I apologize in advance of this review is too much of a series comparison rather than a review, but here goes. I watched Kanon 2006 first, and it is definitely my favorite anime of all time. The music, the characters, the voices (I'm partial to english dubs, sorry), and the atmosphere were all perfect and I didn't think anything could top it. Kanon 2002 was not as good (for the most part...I'll get to that later) as Kanon 2006, but if you watched 2006 first, which I recommend, then you will really be able to appreciate Kanon 2002.
Story: It's Kanon! What could possibly go wrong?
...
The story is the same as the visual novel and anime remake; Yuuichi Aizawa moves in with his cousin in a town he hasn't visited in 7 years, and he can't remember anything from his past visits. During his time in the town, he meets a bunch of girls who connect to his past and he slowly begins to remember what he forgot.
13 episodes plus an OVA is a pretty tight schedule to tell all of Kanon in, but Toei did a pretty good job. They missed explanations on some important details, such as the way the title relates to the story, or Sayuri's 3rd person speech (which the sub I watched didn't even acknowledge). Overall the main arcs were handled pretty clumsily compared to 2006, but Mai's arc still shocked me at the climax, and Makoto's nearly brought me to tears, just showing how well written those two were. The one thing Kanon 2002 definitely did better than 2006 was Nayuki in the ending. In 2006, Nayuki was really important throughout the whole series, then gets completely shafted at the end when her arc comes about. In 2002 however, she is ignored most of the main series, until her arc comes. She's my favorite heroine by far, and I feel she came really close to the ending she deserved. Sadly I disagree with both series choice of which girl "won" (for lack of a better word).
Overall, the story was great from a nostalgic point of view so 9/10 (I'm a fanboy sorry)
Art: Kanon 2002's art style is infamous. There is a scene in Kanon 2006 in which Shiori draws a portrait of Yuuichi and he acts completely offended and repulsed by it. I like to picture that portrait as Kanon 2002's big chinned Yuuichi. Besides Yuuichi though, I think the art was rather good for what it was. I feel like the grainy lo-fi quality helped it gain sort of a nostalgic feel, and made the atmosphere a bit darker. I imagine it like this, listen to a band like Merchant Ships or I Wrote Haikus About Cannibalism in Your Yearbook, then listen to a band like William Bonney or Old Gray. They play the same style of music, but the production values completely change the atmosphere.
Overall, art is 7/10
Sound: Let's start with the voices. As I mentioned before, I'm partial to english dubs, but that doesn't mean I can't at least try to objectively evaluate the original Japanese version. That said, this had a pretty good dub. One thing I realized was that the English dub VA's had very similar vocal timbres to their character's Japanese counterpart. For example, Sayuri's VA's in both languages sound very similar, as does Mai's. The only ones that took some getting used to for me were Kitagawa and Nayuki. It's hard for me to see any blonde Visual Art's/Key character that doesn't have Greg Ayres' voice. As for Nayuki, the difference between Jessica Boone's interpretation and Mariko Kouda's interpretation if the character is more than noticeable. While I prefer Boone's voice for Nayuki, I can definitely appreciate Kouda's performance as well.
As for the music, it was mostly forgettable. The only tracks that stood out to me were the tracks I recognized from 2006 (I really dig 2006's soundtrack), and the opening and ending themes, which were freaking phenomenal.
Due to a mostly forgettable soundtrack, I have to give sound a 7/10
Character: Oh boy, this is gonna be a fun one. I love all of Kanon's characters. Or should I say Kanon 2006's characters. Mai, Sayuri, Shiori, Ayu, Akiko, And Kuze were pretty much the same in both versions (though Kuze got way more screen time in this version than 2006). I feel there wasn't enough focus on Makoto until her arc, which was only one episode. Kitagawa felt kind of random and his personality shifted a lot. Kaori made a complete 180 at the end if Shiori's arc, as if someone magically flipped a switch that turned off her mean glands. Nayuki was pretty much ignored until the last 3 episodes, though they have her story a more proper conclusion in this one than 2006
My biggest problem with Kanon 2002 is Yuuichi. He's barely a character. He's more like a vessel for the plot. In 2006, Yuuichi is quick witted, caring, a bit mean at times, but still an all around good guy. In 2002 they could've replaced him with a piece of toasted cardboard and the series wouldn't have been too much different.
7/10 for characters
Enjoyment: I'm a Kanon fanboy. Watching this version was almost like my first time with Kanon 2006 all over again, but through a nostalgic looking glass with a grainy filter that made everything that much more dark and melancholy. I'm a sucker for romance, and I love winter, and anything that's kinda dark in a bittersweet way (my favorite movie is Lost in Translation and I listen to shoegaze #sadbois4lyfe) so this was a great ride for me, despite all the criticisms I may have.
For pure enjoyment, I give Kanon 2002 a solid 9/10 (for myself personally).
Overall: I would recommend this, though I would recommend you watch Kanon 2006 first, then enter this one with and open mind. It's an emotional story and despite it's flaws it is a very touching series, regardless of which incarnation.
Overall, I give it an 8/10. Now time to play the Visual Novel.
Aug 13, 2014
I apologize in advance of this review is too much of a series comparison rather than a review, but here goes. I watched Kanon 2006 first, and it is definitely my favorite anime of all time. The music, the characters, the voices (I'm partial to english dubs, sorry), and the atmosphere were all perfect and I didn't think anything could top it. Kanon 2002 was not as good (for the most part...I'll get to that later) as Kanon 2006, but if you watched 2006 first, which I recommend, then you will really be able to appreciate Kanon 2002.
Story: It's Kanon! What could possibly go wrong? ... |
