Watch Photo Kano

Photo Kano is a romantic comedy anime that originally aired in 2013. The plot revolves around a high school student named Kazuya Maeda, who receives a camera from his dad as a birthday present. This camera becomes an ice-breaker for Kazuya, as he gains confidence and social skill by taking pictures of his everyday life. Along the way, he meets several girls who share his passion of photography, and Kazuya ends up capturing their beautiful moments with his camera.

The anime's overall tone is light-hearted and cheerful, with each episode focusing on different photo shoot adventures Kazuya goes on with his new friends. Each episode follows a formulaic structure of Kazuya meeting a new girl, spending time with her, and taking pictures with her. Despite this, the anime manages to remain engaging throughout, though whether this is due to the charming characters or the photography themes is up for debate.

The characters are diverse and interesting, each with their own quirks and personality that make them stand out from each other. The story does not shy away from showing their flaws or insecurities, and it provides a thoughtful commentary on the characters' growth and development throughout the series. The main character Kazuya is not a typical high school protagonist - he is smart, kind, and has a genuine passion for photography that drives him forward. His relationships with the girls he meets are all unique and different, making for an enjoyable viewing experience.

The animation is a standout element of this show. The camera sequences are particularly well-animated, with dynamic angles and vivid colors that pop out on-screen. The backgrounds are highly detailed, adding to the realism and immersion of the scenes. The character designs are also well-done, with each character having a distinct silhouette and clothing style that reflects their personality.

The sound design is also noteworthy, with a variety of music tracks being used throughout the show. The opening and closing themes are both catchy and upbeat, establishing the anime's tone from the get-go. The voice acting is also impressive, with the cast bringing life to their characters with their natural and expressive performances.

One critique of the show is its formulaic structure, which can become repetitive after a while. The story operates on a theme of developing relationships through photography, so it's understandable that the episodes follow a similar trajectory. However, some viewers may find this repetitive structure a bit dull, and the show would benefit from more variety in its storytelling.

Another issue with the show is its tendency to use cliches and stereotypes. For example, many of the female characters are often presented in a sexualized manner, which can be off-putting for some viewers. Moreover, while the anime attempts to subvert certain stereotypes through its characters, it doesn't always succeed in doing so, leading to some disappointing moments.

Overall, Photo Kano is a charming and romantic anime that is sure to please fans of both genres. Its vibrant animation, well-developed characters, and engaging storyline make it a delightful watch. While it may not be the most groundbreaking anime out there, it's certainly an enjoyable one that is well worth the time investment. If you're a fan of romance, photography, or just looking for a light-hearted and cheerful anime, Photo Kano is definitely worth checking out.

Photo Kano is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between May 13, 2013 and on Anime Network