Kanon vs. Da Capo (which one should I watch)
 

Srry admin if this isn't the right place for this thread (so feel free to move it). I haven't watched either series and was wondering what people might suggest.

I finished KGNE a bit ago and am in that middle-ground-let's-stall-with-Fumoffu moment. On threads all over the place I'm hearing about Kanon and Da Capo (esp. about them being similar to KGNE) and was wondering if people could go into a little more depth on each series. From what I've heard and read so far the two series seem to have almost the exact same premise and I'm curious as to which is better and what the differences are, before I begin.

If it helps, I really liked KGNE and Green Green, as well as Fumoffu (who doesn't?)

Thx everyone

I've never seen any of those shows except for Da Capo, but I really enjoyed it. The first half of the series is more comedic and light-hearted, but the second half is more serious and is a bit dark.

Da Capo : Basically a highschool romance story about one boy and the women around him who all have something going for him. One day, Junichi's cousin and childhood friend, Sakura Yoshino came back from America all of a sudden. To Junichi's surprise, she looks exactly the same as the girl that moved away six years ago, and hasn't aged one bit. And she came back to remind Junichi of their childhood promise... She's still in love with him, but what about Junichi's sister, she seems to have feelings towards him as well. It is a bittersweet tale of magic, love, hidden desires, and unattainable dreams.
First half is rather light, most characters get introduced here and not too many heart breaking episodes. The second part however is very tragic and dramatic and something you can't stop watching. Also every episode has 15 minutes of actual story and 5-7 minutes of a filler episode/music video. just SKIP these completely and come back to them later, Absolutely nothing happens that is in any way related to the story.

Kanon : Boy returns to live with his aunt after being away for 7 years. He meets several girls he knew before but he doesn't remember any of them, the story revolves about current and previous things that happened between him and them. Heartwarming, at times depressing , a touch of magic but very beautifull.
Again in the first episodes we get introduced to all different characters but you have no idea what their backgrounds are or their connection to the main character. This seirs is very serious from the first episode. Story really gets going in ep 3 or so, the two ep before are introduction. Make sure to watch the first 5 minutes of episode one directly after finishing episode 13 !


To compare : Kanon starts seriously straight away, and is a bit confusing at first. Da Capo starts out lightly as a regular high school romance/comedy anime. The really dramatic KGNE parts only start between ep 12-15 but from that moment on it's beautiful. Also Da Capo is a triangle relationship just as KGNE was while Kanon never feels that way (this is due to the nature of the girls introduced but that is part of the series ).

I recommend .... both :heh: but if you want pure drama take kanon first, if you don't mind a lighter start after which the serious part begins then pick Da Capo. If you really wanna have another triangle relationship like KGNE Da Capo seems the better choice.

PS While both are very good romance/drama I think the Kanon ending was better (but this is only my opinion)
P²S Keep in mind that contrary to very realistic KGNE these two anime have a (slight) touch of magic in it which is essential to the story.

I haven't seen Kanon yet, but I'm currently seeing Da Capo an liking it a lot, so Ican only recommend it :D
See also my new signature below.

Absolutely! I'd be really hard-pressed to pick only one - you really should watch both! If I had to pick one to watch first, though, I'd probably pick Kanon - in part because of it's shorter episode count, it feels like a tighter story. Also, maybe it's simply because I watched it first, but it feels like more of a classic to me. That being said, definitely don't miss out on either one if you like this genre. Both of these are right near the top of my all-time favorite anime list.

To me, Kanon is good if you want to get a show that's not full of gags (which is not necessarily bad). However, Da Capo (as far as I've seen (5 eps)) has more comedic moments (and more fanservice).

Kanon is the most impactful show I've ever seen. I've never cried harder in my life. I watched the show knowing absolutly nothing about it and was not prepaired for it. I've been scarred since.

Da Capo is similar but a lighter story. Still good drama but not as deeply scarring.

I also recommend them both for any drama / romance fan. But if I had to pick one, it'd be Kanon.

although i haven't seen kanon, Dacapo was actually aright. and i reckon you should watch both

I think the avatar speaks my opinion quite well here :P

I like Kanon more mainly because it completely removes all the innuendo distraction. The amount of comic relief really was minimal. It's to the point. Raw.

I seen both Kanon and Da Capo and both are very good animes so if you see one you must see the other. However, I'm leaning towards that you should watch Kanon first.

