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ファイト／ステイナイト 
February 8, 2007 | 
54 Comments
Shiori: gone but not forgotten should be the subtitle of this episode. I still don't understand why Yuuichi doesn't just call up her house to find out about her condition. Although he may not like what he hears, at least it's better than being uncertain about her condition. Speaking of condition, what was Shiori's actual disease? I can't remember of it being mentioned during her arc. Oh well, it looks like we're not going to get any answer since this is already Ayu's and Nayuki's arc. At any rate, it feels a bit strange seeing Yuuichi on a 'date' with these two. It's probably because I never really saw them as potential love interest for Yuuichi but now I have to get used to this fact. It's just that his relationship to them seems more has this brother/sister vibe that it's hard to imagine him going out with them.
The episode begins with a flashback to the time when Yuuichi and Ayu were kids. Back then Ayu pointed out that winter holiday will be over soon and that meant Yuuichi has to go back. Yuuichi confirmed this, claiming that he has to go to school. Upon finding out about this, Ayu asked him if he would come again to play with her next year so Yuuichi assured her he would. Since Ayu is Ayu, she wanted him to promise her, prompting Yuuichi to do the Yubikiri. Yuuichi then BS his way and told Ayu that the doll they just got is not just a normal doll but a wish-granting, magical doll. Upon seeing the dumbfounded look in Ayu's face, Yuuichi assured her that he's not lying. Yuuichi also claimed that the doll is capable of granting 3 wishes. However, when Ayu asked him who'd grant the wish, Yuuichi told her it's him. XD Because of this, if he can't do it then he can't grant the wish. XD With that in mind, Yuuichi asked Ayu to make a wish.
Ayu turned the doll so that it would face her and then asked Yuuichi not to forget about her. Once winter holiday is over and Yuuichi is back to his own town, she wished Yuuichi would remember her from time to time. Even if it's just something along the lines of: "Oh yeah, in that wintery town, there's this weird girl". XD As soon as she said her wish, Ayu wondered if it's impossible but Yuuichi told her that as he said before, if he can do it, anything is possible. Because of this Yuuichi promised that he would not forget about her and that he'd come back to this city for sure. When that time comes, he asks her to eat Taiyaki with him again. After the opening, the now adult Yuuichi are standing outside his room, remembering Shiori. His thought comes to a halt when Ayu also comes out of her room, telling him that he'd get cold. She immediately guesses that Yuuichi is thinking about Shiori. Apparently she heard from Nayuki who heard from Kaori.
When Ayu asks about Shiori's disease, Yuuichi admits he doesn't really know except that she can't get out too often. Ayu thinks it would be nice if Shiori can get well soon. If there's something that she can do, she wants to cheer Shiori up, just like Yuuichi once cheered her up. Yuuichi thinks that he didn't do such thing but Ayu insists that he comforted her. She then points out that the red headband she always wears was given to her by Yuuichi. Yuuichi is surprised to hear this so Ayu points out that he gave it to her before he went back to his own town. The two then decide to go back to bed since they have to wake up early and cheer for Nayuki in her sprinting tournament. The next day, Yuuichi, Ayu, Akiko, and Kitagawa come to cheer up for her as promised. While Nayuki talks to her family and friends, Yuuichi notices that several guys are talking about Nayuki. Their conversation, however, ends when Nayuki has to go back to her line.
After Yuuichi and the others leave to look for a better spot to cheer Nayuki, Kitagawa calls Nayuki back, asking her to win. He believes that if she wins, Kaori and those idiots would cheer up a little bit. Wow, talk about pressure. Later on, Ayu wonders if Nayuki will be okay so Yuuichi tells her that she's probably under great pressure, causing Ayu to disagree with him. When he sees the two, Kitagawa tells Yuuichi that he better stop dating elementary high school students or else he'd get in trouble. XD It looks like someone finally warns Yuuichi about the danger of being craddle robber. Anyway, Ayu who overheard this is pissed off and tells Kitagawa that she is of the same age with Yuuichi and Kitagawa. Kitagawa is shocked to hear this and wonders which high school Ayu goes to. Ayu claims that it's a school located in the west forest. Yuuichi sarcastically adds that it's a school that allows the student to come and go as they please.
