Kanon 06

[LCeh]

Just watched the first episode, and once again, I am blown away by the artwork. KyotoAni just did it again. I cannot believe the details done with the close-ups on characters. Although the design is very very similar to that of AIR's, if you compare the two, you will see that the artwork and animation for this series is on a different level than AIR's. I cannot believe the stuff KyotoAni has been producing over the past coupld years.

However, with that said, this show just reminds me too much of AIR. I know that they originated from the same company (Key), but since I didn't like AIR that much, it's not too pleasant for me to keep reminded of what happened in it. I am going to have to wait to see how the story unfolds, since I didn't watch the original one. But I think this series is a keeper, even if just for the artwork and animation.

On a side note, this is the first time KyotoAni has done a semi-long series (20+ episodes), so it will be interesting to see how the animation holds up in the latter half of the show.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

The story is unlikely to be that different in style from AIR. The original Kanon was happy, whereas the original Kanon game was sad. We'll see which direction this remake will go.

[Apolyion]

I loved the production values in this. It's a real treat for the senses. Granted, first episodes tend to be of higher quality but KyoAni is one of the few studios that rarely dips much, if at all, in the middle of a season.

The styling does remind me strongly of Air, and the "forgotten childhood" thing is hardly original, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I liked Air's style, even though the story made it very depressing by the end.

I could immediately recognize Kyon's seiyuu from Suzumiya Harhui no Yuutsu as Yuuichi... he is using almost the exact same voice, though with a much more "normal" pace. This isn't really a bad thing - I liked Kyon, found his narration hilarious, and I thought all the castmembers in Suzumiya did a great job.

Yuuichi's character design even looks a little similar to Kyon's, and kinda contrasts, IMO, with the girls' designs - very noticeably with Nayuki, who's apparently supposed to be the same age. Most of the girls' designs seem to be skewed very young though - Akiko, Nayuki's mother, barely looks older than a teenager herself. This was something I noticed in Air, too, and I'm sure it's done intentionally but I'm not sure to what end.

[soundchazer]

Yuuichi's character design even looks a little similar to Kyon's, and kinda contrasts, IMO, with the girls' designs - very noticeably with Nayuki, who's apparently supposed to be the same age. Most of the girls' designs seem to be skewed very young though - Akiko, Nayuki's mother, barely looks older than a teenager herself. This was something I noticed in Air, too, and I'm sure it's done intentionally but I'm not sure to what end.

Nothing KyoAni can really do about that. The company that did both the Air and Kanon games had those character designs for the girls, which in my opinion are fugly as they look like they are 5 in a 15 year old body. I didn't care much for the original Kanon (or Air for that matter), but I will keep watching this one because KyoAni does the most gorgeous artwork. It is a shame they have to waste their talent on such retarded character designs. Oh well...

[KiraraKim]

Nothing KyoAni can really do about that. The company that did both the Air and Kanon games had those character designs for the girls, which in my opinion are fugly as they look like they are 5 in a 15 year old body. I didn't care much for the original Kanon (or Air for that matter), but I will keep watching this one because KyoAni does the most gorgeous artwork. It is a shame they have to waste their talent on such retarded character designs. Oh well...

Oh I did not know that. Well that brings my respect for KyoAni back up. I always liked their artwork but thought they were responsible for the character designs of Air and now Kanon. I hate how all the female characters look so young (I actually find it disturbing) and this is why I will not be watching Kanon.

I guess I have no interest in anime based on these type of games but I doubt I was the intended audience anyways.

[LCeh]

I will be honest. The reason I picked up this series in the first place was because of KyotoAni's reputation, and they seem to be delivering once again. I also find the character design to be a little odd, even though I watched AIR, I still never really got used to them, but I am willing to overlook that part since everything else is drawn to near perfection.

I also have the same problem as Apolyion, which is that I think about Kyon whenever I hear Yuuichi speak. It will probably take me a few episodes to get rid of the Kyon image and just focus on Yuuichi.

[aeroshadow]

IMO, it wasn't very good, besides the production values, of course.

This was very weird to watch, as everything about this show felt too familiar. I've played the original game at one time, but I had kind of forgotten about it, so hearing the game's original soundtrack and pretty much a condensed form of all the conversations gave me a very interesting feeling. But, it wasn't only that. The lead was way too similar to Kyon, the vibes in general were way too similar to that of Air's, and I did see many small yet noticable fragments of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya's art style in the faces of some of the girls... Oh, and don't forget that the whole premise is about as cliche as it gets, and you get an extremely disturbing combination.

...

Not sure if I'll continue watching. I thought this first episode was rather boring, not just because nothing of interest happened, but because I'm having trouble anticipating anything interesting happening in the future, especially with characters and a premise as bland as what I think I've been watching. However, I do remember Kain having some review for the original adaptation praising the series for doing a total backflip around the middle of the series. Let's just say that if this show is going to hold my attention, it had better get flipping quickly.

[Taleweaver]

Heh. Only episode 1, but I'm loving it already. But then again, I also loved the original Kanon anime, even though it was a, well, lighter version of the game, which I loved even more. I really hope they go for multiple plot structure this time and don't condense all stories into one of less impact.

[soundchazer]

I never understood the appeal for this particular anime/game. The whole purpose was to have girls with really sad stories and have the guy magically make everything better for them with either a gesture, a nice word or something of the sort. Plus, characters that say ugu or gar (like in Air) do not sound cute, they sound like a really bad case of Down Syndrome (my most sincere apologies to people who know a down syndrome person, I know they are smarter than such anime girls).

[Barrelhaven]

I really wouldn't even have thought about checking this series out if it wasn't for the Kyoto Animation branding. The animation looks beautiful, as expected, but the character designs freak me out. The girls look like frickin' aliens with their eyes the size of dinner saucers and spaced miles apart from each other. Plus, they have no noses! It's like all the girls in that town were born with birth defects. Spooky!

[Apolyion]

I do think I'd watch it even if not for KyoAni's involvement, but as with some of the other posters, the fact that it's a KyoAni project definitely is playing a role here for me. Even though I have my misgivings about the character designs and the "eroge-to-anime" genre as a whole, I'm definitely gonna watch this series through to the end. Everything I've seen from KyoAni has been fun to watch simply on the basis of its production, even when it had failings in story or source material.

[aeroshadow]

Heh, I feel like the only one who actually likes the character designs...

[Datsun]

It's sort of odd that they've decided to do this remake after only a relatively short time after the original. It'll be interesting to see where they take this one, but i'm assuming that Yuuichi will end up with a different girl, if only coz it'd be kinda pointless if they had virtually the same ending.

Still, the first episode was nice enough, with Yuuichi being a lot nicer to Nayuki, and some other minor differences popping up as well.

[Major Tom]

Saw the first episode last night. Interesting.

It does have some very Air like qualities about it, I'm already starting to draw some parallels between characters. But that might just be down to the fact that that they are both Key games.

I haven't played the game or seen the original, so my interest in this is mainly based on rumour and the fact it's KyoAni. And even though a first episode is utterly terrible to judge overall animation standards, if they keep up this level then at least it's going to be easy on the eyes.

I suppose I had better throw my 5c in on the character designs. I don't hate them. Can't say that I really like them, I'm not going 'OMG kawaiiiiii' (and I would be the first in line to shoot myself if I ever did.....) they do look kind of strange with their eyes, and mouth squished into the centre of their face, but it's totally disturbing or ugly. Tolerable would be the word, I suppose.

Maybe it's just me, but I find the kind of absent minded type of humour in this and Air to be amusing, much more amusing than say Love Hina type slapstick.

[ShinoMatrix]

For the most part I'm with Tom here... I've never seen any of the things that spawned this remake and read even less what it's about... most I've ever seen of this is some classic 3 minute AMV that I thought tried to sum up the story.

That said, I was impressed by the overall feel of it. The combination of character design, the flow of the animation and general ambience seem to be the kind of stuff that really gets to me so I'm excusing all its flaws for the time being.

This is the second anime in the past few days that I've picked up based on hype and once more (based on the first episode), it seems to be living up to it. We'll see where this goes.

[LCeh]

Ep 2:

Not much happened here. Since there are 26 episodes, they are probably going to take their time to build things up and hopefully end with a bang. The art and animation looks very very good, though I am really starting to wonder if I am going to like the story, as I didn't like AIR's much, and this one seems like it will be a very similar one.

[Linuts]

Ep 2:

Not much happened here. Since there are 26 episodes, they are probably going to take their time to build things up and hopefully end with a bang. The art and animation looks very very good, though I am really starting to wonder if I am going to like the story, as I didn't like AIR's much, and this one seems like it will be a very similar one.

