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Clannad Anime – Reviewed
Posted By EthaNox On June 7, 2010
Today’s review will be a bit different, not because of a change in form or pace but because today’s a double review Extravaganza! That’s not necessarily true, though, since reviewing Clannad without its after story would be a pointless exercise in laziness and stupidity.
The anime is divided into two separate seasons, each taking place in its own period of time while still following the same over-arching plot. Clannad is a more recent show than the ones I’ve reviewed so far. It was officially released back in 2004 as a visual novel, where you follow a linear story that branches off into small side-plots. Each plot is based around five female protagonists with whom you’ll try to establish a relationship, each leading to different endings and presenting a departure from the adult themed games made by the company (Key, the makers of “Kanon” and “Air”).
Clannad was met with enough acclaim as to warrant the creation of a short animated film made by Toei, which is disappointing and lacking when compared to the anime that would soon follow in 2007, helmed by Kyoto Animation.
Welcome to the beginning of your life
The show starts us off in the same vein as the game in the shoes of Tomoya Okazaki, a seemingly unlikable guy who acts coldly and indifferent around people due to events that took place in his past which left him scarred. He seems to be your average high school punk, at least until he has a chance meeting with the beautiful and frail looking Nagisa Furukawa.
These two characters are like yin and yang. Tomoya is strong willed and straight forward whereas Nagisa is a very sweet and gentle person. Together, they set out to start their lives in high school and meet a varied cast of friends along the way. The anime stays above water and shines as an example of quality animation, coloring, storytelling and adding elements such as comedy in the way of the characters’ varied personalities clashing.
Speaking of the characters, I have mentioned how many an anime tends to be character centric. Clannad is a shining example of that and every single character will be fleshed out to the point where each one becomes an individual. The plot integrates elements of the slice of life genre, but it adds a subtle sub plot with paranormal elements that won’t be all over your face (this be magic ya’ll!) but instead will build up to an amazing twist that will make you slap yourself in the face with astonishment (it’s that good).
The characters are the heart of the show and we see them grow and develop beyond the usual archetypes presented to us in anime. Their day to day lives are full of seemingly simple trials that they overcome together with team work and determination (somehow without falling into the fruity side of things), contrasting the innocence of our inner child to the bitterness and resentment that takes hold of many a teen as they journey into the adult world.
This leads us to the second part of our review, which hopefully is not wordy enough to deter anyone skimming through it. Be warned though, this is where the dramatic part of the show really sets in and as much as the first season contained plenty of funny and light hearted moments this one might make some viewers end in tears, not of rage nor joy but simply sadness.
Always look on the bright side of life
To put it simply, Clannad is a drama. It has a lot of funny and heartwarming moments, but they serve as build up for a dramatic set up that will tug at your heart strings some way or another. It will never be needlessly silly or clichéd so you can count out most of the usual plots that show up in these kinds of shows. Clannad takes its time to present the characters as people that go through life together.
The second season kicks off by showing us the characters’ last years as students and their development into young adults including getting a job, romance and even parenthood. The second season centers itself more on Tomoya and his day to day life with Nagisa and her family, going from how they became a couple into their first year as newlyweds and finally parents.
But fans of the other characters that formed this magnificent cast shouldn’t feel let down because they all get a chance to be under the spotlight and we get to see plenty of their adult lives. Be sure to remember, though, that Clannad becomes even more of a drama here. The plots start to foreshadow a set of events that will give the latter half of the show a dark tone while still hitting close to home.
The paranormal events that have been foreshadowed and spread throughout the show take form in the last few episodes and provide a welcomed twist to the plot but it’s up to you to find out how this plays out. The plot comes together beautifully by the end and many questions are answered. It is also worth noting that many (of the few) retractors of the show point out that it ends on too much of a happy high note but trust me, that’s pretty much the point of it.
Clannad deals with family (the word Clannad is actually derived from an old Irish word for family), friends and the general themes that go alongside growing up, but it does so by adding humor, magic and changing over the course of both seasons into a mature and somewhat darker tone.
In the end, Clannad is really worth giving a try. The art style is captivating (I don’t remember any other anime where the eyes looked so lively) and so are the characters. I wasn’t so big on drama (and still kinda am not) before watching this but you won’t regret it. Be warned though, those weak of heart should pack a tissue or two for this journey.
