Canvas 2

Canvas 2 (fansub, ep1.)
Anime stores in Japan will frequently include promotional items, such as bookmarks or mini posters, in you bag with your purchase. On my trip to Japan in the fall of '05, I received a number of bookmarks featuring characters from Canvas 2. I knew nothing of Canvas 2, or even Canvas, other than (from my minimal Japanese knowledge used to read the bookmarks) it was a upcoming bishoujo (beautiful girl) game (presumably ero, at least the PC version) and anime series, and it had character designs I liked. So, I grabbed the fansub for episode 1, and this past week finally got around to viewing.

At the very least, I usually expect to enjoy the character designs in bishoujo series, and probably some fan service. Sometimes, though, a series surprises and has quite a bit of depth beyond cute girls. From the first episode, Canvas 2 appears to be one of these latter series.

The male lead, Kamikura, is a year away from graduating college (putting him older than most bishoujo male leads are) and plans to be an art teacher. He works as an art club advisor at a local high school (enter all the girls). He has an artistic eye and is an excellent teacher, but something in his past causes him to never draw or paint anymore himself ...

Elis, his cousin, has come to live with him, and is transferring to the school he advises at, and has newly joined the art club. Since witnessing her parents die in a car accident, she has an extreme aversion to red - which creates difficulty with her otherwise tremendous artistic ability.

While there has been a small amount of fan service, it really is rather mild, and should not put off people that are adverse to it in their anime. The series appears to be very much story and character driven, and is one I plan to follow. It is nice when a random show gives you a pleasant surprise.