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?

Boy, was I wrong.

In all honesty, I can’t take issue with Hiroki’s choice. I liked Elis from the very beginning. The fact that they’re cousins doesn’t trouble me. Nor does the age difference. In fact, I’d argue that, spoiled nature aside, Elis was far more mature than given credit for. And, dependable appearance aside, Hiroki wasn’t all that dependable at all. Perhaps they were made for each other. They had good chemistry, that’s for sure.

But, what of the ending itself? I’m still a bit conflicted. I’m neither happy nor angry. I’m more curious than anything else.

My first thought was, “Where the hell did that come from?” Obviously, Hiroki’s final dilemma was one in which he had to make a choice between what his heart desired and what his brain implored. Those are never easy choices to make, and rarely do they give rise to easy, perfect solutions. Some sort of sacrifice will always be made. And, in matters of love, someone will always be hurt. What makes Hiroki’s ultimate decision so immediately perplexing is the fact that it’s very much out of character. Or is it?

Hand, meet forehead.

“I’m a teacher!” How many times did we hear Hiroki say that over the course of the series? How often did his words sound genuine? How often did his friends, colleagues, and students take him seriously? The fact is, Hiroki was staring down the barrel of one of those “heart vs. brain” choices for the entire series - and it had nothing to do with Kiri or Elis. He was trying to decide his future.

The fact that he went with his heart and chose the life of an artist isn’t all that surprising, really. His false words alone were enough to support such a conclusion. But, if choosing his heart over his brain with regard to his future is no surprise, what of his choosing Elis over Kiri? Should the fact that he went with his heart there be a surprise, either? I don’t think so.

I should’ve seen it coming. But, I didn’t.

Typically, these bishoujo game adaptations get waffly endings. In game form, the protagonist (i.e., the player) has his choice of girls - how the story ends is ultimately up to him and him alone. Obviously, this doesn’t work in a TV series. There can only be one ending. One final episode. Some shows crown one girl alone the winner. Others leave every girl hanging. Some crown a girl AND leave everyone else hanging. It’s ridiculous the lengths some shows will go to in an effort to keep fans happy. So, I suppose Canvas should be commended for its very direct, very final, very “how ’bout them apples?!” ending.

I mean, Hiroki and Elis in a post-coital embrace? “How ’bout them apples?!” indeed! I wouldn’t blame Kiri fans for punching a hole in the TV. Me, I just dropped the remote and stared transfixed at the screen for a few minutes.

And Kiri? Geez. Poor girl. She should become a nun or something.