Why is Kanon and Air anime so good?

One of the most important things to bear in mind when it comes to a lot of Keys work is ' don't question the supernatural'. For the most part, all of Key's stories are largely the same in structure, a mix of comedy SOL and drama which ultimately involves tragedy and some sort of supernatural phenomena. If you get stuck in wondering how or why the supernatural stuff works, you'll become disconnected from the story, and these stories live and die on your connection with them. Just accept that Yukito lives in a world where magic can happen.

Now, as for why they are good, it's about the connection with the characters. Key are masters of emotional manipulation, they give you all these sweet, fun moments so that you'll connect with the series various heroines and then, tragedy. People tend to like things they can get an emotional reaction out of, and I know several grown men reduced to tears by Key.

In summary, thee are shows that need to be watched emotionaly, not analytically.

As a side note, the fact that these ones started as adult games is really not all that mindblowing. Aside from the list supplied above, it's worth noting that the 'adult' part is a very minor component of what the games actually are. Back in 'the day', even narrative driven (as opposed to erotically driven) visual novels where kind of expected to have sex scenes in them, but that was a small part of the whole. Even though Kanon and Air are much shorter than the works Key makes now, they are still less than 1% adult content, and that has only reduced in recent time.

Air was made literally a decade ago and Kanon is even older. Designs are obviously dated for dated anime. Nobody asked about the puppet because everyone assumed he s a street magician. Magicians always have secret tricks to make it look like real magic. The anime is supernatural slice of life. Just like Kanon and Clannad and their newest anime Little Busters!. Key s entire video game franchise is the same. Angel Beats! was made by 2 guys who worked at Key. Key themselves didn t make it which is why it s devoid of actual character development unlike the other 3.

What s wrong with it being based on an adult video game? About a 200 of all anime are. The Fate/Stay night franchise which is super popular is as well.

Other popular anime based on porn games:

Ef - a Tale of Memories.

Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha

Da Capo

Shuffle!

Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate

Muve-Luv Alternative

Mashiro-iro Symphony

Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!!

To Heart 2

11 Eyes

Princess Lover!

Tears to Tiara

Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka

Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de

Ayakashi

Utawarerumono (and this one is getting a new anime this year too)

and so on.