Kanon 2006 review/thoughts/rants.
Well, Kyoto Animation definitely did a better job with the exposition than Toei had. The presentation of the Common Route is almost perfect. There's more of a visual novel feel here compared to its predecessor.
Of course, my favorite character is again the dandere, Kawasumi Mai, who's story also happens to be the most interesting.
8.5/10
My problem with this is that Amano doesn't really add anything to the story. She's just there to explain stuff, and then ultimately ignored when the arc is over. She could very well have been replaced by Mai, who seems to know something and who actually is important.
For the story itself, good job. Very good job. Not flawless in every aspect, but it was flawless in it's execution, in my opinion.
9.2/10
It makes me sad that Mai's arc is placed this early with Shiori's arc right after. I don't like Ayu in the least, so I wanted at least either one of their arcs to take place before the final one so I wouldn't get too annoyed. Oh well.
Now, the logistical problem with Mai's arc occurring before Shiori's is the nature of Mai's story. I mean, really. Does no one consider that Mai can pretty much solve the whole ordeal without sweat? Well, they kind of avert that by dumping Mai into the hospital, but come on. At least consider Mai may have recovered somewhat? They don't even check up on her after the transition episode. I realize part of what I am saying stems from by bias for Mai, but the other part is fact.
Right, on the topic of transition episodes, I love that they added those instead of jumping directly from one route to another. The story flows nicely. The problem is that they did it incompletely. Transition episodes imply that each arc is taking place after the previous arcs, rather than in alternate universes. So why is Amano never heard from again? And why, as mentioned above, is Mai's ability not considered as a solution to Shiori's illness? After all, they make it a point to state Mai does retain her healing ability.
9/10
Seriously? That was terrible. The scene between Kaori and Shiori lacked in the emotions department. Shiori's arc also ended on a stupid note. What happened to supposedly not living until her 16th birthday? Where was the hospitalization/death bed scene where the sisters have a heart-to-heart chat? Where was the feels?? First time I since starting this anime that I felt so disappointed at an episode.
5.6/10
THAT KISS MADE NO SENSE. ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE. WHO DECIDED TO PLACE THAT AT THE BEGINNING OF A STORY ARC?
Okay. Not only is Shiori's story cut short, but they're going to shaft Nayuki's route in favor of Ayu? That annoying stalker wannabe-innocent little girl? And they have the nerve to start off a route with a kiss before any sort of development? A kiss, story-wise, is suppose to be a culmination of emotions. But there were no emotions to work with. Ayu was never developed. We weren't given any scenes in which we can empathize with her. Also, was her random crying suppose to draw emotions? We don't even know why she was crying. Was that kiss suppose to be meaningful? You may want to explore Ayu's story more before pulling that crap, KyoAni.
3.5/10
These episodes do not exist.
![[Ebb and Flow]](./images/ranks/z16_storm_singer.png "[Ebb and Flow]")
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