Kanon
Synopsis
It’s been 7 years since Yuuichi Aizawa visited his aunt Akiko, but now that his parents have gone to Africa to pursue their careers, he is finally back in the little northern town. Yuuichi is not really overjoyed with the prospect of living here though, because all of his memories of this place and the people living in it have mysteriously vanished. His cute cousin Nayuki seems like a stranger as well, even though he used to play with her all the time when they were younger. On the day of moving into his new home, Yuuichi starts unpacking the boxes and stumbles upon a red headband that no one seems to recognize. This is one of the first clues that will make Yuuichi take a stroll through the snow-covered town and make him start recalling fragments of his past, broken promises and buried secrets. Yuuichi soon realizes that there is something supernatural going on, and all of his new female acquaintances seem to have links to his forgotten past.
Audience Consensus
Audience opinions are divided on Kanon 2002. Some appreciate its emotional depth and character-driven narrative, while others are critical of its dated art style, rushed pacing, and incomplete storytelling. The series evokes a sense of nostalgia for some, but its flaws prevent it from being universally praised, especially when compared to its remake.
Strengths
- Realistic character emotions and strong human-like behavior
- Story tells deeper character relations
- Good mix of supernatural/slice of life/harem elements
Weaknesses
- Crammed story in 13 episodes
- Unanswered questions and superficial story
- Exaggerated big chins in character art
- Rushed pacing, especially towards the end
- Uneven character arc development