Kanon 11 - Wai for Mai~

Kanon 2006-11
Harem x 4

YUUICHI START!


Also, Sayuri.

Next!

The one major flaw of Kanon, to me, is how the girls are shuffled in and out of Yuuichi's Number One Harem Member slot. Makoto's arc took up the majority of the last 8 episodes, and definitely near the end it had major tear-jerker power.

And so it's done, and we call in our next candidate, Mai Kawasumi. I've got absolutely nothing bad to say about Mai, but sometimes I wonder how Yuuichi moves on so fast from one girl to the next without pausing for downtime or at least a 'meanwhile' episode a la the Mayumi/Nadeshiko episode in Shuffle!. Then again, we have no time to spare in Kanon. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

And neither do I, with the arrival of More Import Japanese Stuff for Crazy White Otaku Man (i.e. Initial D Special Stage. also, Haruhi and Shuffle!Memo is burning a hole in my compy) so jump. Now. How high? Don't give me that idiocy. Just click the link, as long as you've completed the Kanon series; with the start of a new arc we've got new spoilers for the entire thing. Or at least Mai. Wai for Mai~ (catchphrase'd/10)


With the start of Mai's arc it's time to bring up the second secret of the intro credits, which is loli Mai running through the wheat field. It's arguably the most, or second-most spoilerish of the scenes for the main heroines, running against: Episode 23 Nayuki, Makoto at Monomi Hill, Shiori who can't draw, and Ayu everywhere. It's not really spoilerish, but those who are clever and don't mistake her for Nayuki will remember the 'wheat field' quip in Episode 1. Or just notice that Mai's happy, which is really weird and entirely awesome.


The Ayu dream sequence makes its grand return, this time with shots of the sky. It's the same text about "always waiting," "dreams stopped ending," and "not able to do anything." Although, I wonder; it's been shown that Yuuichi and Ayu both see the flashback sequences, but do either of them see the Ayu-voiced scenes we see so frequently? The third quote definitely could apply to Yuuichi as well...


Nayuki makes her best effort to jump to the front of the harem queue, asking Yuuichi if he remembers the past - probably the snowbunny scene - now (since he remembered Foxy Makoto). The answer is, as, always, a negative. Isn't it sad, Sacchin Nayu?


Shiori shows up in her token school courtyard scene, and Yuuichi jokes about his being sick for the last few days (read: ditching and running off with Makoto). Unfortunately, he doesn't know that Shiori has no cold for him to catch from her, and if he did catch her disease, it would suck exponentially more.


Shiori also refuses Yuuichi's request to go home and rest, because there's 'nothing to do at home'. Close to the mark, but it's more because she dreads going home and coming home to yep, Kaori, who still hasn't accepted her (a bright move in itself). Yuuichi also has a suprisingly prophetic quote in saying that Shiori isn't getting better because she's not going home. It's true that she has some emotional wounds to heal there as well as the physical ones (from the disease and whatnot).


Also, ice cream. You hear that? It's Shiori's cuteometer going through the roof. Vanilla ice cream in the cold FTW. I know I've eaten it. Somehow I don't see it gaining as much popularity as, say, taiyaki, though...oh well. A normal food for a "normal" girl. (well, relatively)


We get some Nayuki scene reusing - but also some funny scenes as well. Yuuichi makes a poor harem move in asking Nayuki how to improve (and/or prettify) his 'acquaintance' (Mai). Rule #1: The harem members must remain independent of each other if possible, and if not, there must be a peaceful relationship established. We do NOT want boxcutters within the harem. This is not a soap-opera. There is not enough Yuuichi to go around. Don't try it.


Yuuichi goes shopping with Nayuki, and for once, does not ditch her on the sight of Ayu. Yuuichi asks her if she has any dresses for Mai - you did it again, you fool - and unsuprisingly, she doesn't. Does she have any other clothes? Highly doubtful. Why? Because she's dead an alien in a coma. Maybe. What was she wearing when hospitalized?


