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Soukyuu no Fafner is an anime full of good ideas that could have been even better with some adjustments here and there.

The world of Fafner combines elements of Evangelion (Festum = Angels), Gundam (teenage pilots and "real robot" action), and even Star Wars (Mir = The Force) to create an original flavor. Shades of Huxley's "Brave New World" can be seen in the too-idyllic Tatsumiyajima setting, and the characters themselves spend a lot of time absorbed in philosophical thoughts and arguments. Unfortunately, the plot isn't quite as unique as the setting, and it's a little slow to develop - but in the second half ... of the series, the plot picks up and the revelations and mecha action come fast and furious.

Artwork and sound are fine, neither excellent nor terrible. The Fafner mecha, with their twisted torsoes and lanky limbs, are a little strange to look at (and we don't get enough good looks at them), but at least the artists dared to be different. I think Hisashi Hirai's character designs are fine, but I'm not sure that everyone feels the same way.

The characters are where Fafner falls a little flat. The supporting cast, though large, is quirky and likeable, but most of them are doomed to die, and only one of their deaths (very early on) really made me feel anything. That particular death, however, is handled very well and brings up another strength - the chemistry among the entire cast is very good, and it's easy to believe that these people are friends, family, and comrades who mean something to each other. However, the main characters - Kazuki and Soushi - come off as bland and unmotivated to me, and Commander Makabe may be the most unqualified and uninspiring commander in all of mecha anime.

That said, Fafner is more than the sum of its parts. The final episodes of the series that tie everything together really deliver, and made me feel like it was worth it to watch that far. If the main characters had shown more personality, and some information that was necessary for understanding the world the characters lived in had been shared earlier, I think Fafner would have been even more engaging. If you need a less-mainstream anime to satisfy your mecha cravings, or if you're feeling a little philosophical, then try Fafner - you'll probably enjoy it.

Kanon '06 - a remake of a romantic drama based on a popular H visual novel. As a fan of shonen mecha and action series, I really had no business checking Kanon out, but my friends' constant recommendations and KyoAni's good reputation forced me into it. Now that it's over, I can confidently say that Kanon was a ride that was worth taking.

Story -- The overall story can feel a bit slow at times as it gets heavily involved in character development, but every second of airtime is meaningful - nothing is wasted here. The arcs for each individual main character all contain some excellent ... plot twists, and are well-coordinated - each one is more interesting than the last, and the final arc crescendoes into some of the most breathtaking human drama I've yet witnessed in anime.

Art -- Fantastic on every level. The characters are all drawn very attractively, and the animation captures all the subtle aspects of their personalities. The girls of Kanon can seem unnervingly real at times. In addition, the snow-covered backgrounds are beautiful and add a lot to the romantic theme.

Sound -- The music is all very appropriate, enhancing the mood without distracting from the scenes at hand. A piano theme that played during certain key moments was a particular standout, although I wasn't so fond of the OP song. Voice acting was great throughout, with the voices of Yuuichi, Ayu, and Shiori being the standouts.

Character -- An anime like this has to rely on its characters - they are the story, so there's no room for faults. Fortunately, Kanon comes through. Every character stands out with a unique style and personality, and the main characters genuinely grow and change throughout their stories - especially Yuuichi, who transforms from a rather plain protagonist into a strong and charismatic hero. I truly cared for the entire cast, although I found Makoto and Kaori difficult to like.

Enjoyment/Overall -- The quality shines through. Although Kanon was a far cry from my beloved Gundam and Bleach, it won me over in the end. I won't forget the vicegrip feeling in my chest that I experienced as I watched those powerful final six episodes, and scenes from throughout the series will be burned into my memory for a long time. I'd recommend anyone who hasn't seen this series to pick it up and stick with it - trust me and KyoAni.