and mercernary possesses synesthesia, a supernatural ability which views the world in different colors to tell enemies from civilians. Another is Alphard, Canaan's rival, sworn enemy and also a skilled markswoman while heading a terrorist organization called the Snake. The last girl is Osawa Maria, the victim of the attempted attack on Shibuya two years ago. Sent to Shanghai to get a scoop on the upcoming international anti-terrorism conference along with her colleague, Minorikawa Minoru, now a photographer, Maria is reunited with her long-time friend Canaan. Eventually, both are caught in an armed struggle created by Alphard, who wants to finish their personal chaos due to past associations.
Type-Moon is well-known for their creativities in settings, so this was expected in this anime. A deadly biological weapon used for mass murder and can spread quickly, sure, that was common but in Canaan, the writters succeed in creating somewhat of a new view in this: an uncured virus that kills its victims within twelve hours of contact, causing parts of their bodies to bleed; it's now something news but certainly has a good fit for its terrorism theme. Superhumans with extraodinary powers in exchange for their needs of special medication, this idea is old but the powers somehow make up for it neatly. But Canaan's synesthesia is great, something to locate others, to hack into computer systems, and to acts as a radar, it's very original and definitely one of the coolest.
Canaan, however, suffers the worst criticisms for its storyline. While the first part filled with breath-taking actions wrapped around a compelling story that makes sense, the rest really turned the series down, gradually brings the show close to those ... typical mutant storylines: some people tried to create superhumans, then they screwed up, the project got cancelled, and now they want to eradicate everything. One more thing, I don't know whether Type-Moon invested in this, but the part when Alphard got saved by Canaan and shot off her own arm to save the latter is a reminiscence of Haru and Shuda from Rave Master (if you know what I'm talking about). Again, that's not something new, there are a few more cliche but I only noted the above, Canaan has an average plot, but not that great.
The actions and character developments should not be disappointing. I really into Canaan, just like Maria said, her characters are of a fierce woman, and yet like those of an innocent child yearning to learn the world. Osawa Maria, at first glance, she may look like a damsel in distress, then evetually, she grew to be independent and strong-willed. Overall, the anime has one of the well in-depth characterization, from the bitter and sweet friendship the two main leads to the love-hate relationship of Alphard's insanely possessive younger sister.
Rating:
Art
However much the writting may stumble, the series' flaws certainly do not extend into the artistry. The arts of Canaan are very good. At first, I was a bit disappointed to see the two main leads having tanned-skin, but come to think of it, they are both from the Middle East with the settings take place in Shanghai which fits well. The designs, well, they suit for its terrorist theme. Canaan doesn't look like an assassin, wearing a red halterneck shirt and brown pants and all; however, her snake-liked tatoo make up for it. Alphard and Liang Qi look hot in Chinese dresses. Maria, by comparision, is somewhat resemble a klutz but still convincingly embodies an adorable nature.
The animation is admittedly one of the best looking of the year, a visual triump for P.A Works. Unlike the dazzled
audiences True tears, the studio has done their job well in visualization Canaan, portraying a very chaotic Shanghai (a
crowd street take no action while the killings occur, etc), many parts of the series also take place during night time,
making it a fairly serious and dark anime.
Rating:
Sound
The voices are splendid since the cast was solid, especially the two main leads. Since I'm quite familar with Sawashiro Miyuki's works, I could easily recognize her unique yet whimsical voice in Canaan. As for Alphard, well, she certainly sounds like an evil Ryougi Shiki (also voiced by the same seiyuu).
The musical score certainly will not be found wanting, either; in fact, the more intense musical themes give the series the high level of tension that it often achieves. I have one word for the OP and ED: AWESOME! Since the promotion video with Faylan's "Arousing Souls," I've been longing to see her performance in the real deal, and fortunately, the music score really make your feel the franchise deserve some justice. Faylan's attractive voice in "mind as Judgment" gets each episode off to a blazing hot start with its intense rock sensibilities and great animation, while the rest closes in a tamer, ghastly ED song. Interestingly enough, Faylan released her first single, Gekka no Rasen, in 2007 long before her real debut in Canaan. There you have it, folks, Faylan became well-known thanks to the anime and her debut single ended with a BANG.
Rating:
Presentation
At essence, Canaan was an entertaining show, a girls-with-guns/mystery/supernatural anime similar to those of Noir and
Madlax, if you like those genre, you might like this. In many ways, Canaan lacks details, plot holes appear if one
ponders the series' logic even a little bit, it contains some of the worst cliche found in many common works with
the ending lacks a sense of closure. Still, this one looks and sounds good enough to succeed purely as a girls-with-guns
series if nothing else.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Story: 6
Characters: 7
Art: 9
Animation: 9
Voice: 7
Music: 9
Overall: 7.75
Good:
+Unique visuals and animation.
+Strong music score.
+Great action elements.
Bad:
+Plot lacks too many logics; plot holes and typical cliches.
Rating:
Final Verdict
7.3333 (above average)
Reviewed by Weskalia, Nov 15, 2010
Comments
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SchRita Dec 23, 2010
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Warpten29 Jan 11, 2011
THis anime rocks!
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kuryuki Apr 23, 2011
It took me the second time to finish this series, but I think in the end it was alright
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Baraka-Senpai Jul 05, 2011
Well-drawn characters.
History made ??as well.Action and adventure, very exciting! Really good.
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Rapol Sep 19, 2011
I'd have to disagree with the closure part. The main point of the story was resolved by then (hell even everyone got their own personal closure) and I find it ridiculous how some people completely missed the point and are actually begging for a 2nd season despite the main conflict/personal issue between Alphard and Canaan being settled.
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Dancerinthedark Oct 10, 2011
well I have seen canaan and I liked the characters and the action moments are good and I found the story is also good....
but I think that there is a next season because the fights between canaan and alphard is still going that is what I think,anyway thanks for the review Weskalia-chan:)
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