Also, Nayuki (who begs to be called Nayu. Nayu and Ayu~ Not bad after all, one can improve the other.) mentions how she's heard about Ayu from Akiko. It's left unrevealed, however, how much Akiko revealed to her daughter. It's certain that she knows everything, but I assume for the sake of Nayuki's sanity, she didn't mention the whole dead/in a coma twist that kinda messes things up a bit. If she was rooting for a Nayuki ending though, perhaps she would make sure to tell her daughter not to consider Ayu competition though! (in the end though, I guess she was.)


Piro's back! 3, 2, 1, cue kawaii Neko Nayuki with great expressions. (there's a thought...) Yuuichi has excellent reaction time in this shot, although he might have wanted to aim lower/higher with his arm. Wink wink, nudge nudge.


Ayu calls home to find out that nobody's there. Suddenly, she realizes that her parents are on vacation, a completely plausible excuse and not suspicious at all. Of course. Where is her father, anyway? Or does the phone not get through for another reason...


It's time again for the Mai scene at night and Yuuichi, this time, tries his best to get some booty plot exposition. If he knew Mai's story perhaps he wouldn't be so curious to, uh, know her story. But he will. Sucker.

By the way, Mai's fighting by herself because Yuuichi left her in the loli days. Smooth. (but also because she doesn't want to burden anyone else, of course)


Silly Yuuichi, the demons aren't after Mai, they're after you (although they beat the crap out of everybody else along the way). And Trix are for kids.


Mai continues to prod Yuuichi for info on his harem. She mentions Makoto in this scene but seems to also be turning toward Yuuichi's next troubled girl, Ayu. Clearly Mai specializes in the supernatural. That, or Shiori isn't quite loli enough to be calmed by Mai.


Nayuki ponders the school Ayu goes to. Ayu? School? What? Wrong. This is a pretty obvious one - in the next few episodes, even first time viewers should get suspicious.


Yuuichi mentions how it's a 'miracle' they got to school 10 minutes early thanks to Nayuki's awesome running skills (and Yuuichi's power of keeping up), and Kaori butts in with a mood-killer. She should know why miracles don't happen so easily - none have kicked in for Shiori, yet. But the catalyst is soon to arrive...


Additionally, the Misaka plot is advanced when Kaori is shown quite obviously noticing Yuuichi quite obviously noting Shiori. It's a Misaka sandwich.


Sleepy Nayuki pops out of nowhere, and Yuuichi quietly (although he could be a jet plane and Nayuki still wouldn't wake up) leaves the classroom for Mai and Sayuri lunch scene, part deux. He learns of Sayuri's TUXEDO GET! and DRESS GET!, contemplates of Sayuri's rich and Vaguely Important background (technically, in both senses of the word), and manipulates Mai in a cute manner again.

The night school scene caps off the episode again, with Yuuichi's infamous "pooh bear/rocky raccoon" speech and, Yoshinoya Beef Bowls, and uh, more demons. Oddly enough there is nothing close to a cliffhanger to end on, although the next episode preview is awesome enough of an ending, with the ball scene and Mai's great out-of-context line, "I want to stay by your side, Yuuichi."

What is it about the quiet girls, anyway?

-CCY

Shuffle! 17 - Sia Strike

The further I get into these anime, the less I can really post for summaries in the pre-jump section. Pretty much all I could say about the situation in which Rin and Sia ditch class to go on a date is, em, to put it Haruhi style, classified information.

Here's an interesting thing though; the episode's titled True Feelings. But whose? Something that would be very interesting to find out, as the Shuffle! Race for Rin (tm) continues, with 2 and a half contestants left in the race.

It's Sia 2nd turn at the date-o event. She put up good numbers on her first attempt but her scores have quickly been eclipsed and if she doesn't improve soon she may be eliminated from this competition...let's take a look at the hidden camera presented by Daidouji&Thyme Incorporated and oh my!