Meanwhile, Nayuki's team is in trouble because they are quite behind from the other teams. However, Nayuki changes this easily by eclipsing the first two competitors. In order to fire up Nayuki even more, Yuuichi rides on a bike and cheer for her from the sidelines. Nayuki decides to boost her effort and manages to get first place in the competition. In order to celebrate her win, Yuuichi takes her to the cafe in the city and treat her to a parfait. Once inside, Nayuki asks Yuuichi what he thinks about this city now since he was complaining about the cold when he first came here. Yuuichi claims that he's got used to it a bit but it's still cold. Upon hearing this Nayuki agree but since she loves this city, she hopes Yuuichi would like it as well. Upon hearing this Yuuichi decides to ask Nayuki if she has someone that she likes. He points out the fact that she's popular not just with guys but also with girls below their class. Did he just suggest Yuri fun for Nayuki?
In response Nayuki tells Yuuichi that she had a boy that she liked when she was in elementary school. However, she got the cold shoulder. When Yuuichi asks her what happened to the guy, Nayuki tells him that the guy has probably forgot about her. Especially since he has other girl that he likes. Uh, oh, what a major hint. Yuuichi points out that was elementary school and the guy's feeling has probably changed by now. Nayuki, however, is sure that his feeling hasn't changed. Whether it was then or now, there is only one person that this guy likes. Yuuichi remarks that the guy seems rather stubborn. Nayuki, however, prefers to call him "earnest". Plus, although he can be ill-tempered at times, he's the kind of guy who can't leave someone who's in trouble behind. However, the person himself doesn't realise this. It's amazing that even after what she said, Yuuichi still doesn't realise that Nayuki is talking about him.
On their way back home, Yuuichi tells Nayuki that since she won the championship, she can pick a present from him. However, he warns her that he doesn't have much money. Like a typical Kanon girl, Nayuki ends up choosing something extremely cheap: a red marble. Yuuichi asks her to buy something else but she claims that it's pretty and the colours look like strawberry. Upon hearing this Yuuichi tells Nayuki that she's definitely weird and won't be defeated by Ayu in this regard. This reminds Nayuki of something so she stops and asks Yuuichi not to cause trouble for Ayu. Yuuichi claims that he's the one who's troubled by her. Nayuki, however, claims that Yuuichi doesn't understand that Ayu.....She then stops and refuses to tell more, claiming that it's a 'secret'. When Yuuichi demands a hint, Nayuki tells him that even if she says it, it won't help him. In response Yuuichi demands hint 2, bonus chance, special chance, etc.
Another flashback shows chibi Yuuichi running late to meet Ayu. After Yuuichi apologised to her, Ayu presented her with her cookies, which was badly burnt as usual. Yuuichi, however, was a lot nicer then and claimed that her cookies are delicious. Back then Yuuichi also took Ayu to a forest and show her a big tree located in the middle of it. Upon seeing the tree Ayu asked Yuuichi to turn around and when Yuuichi can turn back, he found her already sitting on one of the branches. Later on Yuuichi wondered why he couldn't look why Ayu climbed the tree. Ayu can only blush while holding down her skirt. The two then parted ways, with Ayu promising that she'd wait for him again in the bench tomorrow. In the present, Yuuichi wakes up inside his room and ends up meeting Ayu when he goes out into the balcony. Ayu claims that this is a coincidence. She just saw a dream and decided to walk out. Yuuichi admits the same thing happened to him but he forgets the dream.
When Yuuichi asks Ayu if she remembers what happened 7 years ago, Ayu tells him that she only remembers the part where she met Yuuichi. The next day, Kitagawa whines because he and Yuuichi ends up having lunch together since Kaori and Nayuki are not around. After school, Yuuichi encounters Ayu in the city and the two talk about the bench where he and Ayu used to meet. For some reason Yuuichi blushes when Ayu pretends to be angry at him before smiling at him. Since Ayu still hasn't found her missing item, they decide to look for it together. After another failed attempt, Ayu asks Yuuichi if he ever lost someone important right in front of his eyes. This reminds Yuuichi of Makoto, Mai, and Shiori and he starts to break down. Ayu realises that Yuuichi has indeed lost someone important to him and felt sorrow because of it. She starts to cry and asks Yuuichi not to look at her. Yuuichi agrees and closes his eyes like Ayu as the two kiss each other.
