Kanokon

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.

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 (彼女はこん、とかわいく咳をして) 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.

Drama CDs

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" (オトコのコでしょ) by Marina Kuroki. Another drama CD was sold on June 25, 2008.

Internet radio show

An Internet radio show produced by Media Factory called Kanokon Radio: Kouta's and Chizuru's Bouncing Growth Diary (かのこんラジオ 〜耕太とちずるのゆやよん成長日記〜, Kanokon Rajio ~Kōta to Chizuru no Yuya Yon Seichō Nikki~) began airing on March 21, 2007. One episode is broadcast every other week on Friday. The show is hosted by Mamiko Noto (the voice of Kouta in the anime), and Ayako Kawasumi (the voice of Chizuru in the anime). 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.

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 (かのこん ～真夏の大謝肉祭～, lit. Kanokon: The Great Midsummer Carnival), 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" (恋の炎, "Flame of Love") sung by Yui Sakakibara. The opening theme for the OVA is "Sunlight of the Sordino" (木漏れ日のソルディーノ, Komorebi no Sorudino) by Yui Sakakibara, and the ending theme is "Lupinus: Winds of Happiness" (ルピナス～幸せの風～, Rupinasu ~Shiwaze no Kaze~) by Ui Miyazaki.

Visual novel

A visual novel developed for the PlayStation 2 entitled Kanokon Esuii (かのこん えすいー, Kanokon Esuī) 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" (恋のミラクル☆サマーバケーション, Koi no Mirakuru☆Samā Bakēshon, lit. "Miracle Summer Vacation of Love"), 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" (夏の日のはじまり, lit. "The Beginning of a Summery Day"). The game is described by the development team as a "noisy romantic-comedy ADV (ドタバタラブコメADV, Dotabata Rabucome ADV). 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" (永遠の恋, lit. "Eternal Love") 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.