I think we may have to cut the feed on this one. We'll be right back folks, after the jump! (oh yeah, and spoiler-free (relatively) post; covers through episode 17)

How'd we get here, you ask? Long story short; it's neither Sia nor Rin's idea to cut class for an impromptu date, but rather the 3rd-party arbitrator named Kikyou, a.k.a. Mirror Sia. It seems both the God and Demon realms have something about dual personalities; Lico is to Nerine as Kikyou is to Sia. Except Lico's awesome and 'perfect' all-around while Kikyou's crazy and willing to do anything it takes to get Rin.

As you may have guessed by now.


Although, I suppose, Kikyou is remarkably good at her art. First off she seems to be playing off the popular tsundere trait, in which she alters between ordering Rin around and, uh, clinging to him. She's well versed in the Karin art of sexual blackmail, as when Rin threatens to leave her he starts screaming claims of sexual harassment.


Even the classic negation style of "well, I don't hate you, so, conclude the opposite" is used to good effect in conjunction with the googly eyes. Kikyou's been doing her research, apparently, and this is her time to, uh, shine.

Although, there's one problem in that Kikyou != Sia. And so, as attractive as she may make herself seem, she's just too...different for Rin, who still seems more interested in school than "Sia". Not to mention the whole manipulative type girl just might not work for everybody.


Also, Rin's concerned about school because he's ditching someone important there. Asa still seems to be the one rival that could possibly outlast Kaede (the "Chosen One" as per anime cliche) in the overall race; it seems strange to talk about it because I know the real ending, but these were just my thoughts at this point.


Rin and Kikyou continue to go on an adventure, with Rin resisting most of the way. Kikyou finally pulls out the "something important" trump card - right now Nerine's the only one on the board in terms of confessions, but the tables just might change soon enough...if it really matters in the end?


And so they head to the strangely empty movies, even for school hours during a weekday. There should at least be some adults or fellow deliquents watching; otherwise there wouldn't be any reason to screen a movie for just two people. But then again, I'm ranting about inaccuracies in a world where one normal guy has the chance to date score with marry get with two otherworldly princesses, one childhood friend of 10+ years, an artificial loli, and, uh, Asa. Who is unique in her own Engrishy way.

Maybe it's a closed space movie theater.


They also go clothes shopping, which is code for "Kikyou flaunting what she's got". When Rin fails to react - and, evil of evils, mentions Asa audibly, she pulls out all the stops and starts changing in front of him. Bra and all. Hello, R-15. She throws on the naive look (what? me? breasts? no wai) while doing it, which is somewhere between highly disturbing and seductive.


Rin takes the former.


Meanwhile, at school, Kaede and Asa conference about Rin's sudden absence. Asa phrases it rather funny like she should be the one dating with Rin (don't give Kareha gossip material now), while Kaede is more worried about Rin's health in general. She ends up freaking out completely and runs off from class also to mobilize a rescue force. Meanwhile, nobody manages to connect the dots of Rin gone + Sia gone = gone off together. Well done, harem.


Meanwhile, reams of time pass, as we cut to the sunset, which, as any Key game will teach you is where all the important stuff happens. Rin finally begins to voice his suspicions about Sia's sudden personality change. I don't know, Rin, do you like this Sia? The choice is probably up to you - as long as a Sia wins in the end Kikyou will take on any personality necessary. She's hardcore like that.

As they're walking around in the sunset they come across someone shadowy. It's hard to tell who (for obvious reasons) but the figure seems most similar to one of the harem girls, most likely Asa. Kikyou gets worried a bit and drags Rin off to a grassy field so they can be alone again.


She acts really troubled. It's difficult to tell here whether this is a part of the act or her true feelings of being worried (about being doubted, and about being so close to the goal), but it really tugs on the heartstrings a bit as it's a sharp changed from normal insane Kikyou.

Kikyou ends up going in for the kiss, a la Nerine, and...

Shot down~! Ouch, even for someone as detested as Kikyou! Rin protests this time, as he didn't with Nerine (perhaps hers was sudden enough and made enough sense). Awkward silence ensues as Rin sits there and meditates. We're not sure what this emotion is. Rage? Fear? Confusion? All of the above? Sure.

