There was a bit of a snag in the last volume of the Kanon (2006) dvd release here in the United States, so I pushed off watching the last disc until I could marathon through the whole series when it was nice and cold. Kanon seems better watched wrapped up in blankets during December than sweating it out in August. Then it occurred to me that I could make it a year end tradition to watch Kanon (I’m an avid rewatcher of things). I knew I said the same thing about some other show last year, so the Kanon thing may only be a one-time tradition. Next year, I’m sure there’ll be some other one year tradition.
Kanon is an unrealistic drama, even when you subtract any of the supernatural elements. People really don’t act like they do in Kanon. But, I wish they did, and that’s kind of the appeal, the wish. And like all wishes it falls apart if looked at, but the fragile thing is what makes them stick. Five minutes with Ayu is about all anyone could reasonably take in reality. Still, I wouldn’t mind living in a world like that whose gods are less demanding, a world where helping people is easy and the people you grew up with aren’t just shadows in your head (and so cute and remember who you are and you actually meant something to them). Nice dream.
I easily watched through Mai’s arc a second time. Of all the stories I related to Mai’s a bit more than anyone else’s, being one of those annoying introverts who internalizes pretty much everything and doesn’t carry it in a way many people find appealing. Plus Mai gets to swing a sword around and look real cool fighting. Many of my favorite images and scenes happen in her arc, from the dancing at the ball (KyoAni seems to take special pride in animating dance segments), to her running through the field in the sun, to that scene in the coffee shop where Saiyuri sheds a lot of light on her and Mai.
Really, I found all of Kanon worthwhile. Kanon poked at regret inside me in a way that made me feel better, look at reality, shrug and say, ah well, life’s not a cartoon, but damn, cartoons rock. I didn’t find Kanon that big of a tear jerker. Instead, it made me feel nostalgic for a chapter long gone, or probably never existed, more than anything else, at least when I wasn’t laughing. It is also a pretty funny show.
Escapism is always a big part of the VN genre, but I found that it was well written in Kanon. Indeed, everyone has a moment where they realize that their lives (and most people’s, if not everyone’s lives) can’t be as perfect as the lives portrayed in anime, but that bittersweet feeling is just one of the draws to the genre. I suppose. Either that, or they’re just trying to make us think that these things are possible XD
I started watching Kanon “for sports” years after it was released. I found it truly lovely, watched one episode and needed to watch another one and another one and another one, I simply couldn’t stop until I watched it in two days
. I found almost everything perfect in the series even the intro is touching but for me the Mai arc was a bit exaggerated compared to the rest but still it was touching to watch it
Eternal, it’s the moe conspiracy!
Belela-san, the intro song is very nice. I finished my re-watch in two days as well. Just kept hitting next episode, changing discs, and watching and watching. I was sick as a dog between Christmas and New Years when I watched it, so didn’t have much else going on. It’s nice company to have a show like that.
I love Kanon so much , and the 2006 version is really awesome . But some parts were more sad/emotional is the older version …
My favorite arc must be Makoto and , of course , Ayuuuu
I’m wanna rewatch the series as well in DVD format. I’m just waiting for Funimation to release the boxset which is taking forever. -_-
As with James, my fav. arc is Ayu. ^^
Yeah, I hope Funi releases the set. I know a couple of people waiting for the set instead of picking up the single volumes. Ayu’s monologues at the beginning of episodes feel different after knowing what’s up with the big reveal.
Though only partly related, that Clannad release news was bittersweet. It’s scheduled for early 2009, but sub-only. I really liked how ADV dubbed Kanon and was looking forward to having the same director handle the English dub for Clannad.
Love the anime, loved the girls! The story is one of the saddest I’ve seen (after AIR, actually) despite its unrealistic-ness.
My favourite arc has got to be the Makoto one. Really sad to see what happen. Not forgetting Ayu as well. Not gonna spoil for others, but the ending is a bitter pill to swallow after all that has happened.
The Makoto arc was pretty funny. That had some of the best evil-Yuichi moments.
I like your review, though, I found some faults.
When you say Kanon and provide a picture from Kanon 2006, you should list that down, since newbies would be confused when they search up Kanon episodes.
As for the Unrealistic part, I like your whole reasoning behind calling it that, since it was all just that. But as you said, it is not real.
Btw, calling Anime “cartoons” just criticizes it. Cartoons are badly drawn american-made T.V. shows, which I am doubtful of anyone who would tell me I’m wrong.
Anime is also drawn T.V. shows, but that’s kind of why it’s called “ANIME” aka a JAPANESE cartoon which has a completely different style.
Once again, loved your review.
I note the 2006 version in the first line, but I guess it wouldn’t hurt to put it in the title.
As far using the word “cartoons” when talking about anime, I’m fine with it. Though I’m sure I haven’t been 100% consistent in this, when I call them cartoons it’s usually in reference to a person watching some animation or I’m being hyperbolic. In the end though, it’s a weird word as it depends who is saying it to have its undertone.