The appeal and evaluation of "Kaginado": A unique story and in-depth character analysis

"Kaginado" - The charm and depth of short animation

"Kaginado" is a short anime series based on VISUAL ARTS/Key that aired from October 14 to December 29, 2021. With 12 episodes, each lasting just five minutes, it depicts various episodes set in a school where characters from Key's popular works gather. The anime aired on TOKYO MX and AT-X, was directed by Sakamoto Kazuya, and animation was produced by LIDEN FILMS' Kyoto Studio.

Relationship between the original work and the anime

The original work of "Kaginado" is an 18+ game created by VISUAL ARTS/Key. Key is a brand that has produced many moving works such as "CLANNAD", "AIR" and "KANON", and their works are loved by many fans. "Kaginado" is set in a dreamlike setting for fans, where all the characters from Key's works come together.

The original game offers individual routes and endings for each character, allowing players to experience their stories in depth. Meanwhile, the anime version of "Kaginado" is set in a school where the characters from the original gather, and focuses on heartwarming episodes from their daily lives. Unlike the heavy storyline of the original, the anime version has a stronger comedic element, allowing players to see new sides to the characters.

Story and Characters

The setting of "Kaginado" is "Kaginado Academy," where characters from Key's works gather. Each episode is made up of independent episodes, depicting the characters' daily lives and interactions. For example, one episode shows the characters cooking in a cooking class, while another shows them competing in a sports day.

Although the characters do not have the profound drama that they show in their individual routes in the original work, there are plenty of comical scenes that make the most of each individual's personality. The highlight is watching familiar characters such as Tomoya Okazaki from "CLANNAD" and Otoko Kunizaki from "AIR" build new relationships in their school life. In addition, the voice actors for each character are the same as those in the original work, so fans can enjoy hearing familiar voices.

Animation and performance

The animation for "Kagi Nado" is handled by LIDEN Film's Kyoto studio. As it is a short animated film, limited time and budget is allocated to the production of each episode, but the characters' movements and expressions are still carefully drawn, providing a visually impressive piece. In particular, the changes in the characters' expressions and gestures often faithfully reproduce the atmosphere of the original work, which will be a delight for fans.

In terms of directing, the camerawork and use of colors that match the theme of each episode are impressive. For example, the cooking class episode uses warm colors that bring out the deliciousness of the food, while the sports day episode employs dynamic camerawork that expresses the excitement of the competition. In addition, at the end of each episode, quiet scenes that seem to capture the characters' daily lives are inserted, leaving viewers with a warm and relaxing feeling.

Music and Sound

The music for "Kaginado" retains the atmosphere of the original work while incorporating new elements. The opening theme "Kaginado" is performed by riya, a music unit that has participated in many of Key's works, and the melody will be familiar to fans of the original work. The ending theme "Kimi no Hikari" is also performed by riya, and features lyrics and a melody that gently embrace the characters' daily lives.

The background music for each episode also retains the atmosphere of the original work, but is also light-hearted and suited to the short anime. In particular, heartwarming melodies are played in scenes depicting the characters' daily lives, giving viewers a relaxing feeling. In the sports day episode, upbeat background music is used to liven up the excitement of the competition, raising the viewer's excitement.

Message to your fans

For fans of Key's work, "Kaginado" is a precious work that allows them to see a new side of the characters. Unlike the heavy story of the original, it is centered on heartwarming episodes of everyday life, so it can be enjoyed not only by fans of the original, but also by those who are experiencing Key's work for the first time. Also, since each episode is independent, you can choose to watch an episode of your favorite character.

Furthermore, because "Kaginado" is set in a school where the characters from the original work gather, it is also used as a place for fans to interact with each other. On social media and fan sites, there are many posts introducing the episodes of the characters and their favorite characters. Fan art and fan content are also popular, and they are deepening the interactions between fans.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Kaginado" is a short animated series that depicts the daily lives of the characters. For fans of the original work, it is a valuable work that allows them to see new sides to the characters, and even for those who are experiencing Key's work for the first time, it is a work that allows them to experience the charm of the characters. Since each episode is independent, it is possible to choose and watch episodes of your favorite characters, making it a flexible structure that meets the needs of viewers.

The music and sound also retain the atmosphere of the original work while incorporating new elements, which has the effect of soothing the viewer's heart. It is also used as a place for fans to interact with each other, and the excitement on social media and fan sites is not to be missed. "Kaginado" is a must-see for fans who love Key's works, and even for those who are experiencing Key's work for the first time, it is a work that allows you to feel the charm of the characters.

summary

"Kaginado" is a short anime series set in a school where characters from popular works by VISUAL ARTS/Key gather. There are 12 episodes in total, each of which is only 5 minutes long, and is packed with episodes depicting the daily lives of the characters. For fans of the original work, it is a valuable work that allows them to see a new side of the characters, and even those who are experiencing Key's work for the first time can feel the charm of the characters. The music and sound also inherit the atmosphere of the original while incorporating new elements, which has the effect of soothing the viewers' hearts. In addition, it is also used as a place for fans to interact with each other, and the excitement on social media and fan sites is not to be missed. "Kaginado" is a must-see work for fans who love Key's works, and even those who are experiencing Key's work for the first time can feel the charm of the characters.