Kikyou, at a complete loss for once in her life, runs away from the situation.

Rin stops here.

Contemplate this for a bit. You've been dragged out on a date with a girl that you used to know but now no longer do, because she's gone crazy. She tried to make a move on her and you turned her down (to some, questionable in itself). She runs away, leaves you and peace, and you try to stop her.

That's pure, unadultered harem lead right there.

Oh, but, by the way, while you were monologuing Kikyou ran away. Oops.


Rin wanders his way home in a daze, and is welcomed back at the Fuyou house by a full police strike force, out searching for him. Rimu is amusingly cool as always, deadpanning "Welcome back, Rin" like the household loli she is, while Kaede is brought to tears. Whether you find this action stalkerish or really adorable will tell you a lot about your Kaede fandom. I'll take the latter.

Meanwhile, World War III erupts in Sia's room.

We've got 2 demoralized and highly emotional Sia's here in the same room now, both fighting and struggling to figure out who is the villain and victim here. Who took advantage of who? Is it Sia's fault for not taking charge? Is it Kikyou's fault for taking too much charge?


And, who is the girl in the mirror, truly? Sia? Or Kikyou?


Kikyou ends up the depressed one for once, talking about how it'd be better if she left the task up to Sia. But, still, despite it all, Sia wants Kikyou to stay. She doesn't want to be left all alone.


She is.

You know how Shuffle says it's serious to you? It doesn't jump at the fanservice opportunities it normally does. Sia War II is entirely clean, something that you wouldn't expect happening with the outfit Sia's got on.

Flash forward to the next day, where Sia looks at Rin, Asa and co. from afar today. But instead of being smug (and, y'know, all Kikyou-ish), she's sad and melancholy.

Asa seems a bit different as well, contemplating the reasons why Rin stood her up yesterday. She seems to be the one Rin saw yesterday, as Asa explains how he hurt her "more than usual". The mood here is definitely a departure from genki Asa, and genki Sia.


Sia asks Rin to accompany her again to a different place, and strangely enough despite yesterday's events Rin isn't scared of a second meeting - perhaps he can already tell that Sia is "normal" again. She is as happy as usual; even if this is a bit of fake feelings, Rin is comforted by the return of Sia to her normal demeanor.


Sia finally officially explains Kikyou to Rin, who finally gets it. Kikyou apparently was Sia's twin sister who never was; unlike Lico, Kikyou didn't even make it out of the womb. And so Sia absorbed Kikyou into her own body for the two of them to share. She didn't want to lose her precious sister (who she apparently loved already, even before birth). Hmm. Given the previous events, that could be a bit of an issue.


Sia shows some more of her great compassionate side by sympathizing with Kikyou, who despite all her insanity with Rin, really has good intentions, and gives Sia courage and hope. She, like Sia, is just trying to find happiness. Kikyou's just more, mm, 'enthusiastic'.


And finally, Sia finishes the business she's been meaning to do for 17 episodes:

A heart-felt confession in a field of flowers! Certainly a super bonus awesome event that can equal Nerine's, even without the kiss. Sia seems happier just saying it, letting her feelings out, giving herself a chance.


Of course, Rin has someone else, and he goes all apologetic to Sia. She doesn't seem too fazed by it, sounding like she already knows it (although it is unknown if he knows exactly who). She even finishes off the episode with a great quip, one that, per se, reopens the field for all the harem members:



And as such Sia's arc is resolved in great fashion. It seems that once again I find myself unable to hate Sia; to me it is the mark of a great eroge/harem anime for it to really develop characters to the point where my opinion of them changes from negative to positive; the better it is for me, the harder it is for me to find a character to hate.

Although, with Shuffle, there really is no character that stands above and beyond the others, like Mai Kawasumi or Yuki Nagato, but perhaps that's more a fault of quiet girl/meganekko adoration than any fault of the anime itself.

-CCY