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Posted by Tom:
Kanon

   One of my favorite genres of anime is conversions of Bishoujo games
   into anime series. At least three series I consider great fall under
   this category: Mizuiro, Da Capo, and Kanon. I'd also consider those
   three to be romantic animes, in a way that I wouldn't consider other
   conversions, like Comic Party. I'm reviewing series as I watch or
   re-watch them, and I just finished re-watching Kanon, so here's a
   review of this great series.

   Just because I call a series great, doesn't mean it's for everybody. I
   call a series great if it's something that I really enjoyed, even on a
   second watching, and if it's better or as good as everything else in
   its genre. But some genres may not appeal to you, so consider that
   when deciding what to watch based on my recommendation.

   Kanon is the story of a boy, Yuichi, who returns to a town he hasn't
   been to in seven years. He's lost his memory of everything that
   happened seven years ago, but in the first few episodes he runs into
   (in some cases literally) five girls that he met back then. Kanon is
   basically the story of his renewed relationship with these girls, as
   well as the various other people in his life.

   I use relationship in a broad sense here, as the non- or semi-romantic
   relationships he has with Mai, Makoto, and Shiori are just as
   interesting as what he has with the other two. (This is a very clean
   show... the farthest Yuichi gets on camera is kissing.)

   Each of the girls has her own problem that involves them and Yuichi,
   and perhaps some of the other characters, and usually involving
   something Yuichi did in the past that he can't remember. Despite being
   a jerk at times, he's a fairly nice guy at heart, so he helps them out
   when he can.

   Kanon features interesting character designs that are highly-stylized,
   even for anime. The characters have truly huge eyes, small mouths, and
   giant chins. It takes about half an episode to adjust to this style
   from that used by other anime, and as such I recommend marathoning
   Kanon, as opposed to intermixing it with other shows. It's interesting
   to note that the last five episodes aired as 60- and 90-minute
   specials, something that also recommends a marathon.

   Kanon starts off slow, introducing the characters. The first half of
   the series isn't something to write home about, as we're introduced to
   characters in an almost mundane way. We grow to like the characters,
   but not all that much happens to them.

   What makes Kanon great is the endgame, which consists of the last six
   episodes of the series. Episodes 8-10 resolve the stories of three of
   the girls one at a time, while 11-13 take care of the stories of the
   other two simultaneously. In these episodes, it's like the creators of
   the series took all of the limiters off. Everything is placed on the
   table: Death, sacrifice... you name it. And Kanon goes from fluff to a
   really interesting series that keeps you wanting to know what happens
   next.

   Despite having a few fantastic elements mixed in, Kanon is primarily a
   character-based series. It serves us up a smorgasbord of interesting
   character placed into dramatic situations, and once the endgame starts
   it doesn't let up until the series is over.

   I call Kanon a great series. If you have even the slightest interest
   in bishoujo games turned into romantic animes, watch it. It also
   probably will interest some [1]MegaTokyo fans, as it's the source of
   names like Piro and MegaTokyo.

   Kanon also spawned a special OVA called Kazahana, which was only made
   available to people who bought a large amount of Kanon merchandise.
   Kazahana is set during the ending of the last episode, and show what
   all the (surviving?) girls are up to at the moment.

   If you're a Kanon fan, Kazahana is worth watching, even if it doesn't
   rise to the standard of the end of the series. There's a limit to how
   much character development one can or should do in a very short OVA
   that the general public isn't allowed to see. Still, all of the girls
   get interesting bits, even if it's hard to reconcile Makoto's segment
   with her ending in the series. I'd consider Kazahana good but not
   great, but not really canon (pun only sorta intended).

References

   1. http://megatokyo.com/