I like Kanon the most since the story is more packed. it's 13 episodes long and covers everything. Da Capo is twice as large but also very good.

The better thing (opinion here ) is that Kanon isn't sex joke, and ecchi related at all. Just a good story.

Da Capo clearly shows the oposite ;) which isn't bad.... I guess ;)

You should just see both

I started laughing after reading that part. Kanon really had some impact, and I cried twice in that anime...

But hell, I cried once in Gundam SEED when something happened and I knew it was gonna happen, so I guess I'm pretty soft (or emotionally unstable).

The person who made this thread has probably already made his choice, but I would recommend both. I'd watch Kanon first since it's shorter.

It's actually pretty interesting, these three anime: Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien, Kanon, and Da Capo go pretty well together IMO. I watched Kanon first, then I think I started KGNE shortly after Da Capo.

I like them all, but I think the one with the most emotional impact was Kanon. The one with the intriguing drama was KGNE, and the all-rounder was Da Capo.

Ok after reading all the post I have a question.

Does kanon have a happy or sad ending?

I download this series thinking its is just light-hearted fun not like second half of da capo or KGNE(which I both saw)

I really don't like sad ending which make feel down for while.I want to be joyful and happy person :D

Kanon does, depending on who you were rooting for. :)

Kanon sets up the series in the first few episodes, and then works through the storylines for the particular girls. There are a few sad moments, one in particular, but the series as a whole resolves on a postive note.

Ok at least its postive.

manys thanks

Haha, thx guys
 

Actually, I ended up watching Da Capo first. I'm around episode 6 or so now, and I guess the drama is kinda starting to pick up. It's still really random and Idk what's going on, but it's amusing. (kinda like GrnGrn + Kimi)

I have my reservations about Kanon still. I know I could prolly get used to it, but how does the artwork seem to you ppl? I've heard that it really takes some getting-used-to, and I'm not in the mood for a radical style change.

I'm pretty sure I will be watching both, but I tend to alternate my series (drama/comedy, then action/mecha) so I guess Kanon will just have to wait...

Thx for all your suggestions tho, really appreciate it.

About Kanon, it's a really good series, but the parts of the story was changed due to the game -> anime conversion.

If you want the full experience, you should purchase the game. There's already a translation group working on an english translation, and a 40% patch is due to be out sometime next month.

Da Capo's story is mostly intact (mainly because it's a 26 ep series, rather than 13), though Moe's storyline was cut out (which really irritates me since they could have added her story in if they didn't make all those music videos/filler cat sequences).

I am not usually put off by variations in art styles. Kanon's characters definatly have strange faces. I was used to it by the end of the first episode. I was instantly captivated by the story and since I'm reading subtitles at the bottom of the screen, it made the transition to the art style easier.

The only show who's character designs took me a while to get used to was Visions of Escaflowne. Took me half the series to not just see giant noses moving around. Wondering if the characters ever stab eachother in the eye when they kiss or something.

EDIT: Glad to hear an newer patch is comming out for the game. I plan to buy it but it's expensive so I'm holding off until enough is translated to make it worth it. 40% is getting pretty close, I think.

I think that Da Capo is better, because the main character in DC isn't a total dickwad like in Kanon.

If you thought Yuuichi was a total dickwad you should play the game version of Kanon. There's a dick wad.

I didn't think he was a dickwad, why is he a dickwad?

The art did put me off at first, I dont particularly care for that style of animation. But the story does grow on you, and its the animation isnt so bad that it distracts from the story.

While the animation didnt thrill me, I decided to stick it out and watch the whole series. Its really pretty good, so I would recommend trying it.

Hm, I suppose Kanon is good, but that's if you can crawl through the first half. The second half is where it really picks up. Pity it is such a short series...

watch both
 

in my opinion, watch both.
better yet, before that, play the games.
Anime from bishoujo games are all godly.
e.g. Kanon, Da Capo, Tsukihime, Mizuiro, Tokimeki Memorial, etc.
and the upcoming AIR movie and Wind ~a breath of heart~ series, damnit can't wait!
and to the person who claimed to have cried the hardest watching Kanon (I cried too), you should watch Saishuuheiki Kanojo (too bad it's already licensed)

It's funny, I HATED Saikano. Never have I so disliked the main characters of a show (actually, I've never really disliked any other character in any show). I did find the subplots with the minor characters quite touching, but the main story and characters blew. :)

I'm anticipating Wind, also. I played the fan translated demo and thought it had potential (don't know what actually happens in the rest of the game). I hear a lot about AIR but don't know anything about it, so that should be interesting. I wish they would translate more of these games. I'm waiting on the fan translation of Kanon, then I'll buy that. Other games would be great to play too.