Kanon, the game, had a really slow start. It's common with Key games. Most of anything interesting happens mid-way and near the end.

I am still not sure how much I'm gonna get out of this show. On one hand, I did not like the original Kanon. On the other hand, I liked AIR, which is also based on a Key game and was produced by KyoAni. I am crossing my fingers and hoping that the quality of the studio will make it (or break it) for me :p. This is KyoAni's first 26 ep production, so there are still 24 eps to see how they can carry this through consistently.

And OOOOh! Look! Eye candy!

[aeroshadow]

Despite all my negativity towards the first episode, I'll admit that I enjoyed the second episode quite a bit. I enjoyed Kanon's sense of humor, and there were a few scenes that were too adorable for words.

I'm looking forward to the next. ^_^

[soundchazer]

It's kind of funny, because when they show the girls' faces from an agnle instead of full frontal, the design looks much better and not as retarded.

By the way, the similarity between Mai and Yuki from Haruhi Suzumiya is eerie.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Why must everything, even games made half a decade prior, be related to Suzumiya Haruhi? It's not like the poker-faced silent female side character is exactly goddamned rare.

[soundchazer]

Why must everything, even games made half a decade prior, be related to Suzumiya Haruhi? It's not like the poker-faced silent female side character is exactly goddamned rare.

a) Because it is made by the same comapny
b) because the seiyuu have similar voices
c) Because I love how you react against it. In fact I will continue doing that in every thread just to see your angry posts of disaproval.

Oh... and Kuzu... no one forces you to read. Chill dude.

[Apolyion]

I like Kanon's brand of humor so far. It's subtle, but not too subtle, and the banter between Nayuki and Yuuichi seems pretty genuine thus far. Overall it's smile, grin, or smirk inducing humor rather than guffaw inducing humor, but it suits the show very well.

Yuuichi is shaping up to be a decent, sensible, realistic and normal guy - still a rarity for male leads in anime, though it'll definitely contribute to the already strong similarities he has with Kyon.

I'm wondering if Kanon 06 will intentionally contain little easter egg references to Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu or not. I wouldn't put it past KyoAni, given Itsuki's "Fumoffu!" and "Second Raid!" battle cries in one episode of SHnY.

[LCeh]

I'm wondering if Kanon 06 will intentionally contain little easter egg references to Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu or not. I wouldn't put it past KyoAni, given Itsuki's "Fumoffu!" and "Second Raid!" battle cries in one episode of SHnY.

Actually, there have been a lot of easter egg references to SHnY already in ep 2, I would say around 5-6, with 2-3 that were purely there for that purpose only. If you want, I can post the references, but I figured you might want to go back and look for them yourself, so I will wait. ;)

[soundchazer]

Shhhhh! We are not supposed to talk about Haruhi Suzumiya even though this is a KyoAni anime. Apparently it gives Kuzu gas or something.

[Apolyion]

Actually, there have been a lot of easter egg references to SHnY already in ep 2, I would say around 5-6, with 2-3 that were purely there for that purpose only. If you want, I can post the references, but I figured you might want to go back and look for them yourself, so I will wait. ;)

I'm not -certain- that many of the things I thought might have been references to SHnY actually were. It's pretty hard to deny the FMP references Itsuki made, but it's very possible to "read in" references to Suzumiya because of how similar Yuuichi and Kyon seem.

Things like the "normal introduction," "why are you describing what just happened," and "I thought you might be a spy" could seem like Suzumiya references, but it could also be viewer bias.

I mean, is every quiet girl with blue or gray hair a reference to Rei from NGE? Sometimes they're just quiet girls. With blue hair.

[loplop]

Actually, there have been a lot of easter egg references to SHnY already in ep 2, I would say around 5-6, with 2-3 that were purely there for that purpose only. If you want, I can post the references, but I figured you might want to go back and look for them yourself, so I will wait. ;)

There are several references . . . . By the way Lceh, Where's your Yuki sig . . . . :lol:

[LCeh]

Things like the "normal introduction," "why are you describing what just happened," and "I thought you might be a spy" could seem like Suzumiya references, but it could also be viewer bias.

I mean, is every quiet girl with blue or gray hair a reference to Rei from NGE? Sometimes they're just quiet girls. With blue hair.

I completely agree. There are definitely some up for interpretation, but there are a couple that's purely for giving SHnY fans a kick out of it, like the first two students sitting from the third row from the window:

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8837/bscap062gq7.th.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bscap062gq7.jpg)

There are several references . . . . By the way Lceh, Where's your Yuki sig . . . . :lol:

Oh, my sig over there is 600x150, I thought it would be oversized to be used here, so I didn't use it. What's the signature size limit over here on AA?

[aeroshadow]

I completely agree. There are definitely some up for interpretation, but there are a couple that's purely for giving SHnY fans a kick out of it, like the first two students sitting from the third row from the window:

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8837/bscap062gq7.th.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bscap062gq7.jpg)



Oh, my sig over there is 600x150, I thought it would be oversized to be used here, so I didn't use it. What's the signature size limit over here on AA?He also sits in the same seat: the window seat near the back.

[Sorrow-kun]

He also sits in the same seat: the window seat near the back.Actually I'm pretty sure that was the same seating arrangement for the four main/side characters as it was in the first series.

But I won't deny there were a few references to Haruhi in this episode. In fact here's a really subtle one. You need to be pretty observant to spot it, so I'm not sure many others have:

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6382/snapshot20061016113056copyat0.jpg

[LCeh]

Actually I'm pretty sure that was the same seating arrangement for the four main/side characters as it was in the first series.

But I won't deny there were a few references to Haruhi in this episode. In fact here's a really subtle one. You need to be pretty observant to spot it, so I'm not sure many others have:

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6382/snapshot20061016113056copyat0.jpg

To be honest, I don't get it. :D Why is that Kyon?

[Datsun]

To be honest, I don't get it. :D Why is that Kyon?

.......yes... perhaps that was a little too subtle. :)

But yeah. Is this show such a non-event that it's been reduced to nothing more than spot-the-HaruhiSuzumiya easter-egg?

But to be fair:

Things like the "normal introduction," "why are you describing what just happened," and "I thought you might be a spy" could seem like Suzumiya references, but it could also be viewer bias.

The "Why are you describing what just happened" part was a totally Kyon moment right down to its dry delivery.

[Apolyion]

The show's not a non-event, it's just that it's still in the setup and introduction stage. Nothing supernatural or even very unusual is happening as of yet, so there's not that much to talk about beyond first impressions of the cast, the KyoAni magic (this is yet another amazing-looking show visually), and the obvious comparisons between Yuuichi and Kyon.

[aeroshadow]

I didn't enjoy this episode quite as much as the last. The character interactions and the way events are shown so they focus on one girl at a time both seem very unnatural. I understand it's only trying to pay homage to the visual novel, but just in my opinion, I feel like the anime adaptation should try to make the show feel more like an anime and less like a visual novel... maybe. I don't know.

The next episode does look like Ayu and Makoto will interact a bit, so perhaps this one girl per scene style of storytelling will be softened a bit.

I'm still enjoying this, though.

[soundchazer]

If this version of the anime follows the first version or the game, be prepared for more of that "one girl at a time" situations. One of the many reasons I'm not too fond of Kanon as a whole.

[Datsun]

Well, after watching episode 3 it seems like there's still a lot of value to be had for fans of the original series. Whilst still following the basic storyline, there are few new scenes, and some new humourous dialogue as well.

Kyon, sorry, Yuuichi seems to be a much better character this time around with wittier/funnier lines. Best part of episode 3 was definitely him making fun of Ayu's "Ugoo's".

[ant]

For some reason this Kanon moves a lot faster than the original, yet I am saying this as someone who watched and enjoyed the original. Things that were changed for the better were characters designs little antidotes and better animation.

Since the basic plot is the same it gives me more time to enjoy the outstanding animation. I was apprehensive when I heard about the remake, as far as the series goes up to episode 3 I am not dissappointed.

[Taleweaver]

Without giving away too much: the Kanon GAME did not have one long storyline including all the girls' plots. It was a multi-ending visual novel where you usually followed one of the girls. Also, the endings were... rather different to those of the first anime series.

If Kanon 2006 follows the game more closely, it will
a) have multiple story arcs, a little like Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
b) play with our emotions in an even more intricate way than the old anime series.

[soundchazer]

And will still have retarded character designs for all the women in the show.

