Kanon (2002) Generic Discussion

[Leo_Otaku]

well everyone said what I was going to say also they didn't explain Mai's story at all or Naiyukis they cut them out mostly. Saiyuri had a sad story too and a bit of Makoto's was left out.

[frowndog]

Originally Posted by rayearth

Or just get over the general fact - Anime is fiction, not everything has to make sense :P

so true. but i guess you can't blame people for wanting realism. hey, kanon even set itself up like that for the first couple of eps. not until i saw the ghosts and stuff with mai did i understand that this anime was gonna be about supernatural stuff

[rayearth]

Just look at it this way - if everything had to make sense, then it'll be like watching a documentary :P

As for Leo's comment about them cutting the stories short, well, you can't fit everything in 13 episodes and some of their stories would have conflicting events, so if they really did include everything, it would:

1. make it confusing
2. make it look like the whole series is made up of several differerent series
3. make Yuuichi look like a playboy :P

[bluemist]

It maybe just hype, but I'm now thinking that Da Capo had better presentation than Kanon.

Because Da Capo clearly established itself as "magical", the producers clearly know what to do with it, and the audience clearly knows what to expect.

But as for Kanon (in my opinion), lacks self-direction. They try to be as realistic as possible even though there are supernatural elements. The real and fake do not mesh as well in Kanon than in Da Capo, I think.

[Leo_Otaku]

Originally Posted by rayearth

Just look at it this way - if everything had to make sense, then it'll be like watching a documentary :P

As for Leo's comment about them cutting the stories short, well, you can't fit everything in 13 episodes and some of their stories would have conflicting events, so if they really did include everything, it would:

1. make it confusing
2. make it look like the whole series is made up of several differerent series
3. make Yuuichi look like a playboy :P

Spoiler:

they could have at least explained Saiyuri's story and told people that where Yuuichi and Mai used to play was where the school was built over and they could have explained Mai's powers a little more, I know if they told Naiyuki's part it would make Yuuichi look like a player. But they could have made the episode 14 at least ^-^ more kanon ^-^ Hurray

[Leo_Otaku]

Originally Posted by bluemist

It maybe just hype, but I'm now thinking that Da Capo had better presentation than Kanon.

Because Da Capo clearly established itself as "magical", the producers clearly know what to do with it, and the audience clearly knows what to expect.

But as for Kanon (in my opinion), lacks self-direction. They try to be as realistic as possible even though there are supernatural elements. The real and fake do not mesh as well in Kanon than in Da Capo, I think.

Thats true on some parts but Kanon is a better game tho

[TronDD]

Originally Posted by Leo_Otaku

Spoiler:

they could have at least explained Saiyuri's story and told people that where Yuuichi and Mai used to play was where the school was built over and they could have explained Mai's powers a little more, I know if they told Naiyuki's part it would make Yuuichi look like a player. But they could have made the episode 14 at least ^-^ more kanon ^-^ Hurray

Oh, that's an interesting little bit of story they dropped. I think Mai's story should have been more detailed, at the time, I didn't know the anime was based on anything. Didn't know there were more details. Now I'm curious what's missing from Naiyuki's story.

Which one was Saiyori? I want to know if the girl that knew about Makoto has any kind of story. She shows up again in the special episode and obviously has some kind of relationship.

[rayearth]

Originally Posted by TronDD

Oh, that's an interesting little bit of story they dropped. I think Mai's story should have been more detailed, at the time, I didn't know the anime was based on anything. Didn't know there were more details. Now I'm curious what's missing from Naiyuki's story.

The Anime was based on a game under the same name. Although it wouldn't be considered as a classic like Tokimeki Memorial or Sentimental Graffiti (at least not yet), it is considered as a legend that changed how bishoujo games worked.

Basically, the TV series was made with the idea that you've played the game or know about the game already, so they didn't have to explain everything since it's assumed knowledge. As for what was missing in Mai's background and Nayuki's stories...

Spoiler:

Mai

When Yuuichi was still a kid, he used to play with Mai in that grassland that they showed the child image of Mai in. Mai was there alone until Yuuichi showed up. Before Yuuichi left (and didn't come back for 7 years), Mai insisted he stay behind since monsters will come to take away their grassland, but Yuuichi just puts it off as a joke.