Impression:
It's interesting to know that Nayuki seems to have given up on Yuuichi right away. Judging from other people's comments, I got the impression that she got a major storyline with Yuuichi but this doesn't seem to be the case. She clearly accepts that Yuuichi would always love Ayu whether it was then and now. She even tries to nudge Yuuichi towards Ayu in her own way. The problem is, I haven't seen the indication that Yuuichi loves Ayu although the reverse is probably true. As a result, the kiss between him and Ayu felt a bit sudden and came out of nowhere. One minute the characters were crying and in another moment they start sucking each other's lips. The scene also reminds me of a similar scene in Code Geass where Shirley decides to take advantage of her sadness to kiss Lelouch. This is probably why I felt that there's something wrong with the scene. It feels as if either Ayu or Yuuichi was taking advantage of the other's sadness.
Having said that, I don't particularly mind Ayu and Yuuichi pairing. At least Yuuichi seems to have more interest in Ayu than he does in Nayuki. It's hard not to feel sorry for Nayuki though. Yuuichi is clearly oblivious that the man she was referring to in the cafe is none other than himself. After the kind of anvil that Nayuki unleashed in this episode, however, I don't see how Yuuichi can end up with any other girl apart from Ayu. At least not in this version. On a hindsight, it would have been awesome if Kyoto Animation can come up with 5 (or 6 if Makoto can be revived) different endings in the DVD. Maybe they can use a branching segment so whatever happens in the end doesn't contradict the girl that the viewers choose. Admittedly it's a lot to ask and I don't know if Kyouto Animation would have the resources. In addition to this, their main target market, which are the Japanese viewers, can just play the game if they want to see the other endings.
Preview
On next week's episode: Ayu in Nocturn.
... you know, it looks SO weird to have those two kissing. Given her (apparent) age, and the way they've interacted up till now, it just doesn't seem possible for him to do that... even given their past.
Yet they do. And it feels horribly, horribly awkward. :D
Heh. I thought I'm the only one who's not seeing the chemistry. It's nothing objectionable or anything like that but I thought Yuuichi had far better chemistry with Sayuri or even Shiori. Strangely though, I thought the two look cute and compatible in the past. I guess Yuuichi matures a lot more than Ayu in the present.
As for age, I have to keep reminding myself that Shiori is actually a lot younger than Ayu. ^^;;
Oh man, I love the mouse-overs. ^^; They're hilarious!
Haha!
Hahahaha, seeing the successive rollover comments, "You don't love me?", was among the best you've wrote. And now I resume my lurking/reading...
(Great site by the way; discovered it sometime last year.)
I don't know... but seeing them kiss like that seems VERY wierd. Doesn't the original version Nayuki's story come before Ayu?
ok....now those 2 kissing is sooo freaking weird...
KyoAni gave me a fucking heart attack when they had Ayu climb up onto the tree.
@Xelos: In the original, each girls' story runs concurrently - the player can only see _one_ girl's story depending on the choices he/ she makes. So Nayuki's story - and Shiori's, Makoto's, and Mai's - neither comes before nor after Ayu's. They happen at the same time.
Nayuki's story was always going to be the hardest to integrate into the harem format because it's unavoidably romantic - like Ayu's. Given Ayu's predominance, that meant that Nayuki was always going to get the shaft in any Kanon anime adaptation that attempted to be faithful to the game. Toei's Nayuki story arc was almost completely original. KyoAni are looking to be more faithful to the source material.
It's kinda like having him kiss Akiko or the Elvis-suited friend; there's absolutely ZERO chemistry there, and no apparent reason for him to want to do so. Kissing Mai I can see - kissing Sayuri, yes. Shiori? Definitely. But here... well, it's worse than when Mikoto had regressed into her childlike state; there's no buildup to it, not in the past or present, and no apparent sense of like beyond the 'I knew her, she's kinda like a kid sister who I buy taiyaki for' stage. So having him kiss AYU, of all people, just feels odd... about as odd as kissing your own mother that way. :P
Which, for those of us who aren't seriously into Oedipus fantasies, means 'very, very awkward and without any real reason to do so is unexplainable'.
Yuuichi kissing Mai would be a lot weirder from my perspective; you could see _him_ wanting to do it, but not her. The Ayu kiss didn't seem that strange to me - just kinda rushed.
ok, but in everyone opinion, who will Yuuichi end up with at very end? Ayu or Nayuki?
