kanon 15
Categories: anime, episodic review, kanon
Tagged: kanon
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I’ll always be here waiting for you. Kanon 15.
This episode of Kanon is a bit different from all others thus far– it’s the only episode to feature just one haremette– so I’m going to blog about it slightly differently. If the previous episode was about Sayuri and her past, this episode is adamantly about Mai, her past, and her future. After Mai went berserker last episode after Sayuri’s injury, Mai and Yuuichi return to the school and resolve to rid the school of demons once and for all.
As for this part of the episode, we’re treated to some glorious swordfighting– nevermind the fact that they’re facing off against air– it’s still better swordfighting than every other anime series currently airing (even the $1 million an episode Afro Samurai). Yuuichi has improved quickly (a la Shakugan no Shana‘s Yuuji) and is actually less of a hindrance to Mai, or at least we’re led to believe. Mai, though, injures herself slightly…
… and to make matters worse, Mai reveals that she is sick and deteriorating. As time goes on, her illness, a la Ashitaka’s in Princess Mononoke is spreading through her body and crippling her. This juicy tidbit is actually news to me since, well, the original Kanon ended before Mai’s story came to fruitation. It ended at where Sayuri agrees to sleep with join the student council. Now, in 2007, we’re getting a chance to dive a bit deeper and explore the pasts and true motivations behind the characters. Refreshing, I assure you.
What is most refreshing, though, is Mai. Gotta love this scene where she and Yuuichi return to their lunch spot, get cozy, and the mood gets good. She asks Yuuichi to stay close to her… but as a decoy… Yuuichi’s disappointed… but then we see Mai show some uncharacteristic affection.
How can anyone root against Mai now? Any guy (or non-traditional female) worth their salt would volunteer their shoulder for Mai. But it’s a theme repeated through anime– tough on the outside, soft on the inside– just like the chocolate center of an M&M.
As some foreshadowing, when Yuuichi stumbles across “hide-and-seek,” we’re shown a wheat field while Mai remembers an old friend whom she played hide-and-seek with before. We can safely guess that the old friend is Yuuichi, which means that he has made many a great impression with the ladies at such a young age. See, it pays to be a ladies’ man early on– the earlier the better!
Mai and Yuuichi retreated to this spot because of Mai’s leg injury. Without the same pep, Mai decides that having a height advantage for a single killing blow is her best chance at victory, only it doesn’t exactly go that way as the invisible demon eludes her deathblow. Trying to save Mai, Yuuichi baits the demon and runs through the school with it causing havoc along the way. The thing is… the demon would rather chase Yuuichi than finish off a wounded and pretty helpless Mai?
I enjoyed Yuuichi’s rant about Mai: “Mai, I can never tell what you’re thinking. You never use enough words and don’t understand other people’s thoughts. You’re selfish and dangerous so someone has to be by your side.” Should have finished with something corny like, “But I still love you anyway.” But alas.
I am reminded, heavily, of the lambda driver during the Yuuichi/demon collision. Yuuichi gets trampled on by the demon, but the demon doesn’t seem to be interested in harming him. Which buys enough time for…
… Mai to sail through the sky in the most OMFG#@%%*-type of way possible. Even did a backflip silhouette on the moon for full dramatic effect.
Kyoto needs to take a break from harem and comedy series and try their hand on an action series with samurai and/or ninjas.
After landing the killing blow, she uses the momentum to propel herself into another backflip for style points galore.
Best killing blow that I’ve seen recently.
A tender headbutt between the two. Is that what passes for a sign of affection these days? Still, Mai’s response after her incredible killing blow fits her selfish, taciturn personality to a T– “I want a beefbowl.”
But I found it odd that if they did succeed in exterminating the demons, wouldn’t Yuuichi and Mai have gone out for a beefbowl to celebrate instead of bringing them back to the school? Mai only requests the bowl to get Yuuichi out of there so she can hunt… more. Again, doesn’t use enough words… doesn’t consider the feelings of others… selfish and dangerous. That’s our Mai!
When Yuuichi returns, he finds himself in closed space. I wish I were kidding. I’m getting Ryoko and Yuki flashbacks, especially since Mai is Yuki Vista. Yuuichi eventually finds himself in Mai’s old memories.
There’s a few scenes that show Mai and her mother, who is battling a seemingly unwinnable disease. A few things are very evident: Mai is a normal girl. She’s outspoken and lets her feelings show. She behaves more like the present day Nayuki than the present day Mai. Second, every arc deals with a sickly character as a hardship. Sayuri? Makoto? Mai? Shiori? (And get ready for Nayuki and Ayu.) All hardships brought on by illness, and where ever the animator feels that there needs to be an ounce extra sadness, the weather changes to chance of snow flurries.