[Sorrow-kun]

For some reason this Kanon moves a lot faster than the original, yet I am saying this as someone who watched and enjoyed the original. Things that were changed for the better were characters designs little antidotes and better animation.

Since the basic plot is the same it gives me more time to enjoy the outstanding animation. I was apprehensive when I heard about the remake, as far as the series goes up to episode 3 I am not dissappointed.You're kidding right? This series so far has been slower than the first, and the first half of that series was slooooow.

They seem to be taking far more time for character banter and things like that... which is all well and good, since it rounds the characters a little more and makes them that much more charming. But I wouldn't expect any semblence of plot for at least 12 episodes.

[Major Tom]

The show is progressing very slowly at this point, but I am enjoying the character interactions. I'm also liking Yuuichi's sharp tongue and rapier wit (and his knack for picking up stray women, but that's another matter entirely).

[ant]

You're kidding right? This series so far has been slower than the first, and the first half of that series was slooooow.

They seem to be taking far more time for character banter and things like that... which is all well and good, since it rounds the characters a little more and makes them that much more charming. But I wouldn't expect any semblence of plot for at least 12 episodes.

You just answered why I think this series goes faster than the original which is the "banter and things like that". Nothing else different from the original, story wise, so yeah, IMO this series goes by faster than the original.

[Sorrow-kun]

You just answered why I think this series goes faster than the original which is the "banter and things like that". Nothing else different from the original, story wise, so yeah, IMO this series goes by faster than the original.I disagree there again. There have been several very subtle changes, particular with regard to foreshadowing or ordering of events, which may seems small now, but I think are signalling massive changes down the road to come.

[ant]

I disagree there again. There have been several very subtle changes, particular with regard to foreshadowing or ordering of events, which may seems small now, but I think are signalling massive changes down the road to come.

Maybe, but as far as episodes 1-3 nothing to the story has changed. I would like to to see several alternate endings. There are plenty of episodes to do that.

[Datsun]

For someone who didn't particularly like the first series, I'm loving Kanon06 at the moment.

There seems to be just a more polished feeling to the end product, with buffed up animation, a better seiyuu, character design and personality (MUCH better) for Yuuichi, and also the fact that all the little things, the minor details and events are touched upon this time round. Despite the fact it hasn't seemed to have deviated too far from the central story line so far, but as Sorrow-kun pointed out it's these little changes that may lead to huge differences later on.

And as far as the 'one girl at a time syndrome' goes, at least they've managed to offset it so far by including each girl at least once in an episode lest we forgot about their existence.

[Apolyion]

I disagree about "one girl at a time" being a problem - I think the girls are being juggled pretty skillfully in each episode, and between episodes. All of their individual plotlines are being nudged along steadily, albeit not swiftly. They rarely come into contact with each other and that's a shame, but the game (and thus the show) is basically about Yuuichi's interactions with them, rather than their interactions with each other.

It's pretty clear at this point that the animation is going to stay close to the game as I understand it. Maybe it will go beyond the game at some point - I would like to see that, personally, more than the multiple endings.

[Datsun]

I disagree about "one girl at a time" being a problem - I think the girls are being juggled pretty skillfully in each episode, and between episodes. All of their individual plotlines are being nudged along steadily, albeit not swiftly. They rarely come into contact with each other and that's a shame, but the game (and thus the show) is basically about Yuuichi's interactions with them, rather than their interactions with each other.

Oh I don't think that "one girl at a time" is a problem either, I just noticed that other people have commented on that aspect in more a less a negative way. With each girl getting air time on each episode, it makes them a more rounded than the original series, particularly Makoto and Shiori.

[LCeh]

Episode 7:

Seems like we are going to get the main dish now. I didn't watch the original series, but it's pretty clear that the character introduction is about over, and we will get into the individual story arc of the girls.

I like the comedy of this show. It's more realistic in a sense, cause the way Yuuichi reacts to everything is pretty much like we normally do. The art still looks amazing as well.

I can't wait to see where this anime will lead us.

On a sidenote, I am enjoying this show so much more than I did with AIR. Hopefully they won't let me down.

[Major Tom]

Episode 7:

Seems like we are going to get the main dish now. I didn't watch the original series, but it's pretty clear that the character introduction is about over, and we will get into the individual story arc of the girls.

Ths I agree with. We seem to be diving into Makoto' story first up. Out of interest, the fox that Yuuichi sees......was it me, or did that fox have 2 tails? Isnt' that some sort of good luck omen or something.....I remember reading about that someplace sometime.

I like the comedy of this show. It's more realistic in a sense, cause the way Yuuichi reacts to everything is pretty much like we normally do. The art still looks amazing as well.

I'm also finding this show to be funnier than most, mainly because the comedy is rather understated instead shoved in our faces. Plus, the current recurring joke, that being makoto trying to get the drop on Yuuichi, I do not remember Yuuichi reacting the same way twice. So it's old, yet different each time.

[Frog]

Yuuichi reminds me of Kyon way to much and the fact that he's voiced by the same guy, and said voice actor acts the same exact way in both shows is not helping.

[Sorrow-kun]

Yuuichi reminds me of Kyon way to much and the fact that he's voiced by the same guy, and said voice actor acts the same exact way in both shows is not helping.Totally disagree with that. I think the introduction of Kyuuichi is easily the greatest improvement that KyoAni has made compared with the old Toei adaptation, even over the much improved animation and directing. Having a male lead that the audience (well, me anyway) can relate to very much adds to the whole experience.

On the comedy, I'd have never expected it to be so good. It's certainly an improvement over the first series, even in spite of how much it's slowed its pacing in comparison, since the "setting up" episodes are no where near as... well... boring as they were the first time round. I think a lot of the credit has to go to the director, Ishihara Tatsuya (who's my favourite director atm), as well as Sugita Tomokazu for his fantastic portrayal of Kyuuichi. I do agree with Major Tom on the seemingly subdued style of the comedy and how it's just worked brilliantly. A lot of the running gags aren't even played out purely for laughs and occassionally do a good job of portraying the character relationships through interaction and subtly showing these relationships growing and changing with time. It reminds of My HiME in that respect... the characters of themselves aren't excessively unique, but they're taking the time and care to intricately portray the relationships between them, which we can be fairly sure will have an impact on the drama down the road.

Everything about the new Kanon project just seems to make me glee with fanboy-ism. Original story by Key. Direction by Ishihara Tatsuya. Animation and production by Kyoto Animation. Voice cast featuring Horie Yui, Tamura Yukari and Sugita Tomokazu. It's as if they surveyed me personally as said: "Sorrow, if you were in charge of creating your dream anime, who would be involved in it?".

[soundchazer]

Totally disagree with that. I think the introduction of Kyuuichi is easily the greatest improvement that KyoAni has made compared with the old Toei adaptation, even over the much improved animation and directing. Having a male lead that the audience (well, me anyway) can relate to very much adds to the whole experience.


The fact that Kyuuichi in the new version has more personality than the original doesn't mean that the character is different from Kyon. The way I see it, while the story and even some of the reactions are different, the voice and the character designs are much too similar and it takes a while to be able to separate between the the two characters. It doesn't help that they also share a very caustic and sarcastic type of humor either. Kyuuichi is however less of a complainer.

I have to admit that I'm enjoying this new version much more than the original. The female character designs are still retarded, but their personalities have somewhat make me focus more in the story than in the pitiful attempt at art. I know it is not KyoAni's fault that the original designs were so bad, so I'm not putting the blame on them.

[Major Tom]

I'm not having a problem with the whole Kyon/Yuuichi thing. Yuuichi is sufficiently different from Kyon for me to make the distinction. In the first episode I was like 'isn't that Kyon's voice?', but I grew accustomed to it being Yuuichi this time around before that episode ended. It's a non-issue for me.

[Apolyion]

I can definitely tell it's the same voice actor for Yuuichi and Kyon, and they do look similar. But that's about where the similarity ends for me.

But Yuuichi doesn't talk as fast and isn't as... dry and cynical, is the best way I can put it. Yuuichi's wit is a lot more more playful and nowhere near as mean compared to Kyon's.

That aside, much more than Kyon in Suzumiya, Yuuichi is making Kanon work - even (perhaps especially) when it shouldn't be working. He's carrying the show very well so far.

[sonydjsnmix]

I am really enjoying the new Kanon. I love the comedy. I think it's really natural and it really reminds me how real family members makes fun of each others.

Can't wait to see how the story of each girl will progress. Guess we are gonna see Makoto's first. So far im not liking how Sayuri is progressing. She is just so......... weird!!!!! I dont remember thinking of her in that way in the old series. I like her new voice though.