Nayuki

As for Nayuki, the biggest missing bit was towards the end. Yuuichi would've went for her instead of Ayu and spend the nights before the end of term tests in Nayuki's room studying with her (more like waking her up when she falls asleep). He'll eventually have (the same) dream with the scene where a small girl (Nayuki) gives him the Snow Rabbit but he can't remember who she is. Suffice to say, he finally remembers and understands how Nayuki feels for him and he confesses (and Nayuki complaining about how mean he is that he made her wait for 7 years).

The story then goes on nicely until Akiko (Nayuki's mom) has that car accident and she closes herself off. Instead of staying with her mom in the hospital (she's still in a coma at this point), she locks herself in her room, not going to school, not eating, etc. Yuuichi then uses the alarm clock recording trick Nayuki used on him at the end of the TV series while he waits for her at the train station bench. The message he recorded basically says "I'll always be there for you" (it was a much longer poem-ish sort of thing, I can't remember the exact text but it was very nice). After hearing that Nayuki runs off to the train station and meets Yuuichi where the kiss scene occurs.

And with all's well that ends well, Akiko recovers and a new term starts (and Nayuki finally manages to wake up early). Instead of leaving, Yuuichi stays with Nayuki and you get a happy ending of them going off to school together.

Originally Posted by TronDD

Which one was Saiyori? I want to know if the girl that knew about Makoto has any kind of story. She shows up again in the special episode and obviously has some kind of relationship.

It's Sayuri, she's Mai's friend, the girl that Kuze (the student guide president who's always trying to find an excuse to expel Mai) is after. Makoto's friend? You mean Amano. She doesn't have a really big role in the game compared to Sayuri (who got her own story in the DC and PS2 version of the game), but she did have much larger roles in the Drama CDs. She's actually one of the most funny characters too, always referring to fate :P

[Leo_Otaku]

Here is a bit on Mai's past:

Spoiler:

You see her flashback when she was a child. Her mom was always sick, she could never take Mai out.One day she determines her end was near and tries to take Mai to the Zoo.She can't go far and stops at a benchi. Mai tries to lighten her up and makes Snow bunnies. However, all her work is powerless and her mom slowly closes her eyes.Back at the hospital, she prayed her mom will be back. She miraclly returns.That's when she realized her power, and was the beginning of a miserable life.Her relatives used her power as a show and everyone started to treat her differently.She and her mom were forced out of town and had to live an lonely life.
There she met Yuuichi.

And here is a bit they missed on Makoto ^-^

Spoiler:

Yuuichi decides to be by Makoto's side till the very end,
and so he reads her comics, talks to her everday,and goes out with the family and takes a picture.One day he remembers when they were reading a comic,
she mentioned she wanted to get married,so he takes her to the field and has an wedding together. And then she passes away

and Saiyuri's

Spoiler:

Sayuri had a little brother. Her parents asked her to treat her brother strictly. Saiyuri never played with her. One day he became sick. Sayuri couldn't stand her little brother suffering so much, and for the first time disobeyed her parents. So she brought him treats and took him outside. He never got better and he passed away. From that day on she was smiling and trying to make people happy.

[TronDD]

Good stuff.

I wish some of that was put into the anime. On the other hand, I cried enough at what was left in.

What are drama CDs? Any of this other Kanon mechandise in English?

So the game ends with

Spoiler:

Yuuchi and Naiyuki? What happens to Ayu?

[rayearth]

Drama CDs are radio drama shows on CD (some aren't played on radio though). Usually it's original/extra stories being played out by the original cast, most popular series have these. Kanon - being extremely popular - had over 15 Drama CDs made since the game was released.

No, none of the Kanon merchandise is in English.

The game ends with Nayuki/Ayu/Shiori/Makoto/Mai depending on how you play it.

[TronDD]

Originally Posted by rayearth

Drama CDs are radio drama shows on CD (some aren't played on radio though). Usually it's original/extra stories being played out by the original cast, most popular series have these. Kanon - being extremely popular - had over 15 Drama CDs made since the game was released.