5th set of screenshots have HILARIOUS captions!!!!
And yes, that kiss is VERY awkward.... I wished there was more Nayuki.
Eternal Fighter Zero is a kickass game, by the way.
Ayu, no question. Her story is the most central to the whole Kanon plot, being the only one that resolves all of the story threads introduced at the beginning. It has to be the story to end the series, which means Ayu gets Yuuichi and Nayuki gets nothing. It really has nothing to do with personal preference; Nayuki couldn't get Yuuichi in a series such as this without making for a very weak and anticlimatic ending (since Nayuki's story is in itself the most mundane of the girls'), or without the game script being substantially rewritten. It was always going to be an Ayu finish.
@Garten
Ten to one, the ending will incorporate elements of all the girls' endings except for Nayuki. We've already seen virtually all there is to see as is; the only aspect of Mai's ending we haven't seen is her graduation, and all that we haven't seen of Shiori involves her returning to school in the spring. We've seen all there is to see of Makoto. Nayuki's story is too much antithetical to Ayu's to bear animation.
I don’t find the kiss awkward. Don't forget that the two of them had known one another seven years ago (1)... The reason U1 return to this snowy town (2)... A boy spending 2000++yen on UFO catch for a girl he did not have feelings for (3)???
"you can't compare the amount of love you give to someone"
hah! i knew it! bad cooks turn yuiichi on! LOL.
But u gotta remember that Yuiichi and Nayuki are cousins ye? Thats a bit off dont u guys think, so i seriously doubt the story goin that way.
And even though they say Ayu is the same age as Yuiichi.... doesnt seem like it due to her looking like a 13 y/o kid thats says UGUUUU a lot and the angel winged bag doesn't help either. lolz.
@ Chewies: An incest is fine too.
Remember there's still 7 eps to go...
Nayuki is just a cousin right? In Japan it's pretty accepted to have a relationship with cousins.
@ Eradium:
In relationship u mean more than just a cousin to cousin relationship? Like having a romantic relationship and shit? u serious.... never knew that.
Incest.... and in breeding.... can the Japs and other weirdo countries b any weirder?? meh o well, as long as they provide me with my dosage of anime im happy....
I just found it strange this lack of info about Shiori...
Well, I'd guess they spend 1 minute in the last episode to say "...And she recovered, returned to school and now is in good terms with her sister..."
(It's not a spoiler since I never played the game nor watched the previous version)
"@Garten
Ten to one, the ending will incorporate elements of all the girls' endings except for Nayuki. We've already seen virtually all there is to see as is; the only aspect of Mai's ending we haven't seen is her graduation, and all that we haven't seen of Shiori involves her returning to school in the spring. We've seen all there is to see of Makoto. Nayuki's story is too much antithetical to Ayu's to bear animation."
And you mean we'll have all these things in the end? (I mean graduation, Shiori's return...)
...I'll start by saying that I dislike Ayu...I dislike her character and I dislike her story and I dislike her past which was tailor made to force the viewer to empathize to her...it's just too heavy handed really...
...that aside I do think that having Yuiichi end up with Ayu is the most sensible conclusion for this show because all the other girls so far (except Makoto and while I will tolerate many things including incest if I must I draw the line at bestiality) have a quality that Ayu lacks...
...this quality ties into the concept of what 'Sad Girl in Snow' symbolize...if you can't figure out what wait until the end to discuss...
weird kiss...I personaly dont like the Ayu/Yuuichi paring...I would of much rather want it to be Yuuichi/Nayuki....but maybe its because I like Nayuki better than Ayu xD I just don't find Ayu tat appealing and does not stand out to me
"Mommy said I shouldn't let strange boy take me to forest"
"What did mom say?"
LOL. Fantastic rollovers.
"Incest.... and in breeding.... can the Japs and other weirdo countries b any weirder?? meh o well, as long as they provide me with my dosage of anime im happy...."
Uh, Chewies, you have to be more open minded than this if you want to enjoy anime. First thing first, calling Japanese people "Japs" are considered offensive. And just because you are unused to other countries' peculiarities, it doesn't mean that they're weird.
