First Impression: Kunon the Sorcerer Can See

Kunon Gurion is unable to see—the result of being born with the “Hero’s Scar,” a sign that legend says points to him as being the reincarnation of the hero, Histor Hughlia. But Kunon doesn’t feel like a hero; he’s a depressed young child, unable to embrace a world he cannot see. But when his tutor, Jenie Kors, teaches him a small bit of magic, Kunon’s figurative eyes are opened, as he seeks to learn a way to “see everything in the world.” Now, Kunon is embracing life, learning about magic, history, and culture, and building relationships. His inability to see won’t hinder this great sorcerer in the making any longer.

Here’s a strong nominee for “most encouraging anime of the season”! Kunon the Sorcerer Can See begins by painting a sad picture of Kunon’s life, helped along by flashbacks colored in gray, sad music, and a boy constantly shown with his head hanging downward in an almost floppy manner, as if he barely has the strength to even survive, but the tone becomes uplifting quickly as Kunon learns how to use his gift. Witnessing Kunon’s transformation is joyous and often humorous, too, as he adopts the persona of a somewhat playboy noble (at just nine, mind you)—at the suggestion of what will surely be one of the funniest supporting characters of the winter, his maid, Iko. But what’s even better is how loved Kunon is; the people in his life support and care for him well before his transformation, but they’re now filled with life too, as Kunon becomes confident. From his father to his fiancée, from his tutors to his maid Iko, they are overjoyed by the growth of the young sorcerer.

The show opens with two episodes—not necessarily to get our attention, since Kunon changes within the first 6-7 minutes of episode one, but I think to allow the world and characters to be established in the first episode and the plot in the second. Regardless, I enjoyed watching both episodes. There’s such warmth to this series! The quality of the rest of the production, on the other hand, is nothing to write home about. It’s very generic, failing to establish a strong direction for the feel or look of the series. Disappointing, but I’m encouraged enough by the initial episodes to stay on for a while and see where Kunon’s journey takes him.

Kunon the Sorcerer Can See can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

Twwk
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