It’s been a long while since my last Quick Look (two months I think). So, to remedy that, I chose to introduce to you guys a show with some pretty interesting “relatives”. Ever notice how TYPE-MOON works have a sort-of penchant for bladed weapons? Ever thought what it’d be like for them to try their hand at pistols and fast-paced action? Well, some would say that we recently had an answer to that in Fate/Zero’s Kiritsugu Emiya – but before he even arrived in the anime scene, we already did have the answer – that being Tsukihime’s, Kara no Kyoukai’s and the Fate series’ lesser known cousin, CANAAN.

For an anime series, Canaan has one of the more unconventional adaptations I’ve seen so far. Compared to the PC visual novels that TYPE-MOON has been known for, Canaan has its roots in a very well received Wii visual novel called “428: Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de”. Specifically, one of the game’s scenarios, written and illustrated by both Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi, respectively is what was made to be the focal point of the series (which is most likely what made Canaan an honorary member of the TYPE-MOON family I guess)

The story, although created by Nasu himself, doesn’t display any connection to the titular Nasuverse whatsoever. To those who do not know what I’m talking about, it means that themes like sorcery and otherworldly beings, which are the norm in Kinoko Nasu’s work, do not exist in Canaan. I would even go so far as to say that without looking it up somewhere, a Nasu fan wouldn’t know that Canaan was made by the same guy.

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing (and the Nasuverse is contrived enough as it is). Sure, you’re not going to see spell-casting mages and legendary heroes duke it out here, but Canaan offers a nice substitute – especially for those craving for some bullet crossfire. Taking the lead in this department is the show’s main character, Canaan. She’s a highly skilled mercenary, capable of shooting down armed men twice her size. She’s also just a teenage girl who loves playing around with her only friend, photographer Oosawa Maria.

The two share an uncanny, yet strong relationship with one another (very subtle yuri vibe) which makes for some nice chemistry. If I were to put it into words, it’d be like a prince and a damsel in distress kind of thing when it comes to the running and gunning, but when the smoke clears and there’s time to hang out, they become like any other gal pals. Canaan and Maria share the stage with a fairly amusing mix of characters, which makes for one of the show’s strong points.

I think fans of the more popular action hit Darker than BLACK or the less popular Senkou no Night Raid, will find themselves at home here. The atmosphere and the overall feel of, well, everything, is very similar, and it’s just as fast-paced as the two. Canaan also shares Shanghai as its setting with Senkou no Night Raid (and numerous action films I take it) and the rustle and bustle environment really does suit its genre pretty well.

I won’t go into detail with the plot, as per my rule with Quick Looks, but with the series spanning thirteen episodes, I would like to point out that the story closes out pretty well (and actually has a very TYPE-MOON like ending, for those who have played their VN’s before). There are episodes that could’ve been done better in my opinion, but for a three year old show, I still give it props (it’s pretty well animated in that regard)

So yes, give it a shot. Fair warning though, once you hear faylan’s OP song, there’s almost no turning back.