Alternative Titles
English: Kanon
Synonyms: Kanon Remake, Kanon 2006
Japanese: カノン (2006)

Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 24
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Oct 5, 2006 to Mar 15, 2007
Producers: Kyoto Animation, ADV FilmsL, FUNimation EntertainmentL
Genres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life, Supernatural
Duration: 24 min. per episode
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

Review:

Story: 8/10
The story can start out a bit slow pace for some people (if you're used to faster pace shows), but know this, a rushed story is a rushed ending and nobody likes a rushed ending. The pacing does get better, just the first 2 episodes is mainly introduction for what's to come. The story doesn't detract from the main plot, as it faithfully follow closely on Yuuichi's daily life back in Northern Town, and how the girls he meets again slowly and indirectly help him recollect his past memories. Most of the events occuring requires an open mind and a broad comprehension level to understand what's going on. Kanon isn't trying to mimic real life events directly, but metaphorically, and thus it can be a challenging thought-process of understanding what exactly is going on or what does it all mean. Does this mean casual viewers might find the story a bit too deep to understand and might not be able to enjoy the story? Yes, it can. This can also mean those casual viewers aren't ready for this type of show. Tho, don't be discourage by the depth of the sub-stories, since on the surface, it's not hard to grasp. It's just when you start to look for a different interpretation behind the meanings is when things can get a little messy and complicated, but when untangled, it can be a very rewarding understanding experience (Your WIS/INT went up +1!).

Yes, this series require you to think a little.

While the story isn't very innovating or outstanding, but the experience through it all, the storytelling was enjoyable, even with a few occasional abrupt pacing. It still manage to fill in the blanks while leaving plenty of room for after thoughts.

This series isn't really about "Sad Girl in Snow" but rather, it's more about "Sad Boy in Snow" more accurately fit the meme.

Art: 8/10

There is not much to say about the art and animation when it is done by Kyoto Animations because most of it is a regurgitation of what other fans have already said: absolutely amazing, gorgeous, and stunning. The setting and season of winter are extremely well drawn so that it puts the viewers into that setting. Falling snow has never look so good in an anime until now. It does not just fall; it falls in a way that I could watch it forever. The art style, though it's very clear, colorful and crisp, is a bit generic. The designs are of the eyes, a staple in these types of stories, were a bit too large and I did not like.


Characters: 9/10
At first glance and their impressions, the casting characters will look superficial and presented with a stereotypical persona. Stereotyping character's personalities are common in many stories and shows. These type of characters never change the way they are, thus they're always known as 2-Dimensional characters; aka the main character is shown as a loser at the begining of the story and still remain a loser at the end. Where is the character developement or progression in that story? None. As the story develops in Kanon, you should be able to see and understand their personality traits shift for better or for worst, as it does get explained thru various of events, and they will slowly become more 3-Dimensional as the outcome affects their behavior; thus Kanon characters can achieve a well rounded personality, breaking the characteristic stereotypes we often see in popular anime series. As character progression is very evident in this series. Giving an example of the changes or progression in character's personality would be quite a big spoiler to the series, so you'll have to watch it and see it for yourself.

Enjoyment:

I enjoyed this anime all right; enjoyed it to the point I cried through episodes nonstop. It might have also been the fact that I marathoned three or four episode at once, so the water works just seemed to never stop. There were times where I laughed out loud, times where I cheered (the ending), and many times where I bawled my eyes out.

Overall, I enjoyed this series immensely. It has a touch of everything: drama, comedy, supernatural elements and so forth. I thought it was a very enjoyable series despite its flaws. 8/10