Kanon is all about sad girls, who presumably need the warmth of the male protagonist for strength and renewal. As Sayuri pointed out, the musical work of the same name is a repetitious composition that repeats the same beautiful melodies. It makes sense now.
But I think in deferrance to the fact that Kanon is indeed an h-game, there’s another aspect. It’s not hard to create sadness. The world is full of sadness… ask any San Diego Chargers fan what sadness is. But the sadness generated by Kanon is a specific kind– let’s say, metaphorically, since it’s everywhere in the series, that the sadness is like snow. The girls have all accumulated this “snow,” but snow has the properties that (a) it’s not permanent and (b) it can be melted by warmth. I think that’s the important point– the girls are frail and vulnerable. It’s up to the protagonist to make them strong and whole again.
It also goes the other way. Yuuichi has to spend time with the girls to start to remember how he had impacted their lives. In a sense, he’s thawing his own memories. There could be a lot of meaning, but it all could be just a big, fat coincidence just like how backdated stock options just so happen to coincidentally fall on optimal grants dates.
(Or maybe I’m thinking a bit too much about it and it’s all about the hawt Mai x Sayuri x protagonist h-scenes. Though knowing this blog’s audience, we may have to toss Mai’s mom into the mix.)
Young Mai is just so different. She’s like a completely other character. She speaks. She smiles. She’s considerate. Bizarro Mai.
Now this is where the story starts to get a bit condensed. Mai miraculously heals her mother, and the two live happily. Only Mai’s now labeled as either a freak or a fraud, and she starts developing unhealthy ways of dealing with this issue.
(Loli Mai break!)
Mai though gets a reprieve by meeting Yuuichi– a progressive boy who doesn’t care that she has this power. He just wants some tail fun.
“ZOMG HE’S SO HAWT I’M IN LOVE SATOSHI SATOSHI SATOSHI.”
(Okay, maybe this isn’t that different from a normal post.)
And play some hide-and-go-seek in the wheat fields. Though I think Yuuichi should have sprung for the whole set from where Haruhi picked up her’s and Mikuru’s.
Watching Mai play with Yuuichi, their childhood time together seems to be bar none the happiest moments of her life, especially the “you show me yours, I’ll show you mine” “hide-and-go-seek.” Up to now, she’s endured her mother’s sickness and now this burden caused by her power. With Yuuichi, though, she’s a normal kid. And that’s exactly the type of warmth that she needed.
Though I think Mai is the #1 crier of all the girls. If at the beginning of the series we made bets on which girl would shed the most tears, wouldn’t Mai be expected to be somewhere towards teh bottom? Still, her phone call trying to convince Yuuichi to play with her reminds me a lot of Lucy (and Yuka) and Kouta in Elfen Lied. In both cases, the guy seems to take everything in stride while the girl bawls like a guest on Dr. Phil. The lesson: if you find someone special to you, it’s going to hurt like hell to be separated.
But before Yuuichi leaves, Mai tries to keep him there by mentioning that the “demons” are coming to their wheat field and that they must protect it. This wheat field eventually becomes the high school, and all this time, Mai stood vigil, leading us to where we are today.
With this memory restored, Yuuichi has the ammo to confront Mai about these “demons.” They’re inner demons. Mai’s inner demons. It’s a war against herself and her powers… she hasn’t accepted them. Even now. I like how everything comes back to Mai– it feels so Haruhi Suzumiya-ish.
(Gotta love how her powers manifest themselves as a bunny-eared loli.)
“Smile, Mai, like you used to.”
I guess it’s kinda serendipitous that Nayuki had given Yuuichi the bunny ears eariler. They’re the evidence that Yuuichi needed to snap Mai out of her “long dream.” I really, really wanted for Yuuichi to do this Phoenix Wright style complete with an “Objection!” and “Take that!” The thing is though, snapping one out of a dream is startling. A little confused. A little disoriented. A little overwhelmed.
After thanking Yuuichi, Mai takes her own life. Everything is silent except for the sound of the sword piercing through Mai’s body.
(This screenshot reminds me of Utena pulling out a sword.)
(And there’s no pool of blood or blood on the sword.)
But the reconciliation between Mai and her powers come full circle as Mai’s power accepts her as she accepts her powers. And Mai is returned to us in a way that would make even Sunrise proud. (Or jealous that they didn’t think of this resurrection method first.) We’re treated to some Yuuichi tears… man, Kyoto does epic tears.
