As I said in my first impression review of Kanon(2006), I have not seen the previous 2002 series and knew nothing much about Kanon before I started watching it. After watching the first couple of episodes, I thought the show was okay but it didn’t particularly catch my interest. But now that I’ve watched 13 episodes of it, I have to say that I have a lot more respect for it.
First of all, one thing that Kanon really deserves praise for is its animation. The animation, character designs, color schemes, and backgrounds are absolutely gorgeous. Even for dull scenes, the animation is such a joy to look at it doesn’t really matter =)
As for the actual episodes and quality of the story, I guess the reason the first few episodes seemed a bit boring to me was because it took a while to get all the characters introduced, as well as to develop them along with the story. At the beginning it was basically just characters getting to know each other, talking politely, and doing normal everyday things. Nothing seemed particularly unique except for the mystery about why Yuuichi can’t remember the relationships he had with each of the girls he meets. But I think it was around episode 6 and 7 when the series started to pick up, and it’s been getting better ever since now that the characters have been established and the plot has been unfolding. I think one of the first parts of the series that I really liked was when Yuuichi and Ayu went to the movies together. That part was really funny and well done…there were also many humorous scenes between Yuuichi and Makoto, and Yuuichi and Mai that I liked and have since gotten me a lot more into the show. In addition to some well timed humor, the series has also been getting drama, mystery, and some fantasy elements too. Obviously Makoto’s arc brought a lot of this, and Mai’s arc now continues to bring more compelling plots into the once tranquil storyline.
The ending of Makoto’s arc really surprised me. Makoto being a fox that Yuuichi had once cared for was something I never would’ve thought of. Even though the love-hate relationship between Yuuichi and Makoto was a bit stereotypical in the beginning, and sometimes they acted a little immature, there were a lot of funny moments between them too. Obviously that all changed once Makoto got sick and began to lose her human attributes, and their relationship then became totally one-sided affection that, though it ended sadly, was one of the most touching things I’ve seen in a while.
Mai’s arc is equally interesting, and also a bit more suspenseful and mysterious. I’m curious to find out more about those strange “demons” she battles and pretty much everything else there is to know about her, and also if she’ll experience any major character development, especially in her relationship with Yuuichi, as Makoto did. That part in episode 13, after she and Yuuichi had fought off the demons and she started to leave, and Yuuichi yelling at her, telling her pretty much everything he thought about her, really showed the unique kind of relationship he has with her and I’m very interested to see how this arc will end.
Anyway, what started off as a so-so anime for me is now a very good one. I don’t think Kanon will become one of my favorites, but I like it very much. I’m looking forward to finding out more about the rest of the girls, like Shiori and Ayu, and also about Yuuichi himself, and all the other Kanon mysteries ^_^
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