Kanon ep.18

February 2, 2007 | 29 Comments

What a good episode to watch after a hard day at work. The animation in this episode is as beautiful as last week's. Having said that, I think the ending is a bit inconclusive. If it's viewed as it is now, I would say that this is another sad ending similar to Makoto. However, I seem to recall reading a spoiler about her fate in one of the comments and that is completely different from this one. So now I wonder if Kyoto Animation decides to take an entirely different route from the game. Either way, not everything about this episode is depressing. I think the dancing sequence between Yuuichi and Kitagawa is hilarious and reminds me a bit of Hare Hare Yukai. I get the impression that the dance is just something that Kyoto Animation for Suzumiya Haruhi fans. It makes me wonder what Kyon would say if he ever spots Yuuichi doing that stupid dance.

Yuuichi wakes up in the morning and looks depressed but he pretends to be happy to Ayu and Akiko. At school, Shiori notices Yuuichi and decides to purposely bumping into him. Before the two go to their respective classes, they make a promise to have lunch together again since Shiori has bring more bento for them. Later on, Yuuichi meets Kaori and the two talk about Shiori's favourite place, which is cold in winter but during spring, many students used to sit on it. Upon hearing this, Yuuichi realises that Kaori knows all along that Shiori has been sitting there everyday. During lunchtime, Yuuichi mentions his intention of holding birthday party for Shiori. Unless, she doesn't feel like it. Shiori doesn't mind it at all although she wonders if there are other people who would come to it. Yuuichi assures her that Ayu and 2 people that he knows will come. Upon hearing this Shiori cheers up and thanks Yuuichi for the effort.

Later on that day, Yuuichi has to lie down because he overeats. Shiori realises that once again she's made too much foods for Yuuichi. Yuuichi tells her that the foods are good so he doesn't want to waste it. After thinking about it, Yuuichi asks Shiori if she'd like to skip afternoon class with him. He tells them that they can go anywhere such as her favourite places. Shiori is surprised to hear this and wonders why he suddenly wants to do this. She thinks he's acting like they won't be able to see each other anymore soon. She then jokes around and calls him a delinquent. At any rate, Shiori decides to return to her class so the two promise to meet again after school. That night, Yuuichi tells Ayu about the birthday party. She's surprised to hear this so Yuuichi admits that the true birthday is the day after tomorrow. Upon hearing this, Nayuki demands to know who is this "Shiori", presumably so she can hunt her down. Just kidding.

Yuuichi explains that Shiori has been sick and therefore doesn't have many friends. Ayu is more than willing to come and while Nayuki has practice for the upcoming tournament, she's also going to come as well. The next day, Yuuichi looks for Kaori to tell her that they're having birthday party for Shiori tomorrow. Kaori claims that she can't come but Yuuichi tells her that Shiori is making the best out of her life at the moment. It doesn't matter how much time she has left. Because of this he asks her if she can acknowledge Shiori as her sister until her last moment. He then asks Kaori if she knows the reason why Shiori comes to the school everyday. Kaori is surprised when he reveals that it's because she wants to eat bentou with Kaori here. He reminds her that the two of them made this promise when they were still new students at the school. He then goes on to mention how Shiori wants to go to school, eat bentou and going home together with her sister.

That afternoon, the two of them go to the cafe in the city to celebrate her birthday. Back inside her home, Kaori goes to her room and opens a drawer containing pictures of herself and Shiori. She then quickly closes it as soon as she sees them. Back inside the cafe, everyone congratulates Shiori for her birthday. After blowing off the candles in her ice cream cake. During the party, Yuuichi points out that the person who mentioned Shiori to him was actually Kitagawa. Kitagawa agrees to this and finds it unfair that Yuuichi gets to hog Shiori, Nayuki, Ayu, Shiori's friend. And then there are 3rd years Mai and Sayuri. While Kitagawa tries to choke Yuuichi, Nayuki tries to explain that Yuuichi is not that kind of person. Is she trying to convince Kitagawa or herself? Either way, Ayu doesn't understand what Nayuki meant by 'that kind of person'. Nayuki then presents hers and Akiko's present for Shiori, a hand-made strawberry jam.

Not surprisingly, Ayu gives Shiori some Taiyaki. Of course Yuuichi doesn't waste an opportunity to make Ayu goes "Uguuu". Shiori's classmate decides to give her friend a hand-made scones. Kitagawa notices that all of the presents are sweet things so Shiori explains that she loves sweet things. The group, however, is surprised when Kaori comes to the cafe as well. In the end, Kaori ends up sitting next to Shiori, causing some awkward time between the two. Kitagawa decides to introduce Shiori to her but he realises that he doesn't know Shiori's family name. To stop Kitagawa from asking Shiori her last name, Yuuichi stands up and urges the group to be more lively but he ends up making the situation more awkward. To end the awkwardness, Shiori decides to cut the cake and give it to Shiori, asking her to eat it if she wants to. The other girls are confused to see the coldness between Shiori and Kaori but they decide not to ask them.

Kitagawa, however, is not as tactful and whispers to Yuuichi, asking for explanation. Yuuichi promises to explain later but for now he asks Kitagawa to make the situation livelier. Because of this Kitagawa reaches for his Elvis suit and proceeds to invite everyone to dance with him. After seeing Kitagawa moving his hip, a waitress is concern that he'd disturb the other patrons. Unfortunately for her, the other patrons don't mind. Since neither Kaori or Shiori wants to dance with Kitagawa, Yuuichi decides to dance with the guy. I think Haruhi would approve their silly dance....or criticise them until they are ashamed beyond believe. Nayuki, Ayu, and the other patrons clearly enjoying the spectacle while Shiori and Kaori look like they want to dig a hole to hide themselves. After some facial distortions and butt dance, however, Kaori and Shiori can barely contain their smile. During this time, Shiori tries to make an eye contact with Kaori.