[aeroshadow]

Er... what?

Episode 8 was... very different. I suppose we're finally moving away from those introductions, but I can't stay I'm perfectly comfortable with it. It took me a little longer than many others here, but I was really loving this show, and for some reason, I wasn't expecting the slife of life aspect of the show to fade much at all, kind of forgetting that Kanon is supposed to be a sad story. This episode was a huge change of pace. The old episode structure has been utterly trashed, and the pace in this episode was very quick. In a sense, it was a little overwhelming.

But, I feel like it's all going to work out in the end. I've just been feeling a lot more optimistic about this show in general after a long string of quality, so well, yeah. I'm going to hope that this show will be able to juggle its comedy and drama accordingly. I don't want a dramatic scene to feel inappropriate because of intrusive comedy, nor do I want a comedy scene to feel inappropriate due to the surrounding drama.

Hm...

[LCeh]

Episode 8:

Once again, loved the humor in this episode. Yuuichi really makes this show very fun to watch.

And maybe I am just slow, but as someone who didn't watch the original series, I can barely pick up any foreshadowing. Maybe I need to go back and rewatch all the episodes again.

Aero, I have faith in KyoAni. From what I have seen in the first 8 episodes, KyotoAni clearly knows what they are doing with the story, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[aeroshadow]

Heh, I noticed that I've mostly been posting in this thread when I feel like I need to complain. Well, this is my favorite show of the season. There are other shows that are wonderful and all, but none of them hooked me quite as well as this one did. So I like it a lot more than I've probably been making it seem on the boards.

Did anyone notice that the male lead in KyoAni's Air was also rather sarcastic and witty, like Kyon and Yuuichi? Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I just find it amusing. I wonder how much we'll revisit this personality in the future...

I hear an anime for another Key work called CLANNAD is coming out in 2007. I hope KyoAni gets a hold of that one as well. ^^

[Sorrow-kun]

Before that, I wonder what the chances of KyoAni doing a Planetarian OVA/movie are?

Edit:Also, a Clannad movie by Toei Animation is planned for released sometime in 2007.NOOOOOO!!!

Except KyoAni remake in 2011.

[aeroshadow]

BLARGH. Just a movie and no KyoAni? >_>

I lol'd at the idea of having a remake.

[Datsun]

Ep8.

I've been hoping from the minute I found out this series was 26 episodes, that they'll be able to bring about a more acceptable form of closure to each girls mini story-arc, and also that when it does more or less come to a close that Yuuichi won't just seem detached from that girl.

It'll interesting to see how the Makoto arc pans out, as that'll indicate how the rest of the show goes.

[Major Tom]

Episode 8:
And maybe I am just slow, but as someone who didn't watch the original series, I can barely pick up any foreshadowing. Maybe I need to go back and rewatch all the episodes again.

There is some foreshadowing there, but it is subtle. It's mainly to do withher mannerisms, and there is one line back in ep.5 (I think) where Yuuichi comments on how Matoko is like a big puppy or something like that. There's also the fox in episode 7. I managed to pick them, and I started thinking 'you know, what if she's really....'

You don't know how pleased I with myself when I discovered when I was right.

Back on this episode, and I agree, it was different to the rest. We are now focussing pretty much on one girl to the (almost) exclusion of the rest, and I think that's probably how each girl's story is going to end up being....with maybe a couple of episodes in the pacing style of eps.1-7 to set things up.

I hope they explain just how Amino knows all this, though.

[Apolyion]

Watched EP 9, there are indeed explanations and a tighter focus on Makoto, and no, Yuuichi doesn't just withdraw from her - quite the opposite. I'll be interested in seeing what happens next, and if she gets a happy or sad "ending" at this point.

It's obvious, however, that multiple of the girls' stories will be shown now.

[Maverick]

Which leads me to suspect that Makoto's ending won't be too sad, because if it was, then Yuuichi probably wouldn't be in any mood to interact with the other girls.

[Taleweaver]

Were it like that, Kanon 2006 wouldn't be too different from the original Kanon (anime), which would be a shame.

[Datsun]

ep9.

I'm still holding out for a different ending for Makoto, but I doubt that will happen as it would seem that Yuuichi would have too much of an attachment to her afterwards.

We'll see I guess... it hasn't completely ruled out a different ending for this arc.

[Quantum Fluxx]

Okay so I just did a one-sitting and cleared through 1-10 of Kanon. I had no idea what to expect from this series as I've never seen the original. I was actually kind of thinking it would be something like Air and thankfully I was wrong.

Episodes 8-10 were certainly not something I was expecting and while I sort of laughed it off at first, by episode 10 I was feeling a real emotional impact from the show. Maybe I'm too soft, or have no taste I dont know, but I had to hold back some tears when they were in the field.

But I've been reading through this thread since watching it and I'm seeing a few of you talk about the original ending to the makoto arc. Having never seen it, I'm interested in how the two compare. So could someone who's seen the original post a reply in a spoiler tag about how the original series ended the makoto arc? I'm just trying to satisfy my curiousity now. Thanks.

[Sorrow-kun]

The original original is actually the game, which KyoAni's version is more loyal to (thanks to the fact that they've got more time to play with). The main difference between the Toei version and the KyoAni version is that the 2002 anime went totally for emotional impact while the 2006 focused more on story and themes of redemption (for lack of a better word), in that, when shedied (in an ironic sense, since she was never really alive), she actually departed on a somewhat upbeat note, marrying Kyuuichi and dying in a state of peace, with no real loose ends in her relationship with Kyuuichi. On the other hand, in the 2002 series, it just happened very suddenly, and they were only half way up the hill when she disappeared.If there's one thing I don't think KyoAni did as well as Toei's version, it's the relationship between Makoto and the other women in the household. There was more emphasis on them being a family in the older anime, while this time, even though they spent several episodes establishing the bonds between Kyuuichi and Makoto, hardly any time was spent showing, in particular, the mother-daughter relationship between Akiko and Makoto. Which I was a little disappointed with. But the scene with Amano and Makoto wasn't in the Toei version and I think that was probably the highlight of this episode. I'm just happy Amano wasn't just a plot device this time round.

[LCeh]

Episode 11 was good. It goes back to the way it first started: character development, humor, and continues to build the foundation for the drama that comes later. It also is a good break from the serious drama from Makoto's arc, giving the viewers a little break before going down another slope of the roller coaster ride.

I will probably enjoy this arc a lot more than the first one, simply cause I like Mai a lot more than Makoto.

[Datsun]

Ep11.

So Makoto's arc ended being more or less the same, but as with everything else so far they've just managed to execute it with much more panache.

It's nice that they haven't just forgotton about Makoto unlike in the first series where she just sort of disappeared off of everyones mental landscape

On another note, I never realized how short Ayu is compared with Nayuki...

[Quantum Fluxx]

On another note, I never realized how short Ayu is compared with Nayuki...

What? For the first half of the series so far I was convinced she was 10 years old. Imagine my surprise to know shes just a pedolicious girl his own age.

[Maverick]

I very much enjoyed episode 11 though, while they may not have forgotten Makoto, they've found a replacement rather quickly and easily...

Still, it was a funny episode, and I'm looking forward to this arc as I think Mai might just be my favourite character in this, except for Yuuichi.

[Major Tom]

If there's one thing I don't think KyoAni did as well as Toei's version, it's the relationship between Makoto and the other women in the household. There was more emphasis on them being a family in the older anime, while this time, even though they spent several episodes establishing the bonds between Kyuuichi and Makoto, hardly any time was spent showing, in particular, the mother-daughter relationship between Akiko and Makoto. Which I was a little disappointed with. But the scene with Amano and Makoto wasn't in the Toei version and I think that was probably the highlight of this episode. I'm just happy Amano wasn't just a plot device this time round.

Though I haven't seen the Toei version to compare, this I agree with. The relationship between Nayuki, Akiko and Makoto wasn't particularly cemented. I can remember only scene that hints that Akiko was being emotionally battered just as much Yuuichi, as in the part just before they leave for the hill.

Still, the rest of the conclusion to Makoto's arc was....good. It could have been far more gut wrenching and emotional, but personally it would have started getting seriously uncomfortable for me if it had been any more than it was.

I am glad that Makoto, whilst gone, doesn't seem to be forgotten. I do hope that Amano is going to stay as one of Yuuichi's friends, and that we see her from time to time.

[LCeh]

Ep 12

I thought it was an amazing episode. The first half was a great mix of comedy and revelation of characters' info, just the way it should be done, then Mai steals the second half of the show. That ballroom dance scene really stole the show. Even though I thought I already had very high expectations for KyoAni, they still managed to surpass my expectations in this episode.

