Kanon on Switch, and The VN's Significance Today

Originally released by Key/Visual Arts in Japan on June 4th, 1999, Kanon was the studio’s first release. Soon after, it received official Japanese ports to the Dreamcast in September 2000 and the and PS2 in February 2002. According to the Japanese site PCnews, the VN’s original release was the second highest-selling bishoujo game. In 2002, Kanon was the forty-fifth bestselling bishoujo game. A bishoujo game, as defined by Wikipedia, is “a type of Japanese video game centered on interactions with attractive girls.”

The story revolves around Yuuichi Aizawa, a high school student who returns to a town he once visited to live with extended family. At first, he can’t remember anything about his prior visit, but when he meets Ayu Tsukimiya, his memories start to return. Kanon incorporates elements of mystery and intrigue, keeping players eager to uncover the secrets within the narrative.

The VN currently boasts an average score of 7.65 on VNDB, with a popularity rating of #57.

In 2002, the VN received an anime adaptation from Toei, and was generally well received despite criticism of its character designs and overall style.

Toei’s anime adaptation of Kanon was frequently Photoshopped and “memed on” over the years.

In 2006, KyoAni (Kyoto Animation) produced another anime adaptation of the VN. While Kanon fans were more pleased with the art direction this time, some argued that Toei’s handling of the characters was superior.

On December 21st, 2022, a remastered Japanese-language port was announced for the Nintendo Switch. It includes enhanced visuals and new features: