After Ushio Okazaki’s death in Clannad: After Story, time resets to the moment of her birth. Everything seems the same, but this time, mysteriously, Nagisa Okazaki doesn’t die. At first, it feels like a dream, as if it’s showing how things could have been. However, Tomoya later mentions that he remembers Nagisa and Ushio dying, but he doesn’t understand how time has restarted, with everything now seeming perfect.The anime doesn’t clearly explain how this happens, but it gives us hints, which I will explain below.

In Clannad: After Story, the moment when time “restarts” after Ushio Okazaki’s death is connected to one of the series’ central themes: the “illusionary world” and the collection of light orbs representing the happiness and wishes of others. This supernatural element, introduced early in Clannad, plays a key role in reversing the tragedies Tomoya experiences, including Ushio’s death.

This isn’t the first time a miracle like this happens in the series. Remember when Nagisa was a child and fell gravely ill? Her father, Akio Furukawa, took her to a special place in town and prayed for her recovery. The next morning, Nagisa regained consciousness. In that moment, light orbs appeared from above and granted Akio’s wish. Later in the series, the narrator mentions, “When people in this town find true happiness, a mysterious light appears from above and grants any wish.” This is exactly what happened in Tomoya’s case as well.

Here’s how the time restart occurs:

 1. The Illusionary World and Light Orbs

Throughout the series, viewers see glimpses of an “illusionary world,” where a mysterious girl and a robot live in a desolate environment. This world symbolizes an alternate reality, and the girl is eventually revealed to be Ushio’s spiritual counterpart. The light orbs, which appear when characters achieve happiness or fulfill their wishes, have the power to change fate.

As Tomoya and Nagisa help various characters throughout the series, they gather these light orbs, which are tied to the illusionary world and have the ability to grant miracles.

 2. Ushio’s Death

In the tragic timeline, both Nagisa and Ushio die due to the same mysterious illness. Tomoya is devastated by their deaths, and the story seems to reach a heartbreaking conclusion. However, the light orbs that Tomoya and Nagisa have accumulated over time offer a second chance.

 3. Time Reset and the Miracle

After Ushio’s death, Tomoya finds himself back at the moment Nagisa was giving birth. This is where the miracle happens—the light orbs allow time to “reset” and provide Tomoya with a chance to relive this crucial moment. Instead of the tragic outcome where Nagisa dies during childbirth, this time both she and Ushio survive. The series shows that the accumulated light orbs and Tomoya’s good deeds have granted his deepest wish: to live a happy life with his family.

4. Conclusion

The time restart signifies that fate can be changed through love, kindness, and helping others. The supernatural elements in Clannad: After Story ultimately offer Tomoya redemption and a second chance, allowing him to build a happy future with Nagisa and Ushio. This ending blends the series’ themes of family, sacrifice, and the power of human connection, bringing the story to an emotionally uplifting resolution.