[Chr0nic_STDs]

i thought this show was only 13 episodes? i'm confused :( :help:

[Maverick]

While it would be quite funny if it did just suddenly end, it's the older (2002) adaptation of Kanon that's 13 episodes. This one is going to be 24 episodes, apparently.

[Apolyion]

Ep 12

I thought it was an amazing episode. The first half was a great mix of comedy and revelation of characters' info, just the way it should be done, then Mai steals the second half of the show. That ballroom dance scene really stole the show. Even though I thought I already had very high expectations for KyoAni, they still managed to surpass my expectations in this episode.

The Mai/Yuuichi dance is just amazing. KyoAni again makes excellent use of their skill at animating in that scene. It's really interesting that in episode 12 of Haruhi we had the concert scene with its realistic portrayal of a highscool 'garage band' and in episode 12 of Kanon we have a very realistic portrayal of a highschool dance. Great job.

I'm not sure if Kanon's going to be KyoAni's first 24 episode project, but Fullmetal Panic TSR and Haruhi were both short seasons, so it's going to be really interesting going forward to see how the production quality and the show's entertainment value pan out down the stretch. I can't help but have high expectations, and there's no hint of things flagging, but this is the first show I'm watching as it releases that KyoAni's taking over 14 episodes.

[Chr0nic_STDs]

While it would be quite funny if it did just suddenly end, it's the older (2002) adaptation of Kanon that's 13 episodes. This one is going to be 24 episodes, apparently.

ahh ok i see now, that makes me feel much better :D

[Maverick]

Has everybody stopped watching, or something? I've just caught up to date (ep 14), and Kanon has really moved up a notch, in my opinion. I enjoyed the Makoto arc, but this is so much better. Roll on episode 15!

[Linuts]

Has everybody stopped watching, or something? I've just caught up to date (ep 14), and Kanon has really moved up a notch, in my opinion. I enjoyed the Makoto arc, but this is so much better. Roll on episode 15!

For a person who disliked the original, I for one haven't missed a single episode :). Maybe it's been too long since I've seen the original that I've forgotten what the stories were and why I hated Toei Kanon. Or maybe I've recently become a total KyoAni fanboy who can't keep his eyes of their eye candy. Or maybe the overall pace and storytelling has been a great improvement from the original. Whatever... At this point I can honestly say I am really enjoying this show.

Mais arc has been very interesting. Mainly because of all the action scenes. Women with swords never fail! :)

[LCeh]

Makoto's arc has been very interesting. Mainly because of all the action scenes. Women with swords never fail! :)

You mean Mai. ;)

Anyway, even though I didn't watch the original version of Kanon, the girls in this show quickly warmed up to me, with the exception of Makoto, so I am kinda glad that she was out of the way first.

I have been enjoying the show immensely, whether it be the story telling, the character interactions, the jokes, the visual appeals or just the excellent performances from the VAs. Ep 14 was really great drama, and I am kind of sad that we are about to see the end of Mai's arc.

One little complain I have is I find the drawing of Key's character designs odd when they are crying. I have no problem with their drawing styles of the girls normally, but I still haven't gotten used to their looks when they cry. Other than that, this episode was another big thumbs up.

[Major Tom]

Has everybody stopped watching, or something? I've just caught up to date (ep 14), and Kanon has really moved up a notch, in my opinion. I enjoyed the Makoto arc, but this is so much better. Roll on episode 15!

Meh. Holidays and crappy internet make for not watching many new episodes. Besides, my particular group has a tendancy to run a little behind the others, they're only up to 12......

[Acextreme]

Meh. Holidays and crappy internet make for not watching many new episodes. Besides, my particular group has a tendancy to run a little behind the others, they're only up to 12......

Hoho, you mean A.F.K? I also chose that group because their subs are simply fantastic. I had their work on Karin and it was great, thus I chose theirs. However, because I really cannot wait, I downloaded other group's episodes for 13 and 14, until A.F.K releases theirs. And guess what, their "Engrish" was quite horrible. A.F.K's use of the english language is a much smoother ride.

Anyway, back to the topic, when Kanon 2006 was first released, I didn't bothered to watch. Until I saw that it received rave reviews from a lot of people. That's when I download all 12 episodes and watch at one go. Man, it's so nicely done, I couldn't believe I had missed it. Well, accidents do happen. I don't know about the previous Kanon as I did not watch it, but I can say Kanon 2006 is really great overall, nice animation, good story, and a very powerful emotional impact which I experienced during the Makoto arc. I was in tears for those 2 episodes, it sure hit me hard. Great anime, I will definitely keep track with the series.

[Major Tom]

^^
Yep, thems the ones. I figured that people you release that little bit later spend just that little bit more time getting things right. Though my Japanese is very limited, it's timed nicely and it all makes sense.

[aeroshadow]

Heh. I didn't expect to see more Haruhi-esque action scenes... but here they are!

These episodes are fantastic. Somehow, I didn't really think I had warmed up to these characters enough to feel for them if given sudden melodramatic flashbacks, but heh, I was definitely wrong. I really like Sayuri's character, and that last scene with Kyon firmly talking to Mai's crying little face was simply beautiful. Good ****.

I love how manly Kyon... er... I mean Yuuichi's character is.

[Chr0nic_STDs]

I really like Sayuri's character, and that last scene with Kyon firmly talking to Mai's crying little face was simply beautiful. Good ****.

I love how manly Kyon... er... I mean Yuuichi's character is.

hehehe

......yes i agree, i'm really into this show, probably more then my other shows right now........damn i can't wait for episode 15 :(

[LCeh]

Episode 15:

I could just sense the potential in Mai's arc while I was watching this episode even without playing the game nor having watched the toei's version, but in the end, I think it ended a bit too quickly.

I think this arc could have been better if it had one or a half more episode, maybe coming from Makoto's arc, since her arc lasted pretty long, it felt.

But with that said, it was a great episode. KyoAni did the best they could with the time given, I just wish that more time could be given to Mai's arc. I can't help but feel a little down since Mai's my top 2 favorite girl in Kanon along with Shiori, who probably won't get the time she deserves either. :(

[Linuts]

This isn't the first time that the pacing felt a little rushed. It's weird, considering how well paced the rest of the show is. Still a good ending for a good arc. I wonder what they will do with Mai now. Will she be left in the background completely? At least Makoto has the excuse of dying.

[soundchazer]

Well... the original Kanon also made the Mai arc short, so I guess there was not much more it could be done for it. And I'm also curious about what they plan to do with characters of arcs that have been resolved, since in the original they would not make any more appearances.

[Major Tom]

So I've caught up to ep.15. I liked the Mai arc, Mai and Saiyuri would have to be my favourite girls so far, I liked Saiyuri's ~ahaha!~ much better than Makoto's ~auooo~, and Ayu's ~uguu~.

I too got the feeling it was cut a bit short, though, but unlike other things that are rushed, I still felt satisfied with the end.

But a thought has occured to me. Maybe it's not done just yet. I think that what's needed is a final wrap up with Saiyuri and Mai, and that could probably be done in a couple minutes next episode. That would make it feel more complete, in my eyes.

Interestingly enough, the thought occured to me that the demons were of Mai's creation, her own personal problems personified. I was quite surprised when that passing thought was correct. but I had initially thought that they were after Saiyuri, not Yuuichi.

Also, sleepy Nayuki FTW.

[Major Tom]

Maybe it's not done just yet. I think that what's needed is a final wrap up with Saiyuri and Mai, and that could probably be done in a couple minutes next episode.

Hah, I was right! They did do a short scene in the hospital.

It has been a week since I saw ep.16, so I thought I'd better bump up the thread. Looks like we will be saving Ayu for last, but from the hint's dropped it's probably going to be something about her mum, who is probably dead. Those who have seen the Toei version, spoil it, even in spoiler tags, and I will be most upset.

But I wasn't too surprised with this latest turn of events. I knew that Shiori was Kaori's sister the moment she replied to Yuuichi in that almost deadly tone, and you'd have to be pretty silly not to realise that Shiori's problem is a lot more serious than just a 'common cold'. It will be interesting to see how Kaori resolves her problems with Shiori.

The only thing that confused me a little is Kaori's comments as the end, that Next week is Shiori's birthday, the one the doctors said she wouldn't see.

Isn't that a good thing? She's defied the doctors so far, or is it the fact that Shiori is still alive starting to crush Kaori's little protective bubble. I do hope that Shiori isn't suddenly going to go downhill.