Great episode. Great arc. And there’s still more that could be delved deeper into by Kyoto and myself. Mai and Sayuri’s story definitely has its deep and intricate moments, but it also has action and fun (like the dance). There’s something for any jaded fan to enjoy. Now only if they worked in a Mai x Sayuri x protagonist h-scene…
26 Responses to “kanon 15”
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I must say…
This episode gives me hope for much more Mai involvement in the rest of the series than the previous version. She played a minor role in Makoto’s, but it was still a role, and with the revealing of her powers she will no doubt be an aid to the “sick” girls.
After all, why wouldn’t Yuuichi go out and ask for her help? He’s already done it once.
And what perfect way to thank her for her help than to ditch all the other girls at the end (save Sayuri; can’t forget about her) and have hawt and sexy…headbutting.
Kyoto’ll do it. I believe in them.
One more episode to go! You’re almost there Jason! Ganbare!
You can’t have a Kyoto Air fight scene without Lambda Driver effects!
Superb episode.
It deserves its hype, but some people just overhype it a little bit.
>> How can anyone root against Mai now?
It’s not that I would root ‘against’ Mai. I simply root ‘for’ Nayuki.
>> She behaves more like the present day Nayuki than the present day Mai.
Trivia: One of Nayuki’s specials on Eternal Fighter Zero is a shield of snow bunnies :D
>> There could be a lot of meaning, but it all could be just a big, fat coincidence just like how backdated stock options just so happen to coincidentally fall on optimal grants dates.
It’s probably just that. Key simply nailed that winning formula with Kanon (or maybe ONE), and then kept on reusing it. Yours is quite a insightful analysis, though.
>> Gotta love how her powers manifest themselves as a bunny-eared loli.
Bunny-eared Loli Stand FTW
>> Now only if they worked in a Mai x Sayuri x protagonist h-scene…
If you are gonna ask for that, isn’t it better ask for Akiko’s route? :P
ps. So I heard Mai’s mother used to live in Canada… OH SHI-!
I’ll be looking forward to the next review. Next episode is full of Siesta goodness.
>> “But the sadness generated by Kanon is a specific kind– let’s say, metaphorically, since it’s everywhere in the series, that the sadness is like snow. The girls have all accumulated this “snow,†but snow has the properties that (a) it’s not permanent and (b) it can be melted by warmth. I think that’s the important point– the girls are frail and vulnerable. It’s up to the protagonist to make them strong and whole again.
It also goes the other way. Yuuichi has to spend time with the girls to start to remember how he had impacted their lives. In a sense, he’s thawing his own memories.”
That was so beautifully put!!! Quite poetic and deep. Before reading this, I have thought that Jason was all jokes and hentai, but this proved me wrong big time.
And just as I was admiring this newly found side of Jason, he reverted:
>> “Or maybe I’m thinking a bit too much about it and it’s all about the hawt Mai x Sayuri x protagonist h-scenes. Though knowing this blog’s audience, we may have to toss Mai’s mom into the mix.”
But I still love you. :)
“One more episode to go!”
There are more episodes in the 2006 version, Jason still has a lot of work cut out for him.
Great episode, btw. First episode in the series that made me feel like the somewhat slow start was worth it. It might not be a legendary series like Haruhi, but it’ll be damned close. I guess Kyoto need a few episodes to get remakes into gear.
>> “Young Mai is just so different. She’s like a completely other character. She speaks. She smiles. She’s considerate. Bizarro Mai.”
You meant Rika? =D
>> “(Gotta love how her powers manifest themselves as a bunny-eared loli.)”
Hirohiko Araki didn’t think of it either.
If I can keep on a comparison with JoJo, I could say that Mai’s bunny-eared loli have a power similar to Crazy Diamond from Part 4. But unlike Crazy Diamond it even healed Mai, while the mentionned Stand could not do it to his user. I thought of this one because of the way how the school floor had been “magically” restored after Yuuichi litterally got knocked through it.
>> “Smile, Mai, like you used to.â€
I think that Sayuri and Yuuichi tried to make her smile in the 2002 Kanon. That was funny and scary.
Well, if she had her manifestation loli friend this whole time why didn’t she just quarter circle back *2 Heavy Attack those demons to death, geez Mai I thought you were smart this this whole fighting thing.
Like it was mentioned earlier, great arc, and a great show. I’m glad the demons weren’t actual..demons, it ended up well.
The important thing is not the power, but because it come with the form of loli!
