7. Canvas 2
I like bishoujo game adaptations, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Why? Because the average bishoujo game adaptation is just a slice-of-life show stocked with pretty girls. As you probably already know, I like slice-of-life. And I suppose I like pretty girls.
However, bishoujo game adaptations - both good and bad - are some of the most forgettable of shows. If you asked me to list all of the bishoujo game adaptations I’ve thoroughly enjoyed in my years as an anime fan, the list would be long. But if you then asked me to list those bishoujo game adaptations that count amongst my all-time favorites, I’d be lost. I like ‘em, but I don’t like ‘em that much.
So, what’s so special about Canvas 2, you might ask? I don’t know, to be honest. I’ve been struggling with that question for some time now. Perhaps it’s special because it’s a bishoujo game adaptation that doesn’t necessarily feel like a bishoujo game adaptation? I know I’m the one trying to sing the praises of the show here, but as to why I feel the way I do about it, your guess is as good as mine. I suppose you could just read what I’ve written about the show in the past and figure it out for yourself. I’m sure the answer is in there somewhere.
It is good stuff, however. And I think that, if more bishoujo game adaptations followed the lead of Canvas, I’d value them a lot more than I do now. It’s a good role model.
Perhaps that’s it?
What is it with bishoujo game adaptation girls with over-sized ribbons on their heads?!
But seriously.
Guess I’ll have to take a look into Canvas 2.
I loved Elis, and I loved Kiri (Masumi Asano’s best dramatic role to date IMO). I sympathized with Hiroki. At the same time I hated all three of them. I think that’s what made this show tick–it is drama first, bishoujo game second; at least I hope that’s why it’s so different than your run in the mill adaptation.
Drama central, and even if on the scale of train wrecks it is pretty mild, it’s got a huge impact because it’s just so well weaved and paced. The writing and direction are all superb, and they don’t get in the way.
Perhaps the only real failure was one of moral and of being a little too long.
And I still don’t get with the Kana thing aside that I think it’ll just go into the bag of tricks and old memes to make fun of Jeff.
This was the one case where I saw the anime before playing the game — I did at least hear about it though. And my god I loved every minute of it. I remember being so obsessed with Elis at the time as well. I really want to say more but for the fear of throwing out spoilers left and right, I’ll just choose not to. Easily up there for my pick of ‘best series of the year’
I will not say more about the ending in fear of attracting some flames. I do like to say that I liked the first 20 episodes which flowed rather smoothly in my opinion, as well as opening song, which really is the reason why I decide to watch this series past the critical 3rd episode. I do have to say, Sumire, who was voiced by a good singer named Aya Hirano, gave
Sorry about the break.
I do have to say, Sumire, who was voiced by a good singer named Aya Hirano, gave THE WORST rendition of Mozart Ave Verum Corpus, KV 618, I have ever heard. Heck! I personally know some local 8th grade girls who can sing Ave Verum better than that. I think I made bunch of non-music major Engineering graduate students sing that song better than that. Even now, my wife, who saw that episode, would tease me, or literally wake me up from slumber by imitating that rendition, and yes, I believe even my wife can sing that song better than Sumire.
The series had many good characters, in design and in personality. I wish they would make some side story OVA or alternate version which would explore other interesting characters, especially the other members of the art club and everyone’s favorite, Tomoko.
IMO I’d rather watch a Kana OAV rather than a Tomoko one. I think Tomoko is very interesting and all, but her best role is Elis’ friend and something to keep the viewers distracted/allured/entertained/balanced when all that heavy drama is in the air.
A little braindead due to X’mas( just came back from a family vacation with the rest of the extended family, all eleven branches of them), and I just want to second the opinion that there should be a Tomoko OVA, or at least I think you guys are discussing about a Tomoko OVA, right? Can’t really think straight… may post again tomorrow… if I wake.
Cheers, but don’t drink and drive.
I liked it a fair bit for a bishoujo game animation.
Then, I got to the ending. Way to screw over things there, folks.
It’s still a decent series, I think, but I dunno if I’ll ever go back to it because the end seriously soured a part which I expected/thought they were for once going to avoid. Those damn bait-and-switchers.
Not sure Tomoko could carry a whole OVA-episode by herself, but I’ll be the first to sign any letters clamoring for more of her anyway :p. Moeeeeeee~~
The start of this anime rocked my socks, so much so thatI watched 11 episodes in one day….. but from there it slowl went down hill to end at which point I felt like ripping my laptop in half. I have never been so pissed off to find that the protagonist ends up with quite frankly the wrong girl. I was outraged!
You are so right, markybabes. The ending was crappy, it sucked big-time. Why would Hiroki fall for Elis who is his cousin? Quite perverted, I might say. Although I don’t understand why he moved from Kiri to Elis after seeing a painting.