I don't think I've used characters names that many times in any other post I've done....

[aeroshadow]

This isn't the first time that the pacing felt a little rushed. It's weird, considering how well paced the rest of the show is. Still a good ending for a good arc. I wonder what they will do with Mai now. Will she be left in the background completely? At least Makoto has the excuse of dying.Even though she's been hospitalized, I highly doubt she'll be paid a visit. Maybe she'll get a little screen time in a credits montage. @_@

[Linuts]

Ep 17

I am having trouble feeling sorry for Shiori.... I don't know... Maybe because the disease she has has yet to be explained. And I completely forgot about her from the original... So that probably tells me this will not be my favorite arc :p. Meh, the episode was still decent. I kinda like how the show hasn't completely forgotten the previous arcs.


Like how Kyuichi was "asking" Motoko what it felt like to be dying.


I don't think this is the first reference either.

[aeroshadow]

At this point, it's hard for me to tell if any episode was particularly good or not, because the show's previous excellence was so overwhelming that even if it hit a bump here or there now, the inertia would keep me interested.

Not a bad episode, I think. If anything, the artwork in this episode was incredible, even better than usual, and that's saying quite a lot. So far I do like Mai's arc a lot better though. :(

[soundchazer]

Man... it really makes a difference when more characterization is added. This Kanon is much better than the original. This Yuuichi does have a personality... nice guy who can be a smartass.

Kudos to Kyoto Animation. If this anime ever makes it to the U.S., I can see myself buying it, retarded female character designs and all.

[Linuts]

Kudos to Kyoto Animation. If this anime ever makes it to the U.S., I can see myself buying it, retarded female character designs and all.

Oh come on, give Kyoto some slack for actually improving on the retarded designs :). The original adaptation was much worse, and the original game is even worse than that :).

[sonydjsnmix]

Episode 16: Kaori's crying scene was melodramatic. I dont understand why she went to cry to Yuuichi. Its not like those two were close or some thing. I wish there is more character development in Kaori. Im really disappointed. So far Kanon was doing ok until now.

[Major Tom]

Episode 16: Kaori's crying scene was melodramatic. I dont understand why she went to cry to Yuuichi.

Simple. Yuuichi knows. I don't think anybody in her class else knows that Shiori is sick, much less than the fact that Kaori has a younger sister.

I can't say I'm feeling it for Shiori like I did with Makoto. Perhaps it is because she looks too and acts damn healthy for someone dying of a terminal disease. Maybe it would help if we knew what this disease is (if it's real).

I am feeling it for Kaori, though. Trying to be the strong girl at home, and denying Shiori's existance in public. If she doesn't face the fact that Shiori is sick and is probably going to die, she will feel it many times over when she's gone.

You can see her walls beginning to crack already, when she talked to Yuuichi last episode. I am findind her interesting enough to start thinking that this arc is going to be more about the redemption of Kaori, in a similar in that Haibane Renmei was:
Not about Rakka at all, but about Reki's redemption and absolution
My theory seems to be supported by the fact that Shiori seems to have accepted her fate.

Absolutely fantabulous animation, I am constantly amazed by Kyo-ani's attention to detail.

[Apolyion]

I have to admit, I'm also wondering about the point of the Shiori arc a bit. It does seem like she's there to either be the Kanon equivalent of filler, or maybe develop Kaori and Yuuichi more. Shiori's really rather generic looking and acting, and as noted, doesn't look or act like someone with a fatal disease at all.

When I started watching this and learned it would be 26 episodes (instead of 13 like the other KyoAni series I've loved) I decided to keep an eye out for a quality dip in the second half but that hasn't happened at all. I also could see myself buying this if it were released stateside, it's just marvelously well crafted.

[LCeh]

If I am not mistaken, according to game players, Shiori's arc is more about the struggle between Kaori and Shiori than Yuuichi and Shiori. It's supposed to talk about the tough sisterly love during these hard times.

Shiori's arc is definitely not a filler. She was one of the five major heroines in the game, and I think it seems that way because the spotlight has not been entirely on Shiori during these last couple episodes. I think things are going to get clearer in the next ep or two.

[Datsun]

Shiori was definitely the most neglected character in the first Kanon, and like every other character, it's great to see more developedment. She didn't even have any sort of quirk last time, but this time round they've shown some cuter facets to her.

[Apolyion]

Well, episode 18 did a lot to redeem the Shiori arc (and Shiori herself). Kaori didn't get as much screen time in it as I'd been expecting, but she had a lot of impact.

I think there's definitely someone at KEY who really likes the "smile till the end" concept - but at least this time, unlike Air, it's not the melodramatic and depressing ending for the whole show.

[Major Tom]

Now that wasa better treatment of Shiroi than we've had in previous episodes, but I'm still convinced this arc is going to be more about Kaori, despite her lack of screen time this episode.

For me it will all depend on what Shiori is planning to do next. She's already contemplated suicide once, so I think that's a possibility. Kaori seems to have come out of her shell enough to acknowledge her sister, and Shiori doing something stupid might just shatter her new found strenght. I'm getting images of Shiori in a hospital bed and Kaori sobbing whilst bubbling 'gomenasai'.

But I might also be letting my imagination run too wild. I got the distinct impression that this arc is coming to an end next episode, and a new one starting.

[Linuts]

My memory is still vague with this arc from the original, but didn't Shiori's arc end already? From the preview, looks like the final arc is already starting.

Once again, KyoAni did Shiori's character some justice this time. Among all the other arcs, hers is the most 'human' (lacking any supernatural involvement) and it all played out well. The final scene at the fountain was done really well technically too (changing color lights... wwwwoooooooo). The fact that she didn't really show any signs of sickness still bothers me, but I think it was established from the beginning that the actual disease she has doesn't matter in this storyline.

[Major Tom]

My memory is still vague with this arc from the original, but didn't Shiori's arc end already? From the preview, looks like the final arc is already starting.

If Shiori's arc ends here then I will be somewhat disappointed, because I feel it will be unfinshed. What happens to Shiori, how will Kaori react? I think the arc will wrap up in the next episode, with probably Ayu's arc starting after that wrap up in that episode.

[Maverick]

The thing that bugs (or bugged) me most about the Shiori arc is that Mai's supernatural healing powers haven't been mentioned at all. I mean, here's one girl that can heal the terminally ill, and here's another girl, who's terminally ill...

I know Mai said she wouldn't get her powers back for a while, but surely it would at least cross Yuuichi's mind, even if only as a "if only Mai had her healing powers back"?

I haven't played the game, but I'm guessing that these storylines are independent, so this issue doesn't crop up. Maybe when planning what order to do the arcs in, they didn't notice the issue, and threw in the "I won't get my powers back for a while" to try and cover over the problem, but surely it deserves at least a mention?

-

Anyway, on to episode 19. I was quite surprised during the episode to realize that I've started to quite like Ayu. She's started to seem sort of sweet, rather than just irritating, and the end of the episode was quite touching. I wonder if Nayuki's feelings will start to play a part?

[Shadowmage]

Episode 1-19

Am I emotionally masochistic? I should have seen it coming, heck, I saw it coming but I stood right on the tracks and waited for the blaring lights to run over me. I must admit, the second time around dulls the pain, but I like the characters in this incarnations a lot more. Unlike the first, where are the characters were knocked out in one fell swoop like bowling pins, this anime is taking its sweet time developing characters before sending them off a cliff. In other words, Kyoto Animation sucks at bowling, but it sure can make good melodrama.

[Akito]

Episode 20: I'm not really sure of this, but if my memory serves me right, the ending of this episode corresponds to that of the 2002 version's third last one. If this is true, then it means that Kyoto Animation will have 4 episodes to do what Toei did in 2. The pace won't have to pick up anytime soon.

So far, even though the remake has much more technical merit, characterization, and atmosphere than its predecessor, I have to agree with Shadowmage on the grounds that its climaxes are nowhere as hard-hitting.

Nonetheless, it still remains a very cute, charming, and addicting series. :)

[Apolyion]

I'm perfectly happy with the pace for Kanon '06. It's still pretty crisply paced - there's not a single episode I would consider filler or "throwaway." Instead, it gives all the characters plenty of depth and development before their arc is over, and adds dimensions to side characters and secondary cast members that make them more than just plot devices or comic relief. I think it's made the story much more meaningful and engaging.

And Yuuichi comes off as a very good-hearted person with an amusing wit, rather than as a smartass brat, which is the impression I've heard many people get from him in the original anime series.

[LCeh]

Wow, what an episode. Episode 21 was amazing.