As for Ayu/Nayuki debate, I always think that Ayu is the epitome of childhood friend and within the context of "Kanon", I'd say that she's the most perfect pairing for Yuuichi. He just doesn't have as much history with the other girls as he does with Ayu or Nayuki. The thing is there is no way the anime will end the story with Nayuki and Yuuichi. Although it's accepted in Japan, there will be many people who don't take this kind of pairing very well.
For those who miss Shiori, here's a consolation prize:
Hawwt Shiori cosplayer.
There's more of her where it comes from here. She also cosplay as Misa-Misa and Haruhi. Here's hoping she's not a trap. X(
@Zzz
Which Kanon girl _doesn't_ have a past 'tailor made to force you to empathise with her'? There's Nayuki, with her lifelong unrequited love and constant rejection, Mai, with her childhood ostracism and trauma, Makoto and her abandonment complex, etc. Shiori is the only one not given much of a past, and she's got a potentially fatal illness and a self obsessed sister to compensate. The only real difference in Ayu's case is that we see more of her past.
I don't know what part of the world some posters here come from ... but first cousin marriages are legal in most of the world and including over half of the US. As far as genetic risk goes, its only about 2% higher a potential risk in problems than random strangers. Einstein married his first cousin in the US.
First cousin marriage does not equal incest either medical or legal in most cases ... it is more unusual in industrialized countries simply because people have many more options than tightly knit communities have.
Sometimes people need to stop and consider maybe its their OWN ruleset that is the "weird" one.
And dittos on the "jap" word.... like it or not, you're on unsafe ground as with using the word "chink" or the "n" word in mixed company.
@Chewies'
"Incest.... and in breeding.... can the Japs and other weirdo countries b any weirder?? meh o well, as long as they provide me with my dosage of anime im happy...."
Just because they have different culture doesn't mean they are wierd. And mind u, they DO NOT provide any of us anime, its a business as well as expression of art. It's NOT their duty to give us what we want. If u truely were to enjoy anime u need to be more open attitude towards differences.
Have a nice day.
Love between cousins and stuff im no used to hearing that. And yes i really don't see the cultural differences in other countries. That's just me. Sori if i offended.
I spose the word "Jap" is rather offensive due to the fact that it was used during World war 2 when Japan joined the war with Nazi Germany. The Japanese did do a lot of horrid things to the Chinese and Koreans if u know ur history, rape, murder in the hundreds of thousands.
SORI if i offended ok.
yes, we know the history (and it is aggravating to watch apologists try to deny such things as you mention) ... but "jap" was used as a derogatory term long before WW2 and it was used as a dehumanizing tool in the war. Words like "chink", "slant eyes", "kraut", "wop", "ragheads", and such are basically designed to permit people to think of others as less 'human'. The japanese military used their own form of word indoctrination and style of nationalistic fascism to make all other people seem less human as well, so their history is plenty spotty :)
No matter where it stems from - dehumanization should be challenged, though I apologize for any derail of this topic.
@Kanon: I'm rewatching the episode... I feel like they stumbled on execution (even if I like the content). I'm tending to think of the kiss as a "caring" kiss rather than a 'romantic/lust/erotic' kiss.... it makes more sense in that context - just two very torn up people comforting each other.
@Tim
...none of the other girls' history goes as such...mother died and was so emotionally distraught that she couldn't emotionally bonded with anyone except for 1 particular little boy who she clung to like a talisman and has not changed in this in all the years since...I mean even Mai made friends with Sayuri after Yuiichi left...Ayu had no life besides Yuiichi...
...that's what I mean by 'force'...she has no good or strong, independent quality at all...she is completely pathetic where the other girls all have their saving grace...
On the contrary, I think there's nothing wrong with Ayu and Yuuichi having chemistry. There's also nothing wrong with fitting in love with sadness. I agree with Vexx about the "caring kiss." The ability to share something so deep with someone shows some bond between the two.
The scene was just beautiful. The colors were warm like honey, so it was sweet but sad - oh so, bittersweet. I got this heart-warming feeling now and it's making me think of all the caring moments people have had with me. Definitly my favorite episode so far.
@Zzz
Am not sure how familiar you are with the Kanon plot past this point, but Ayu's backstory explains all of your points fairly comprehensively.
SPOILERS
I cut the episode where Yuuichi and Ayu kissed then playbacked it over and over again...
