Shiori Misaka is probably the most unappreciated character in Kanon considering how many people like the other girls: Ayu, Nayuki, Makoto, Mai. Shiori that I felt after watching her arc made me appreciate her more because she is the most “down to earth” girl compared to the others in Yuuichi’s harem (although technically Kanon is not really a stereotypical harem anime.) The main reason why I also like Misuzu and Nagisa is they are vastly similar to Shiori because of their tragic endings and also they don’t have friends until the male lead comes.
There is many things I like about her… her rather cute appearance, her love for ice cream and hate for spicy foods, and her rememberable catchphrase “I don’t like people who say such things!” when Yuuichi says rude things about her. Beside from the point, her story is a rather tragic one and after watching it made me appreciate her more because what would happen if you were sick and your sister/brother forgot about you because they are afraid of you dying when they get too close to you. Yeah, that would stink a lot, but people need stay strong and have a purpose to live and helping others will… That what Yuuichi, as a jerk he his sometimes, helps to make Shiori happy and remend the relationship with her older sister.
If you like Misuzu and Nagisa, I see less of a reason not to like Shiori after watching her arc… unless you into more moe types, Shiori remains to be my most favorite Kanon character.
Attribution infomation
Fanart used in this post is made by moonknives. original source
Shiori had by far the best entrance of any character in the KyoAni remake, too. That meeting in the trees outside the school in the snow is burned into my long-term memory.
Shiori is also the one whose whole demeanour says “you may be the protagonist but I’m much smarter than you, and can run circles around you conversationally.” Rare enough in harem anime.
I thought I was the only person alive who’s favourite girl was Shiori. I agree with you on every aspect, and the whole “I knew you a long time ago.” Thing kinda annoys me, the fact that Yuuichi and Shiori never met before the time the story takes place is one of the factors that makes me like her best as well.