I am really glad that they finally are starting to do Nayuki some justice. It feels like it's been forever, but finally, for the first time the focus is on her. I really liked the way KyoAni planned it though, they made Nayuki watch Yuuichi interact with all these girls, and this goes well with what happened 7 years ago, with Nayuki secretly liking Yuuichi while he was liking another person.

I am sure we haven't seen the end of Ayu, since there are still a few untied knots. But the focus for now will be entirely on Nayuki, and I am hoping that we will have more time for 1 on 1 interaction between Yuuichi and Nayuki, since this is basically what the series has been lacking. Yuuichi had to deal with so many girls before, that he didn't really have the time to just take things slowly with one of them.

And my personal wish is that Akiko-san survives. It would be really sad to see her go midway through the series.

[Akito]

Talk about wrong place, wrong time... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9kQwfc4WLo)

[soundchazer]

Man... am I the only one who got chills when the accident took place?

[Taleweaver]

Man... am I the only one wo got chills when the accident took place?
No - absolutely not. This was probably the most powerful scene direction so far. Absolutely stunning - you expect something along the lines of screeching brakes, a surprised face and then a shopping bag dropping to the ground, and you get... this.

Wow. Just wow.

[Sorrow-kun]

I knew it was coming, yet it was shown so explicitly, it still shocked me.

[Shadowmage]

No human could survive that without breaking every bone in their body. The trajectory angle was a bit off (the car should have only grazed her, not mow her down), but it was shocking nonetheless.

[Major Tom]

I knew it was coming, yet it was shown so explicitly, it still shocked me.

I agree completely. Most of the time you just see the aftermath, for example *shudder* Kimi ga Nozumo Eien (yeah, doesn't even compare to Kanon, but it's the most recent one in memory), where we saw a crushed phone box and a splattering of blood, but that's it.

But damn, I didn't see that coming at all. I've been theorising and drawing connections about Ayu, and this didn't figure in. I'd have to say, I assume that this accident is what is going to trigger Yuuichi's memories. This will be somewhat different to what I'm used to, I would have thought finding the angel doll would have done that.

I am sure we haven't seen the end of Ayu, since there are still a few untied knots.

We are definately not done with Ayu. As I mentioned before, I reckon this accident is what triggers Yuuichi's suppressed memories about Ayu (which are bound to be tragic, don't any of you dare tell me), so it's all tied in. Next episode will concentrate on Nayuki, and maybe we will see a wrap up to Ayu in the episode after that.

It will be interesting to see what happens.

[Quantum Fluxx]

Okay, so a few episodes have aired since the car accident and noone has posted at all. So I'll get the ball rolling again.

Now that 23 is out, I am making the conclusion that the ending to Kanon 2006 is fairly different from the original anime's ending.


The changes that I can recall right now, is the way Nayuki seems to be more hating herself. But in the original she was angry with Yuuichi and wouldn't talk to him. Another change is the night Yuuichi runs to the tree, in the original Ayu was sitting there and theres some dialogue that takes place, and then she flies away with the wings you see in the opening. But in this case, he sees nothing, continues on, collapses and is rescued by the real Makoto, someone who never made a single appearance in the original. So I was a bit happy to see what that character was like after hearing about her so much. By now in the original Akiko was at least concious and Nayuki was spending all her time at the hospital by her side and ignoring Yuuichi until the day he leaves.

Just some interesting changes I wasn't expecting in this version. But from the preview to 24, I can't tell if its going to outright end like the original series or not. So far though I'm liking the new ending series of events than I did the old ones.

[Sorrow-kun]

Before that, I wonder what the chances of KyoAni doing a Planetarian OVA/movie are?

Edit:NOOOOOO!!!

Except KyoAni remake in 2011.What did I say? What did I say? I was just off by four years... (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7809)

Needless to say, I'm already preparing another pair of pants to cream at the thought of another Ishihara directed Key/KyoAni marriage. Hell, look at that cast. Nakahara, Noto... I can't get the smile off my face. :D

[ShinoMatrix]

I'm satisfied. I'm greatly satisfied by how this ended. That's all I can say really. Sure there were a few things that seemed to be closed off in one swipe, but they didn't really detract from my overall enjoyment of this show. Dang, I need something else to replace this in my rotations now :XD:

[Taleweaver]

Meh. Me, I'm disappointed. I liked the "short ending" of the original Kanon version better. This one dragged the final conclusion out too long IMO. Expect a review shortly.

[Akito]

I couldn't agree more. In more ways than one, the finale felt a whole lot like the last 30 or so minutes of Superman Returns. >_>

[Barrelhaven]

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/4610/kanonyg9.jpg

Some final thoughts on Kanon (Spoilers included, obviously):

After the Mai arc (which happened to be my favorite), my interest in the series took a serious nose-dive. It seemed that the comedic moments dwindled and lacked its usual keen delivery since then. Instead, the mood drastically changed from a dramedy to a suicidally depressing atmosphere. While that in itself may not necessarily be a bad thing, it did disappoint me to see the series lose a lot of that quirky charm from the earlier episodes.

I enjoyed Shiori, Ayu, and Nayuki as side characters, but didn't really care for them as they moved into the forefront as the center of focus. I guess that sorta dampened the whole emotional factor of their respective arcs. The Shiori/Kaori conflict frustrated me, Ayu and Yuuichi's relationship felt extremely forced, and Nayuki kept waking up to a shit-sandwich every morning.

Ayu was probably my least favorite of the bunch, and I thought her storyline was ridiculous (even for a series that featured a fox-turning-into-a-human storyline and a demon-hunting girl who was really only fighting manifestations of her own inner-demons). Having said that, I thought the final episode cleaned up Ayu's story well, and did a decent job of bringing everything full circle.

Overall grade: 7.5 (good)

...The Clannad trailer following the end credits seemed pretty impressive, too. I can't wait to give that look. Not enough can be said about Kyoto Ani's animation work.

[Apolyion]

The last episode felt rushed, unfortunately... there were too many time skips and too many scenes were left out that had to be very dramatic and important, like Akiko's recovery and indeed, Ayu waking up for the first time.

Still, a quite satisfying series. Given the limitations of the source material I think it pulled off quite a feat, the only part of the show I didn't like was the ending, specifically the second half of the last episode. The time and effort put into adding importance, depth and nuance to all of the characters, even many of the side characters, paid off in spades as far as I'm concerned.

[Sorrow-kun]

Meh. Me, I'm disappointed. I liked the "short ending" of the original Kanon version better. This one dragged the final conclusion out too long IMO. Expect a review shortly.Not before me you don't.

First review (http://www.nihonreview.com/anime/kanon-2006/) (outside the blogosphere, anyway...)

[Taleweaver]

Heh. Still finished mine before yours. It's not my fault that Mugs doesn't post our lectures the day he gets them.

*sticks out tongue*

[UndeadBear]

Just finished watching it and I'm struggling with a weird feeling. The series is easily one of the best series I've ever seen. Great characters, top notch sound/graphics (although I really dislike the insanely huge eyes of the female characters), and I have no issues with the storyline at all. It's also great to actually have a male lead in a series like this that is so admirable. I like every single character and that's quite an achievement.

BUT the entire time I was watching, I didn't shed a single tear and that's not like me. I do tend to tear up pretty easily and it made me wonder if there is a huge flaw in the series that made it impossible for me to really feel what the characters were feeling.

Before I finished the series, I thought maybe it was the fact that everything felt so dreamlike. Stark contrast to a series like NANA where everything feels so real. I also thought maybe it was because I found it a bit of a stretch that the 8-10 year children had such strong feelings.

It's not because of a predictable storyline either. The storyline is not predictable unless you saw Kanon 1, which I didn't. If you think you know what is going to happen, it's because there are hints. For example, I just knew something bad was going to happen to the mother, but it's because that episode slowly built up an undertone of dread. I can't point to a single thing that gave it away, but it's definitely there.

Now that I finished the series, I'm thinking maybe I didn't tear up because even during the really sad scenes, there is always, always a feeling of hope. Even if this is true, I still find it really strange that I didn't tear up even once. I don't know, heh.

[Major Tom]

Well, it has ended. Like Shino, I was very satisfied with the ending. The only gribble was the convienient 'miracles' that got everybody out of hospital in time for the finale. I didn't see any plausible way to explain that, really. Interestingly, I notice of us who were somewhat disappointed witht the Ayu arc are those who have seen the Toei version. Don't know what difference that makes, but an interesting point nonetheless.