I know... I am an AyuXYuuichi fan >_<
@Zzz
Actually, _all_ of the girls' stories bar Shiori involve chibi-Yuuichi becoming the catalyst for some dramatic change or development in character, personality, or situation. In Ayu's case, that said change is simply more dramatic and wide reaching than in the other girls' stories (with the possible exception of Makoto).
Some people may feel unnature when the two kissed each other, but this detail shows that they have the mood in love since childhood. This kiss is not from no where, it is from the love 7 years ago.
@Tim
...sigh...I know the story for Kanon...you don't have to tell me...
...I don't think you actually get the point I'm trying to make here...
...chibi-Yuiichi was a catalyst to all the girls...and older-Yuiichi resolves their pressing problem now...helping them grow...but after that they don't need him anymore...because in his absence they already evolved a independent existence...Mai has Sayuri...Shiori has Kaori (which is what she really wanted anyway)...Nayuki has her achievements, her respect, and family...Ayu doesn't have anything else...she didn't get a chance if you will...
...so even if Yuiichi resolves her current problem she will still need him...and that's why I feel AyuxYuiichi is a logical outcome for this show...even though I don't like her one bit...which was my point to begin with...
...listen to what people are saying first before going off on tangent...
I agree with you Zzz about how everyone else has something to hold onto, and Ayu doesn't. I mean, what's going to happen to her after all is said and done? Where will she go? There's only one logical conclusion.
Having said that... I am not a Nayuki fan, and never have been, so this is something I can root for. :)
@Zzz
You said that you didn't like Ayu because her past 'forced the viewer to empathise with her', hence my comment about all the Kanon stories doing the same thing. My comments were never intended to critique your apprehension that AyuxYuuichi was a logical outcome for the show, but only the basis for your dislike of Ayu.
@Tim
...so you don't think that Ayu's deliberate character design where she is completely dependent on Yuiichi for any meaning in her life to be just a tad more heavy handed than the rest...I never said the other girls don't try to tug at your heartstrings...if you thought I said that then please pardon my mistake...I just mean that Ayu is tailor made to do so more...which stands out and makes her less of a appealing character to me...
...but in the end I'm probably just prejudiced against the 'destined girl' type of harem character...I certainly thrown my fair share of vitriol at Nemu, Shizuma/Amane, etc...
Huh! The Ayu-Yuuichi kiss blew me out of the water, but I've always found Yuuichi to be a bit strange anyway (and Ayu too, but for some reason I expect Yuuichi to be more 'normal' hence why he strikes me as odd oftentimes). Yet even though I also don't see the chemistry between Ayu/Yuuichi, I think it makes them (or Yuuichi anyway) more realistic. People often end up in relationships that others wonder about, and realistic characters won't necessarily be obvious, open books.
Still...I'm rooting for a Nayuki ending, because I've heard so much about Ayu's ending being the main story that I want a surprising Nayuki ending.
1) Why didn't Nayuki's hair weigh her down? it must be at least a pound - and it's not even aerodynamic.
2) Why does Ayu keep referring to the past? Is it really that important? If someone kept talking nonstop to me about a promise he or she has made with me seven years ago, I would become insane.
3) Did Shiori die - or is she in a coma?
4) The hair band that Ayu wore seven years ago can still fit on her head? Wow - she must have a lack of growth hormones/genes.
5) Why doesn't Yuuichi hang out with male friends when he was little? Does he have problems with them?
For number 5...
1. Makoto was a fox
2. Mai was destined to meet with Yuuichi, according to her "powers"
3. Ayu and Yuuichi met accidentally
4. Nayuki is his cousin...
Yuuichi went there for the winter breaks 7 years ago but I doubt that because of Fox Makoto and Yuuichi in a not so snowy place in a flashback (Summer I think)
Sorry if I'm wrong but yeah o.o
Yuuichi is being picked on...
I'm watching the kissing sequence all over again @_@
@Zzz
Mm... I can kinda see where you're coming from, but I can't really say I feel that Ayu is any more dependent on Yuuichi than Makoto, or that her story is more heavy handed in its attempts to milk audience sympathy than Shiori's. It wasn't a conscious decision of Ayu's to consign herself to her lonely existence, after all, unlike Makoto, and she really has very little personal trauma to make you bleed for her, unlike Shiori.
