I avoided reading anything on Kanon when it was airing. Pretty much, I thought Kanon would be a solid tear-jerker like Air, something that had a light hearted bit thrown in here and there to provide contrast, but really just wanted to make your eyes water. So far after eight episodes, Kanon has had me laughing a lot, very much more than I thought I would be. Yuichi, the male in this harem, is one funny SOB. I actually like the guy, which is an odd feeling for a harem show.
When the show demands it Yuichi switches into that normal concerned lead of a moe harem, but fortunately he switches out of that mode as soon as the need passes. This is a relief. Yuichi is not a crumbly guy who seems to do nothing in the presence of females except apologize for misunderstandings and spending the rest of the time making up for it, like Keitaro in Love Hina, or that idiot from Maburaho whose name I can’t recall and isn’t worth the time to look up. Yuichi, so far at least, messes with the girls far more often than he apologizes to them.
What’s great too is Yuichi isn’t a one trick pony when it comes to messing around. He’s not just a sarcastic quip-boy to Makoto or Ayu. Yuichi can play along with a purposely vague Shiori or chisel away at the walled up Mai as a way to get a response. Perhaps my favorite is when he sends Makoto off on an errand for him, taking advantage of her naivety to prove something with a practical joke. The humorous things Yuichi does sometimes do have a point behind them.
A lot of what keeps Kanon entertaining as well is how the scenes weave in and out. The direction (Tatsuya Ishihara) and scripting (Fumihiko Shimo) keeps several threads going without being a mess, never dwelling too long nor short-changing — reading through what else Ishihara and Shimo have worked on together, that’s one dynamic duo.
English Dub
I haven’t had the chance yet to watch more than the first episode with the Japanese track, so I can’t say how far or close the English dub script strays from the intent on the subtitles or how the English direction compares in tone with the Japanese voice direction. One of the reasons I’m enjoying Kanon so much is Chris Patton as Yuichi. Patton is the ideal voice actor to play the English language version.
Other than an occasional thing here or there, it’s a very entertaining dub helmed by Kyle Jones. The casting all around is solid and the direction feels quite right for the story.
Parting Shot
I’m really enjoying Kanon quite a bit in these first two DVDs (episodes 1-8). So far it’s fairly light on melodrama, even if we’ve been hit with the childhood promise thing. No doubt Kanon will try for tears at some point very soon.
Great series, comparing to AIR, I don’t feel it was depressing as such, but quite strong. If you get a chance to watch the movie scene in Japanese, do it, the Uguu~ blast was terrific.
I really loved Kanon, only watched perhaps about one month~two months ago. It has its sad moments but the comedy and drama overcome the few sad moments.
My favorite character was Nayuki, the first time she appeared cleaning Yuuichi’s head of snow and asking her name, I got completely melted by her voice.
After Air, I’m prepared for anything Key throws at me. But yeah, Yuichi is a breath of fresh air the world of harem men. He’s a man and he knows it, and doesn’t let any girls get the better of him!
And yay to Melissa Davis having more than one sentence as Mai in volume 2!
As for the Japanese vs English track, there’s a lot more Uguu’s and Auu’s.
**hugs his signed copy of Vol.1
The english dub for yuichi is not bad, but Ayu’s english dub is nothing compared to japanese version, no one can do sweet voice like Yui Horie ^^
I really liked how Yuichi spend time with Mai and Sayuri. Maybe the moments I prefer the most.
When I was watching this show for the first time, I could help being on the alert, waiting for the moment something dramatic happens. Since as you said, “no doubt Kanon will try for tears at some point very soon.”
But that’s why I love Kanon so much. Amazingly funny but very moving.
Kanon, my 3rd favorite anime (after Haruhi and Death Note)
It is my favorite romance anime and it can be funny at times too..
Kanon is not the usual boy likes girl anime, it has more..
“No doubt Kanon will try for tears at some point very soon.”
Yea, very soon..
Not really sure who is my favorite in the harem. They’re all kind of interesting. But, I’m bracing myself for the gut punch for Makoto’s story, which I think I’ll watch tonight or tomorrow.
Yuichi + Mai + Saiyuri eating lunch = big grin.
Jealous of Nork’s signed copy. I really love the cast on this dub.
It’s good to hear that Kanon got a Clannad like touch to it. Clannad made me laugh quite a bit as well when compared to Air, but then again Air was made to be like… acute hardcore drama tearjerker stuff.
That means I’ll have to pick up the DVDs for sure.