Keeping my fingers crossed for a Kana Little Sister anime, too.

Lots of potentially good games/anime out there, but down with Saikano. :)

Whoa...
 

Just finished watching Da Capo... All I can say is that I was completely blown away. I really enjoyed the 1st half with its humor and lightheartedness, but the 2nd half was just as incredible. (Actually, I think I watched the last 8 or 9 episodes in one sitting) I guess I'm a sucker for those artsy animes. I don't believe an anime (including Kimi Ga Nozumo Eien) has ever pulled my heartstrings this much. Too many goodbyes, I guess. As for Kamina, I wholeheartedly agree. All the bishoujo-based films I've seen (especially Mizuiro), I've enjoyed tremendously. I don't believe I've yet encountered a bishoujo-game or even h-game based series or OVA that I haven't liked (and they've all ended the way I was hoping, too :D) My drama quota has thus successfully been completed (and in fact in overflow) so it's time for a light comedy or action series! (Don't worry, I've decided to watch Kanon, but at a later time).

Kanon is good, and its not quite as much an emotional roller coaster as Da Capo. I actually have put Da Capo on hold for a bit, I needed to watch something a little lighter for a bit. :)

I agree with you comment on the bishoujo game based anime. So far, all the ones I have seen that have been based on them have been quite good. After checking out Crescendo, I'm hoping the turn it into an anime, it would be something else if done right. :)

hmmm..... I loved Saishuuheiki Kanojo! I really cried watching this anime. Believe me its love story/mecha. I really don't like watching mecha animes but this one was a exception.

The Mizuiro OVA does not give the game justice!

Pick up the fan translated game and many boxes of tissues, because you'll need it :sad:

There is a translation availble? Who is marketing it?

Fan Translation, not a company unfortunately.

I PMed you the link, but I might as well paste it here in case anyone else is interested.

http://ayashii.com/mizuiro/

I couldn't handle the art in Kanon. Fugliest faces ever, if you ask me. I'm currently 10 eps into Da Capo -- haven't hit the drama yet, but it's fairly funny and the art is cool. Kinda reminds me of Maburaho so far, which is a good thing :).

Thanks, I will check it out.

i jus completed Da Capo and i have to say, i dont see why ppl are hyping up the second half of the series. i personally hated the second half, i enjoyed the comedy half far more. it took a lot of effort to watch the last 6 eps coz they were so boring.



the change from comedy to drama, IMO, was too sudden. i was really enjoying the comedy bit... oh well

Well are you romance/drama fan?

I'm not really much of a comedy fan. Usually romantic comedies don't make me laugh. I often don't even realize there is a comedy aspect. I like the romance and drama. The second half of Da Capo was better to me. I didn't suffer through the first half, it served as a little character development. I don't recall any humor in it, though.

You watching Midori no Hibi? I do find that somewhat funny, though I am hoping for more romance from it. So far, the ED video is the best part (not the rest isn't any good).

I completely agree, I also think that SaiKano was the most depressing anime ever. I couldn't stop watching it and afterwards it left me feeling dazed and confused for days.

Kanon and Da Capo can play on those emotions as well (and I love these 2 anime) but they never got to the level Saikano did :)

Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien > Kanon > Da Capo

Although that's my ranking, any of these triangle of h-game to anime conversion are all a good watch. Da Capo has a great drama story at the end (although side episods suck @$$), and it has Suginami, the coolest homosexually induced character ever invented by anime. (Yes he even beats Shinji from kgne and kitagawa from kanon).

I'll watch kanon first, then go for Da Capo.

If you have time, just watch the both!

BTW, is popotan any good?

Heh. Already finished watching Da Capo. I enjoyed it immensely. As for Kanon, it'll have to wait. I'm on drama break so I'm watching Yumeria. Though it does get funny at times, I still think it's pretty ridiculous. I'm not sure what to think about it, but it's curious enough to warrant a watch.

EDIT: Flubbed the Quote tags...