I guess it's probably a matter of personal preference; there was a part of me that grimaced a little when I played through Kanon at the contrived nature of its various stories, but most of me enjoyed them anyway. Ayu's story has always been my favourite because I like the seflessness of her love for Yuuichi, and his for her.
@GDP
About the awkwardness of the kiss, I posted this on another Blog:
One would think that regularly dreaming about a girl would generally constitute a sign of a certain level of interest beyond the platonic. Yuuichi has past connections with all of the Kanon girls bar Shiori, but Ayu is the only one he dreams about.
The pertinent point to remember about Ayu’s relationship with Yuuichi is that they are figuratively and literally picking up exactly where they left off seven years ago. For Ayu, time hasn’t really passed - in both personality and her feelings towards Yuuichi, she is as she was - and for Yuuichi, the past is something he experiences in the present through his dreams. Yuuichi’s flashbacks, hence, really constitute Kanon’s romantic development, because in remembering what happened Yuuichi comes to feel the way his chibi counterpart did. He is not so much remembering what happened as he is re experiencing it.
That’s why he blushes at the start of this episode - he has begun to remember Ayu as someone he was developing feelings for, whose wishes he wanted to make come true. Such feelings as he exhibits in this episode were never on display earlier because before this point, his recollection was in its infancy. It’s a situation actually quite common to amnesia victims in works of fiction.
So yeah, the kiss doesn’t really seem unecessary to me. I wish it had more build up, because as it stood I thought the Toei version was more emotional, but I liked it nonetheless.
With regards to Nayuki: it'd take a complete restructuring of the entire anime for it to be plausible for Yuuichi to end up with her. The whole anime has thus far built up Yuuchi and Ayu. It's going to be an Ayu end, and always was.
@Tim:
Yep fully agree with that Tim. Looks to me like an Ayu end aswel. The flashbacks, the dreams etc etc all basically built up to connect to Ayu. Nayuki is merely a bystander at the MO as i see it, and i agree wit u fully on the restructuring of the entire anime for a Yuichii X Nuyuki, which seems doubtful.
Anyway. I would have liked a bit more build up before the kiss scene aswel.... as most people would agree. It took me by surprise... lol.
EP was ok.
@Jay
To answer ur Q's lol:
1. Yep her hair would weigh her down, but Nayuki is a champ athlete so her hair weighing a tonne wont bother her..... though i think she would blitz her opponents if she had shorter hair.
2. Lol same. Guess she loved spending her time with her beloved Yuichii-Kun xD.
3. Hmm we'll find out bout Shiori soon... maybe. But i think she probably past away **sniff sniff.
4. Ayu has stunted growth... NO explanation other than that... lol she doesnt look any much taller than she was 7 years ago so the headband shud fit her fine lol.
5. Maybe hes the type of guy that hangs wit the ladies.... ladies man.... lol. I think it wud b unneccessary to add in more male characters, our focus is on the girls YO =)
uhm., Yuuichi x Ayu? I can't see it O_O
that kiss was unexpected.... literally came out of nowhere.... surprised yuuichi went along with it too....
Love how each scene has a music that goes along perfectly with it : >
The ol' tree...... Ayu's arc already?
Ayu/shiori arc were the sad ones for me >
Strangely I always saw Ayu/Yuichi as the expected outcome, if only because Ayu's played by Yui Horie. In all seriousness, I've always liked her character (have a thing for girls who used "boku") and think their relationship is very well developed over time. To me it just makes sense that they'd end together like this.
P.S - I didnt expect the kiss to happen now, but for those who cant imagine Yuuchi with ayu..... euh... ayu is the main girl eh? lol
@ Eleutheria
Blame Key not kyo ani for the climbing up the tree XD
I wonder what will happen if Yuuchi slapped that short winged girl... will she disappear in midair, since the person she's been living for rejected her?
If Ayu has been in a coma all of these times as some people have suggested then it makes sense that she never had the chance to mentally grow as an adult. That will explains her child-like mannerism.
Ayu and Yuuichi are not the pairing that I had in mind. I was hoping for Mai and Yuuichi after she gets out of the hospital.
@EVO
i remember mai once said that she couldn't wait like ayu did, shows that her feeling for yuuichi doesn't seem possible for a mai's pair.
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