Kanokon


Kanokon is a Japanese light novel series by Katsumi Nishino, with illustrations by Koin. The first novel was released by Media Factory on October 31, 2005 under its MF Bunko J imprint, and it published 15 volumes until December 24, 2010. A manga adaptation illustrated by Rin Yamaki was serialized in Media Factory's seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive between the August 2006 and August 2010 issues. A drama CD was produced by Media Factory and released on March 28, 2007. A twelve-episode anime adaptation produced by Xebec aired in Japan between April and June 2008 on AT-X, and has been licensed by Media Blasters for release in North America. A two-part OVA sequel aired on AT-X in October 2009. A visual novel named Kanokon Esuii developed by 5pb. was released for the PlayStation 2 on July 31, 2008.

Plot

Kanokon's story revolves around Kouta Oyamada, an extremely innocent young first-year high school student who moves from the country to the city and thus transfers to Kunpō High School. On his first day at his new school, he meets a beautiful second-year female student named Chizuru Minamoto. Chizuru asks him to meet her alone in the music room. When he arrives, she tells him that she is in love with him and accidentally reveals to him that she is in fact a fox spirit. Chizuru constantly and openly flirts with Kouta, even in front of others, embarrassing him greatly. Soon after the story begins, a wolf spirit named Nozomu Ezomori transfers into Kouta's school and class. From day one, she is all over Kouta, serving to embarrass him more and causing Chizuru to become annoyed at her new competition for Kouta's affection.

Characters

Main characters

;Kouta Oyamada
;Chizuru Minamoto
;Nozomu Ezomori

Supporting characters

;Tayura Minamoto
;Akane Asahina
;Ren Nanao and Ai Nanao
;Omi Kiriyama
;Mio Osakabe
;Ryuusei Kumada
;Yuuki Sasamori
;Kiriko Takana

Kudzu Leaf

;Iku Sahara
;Minori Mitama
;Saku Ezomori
;Takao Yatsuka

Yōkai and gods

;Tamamo
;Yukihana / Hanadai Yukino
;Yamata no Orochi
;Kai
;Kodama

Media

Light novels

Kanokon began as a series of light novels written by Katsumi Nishino and illustrated by Koin. The series started under the title Kanojo wa Kon, to Kawaiku Seki o Shite when the first novel was submitted to Media Factory's annual literary contest MF Bunko J Light Novel Rookie of the Year Award held in 2005. The novel placed as a "good piece of work" with two other titles, which was more or less third place. The first novel was published on October 25, 2005, and the fifteenth volume was published on December 24, 2010 under Media Factory's MF Bunko J label. The series is currently on an indefinite hiatus, with no word from the authors as to when the series will be resumed. The novels were licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment when they debuted their light novel imprint, but has since been dissolved.

Manga

A manga adaptation was serialized in Media Factory's seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive between the August 2006 and August 2010 issues. The manga takes its story from the light novels that preceded it, and is illustrated by Rin Yamaki. Nine tankōbon volumes were released in Japan between January 31, 2007 and August 23, 2010. The manga is licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment, who will release the series in four omnibus volumes.

Anime

A twelve-episode anime adaptation produced by Xebec aired in Japan between April 5 and June 21, 2008 on AT-X. Six DVD volumes were released by Media Factory between June 25 and November 21, 2008, There are also six specials spread out over three DVDs. A box set was later released on January 22, 2010. The anime is licensed in North America by Media Blasters under the title Kanokon: The Girl Who Cried Fox, and released the first volume on May 25, 2010. Media Blasters later announced that they will not release volumes 2 and 3 of the series, and instead released a box set on March 22, 2011.
A two-part OVA, entitled Kanokon: Manatsu no Daishanikusai, was announced. The first episode aired on AT-X on October 4, 2009, and the second on October 11, 2009. Both episodes were released on DVD between November 25 and December 22, 2009 by Media Factory. The OVA is licensed in North America by Media Blasters, as with the anime, and released the series on DVD on June 21, 2011.
The anime's opening theme is "Phosphor" by Ui Miyazaki, while the ending theme is "Koi no Honō" sung by Yui Sakakibara. The opening theme for the OVA is "Sunlight of the Sordino" by Yui Sakakibara, and the ending theme is "Lupinus: Winds of Happiness" by Ui Miyazaki.

Visual novel

A visual novel developed for the PlayStation 2 entitled Kanokon Esuii was released on July 31, 2008 and developed by 5pb. in limited and regular editions. The limited edition came bundled with an audio CD containing an image song and an original drama. The song, "Koi no Miracle Summer Vacation", is sung by Mamiko Noto, Ayako Kawasumi, and Miyū Takeuchi, the voice actresses of Kouta, Chizuru, and Nozomu, respectively. The audio drama is entitled "Natsu no Hi no Hajimari". The game is described by the development team as a "noisy romantic-comedy Adventure game. The game's opening theme is "Happy Succession" sung by Ui Miyazaki, and the single containing the song was released on August 27, 2008. The ending theme is "Eien no Koi" by Yui Sakakibara.

Other

A drama CD based on the series was released on March 28, 2007 by Media Factory. The drama's theme song was "Otoko no Ko Desho" by Marina Kuroki. Another drama CD was sold on June 25, 2008.
An Internet radio show produced by Media Factory called Kanokon Radio: Kouta's and Chizuru's Bouncing Growth Diary began airing on March 21, 2007. One episode is broadcast every other week on Friday. The show is hosted by Mamiko Noto, and Ayako Kawasumi. There are four corners, or parts, to each episode. The shows starts with a short radio drama, which moves on to general news about the Kanokon anime and series in general. Listeners can send in comments about the show up on the air. The show's opening theme is "Strategy" by Ui Miyazaki, and the ending theme is "Sweet Time" by Yui Sakakibara.

Reception

The first DVD of Kanokon was ranked tenth on the Tohan charts between June 26 and July 2, 2008, ranked eighth between July 10 and 16, 2008. The third DVD of Kanokon was ranked sixth on the Tohan charts between August 21 and 27, 2008. The fourth DVD of Kanokon was ranked 21st on the Tohan charts between September 23 and 29, 2008. The fifth DVD of Kanokon was ranked 28th on the Tohan charts between October 21 and 28, 2008. The sixth DVD of Kanokon was ranked 14th on the Tohan charts between November 19 and 25, 2008.
The characters have received both praise and criticism from publications dedicated to anime and manga. Kouta's character was criticized by THEM anime reviews for the artwork in the anime adaptation. His facial appearance was described as being featureless, and unlike the manga too young looking. Theron Martin from Anime News Network said that Kouta's youthful appearance in the anime makes Chizuru's advances appear like borderline shotacon. Chizuru's character was ranked #10 in a list of top 10 sexiest female anime/manga characters for her affection towards Kouta in public. Like Kouta however, her appearance was criticized by THEM Anime reviews for lacking facial features in the anime adaptation. Travis Bruno from Capsule Computers gave Chizuru's manga appearance a good review, saying that she is designed well with "clear cut differences" between her human and fox forms. Nozomu's appearance in the anime was mentioned in a review by Chris Beveridge from the Fandom Post. He stated that the addition of Nozomu without a doubt adds more competition to things, going on to say that unlike Chizuru Nozomu competes with Chizuru on more of a quiet side which adds to her appeal.