No, none of the Kanon merchandise is in English.

The game ends with Nayuki/Ayu/Shiori/Makoto/Mai depending on how you play it.

Ok, that's what I figured with the game.

I didn't realise radio drama had any kind of popularity anywhere. That's cool. Need to learn Japanese...

[rayearth]

I guess it's kinda like voice actors. Voice talent is a very important component in Japan while in the western world the names in the credits roll usually don't even get read.

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by rayearth

I guess it's kinda like voice actors. Voice talent is a very important component in Japan while in the western world the names in the credits roll usually don't even get read.

We also have several magazines dedicated to seiyuus as well...like, "Voice Newtype." (Basically, a sister magazine of "Newtype Magazine" that solely revolves around seiyuus)

[haniff_8883]

I saw that anime last week, i think it's very touching and i really like how the story goes. But I can't still figure out what the meaning of the title 'kanon'. Can anybody tell me what the meaning of Kanon.I'd really appreciate that !

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by haniff_8883

I saw that anime last week, i think it's very touching and i really like how the story goes. But I can't still figure out what the meaning of the title 'kanon'. Can anybody tell me what the meaning of Kanon.I'd really appreciate that !

While rarely used as most people write Kanon in katakana, a special promo CD that came with the game has the following kanji for Kanon: 華音 which translates to "floral sound."

On the other hand, many also say the theme of the game was created to the great music of Pachelbel's "Kanon" hence the title stuck with it.

[dkellis]

Originally Posted by kj1980

While rarely used as most people write Kanon in katakana, a special promo CD that came with the game has the following kanji for Kanon: 華音 which translates to "floral sound."

On the other hand, many also say the theme of the game was created to the great music of Pachelbel's "Kanon" hence the title stuck with it.

That's interesting to note. In Da Capo (the anime, I haven't played the game yet) they explained what the title had to do with the anime. I wonder if there's a similar explanation for Kanon.

[zalas]

Originally Posted by kj1980

While rarely used as most people write Kanon in katakana, a special promo CD that came with the game has the following kanji for Kanon: 華音 which translates to "floral sound."

On the other hand, many also say the theme of the game was created to the great music of Pachelbel's "Kanon" hence the title stuck with it.

From everything2.com, a canon(kanon) is:

A musical passage in which the melody (or theme) is repeated by one or more voices at a different interval of pitch and/or time. It is the strictest form of counterpoint -- both the rhythm and content must be duplicated. Canons involve the concept of contrapuntal inversion -- two melodic themes playing simultaneously with either or both of the voices singing the bass part for the other.

Symbolically, this may mean that each of the girls contribute their version of the overall story... or... it's talking about the different incantations of Ayu

Though I do see a trend there with the music
Kanon - Pachelbel's Kanon (or simply any canon for taht matter)
Air - Air on the G String by Bach
Clannad - an Irish musical group

[bluemist]

Originally Posted by zalas

From everything2.com, a canon(kanon) is:

A musical passage in which the melody (or theme) is repeated by one or more voices at a different interval of pitch and/or time. It is the strictest form of counterpoint -- both the rhythm and content must be duplicated. Canons involve the concept of contrapuntal inversion -- two melodic themes playing simultaneously with either or both of the voices singing the bass part for the other.

Symbolically, this may mean that each of the girls contribute their version of the overall story... or... it's talking about the different incantations of Ayu

Though I do see a trend there with the music
Kanon - Pachelbel's Kanon (or simply any canon for taht matter)
Air - Air on the G String by Bach
Clannad - an Irish musical group

Surprising, Air on the G String is like one of my favorite musical pieces...

[dreamless]

I think the story of Kanon the anime revolves around the idea that strong desires/emotions/dreams/nightmares can interfere with reality. I guess you can call it something like marble phantom or reality marble if you are familiar with the tsukihime mythos. Kanon is, after all, a fairy-tale. Just keep that in mind, and you'll be able to accept the supernatural part of it easier. Don't treat it as a realistic story, it's a fairy-tale romance story like Snow White or Cinderella.