Visual Arts and Prototype have announced the release of Key’s debutant visual novel “Kanon” on Steam. The Japanese companies have also published the game’s Steam page.
The iconic visual novel will feature full Japanese voiceovers, except for the protagonist, and will include subtitles in Japanese, English, and Simplified Chinese. This revised Steam version will also showcase HD-remastered visuals.
Most of the original voice actresses, including Yui Horie (as Ayu Tsukimiya) and Yukari Tamura (as Mai Kawasumi), will reprise their roles. Additionally, Tomokazu Sugita will provide partial voiceovers for the player-controlled protagonist, Yuichi Aizawa.
The PC platform was the very first to host the visual novel, back when physical disc drives were still commonplace. Visual Arts initially released Kanon as an R-18 title in June 1999, followed by an all-ages version for PC in January 2000, which served as the basis for all subsequent ports to other platforms.
Kanon was the debut work of “Key,” one of the most esteemed “eroge” creators. Key went on to produce visual novels such as “Angel Beats,” “Air,” “Rewrite,” “Planetarian,” “Little Busters,” and my personal favorite, “Clannad,” achieving varying degrees of success.
Their visual novels are some of the most memorable and iconic in Japan, with many of their creations eventually spawning animated adaptations. Kanon, in particular, received two adaptations: the first aired in early 2002, and the second, a remake, aired in late 2006, produced by Kyoto Animation, the same studio behind the Clannad adaptation, one of the most highly regarded adaptations to air in history.
Both animated adaptations have their own unique charm, and I wouldn’t recommend watching just the remake.
To fully appreciate the story, it’s best to watch both. The series follows Yuichi Aizawa, a high school student who returns to a snow-covered northern town after seven years. He moves in with his cousin Nayuki Minase and her mother, Akiko.
Yuichi’s memories of his previous time in the town are hazy. As he re-acclimates to his surroundings, he encounters several girls, each with their own unique stories and connections to his past.
Through his interactions with them, Yuichi helps resolve their personal struggles, gradually uncovering the truth behind his lost memories and the significance of his relationships with each girl.
The narrative intertwines romance, drama, and supernatural mystery, culminating in a poignant or deeply emotional conclusion. The updated Steam release will showcase enhanced CG artwork with color palettes tailored to modern LCD panels, crucially supporting the 16:9 aspect ratio for an improved visual experience if you couldn’t already tell.
Kanon is already accessible on Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS, offering ongoing platforms for fans. Excitingly, it will soon join the PC lineup via Steam, expanding its reach to even more players which is bloody fantastic, though sadly much akin to the remake of Tsukihime this will not feature any adult rated content.
