Ranked #2722

Kagami no Genon

If we go right back to the fundamentals of art, we'd know that it is a form of expression. Kagami no Genon is a short that is all about expression through visuals and audio, not so much the characters or story.

What starts off with such an intriguing opening soon changes course, and you realise the pace of the anime. Immediately, one can tell that isn't going to be about any particular tale, nor does it have much to give its audience story-wise. I was a little at odds to figure out what exactly this anime was about when it hit me halfway through that it isn't about anything. Not really. Not overtly. It opens with a young woman staring aimlessly out the glass window of her home. It sets up a story about being alone, but then quickly gets rid of that notion: she is with someone. And this someone is a young man. Okay, maybe the story is about him. But no, he does nothing more than idly play with a mirror and take a walk. I am not sure if I get it, but to me, there really was nothing to "get"--this anime isn't about anything. It was just about atmosphere.

Now, the art and animation are strong points for the anime. Done completely in black and white yet it has so much detail. A person's distorted reflection off a gleaning floor, the light flashing from a spinning mirror, a hand trailing through rippling water--this is definitely a wonderful-looking ONA. The art uses crisp, clean lines that are drawn on softer watercolour-like paintings for the character design.

There is excellent sound quality in the anime as well. Piercing music that interjects through intentional silences. There is a phenomenal ambiance created through the use of the score. High-pitched sounds interspersed with dull lows--it orchestrates the listener's emotions as it goes along. There is no dialogue in this ONA, and the only real sounds come from the background, such as birds or the environment.

Sadly, there is nothing to say about the characters. They just exist within the anime, doing very little, and we learn nothing about them. They start off promising. The young woman seems lonely and the young man seems complacent. But then nothing happens to either character. There is no change, no development, nothing.

Kagami no Genon is a tranquil, pensive anime. There is just something about it that makes it calming, maybe all the references and shots of light and water. The duller tones as well could add to this. However, with its ability to serve as a sedative to one viewer, it might actually bore another. Mostly due to the inactive characters and non-existent story.

If you want something that can manage to soothe you after a tiring day, then I could recommend that you watch Kagami no Genon. But if action and events are something you much prefer seasoning your anime, then you should think twice before watching this one. read more