Now for a quick overview on the arcs:
The Makoto arc was probably the most complete out of the the lot. I found it genuinely touching, even though I didn't particularly like Makoto herself.

The Mai arc was interesting, but it was ended a little too quickly and convientently for my tastes. Probably the least favourite arc, though I found Saiyuri's mannerisms to be the most.....'cute' out of the girls.

The Shiori arc was the one based more in reality than the others, and proably my favourite. It ended abruptly though, and the lack of any signs of this apparent terminal illness did hurt it some.

The Ayu arc including the Nayuki arc was nicely done and neatly wrapped up. Perhaps it may have had a bit more impact if I had not read a certain spoiler about Ayu.

So a well done series overall. One of the most impressive thing was the quality of animation KyoAni kept up through out the series. I did notice some drops in frame rate in a few places in ep.23 and 24, but hell, that's better than most series manage to do, so that's easily forgiveable.

If KyoAni gonna give Clannard (which admittantly I only know of since Fred at MegaTokyo likes the game (yeah, I read MegaTokyo, so sue me)) the kind of attention Kanon got, then that's probably going to be a winner as well.

[UndeadBear]

While they didn't directly show it, Shiori did basically say that Ayu's last wish must have been a wish that Yuuichi would always have a smile on his face. In order for that to happen, people around him have to be smiling too. While it sounds really cheestastic in words, it fit the dreamlike/fantasy quality of the anime well.

My favorite was actually the Mai arc. Not sure why, but I just really liked the Mai and Saiyuri characters.

I agree the lack of any apparent illness made the Shiori arc a lot less powerful. It made me think her illness was purely in her mind.

[Akito]

Now that I finished the series, I'm thinking maybe I didn't tear up because even during the really sad scenes, there is always, always a feeling of hope. Even if this is true, I still find it really strange that I didn't tear up even once. I don't know, heh.

More often than not, that is a big no-no when one wants to convey hard-hitting drama.


Episode 22 spoiler
It's like in that flashback with Ayu falling off the tree in episode 22. What the hell was up with her and Yuichii conversing, and pretty much declaring her whole will for 2 whole minutes before she finally fell unconscious? Way to dilute the impact, KyoAni!

Then again, I guess it makes it all the more friendly for the kiddies.

But in the end, even if it was very rough around the edges, I preferred Toei's incantation of Kanon for its more straight-forward story. Not only that, but I would even say that it was done better from an objective standpoint.

[soundchazer]

And I actually believe the orignal Kanon was crap on a stick. CHaracters come in and out and you never hear from them again, they have little development and it is difficult for you to empatize with them. The animation is mediocre and the lack of character development makes the whole story one big cheesy melodrama.

[Akito]

And I actually believe the orignal Kanon was crap on a stick.
Sure thing, old man. Some people also believe in Scientology, and I don't really care, but...

CHaracters have little development and it is difficult for you to empatize with them.
That's funny, because I don't remember learning anything new this time around; Ayu's still Ayu, Nayuki's still Nayuki (minus the heartbreak), Mai's still Mai, Shiori's still Shiori, and Makoto's still Makoto (unfortunately). They're still the same this time around and little, if any has been added to the previous incantation.

Okay, so maybe Toei's version was an abridged adaptation of the visual novel, but I would say that it did a damn fine job at being one.

Aside from a few differences,
like the real Makoto's appearance, which wasn't really necessary anyway
there's just about as much content in Toei's Kanon than KyoAni's.

As for the part on connecting, the show can only do so much. Half the job comes from the person's ability to relate to the characters and events (from personal experiences, etc, etc). A good example of this is Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien and its mixed reactions.

Of course, when one is being spoon-fed the plot, like in a large portion of anime titles, Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen** being an example, there is little difficulty 'relating' to the characters.

((**I am specifically referring to its soliloquies that pretty much give away everything.))

CHaracters come in and out and you never hear from them again
Oh, but you do hear from them again, it's called "Kanon Kazahana". And besides, if they just reappeared in the same manner they did in KyoAni's Kanon, it would just be one of those "Hey! How ya doin? Oh, really? Cool. See ya!" encounters, only 1,000,000% less upbeat.

It might work for a 24 episode-long series better, but I can't say the same for one half as long, seeing as how taking the spotlight away from a character might disrupt the flow. Besides, they only started disappearing more than two thirds into the show. Kanon was almost over by then.

the whole story one big cheesy melodrama.
With its sometimes overdone dialogue, I'd say Kanon 2006 had enough cheese to render Ghandi overweight.

The animation is mediocre

Oh, but-
No, wait.
I actually agree with you there.
The character designs are also hideous.

[soundchazer]

The bottomline is the original Kanon concentrated everything on presenting a story that would require characterization to actually connect with the audience, and because of the shortness of the series was unable to do.

What Kanon 2006 did was give enough pauses and looks into the interactions between the characters in a more mundane environment to make you either love them or hate them. There is more comedy on 2006, more looks into their habits, whether it is to oversleep in the morning, make sarcastic jokes or play pranks on each other. This will not add anything to the story, but it will help build rapport at the very least. Quite frankly, the story, 2006 or original, was melodramatic to begin with, but a little more detailed peak into the lives of the characters can go a long way to help you relate to them.

This is the reason why, appart from a better animation, better voice acting and personality changes to the main character, 2006 flows much better than the original.

[Akito]

There is more comedy on 2006, more looks into their habits, whether it is to oversleep in the morning, make sarcastic jokes or play pranks on each other.

That being the sole reason why I've watched through this.

However, all that does is make Kanon more mainstream-friendly and easier to swallow, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Unfortunately, it took too many pauses and its slower pace began to hurt, especially later on. At first, it was fine and appreciated, but in the end, it severely diluted the potential impact of the climax(es),

I would say that Toei's Kanon, though it doesn't humor the audience anywhere as much as KyoAni's, still manages to connect with most viewers. I had no problems with relating to the characters, and had a pretty good grasp of what they were like just a few episodes in.

Kain and Madoka apparently had little to no problems with connecting to the story either. If such was the case, the grades given would have probably plummeted down to the 60's.

[soundchazer]

That being the sole reason why I've watched through this.

However, all that does is make Kanon more mainstream-friendly and easier to swallow, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Unfortunately, it took too many pauses and its slower pace began to hurt, especially later on. At first, it was fine and appreciated, but in the end, it severely diluted the potential impact of the climax(es),

I would say that Toei's Kanon, though it doesn't humor the audience anywhere as much as KyoAni's, still manages to connect with most viewers. I had no problems with relating to the characters, and had a pretty good grasp of what they were like just a few episodes in.

Kain and Madoka apparently had little to no problems with connecting to the story either. If such was the case, the grades given would have probably plummeted down to the 60's.

Keep in mind that no professor is the end-all be-all in terms of grades. Kain is the same guy who gave Boys be... an 80% while Madoka gave Ai yori Aoshi an 84%. I respect them both, but they had their share of "what were they thinking?" moments.

[Akito]

Keep in mind that no professor is the end-all be-all in terms of grades.

So I assume it applies to you too. :p I appreciate your proposition to end this discussion prematurely. Somehow, I had a feeling like it wouldn't really go anywhere.

(Of course, if you want to go on...)

EDIT: I just noticed that Toei Animation is also doing a Clannad movie, much like how it did a movie adaptation of Air around the same time when KyoAni did a TV series one. Nonetheless, it'll be interesting to see how it will turn out.

(Personally, I still preferred Toei's Air, though that time around I saw it after KyoAni's.)

[Shadowmage]

O_o

In odder news today, ADV has bought the license for Kanon 2006. Considering how long it took AIR to be licensed, I'm relatively surprised at this quick acquisition. Either AIR is selling better than expected or Kyoto Animation is just becoming more loose handed with their license. I just hope they don't botch this with generic DVD cases like they did with AIR.

[Barrelhaven]

O_o

In odder news today, ADV has bought the license for Kanon 2006. Considering how long it took AIR to be licensed, I'm relatively surprised at this quick acquisition. Either AIR is selling better than expected or Kyoto Animation is just becoming more loose handed with their license. I just hope they don't botch this wit generic DVD cases like they did with AIR.

I guess SHnY must've sold pretty well, too.

[KiraraKim]

I guess SHnY must've sold pretty well, too.

I think it is selling very well. I randomly checked Amazon's top 100 for anime and several of its releases are in the top 100, and 1 is in the top 10.


Although I think how Air sells will be a better indication of how Kanon will sell since these shows are actually a lot more similar. Haruhi has had wider praise than Kanon and Air and was probably the biggest hit of 2006. Although Air is in the top 100.