After the party, Nayuki suggests that they have lunch together at school. Shiori's friend and Ayu are enthusiastic about the idea but Yuuichi reminds Ayu that she goes to a different school. More "Uguuu" for Ayu. Kitagawa then suggests that they leave Yuuichi and Shiori alone but Yuuichi claims that Kitagawa misunderstands them. Kitagawa doesn't understand why Yuuichi is not interested since Shiori is pretty. Upon hearing this, Kaori agrees with Kitagawa, saying that Yuuichi really has no eyes. Yuuichi decides to use the opportunity to flame Kaori by saying that it's none of her business. Kaori, however, refutes this and thinks it's her business because Shiori is....her sister. Everyone else are pretty much surprised to hear this. Kitagawa wonders why neither of them said it before but before he can ask more questions, Yuuichi already seals the guy's mouth with his hand. Shiori then asks everyone else to go home so Shiori and Yuuichi can be alone.

Before she leaves, Kaori tells Shiori that they have a lot to talk about later on. Shiori is very happy with this latest development and thanks Yuuichi. Yuuichi asks her where she'd like to go next because they still have a lot of time left. They end up re-visiting the amusement centre again, where Shiori manages to hit 5 moles! That's an achievement. They then go window-shopping and eat ice cream (again?). Later on, Yuuichi wonders if it's okay that Shiori comes home late. Shiori confirms this because she already told her parents that she'd be late. While walking together, Shiori asks Yuuichi if they can hold hands. Yuuichi responds to her request by handing out her hand to her. When the two decide to rest near the fountain, Shiori tells Yuuichi that he's a strong person. Yuuichi disagrees with the idea and claims that the strong one is Shiori. Shiori denies this and shocks Yuuichi by saying that at one point, she almost slit her wrist.

She explains that she bought a knife at the combine as well as many other things. On her way home, however, she encountered Yuuichi and Ayu. She still remembers what happened that night. She was all alone in her dark room, couldn't hear or see anything, didn't have anything else to think about. It was then that Shiori contemplate the idea of using a boxcutter to cut her wrist. All of a sudden, the moon lit up her room and she recalled the fun conversations that she had with Yuuichi and Ayu. She then recalled how she might not be able to make it to her next birthday and her inability to talk to her sister. The combination of the happy and sad memories caused her to laugh and cry at the same time. Shiori decided not to cut herself and believes that the situation was probably a miracle. Yuuichi tells her that it was her strength but Shiori denies this, claiming that she's a weak person. Yuuichi thinks even if that's the case, there's nothing wrong with it.

Shiori then thanks Yuuichi for today and wants to do it again. In exchange, Yuuichi tells Shiori that he's glad to have met her. Shiori then asks Yuuichi if he can laugh for her. The two then glance at the clock and Shiori mentions that by the time it hits twelve, she'd turn 16 years old. Yuuichi proceeds to give Shiori his present: a sketching book. Shiori thanks him again, promising to treasure the present. Before Yuuichi knows it, Shiori already gives him a peck on the cheek. Shiori then tells him that she'd get some hot drink. While she's away, Yuuichi sees images of Shiori being happy with Kaori. He, however, becomes concerned when Shiori doesn't return to the area and runs to the drinking vending machine nearby. In the place, he finds a can of coffee and a piece of note thanking him and bidding goodbye to him in definite term (using Sayounara). The episode ends with Yuuichi wishing Shiori "Happy Birthday".

Impression:

Despite my earlier remark, when I think about it, this episode is actually kind of impressive. I tend to like open-ended stories and this one is not an exception. I think by leaving the ending inconclusive, the viewers are allowed a little bit of freedom in deciding the fate of the character. Having said that, the ending did end in a rather gloomy note with Shiori thanking Yuuichi and bidding goodbye to him using definite goodbye remark. Having said that, not everything about the episode is a downer. At the very least Yuuichi was successful in reuniting Shiori with Kaori. Even if she won't live long, I think Shiori felt grateful that someone like Yuuichi went out of his way to make her happy. In addition to this, thanks to his effort, she is finally able to talk to her sister again. While it's nice to be able to live long, I think a short life with people who love you is far more gratifying than living for a long time all alone.

Preview

In fact the reason why Shiori tried to cut herself was because she felt lonely. It was awesome how the story connected her first meeting with Yuuichi and Ayu and her attempted suicide. In the end, the later ended up as a reminder of how life can be fun at times. The encounter clearly left a good impression to Shiori to the point that it stopped her attempted suicide. It also explains why Shiori looked a bit spaced-out when she first met Yuuichi and Ayu. On a less depressing note, I enjoyed Yuuichi and Kitagawa's silly dance. It's a bit horrifying at times and it takes a really confident person to make fun of themselves in that manner. Yuuichi and Kitagawa clearly have no problem with this but if I may bring Suzumiya Haruhi again, I think someone like Kyon would rather die than embarassing himself like that. Anyway, it's hard to believe that there are only 8 more episodes left. I hope the final will be even better than this one.

© memento 2003