Yes, I happen to pick on a series about a thousand other bloggers are doing as well. Why? Well, it all starts some time ago......wait, you thought I was going to have a meaningful story? What rock did you crawl out from under? I'm not that cruel, well, unless it were truly meaningful, or truly interesting, or just plain funny. Nah, no stories for now.

On the other hand, I may try my hand at telling a rather simple enough story. Ultimately, it leads back to MEGATOKYO, but it's not the initial spark of interest. A friend of mine just shows me pictures, which I like, and things evolve from there. I'm one who'll watch a series just because I like the character designs. That's what gets me into most anime series. That's what got me interested in both the original series, and upon learning of it, the game.

Now, initial interest may have been from the images, but the actual "obsession" comes from subsequent knowledge of the story. Not the story from the original anime, which was abridged, but the details surrounding everything with the game. This lead to  HAELETH'S translation patch (which is no longer available). This patch, at the time, was about 23% of the game, and then later, 53% of the game. Sure, it's not through to the end, but there are more details than could have been placed in a 13 episode series. These details lead up to some mystery (if one reads a summation of the endings), and, dare I say it, intrigue. All of which is outside the expected emotional moments from what was supposed to be a tragic series of endings, depending on the path that one followed. This all about 6-7 years ago.

Fast forward to today, after many hundreds of shared images, plenty of discussions, and waiting to learn enough Japanese to play the game originally, here I am. I'm sitting here, writing this entry, after having watched the first episode raw (only having basics of what's going on due to familiarity with the story) and subbed. I might also mention that a record had to be set from the end of the first episode, to the release of the sub. The raw was released about 1.5 hours after the show aired. The sub, less than 24 hours following. One could imagine my joy.

Where is all this coming to? It's coming to this post, and what I plan to do with the 24 episode series. follow me as I outline what I plan to do:

- Comparison between original anime, what I know of the game, and the new series.

- Possibly an analysis or two along the way, maybe more.

- Other things that this tired mind can't think of.

With that, I bring some quick notes to the first episode, and what's different between the three iterations:

- The OP leaves something to be desired. Yes, I do like "Last Regrets" - well, the full version. The short, only had they decided to cut it correctly, not where it picks up. Bringing me....

- ...to the next point. The soundtrack is the original from the game, with some remixes. The Toei version (original anime) used their own soundtrack. KyoAni's decision to use the original soundtrack couldn't rest any better with the real fans.

- Script-wise, KyoAni is sticking it pretty close. A couple things differ between the three, citing the game as absolute source. Toei's version has Nayuki giving Yuuichi a can of coffee attempting to make up for being late, an event in the game. KyoAni's version has Yuuichi's "joke" of not remembering Nayuki's name, as well as a perfectly voiced response from Nayuki (exception being that she doesn't laugh it off in the game.) This is something not in Toei's version, but just the same, the coffee didn't make it into KyoAni's version.

- More scripting fun comes in the dream sequences, which if not spot on, are damned close to being spot on. The dream sequences are an integral part to the story, so both Toei's version and KyoAni's version has them.

- Now we break the mold a little bit. KyoAni takes a few things out of order, such as Nayuki giving Yuuichi the tour of the town, which happened on the second day in the game, I believe. Also, Kaori and Jun were originally introduced at school. Yet another KyoAni change is the definite push towards the Kaori x Jun pairing.

- The taiyaki thief, Ayu, is given a more believable story this time, whether that's good or not will depend on later episodes. Instead of just not having the money and running off, she's scared off when the shop owner scares off Piro.

- There's also the Nayuki fanservice, which, for what it is, and where it is, isn't in the game, nor Toei's version. I'm not complaining though, and even though Kanon's original release is of H origin, fanservice is of a different nature.

- We've got Canon in Kanon. Something one must listen for during the scene with Ayu in the cafe.

- I've yet to mention the animation quality. It's very good as others say. Having seen 3 renderings of the same characters, I quite prefer KyoAni's renderings. Keep in mind, the 3 different renderings are all not far off from each other.

- The shopping scene, when Ayu runs into Yuuichi, and subsequently dragging him away, well done. Especially after the return and Nayuki calling Yuuichi a liar. Oh, and kudos to KyoAni for a wonderful transition from that scene back to home.

- The detail of the backgrounds are amazing. KyoAni actually gave life to the backgrounds, which definitely gives the series a much different flow, a very good thing.

- The other details of the settings, pretty much how close everything is to what one saw in the game. As far as the Minase house, town layout, and so on. Another cookie for KyoAni!

- KyoAni definitely wanted every major character represented, and for those who can't find Makoto, look for the kitsune that Nayuki chases after.

- My there's a lot of stuff to write about, but I end with this, they're keeping the jam joke in! If you don't know what it is, just wait for it.

Phew, a long post, ne? I'd write some more to wrap it up, but it's late. So for now I'll say this, thank you to KyoAni for a wonderful job. *waits to replace with a joke* - Until later, ja ne!