>> “The important thing is not the power, but because it come with the form of loli!”
I think that’s
Woops I hit the entry button by accident!
>> “The important thing is not the power, but because it come with the form of loli!â€
I think that’s a nice change from the usual cliche that comes in the form of “glorified ethereal version with HUEG angel wings and/or radiating light”.
To Sheba,
The property damage did not get restored. It was mentioned in Ep16. They were probably in different sections of the school, especially since it has already been established in Ep01 that the school compound is huge.
Cheers.
My comments always get moderated :(
>> I think that’s a nice change from the usual cliche that comes in the form of “glorified ethereal version with HUEG angel wings and/or radiating lightâ€.
Well, the loli form is just as cliche as any angel being since a child is a common symbol of innocence, hope, and purity.
>> Though knowing this blog’s audience, we may have to toss Mai’s mom into the mix.
Only if she has an endearing feature that’s equivalent to Akiko-san’s Mystery Jam-mu. :D
Wonder what happened to all the husbands? The only father figurine I’ve seen so far is Sayuri’s dad. All of the main heroines’ parental figures seem to be either missing a father or are strongly attached to the mother. Or maybe Akiko-san turned all of them into her Mystery Jam-mu. :D
Oh God!
What an episode of Kanon; like Jason said in the previous post; “All are episode 12â€. Eat that Sunrise. Well, at least Code Geass seems to go in a good way.
It was an epic battle; with a beautiful end. Yuuichi has improved his skills with the sword since last episode but, how the hell he survives that fall from a second floor. I know there was snow everywhere yet a miraculous escape from death.
Who needs an afro samurai when you already have Mai? Superb final sequence against the “last demonâ€, that was I remember from the game. Just beautiful!
Another arc has ended. Nine episodes to go and 3 more arcs to see…. Beware.
>> “To Sheba,
The property damage did not get restored. It was mentioned in Ep16. They were probably in different sections of the school, especially since it has already been established in Ep01 that the school compound is huge.”
I did not know that. But I have not watched episode 16 yet tho.
>>”It was an epic battle; with a beautiful end. Yuuichi has improved his skills with the sword since last episode but”
You just reminded me the instant knight skills in “Kingdom of Heaven” movie.
I get the feeling that this blog is starting to make sense, and that`s scaring me.
Bunny ears remind me of Hinagiku from chapter 110 of Hayate the Combat Butler. Appeared in only one koma though.
This post was different. There was one football reference and only praise.
Incarnadine: Yuuichi is on his own now ‘cuz Sayuri and Mai will be taking care of each other. Maybe they’ll be spending lots of time together in the hospital – same room? OH SHI-
Kyoto really impressed me with this episode, if they were to do a samurai series I have a feeling it would kick ass. They’re definately the best production house in Japan right now, IMO.
>> They’re definately the best production house in Japan right now, IMO.
Sadly that’s not what lot of people are thinking. To me the crowning of KyoAni will truly come when they’ll come up with an original animated series (not adapted from a game or a novel) and still keep his quality and love for anime. Until then, people will still find something to complain about KyoAni.
They are right on top in my favorite animation studios along with Madhouse (a lovestory started with Kawajiri’s works like “Wicked City” and “Oedo Cyber City”), IG Productions and Bones.
I am not counting Ghibli because it is in its own league. IMO.
“Kyoto needs to take a break from harem and comedy series and try their hand on an action series with samurai and/or ninjas.”
2009:
KyoAni further delays SHnY S3 to remake the Saiyajin, Freiza, and Cell Saga arcs of DragonBall Z, with Tomokazu Sugita doing double duty voicing Kuririn and Kamesennin, and Android 18 transformed into a taciturn loli. The incredibly choreographed fight scenes and surprising amount of pathos garner worldwide critical acclaim, and it quickly becomes the most popular anime in Japanese history.
2010:
FUNimation licenses the remake and replaces the classical music soundtrack with 2nd rate Nu-Metal. Chris Sabat does the voices for 3/4 of the major characters. No one is surprised.
>> I think that’s a nice change from the usual cliche that comes in the form of “glorified ethereal version with HUEG angel wings and/or radiating lightâ€.
I see what you did there.
I have to agree with you on this one, this episode (and arc) was amazing. Very fun to watch and I enjoyed every minute of it.
I also really liked your take on the meaning of Kanon’s name, how Sayuri mentions it is a repetitious melody, and how the girls and sadness are like snow. That was some good anime blog writing. Plus I love Kanon in D. But excellent analysis there… definitely a quality post.
“Call me Hope. Mai Hope.”